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For that sweet, full feel
DUBAI - Fancy a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lexus or an FJ Cruiser? Or would you like to chill with Messi and Maradona?
- PUBLISHED: Sat 27 Aug 2011, 11:02 PM UPDATED: Wed 24 May 2023, 2:30 PM
Then indulge in Dubai's trademark fresh fruit cocktail juices that will never disappoint the drinker.
Al Ijaza Cafeteria in Jumeirah 2 has been in the service for the last 22 years and sells more than 80 varieties of special cocktail juices. The cafeteria is also famous because of its appearance in the magnum opus film made in Dubai called 'City of Life'. Since then, the customers have doubled and Polaris, the drink the protagonist ordered in that film, is among the favourites.
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As the sun goes down, the line of posh cars around the cafeteria is a testament to its fame.
Shamsudheen, manager, said: “Special juices are the main item for sale here. People all the way from Sharjah, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi come here regularly. We are open from 9am to 3am. We have no other branch and 24 staff work here. The business is excellent.”
The famous juices include Salik, Hello, Burj Khalifa, Abood and Facebook among others and the prices range from Dh6 to Dh12, depending on the size.
“We update the menu every six months but add new drinks every month. All cocktails have a mixture of different fresh fruits. The names are given according to what is in season and popular among our customers,” said Shamsudeen. “We sell more than 1,000 glasses of juice in a day.”
Street food in Dubai includes shawerma, hommus, falafel and a customary fresh fruit cocktail juice.
On Dhiyafah Street, the options are galore. If you are in the mood for some royal treat, head for Al Mallah Cafeteria. They have the Charles, a strawberry shake or Diana, a banana creation, along with a drink named after the legendary football player, Pele.
Abu Faisal, owner, said: “Our speciality is the Al Mallah Special which includes almonds, honey, fresh fruit pieces and is a mixture of pineapple, banana, apple and mango.”
The other favourites include Tahiti or the original avocado and strawberry.
Faisal said: “The juices cost Dh12 and Dh14. We get Emiratis, Indians as well as Europeans who relish these drinks. The business is very good in the evenings when we sell almost 300 juices. We are open from 6am to 4am.”
Jabal Al Noor has four branches in Satwa itself with just a two-minute walking distance from each shop.
Hamid Ponnandy, manager, said: “During seasons, we keep the names of the speciality juices. If it is cricket, then a drink is called Sachin; if it is football, then Maradona.”
When they have regular customers, drinks are named after them as well. The customer can select the fruits and Hamid also gives his suggestions.
“Jabal Al Noor special is our most famous creation. It is a mix of plums, mango and fig. Emiratis as well as Indians are our main customers. The business in this area is very good and these juices make our customers very happy.”
Leo Immisch and Max Hoing, tourists from Germany, said: “We were at Al Ijaza Cafeteria yesterday and had the Mango shake. It was so good that we came back to try some other drinks today as well.”
With its popularity among residents and tourists alike, the speciality cocktails are a refreshing delight and part of a very unique trait of Dubai.
deepa@khaleejtimes.com