There is rice, and then there is Azerbaijani plov. The difference is the difference between a meal and a philosophy. Where most rice dishes mix everything together in a single pot, Azerbaijani plov keeps the components separate: saffron rice steamed alone to golden perfection, gara (the savoury accompaniment of lamb, dried fruits, onions and herbs) cooked apart, and gazmag — the miraculous crisp crust of lavash or egg-laced dough that forms at the bottom of the rice pot. The three elements arrive at the table simultaneously but distinct, to be combined in each mouthful as the diner chooses.
It is, by any measure, one of the great rice dishes of the world. And in Dubai, you can find it — if you know where to look.
The 6 Plov Styles You'll Find in Dubai
Shah Plov
The king: saffron rice encased in a golden pastry dome, cracked tableside. Inside: tender lamb, dried apricots, chestnuts, raisins. AED 85–120.
Shirin Plov
The "sweet" plov: lamb gara with generous dried fruits — apricots, prunes, raisins — and sometimes chestnuts. The sweetness contrasts the lamb beautifully. AED 65–90.
Kourma Plov
The most common everyday plov: lamb and onion gara, simple and deeply savoury. The purist's choice. AED 55–80. Available at all Azerbaijani restaurants.
Toyuq Plov
Chicken (toyuq) replaces lamb — juicier, lighter, still saffron-scented. Often paired with caramelised onion and dried cherry. AED 55–75. Good for those avoiding red meat.
Baliq Plov
Fish (baliq) plov — typically sturgeon or salmon — a Caspian specialty. Rare in Dubai; found at Golden Pomegranate. Saffron rice with tender fish and dried fruits. AED 110–145.
Sebzeli Plov
Herb and vegetable plov — the vegetarian option, cooked with greens, herbs and sometimes spinach-walnut gara. Lighter than meat plovs but still saffron-golden. AED 45–65.
The Gazmag: The Part Everyone Misses
If you've had plov at an Azerbaijani restaurant and not been offered gazmag, either it wasn't served or nobody thought to explain it. Gazmag is the crispy crust that forms at the bottom of the rice pot — a layer of lavash bread, potato slices, or egg-enriched dough pressed against the hot base of the vessel during steaming. It absorbs the fat and saffron from the rice, crisping into a golden, almost crackers-like layer of extraordinary savouriness.
At Baku Cafe, gazmag is always included and arrives separated on the platter so you can see it clearly. At Karabakh Cafe, you must ask for it — say "gazmag, please" and the kitchen will bring it. At canteen restaurants, it's pot luck. The gazmag is worth specifically requesting. It is worth eating before the rice.
Where to Eat Azerbaijani Plov in Dubai
Baku Cafe — City Walk
The gold standard. Saffron sourced from Azerbaijan, rice steamed to precise individual grain separation, gazmag served as a featured element of the dish. The Shah Plov presentation — with lamb, dried apricots and chestnuts — is the finest version of this dish available in Dubai. Order 24 hours ahead for the Shah Plov in pastry dome (weekend availability only).
Golden Pomegranate — Business Bay
The most theatrical plov in Dubai. The Baliq Plov (fish plov with Caspian-style sturgeon) is the signature here and genuinely unlike anything else in the city. The Shah Plov in pastry dome is cracked tableside by the waiter with a theatrical flourish that has become Instagram-famous. Worth the price for the experience alone.
Karabakh Cafe — Deira
If authenticity and value matter more than theatrics, Karabakh is your spot. The kourma plov is made from memory and habit — the kind of cooking that exists before recipes. Arrive before 7pm for the freshest batch. Ask specifically for gazmag or it may not come automatically.
Azerbaijani Kitchen — Al Karama
The best-value plov in Dubai. Small kitchen, limited daily quantity — they make a set amount and when it's gone, it's gone. The shirin plov with dried fruits and lamb is the one to go for here. Cash preferred, worth every dirham.
Plov Ordering Guide
- Arrive before 8pm — plov is made in batches and later arrivals may find it sold out or stale
- Always ask for gazmag — the crispy crust is the best part but isn't always presented automatically
- Order the gara separately if you want more — many restaurants allow you to add extra lamb, dried fruits or herbs to the base plov
- Pair with Azerbaijani tea (qara chay) served in armud glasses, not with the plov itself but as a palate cleanser after
- At fine dining venues, Shah Plov in the pastry dome must usually be ordered 24 hours ahead — always call or message to confirm
Plov Price Comparison: Dubai's Azerbaijani Restaurants
| Restaurant | Area | Plov Type | Price (AED) | Gazmag? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baku Cafe | City Walk | Shah, Kourma, Shirin | 85–95 | Yes, included |
| Golden Pomegranate | Business Bay | Shah Dome, Baliq, Kourma | 120–145 | Yes, featured |
| Caspian House | JLT | Kourma, Toyuq | 65–80 | On request |
| Karabakh Cafe | Deira | Kourma (daily) | 45–55 | On request |
| Azerbaijani Kitchen | Al Karama | Shirin, Kourma | 38–52 | On request |
| Baku Grill | Al Quoz | Kourma only | 32–40 | Sometimes |
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