Some restaurants are easy to explain. Mado restaurant is one of them: it’s a Turkish café-restaurant that does breakfast, grilled meats, desserts, and its legendary Maraş-style ice cream — all under one roof, across multiple Dubai locations.
What makes it worth writing about isn’t just the food. It’s the story behind it. Mado traces its ice cream-making roots back to 1850 in Kahramanmaraş, a city in southern Turkey known for producing one of the world’s most distinctive styles of ice cream. That tradition eventually became a global chain, and Dubai has been one of its international homes for years.
This guide covers the menu, the must-order dishes, all Dubai branches, prices, and the things that actually make Mado different from every other Turkish restaurant in the city.
The Story Behind Mado
The name itself gives it away. MADO restaurant is a portmanteau of two Turkish words: Maraş — the historical name of Kahramanmaraş, the city where the brand originated — and Dondurma, the Turkish word for ice cream.
The ice cream-making tradition that underpins Mado goes back to 1850, when Osman Ağa of the Kanbur family began enhancing a local frozen treat with fresh milk, honey, and salep — a flour made from wild orchid roots that gives Kahramanmaraş ice cream its famous stretch and density. The craft passed through generations until Yaşar Patisserie was established in 1980.
The chain was officially launched as MADO in 1991 in Istanbul, pioneering Turkey’s first domestic food franchising system. It has since expanded to over 300 restaurants across Turkey and approximately 100 international branches spanning more than 22 countries — including the UAE, where it operates multiple locations across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
This isn’t a new brand trying to capitalize on Turkish food’s global appeal. It’s a heritage brand that built the appeal.
What Mado Specializes In
Mado positions itself as a full-service Turkish café-restaurant, but its identity is really built on three pillars:
1. Turkish breakfast — Elaborate morning spreads with cheeses, eggs, olives, jams, fresh bread, and more, available throughout the day.
2. Turkish cuisine — Kebabs, pides, grilled meats, soups, böreks, and mains cooked to traditional recipes.
3. Maraş dondurma and desserts — The signature 100% natural goat’s milk ice cream, baklava, künefe, milk desserts, and imported sweets from Turkey.
The menu is broader than most Turkish restaurants in Dubai, which is one reason it draws such a wide range of diners — from families with children who want ice cream to business lunches over kebabs to couples doing a Turkish breakfast on a Friday morning.
Mado Restaurant Menu Highlights: What to Order
Turkish Breakfast (Sini Breakfast Platter)
This is the dish that has turned Mado into a weekend staple for Dubai residents. The sini (tray) breakfast is designed for sharing — a wide spread of feta cheese, assorted cheeses, olives, tomato, cucumber, fresh eggs, jams, honey, butter, and freshly baked simit (sesame-encrusted ring bread).
The Turkish breakfast at Mado is available throughout the day, not just in the morning — which makes it practical for brunch, a lazy lunch, or even an early dinner.
Regulars often pair it with a glass of salep (the warm, milky orchid-root drink) or traditional black Turkish tea served in a tulip glass.
Iskender Kebab
The Iskender is one of Mado’s most-praised main courses — thinly sliced döner meat laid over pieces of bread, topped with tomato sauce and hot butter, served with yogurt. It’s a Turkish classic, and Mado executes it properly. Reviews consistently single it out as one of the best dishes on the menu.
Chicken Shish Kebab & Mixed Grill
The grilled section of Mado’s menu is reliable. The chicken shish is well-marinated and consistently cooked, while the mixed grill platter gives a sampling of different meats — good for groups who want variety.
Mixed Cheese Pide
Pide is the Turkish flatbread equivalent of a stuffed bread — boat-shaped, baked in an oven, filled with melted cheese or various toppings. The mixed cheese pide at Mado is a crowd favorite, particularly at the Dubai Mall branch where it’s frequently ordered as a starter or light meal.
Manti (Turkish Dumplings with Cheese)
Manti are small hand-folded dumplings served with yogurt and butter sauce. Mado’s version with cheese filling is a dish that regulars return for specifically — delicate, filling, and different from anything else on the menu.
Beef Steak Sashlik
A popular choice from Mado’s grill section — marinated beef skewers with a charred exterior and tender center, typically served with sides. Paired with rice, it’s one of the more substantial mains on the menu.
Grilled Tiger Prawns
The seafood option that gets consistent mentions from diners is the grilled tiger prawns — well-seasoned, properly cooked, and a good alternative to the meat-heavy grill selections.
The Ice Cream: What Makes It Different
Mado’s dondurma is not the same as standard ice cream, and it’s worth understanding why before you order.
Traditional Kahramanmaraş dondurma is made using:
- Goat’s milk — Richer and fattier than cow’s milk, it produces a denser, creamier texture
- Salep — Flour ground from wild orchid roots, which gives the ice cream its distinctive stretch and prevents it from melting quickly
- Mastic — A natural resin that adds slight chewiness
The result is an ice cream you can literally pull — it stretches like taffy when you try to scoop it, which is why Turkish ice cream vendors are famous for their theatrical scooping tricks.
Mado’s ice cream comes in more than 20 flavors, including pistachio, mastic, chocolate, seasonal fruits, and several others. They also offer a lighter version — 57% fewer calories than the original — and sugar-free varieties for those with dietary restrictions.
If you’re visiting Mado for the first time and only trying one thing, the dondurma should be it.
Dessert Menu Beyond Ice Cream
Mado’s dessert section goes well beyond the ice cream counter:
- Baklava — Made with pistachios and imported from Turkey; the carrot-shaped baklava (havuç dilimi) is a signature variety. Guests have described receiving complimentary baklava ice cream portions as a standout gesture of hospitality
- Künefe — Shredded wheat pastry with melted cheese inside, soaked in syrup; best eaten immediately
- Tiramisu — A Turkish-styled version that incorporates the brand’s own ice cream
- Milk desserts — Including sutlac (rice pudding) and other classic Turkish sweets
- Salep — Warm orchid-root drink, thick and comforting; a signature beverage particularly recommended in cooler months
Mado Dubai: Branch Locations
Mado operates across several Dubai locations, each with slightly different settings:
| Branch | Area | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Mall | Downtown Dubai | Ground Floor, The District, Financial Centre Street |
| Jumeirah (Kite Beach area) | Umm Suqeim | Near Kite Beach; outdoor terrace available |
| Dubai Hills | Dubai Hills Mall | Mall dining |
The Dubai Mall branch is the most visited — it’s a proper sit-down restaurant with attentive staff and the full menu. The Jumeirah branch near Kite Beach is popular with families and visitors who want an outdoor terrace experience with a view.
For reservations or enquiries: marketing@mado.ae | Instagram: @madouae
Prices at Mado Restaurant Dubai
Mado is mid-range in terms of pricing. You’re not paying fine-dining prices, but it’s not a budget eat either.
| Category | Approximate Price |
|---|---|
| Turkish breakfast (per person) | AED 60–85 |
| Kebab or main course | AED 80–130 |
| Ice cream (per scoop/serving) | AED 18–35 |
| Baklava (per piece/portion) | AED 20–40 |
| Meal for two (mains + dessert) | AED 100–200 |
A common note from reviewers: portion sizes at Mado are generous. If you’re ordering for two, one main course between you is often more than sufficient — especially with starters included.
What Reviewers Consistently Say
Mado holds a 4.6 out of 5 on Google (6,000+ reviews) and a strong 4.5 on Tripadvisor — numbers that reflect a reliable, well-regarded restaurant rather than a hyped one.
Consistent praise:
- Staff hospitality — several staff members are repeatedly named in reviews for going out of their way
- Authenticity of Turkish flavors, specifically the kebabs and breakfast
- The bamboo biryani experience (at select locations)
- Complimentary gestures — tea, sweets, payasam — noted across multiple branches
- Ice cream quality and variety
Consistent feedback:
- Service can slow considerably when branches are busy, particularly at weekends
- Some reviewers feel the menu is extensive but execution can be inconsistent during peak hours
- Outdoor seating at the Jumeirah branch occasionally noted for slow service when understaffed
Is Mado Good for Vegetarians?
Yes. The menu has a solid vegetarian range: cheese pide, vegetarian breakfast options, various pastries, salads, and the full dessert and ice cream menu. While Mado is primarily known as a meat and dairy-forward restaurant, vegetarians won’t struggle to find satisfying options.
Tips for Your Visit
Book ahead for weekend breakfast. The Turkish breakfast at Mado restaurant — particularly at the Dubai Mall branch — fills up fast on Fridays and Saturdays. Either book a table or arrive early.
Start with the sini breakfast if you haven’t tried Turkish breakfast before. It’s the dish that gives the most complete sense of what Mado does, and it’s designed for sharing.
Don’t leave without ice cream. Even if you’re full. The dondurma is the reason Mado exists as a brand — skipping it is like going to a dedicated sushi restaurant and ordering pasta.
Order the Iskender early. It takes slightly longer than most dishes. If you’re mixing starters and a main, mention the Iskender when you sit down.
The Jumeirah branch is better for a relaxed evening. The outdoor terrace near Kite Beach suits a quieter, more unhurried visit compared to the mall setting of the Dubai Mall branch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mado halal?
Yes. All food served at Mado UAE is halal.
Does Mado serve alcohol?
No. Mado is a non-alcoholic restaurant.
Can I order Mado for delivery in Dubai?
Yes. Mado is available on major food delivery platforms in Dubai.
Is the Turkish breakfast served all day at Mado?
At most Dubai branches, yes — the breakfast menu is available throughout the day, not limited to morning hours.
What makes Mado’s ice cream different from regular ice cream?
Mado uses traditional Kahramanmaraş dondurma — made with goat’s milk and salep (orchid root flour), giving it a stretchy texture and slow-melt quality that standard ice cream doesn’t have.
What is the best Mado branch in Dubai?
The Dubai Mall branch is the most consistent in terms of food quality and staffing. The Jumeirah branch near Kite Beach is better for ambiance and an outdoor setting.
How old is the Mado brand?
The ice cream tradition behind Mado dates back to 1850 in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. The MADO chain was formally launched in 1991 and now operates in over 22 countries with 400+ branches globally.
Final Thoughts
Mado isn’t trying to be Dubai’s most exciting Turkish restaurant. It’s aiming to be the most reliable one. The breakfast is genuine, the kebabs are properly cooked, the baklava is imported from Turkey, and the dondurma is as close to Kahramanmaraş as you’ll get without a flight.
For anyone exploring Turkish cuisine in Dubai for the first time, Mado is a practical and honest starting point. For long-term residents who already know it, it remains one of the city’s most consistent options for a proper Turkish sit-down meal.