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Bringing the rich taste of Pakistan to the UAE

Paying nostalgic homage to food, Al Ibrahimi Group of Restaurants has made Pakistani cuisine popular with various nationalities

Stepping into any of the seven restaurants of Al Ibrahimi Group on a weekend is like joining a social gathering of food lovers. Excited foodies of all ages and various nationalities can be spotted around its famous chaat station that serves savoury and tangy snack delicacies, or digging into grilled and other dishes freshly laid out as part of the daily buffet.
Al Ibrahimi restaurants are popular in the UAE; the food and its legacy spanning more than three-and-a-half decades say it all. Serving flavoursome Pakistani, Indian, Arabic and Chinese treats buffet-style, the restaurants have not only survived in the extremely competitive food space in the UAE, but also created a niche for itself.
"We have many specialities ranging from lamb chops, mixed grills, Lahori fried fish, chaat and Bombay falooda. People of many nationalities come and dine at our restaurants; celebrate various occasions such as birthdays, reception parties, etc. Weekends are very busy for us across our restaurants; we get at least 400 diners," says Khan Zaman Suroor Khan, Managing Director, Al Ibrahimi Group of Restaurants, and Board Member of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI).
Khan has been spearheading the show since1981, when the first restaurant called Sarhad was opened in Abu Dhabi. Sarhad is a nostalgic homage to Pakistani food that Khan had left behind when he moved to Abu Dhabi in 1969. He conceived the idea of an authentic Pakistani eatery and brought in chefs from the hinterlands of his native state of Peshawar in Pakistan to recreate the mojo of homeland food in the emirates. More than 30 years on, Sarhad retains its popularity among the foodies of Abu Dhabi and its success is replicated through a string of restaurants under Al Ibrahimi Group in different emirates.
Al Ibrahimi recently opened a new branch in Sharjah to cater to growing demands from its customers in the Northern Emirates. "The new restaurant in Sharjah has the same format as our Dubai and Abu Dhabi one. It has been very well accepted by our customers from Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Sharjah," says Khan.
The consistency and quality of food is the same across restaurants, which make this place special. Whether you dine in at one of Al Ibrahimi restaurants in Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Sharjah, you will be guaranteed the same taste and flavour.
Khan's insistence on maintaining the same standards and consistency over the years, and adherence to reasonable pricing, even with its rising popularity and fame, has won the loyalty of diners.
Over the next two years, the group aims to expand its presence through a stand alone restaurant in Al Ain, and food courts in malls in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. "We are soon going to introduce our first food court restaurant in Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi," says Khan.
Al Ibrahimi Group now owns Al Jazeera Royal Hotel, Abu Dhabi; Al Ibrahimi Restaurants in Electra Street and Madinat Zayed in Abu Dhabi; Al Ibrahimi Palace Restaurants in Dubai Karama; Verona Resort and the newly opened Al Ibrahimi Restaurant in Sharjah.
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Appetisers: Mixed grill, lamb chops, chicken tikkaand reshmi boti
Main course: Mutton biryani, chicken handi, mutton karai with rogni butter naan
Desserts: Gulab jamun and Bombay falooda 
Message from Khan Zaman Suroor Khan, Managing Director, Al Ibrahimi Group of Restaurants, and Board Member of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry
I would like to congratulate all Pakistanis residing in the UAE and all over the world on this historic day. Our forefathers sacrificed their lives for freedom, and we shouldn't forget them. Allah has blessed Pakistan with many delights. On this glorious day we must not forget the UAE, where more than 1.3 million Pakistanis live, work and serve the nation.
As Pakistanis, we have to show our commitment to the country that has provided so many employment opportunities for us. Every expat must abide by the law and respect the local culture and values.
We urge the leadership in Pakistan to further strengthen relations with the UAE because during difficult days this nation and its Rulers have stood by Pakistan.
We pay rich tribute to the Rulers of the UAE for their great vision and progressive policies. Pakistan policy makers should follow the UAE example. We pray to Almighty Allah for prosperity and development in Pakistan. We should respect everyone and all Pakistanis must adopt patience, tolerance and endurance. Pakistan is growing and Insha'Allah we will soon overcome the challenges we are currently facing.
Pakistan Zinda Baad, Pak-Emirates friendship PaindaBaad