Chai-time is ‘me’ time for anyone and Dubai has a lot of spots to satiate your all-time craving! From the famous cutting chai to the local favourite- Karak, the city serves several variants of this humble beverage. And today, we discovered a 40-year-old restaurant in Jumeriah that has been a go-to for Karak lovers. So, what makes Al Farwania so special? Read on to know more!
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Al Farwania Serves Karak For Just AED 1 & Has Karak Lovers Queuing
Nestled in the busy lanes of Jumeirah is the Al Farwania, a no-frills restaurant that has been a favoutire for decades now. The restaurant is particularly famous for its flavorful karak chai, and has people queuing outside to get a sip of the beverage. The tiny teashop began in 1981 as a small family business and has served cuppas to everyone who stops by.
Make a quick pitstop here at 4 pm and you are sure to see cars cruise down the famous Jumeirah street. The are dozens of cars lined up to grab a cuppa. The waiter runs around the cars, taking orders and he doesn’t need a book to take down the order, his memory is that good- you’ll know. A few other waiters walk to and fro from the kitchen to the cars, carefully balancing the cups on a tray, ready to serve the customers. And it all happens so seamlessly, that you’ll hardly notice when the order even reached the kitchen.
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“Back then, when the restaurant started, Jumeriah was pretty deserted. There weren’t so many buildings and this was probably the only restaurant in the area”, said restaurant manager- Unais Kottapuram. Well, this was perhaps why the restaurant shot to fame and has people queuing outside every today. The restaurant serves over 500 people in a day, starting from 7 am until 10 am. The peak hours however are between 4-6 pm, when tired workers drop by to unwind after office hours.
“A cup of karak costed 50 Fils in the beginning. We later sold it at 75 Fils and today it costs AED 1”, added Unais. The restaurant is popular not just among locals, but also among tourists who come to Dubai. As for the residents, it has been a favourite hangout to catch up with friends over a steaming hot cup of Karak. And, the best part about the restaurant is that it has retained it old world charm, defying Jumeirah’s glitz and glamour. Well, the restaurant has posh cars lining up in front of it- need we anything more glamorous?
Well, there can be no better way to end the day than a warm cup of strong, cardamom-infused tea, boiled to perfection and if you’re nodding vigorously, you need to head here right away!
Also read: Dubai To Soon Get A Glittering 24-Karat Gold Infused Karak Tea