Shahrzad Palace

Shahrzad Palace is the east coast's most reliably good Iranian kitchen, positioned directly opposite the Novotel/Ibis/Adagio complex in Fujairah city and running a full Persian menu across a comfortably dressed dining room. The room stays reliably busy through the week and packs out on weekends, holidays and throughout Ramadan. The kitchen's anchor is its grill. Koubideh and Barg kebabs, sheshlik, the Mix Kebab Platter and grilled chicken arrive on fluffy, buttered saffron rice that is cooked the proper Iranian way. Lamb and mutton dishes are treated with particular care - the lamb chops and mutton biryani handle the strong flavours of the meat without the usual offputting smell. Soups and side orders hold their own: Aash Reshteh (Iranian noodle soup) and the daily stew are worth ordering, and Iranian ice cream and Faloodeh Bastani close out the meal nicely. Main courses sit between 33 and 50 AED. Seafood is a less reliable order - the grill is where the kitchen is strongest, so stay with meat or poultry for the best experience. Service is quick and polite, a baby changing table is available, and the room reads as clean and family-friendly rather than upscale. For an honestly priced, authentic Iranian sit-down dinner in the city, Shahrzad Palace is the easy pick.