---
title: "Al Ikhtayar Al Awal review · Arabic in Maleha · 9715"
description: "Al Ikhtayar Al Awal in Maleha · 9715's honest review of this Arabic spot, scored 3.9/5. The Mutton Suwa Mandi's own spice mix, not sauce, makes Al Ikhtayar…"
canonical: https://9715.ae/sharjah/al-ikhtayar-al-awal/
last_updated: 2026-09-29T19:53:50.013284+00:00
---

[Save](https://9715.ae/login/?redirect=%2Fsharjah%2Fal-ikhtayar-al-awal%2F&save=al-ikhtayar-al-awal)

[‹ All reviews](https://9715.ae/reviews/) | ARABIC · MALEHA, SHARJAH

# Al Ikhtayar Al Awal

3.9 out of 5

“The Mutton Suwa Mandi's own spice mix, not sauce, makes Al Ikhtayar Al Awal's meat sing.”

Overall: 3.9

Taste: 4.2

Ambience: 3.2

Service: 4.0

Price

$ $ $ $ $ lower is cheaper 3.5

On Maleha Road, about 30 minutes from [Sharjah](https://9715.ae/sharjah/) Mosque, Al Ikhtayar Al Awal looks like just another roadside cafeteria, but the food sets it apart. It isn't a takeaway window, either: there is indoor seating, with a separate family area, private cabins and Arabic-style floor seating. There's actually another brand on the other side of the highway as well.

Our go-to dishes are the Mutton Suwa Mandi and the Mini Mix Grill, both generously portioned and enough for two to three people. What makes these dishes unique is their own mix of spices, which enhances the flavor of the meat, rather than drowning them in spicy sauces.

The menu also runs to a wide range of Indian and Chinese dishes, but we keep going back to our favourites. Regulars come for the biryanis (Arabic, Hyderabadi and Malabar), with the Hyderabadi chicken the one most often named. Weekends get very busy so expect huge crowds always. Also, the Mutton Suwa Mandi isn't always available, so it's worth calling ahead.

If you're driving towards Khor Fakkan and want a hearty meal, Al Ikhtayar Al Awal is an excellent stop.

- [mix grill](https://9715.ae/tag/mix-grill/)

- [mandi](https://9715.ae/tag/mandi/)

[Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Al%20Ikhtayar%20Al%20Awal&destination_place_id=ChIJvVKaZ1ai9T4RyqmAVWMV1D8)[Save](https://9715.ae/login/?redirect=%2Fsharjah%2Fal-ikhtayar-al-awal%2F&save=al-ikhtayar-al-awal)[Website ↗](https://share.google/XELgtVw65453jyzxn)

[Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Al%20Ikhtayar%20Al%20Awal&destination_place_id=ChIJvVKaZ1ai9T4RyqmAVWMV1D8)[Save](https://9715.ae/login/?redirect=%2Fsharjah%2Fal-ikhtayar-al-awal%2F&save=al-ikhtayar-al-awal)

At a glance

Overall: 3.9

Taste: 4.2

Ambience: 3.2

Service: 4.0

Price

The overall rating averages four factors, each scored out of 5. A lower Price score indicates better affordability.

[Website ↗](https://share.google/XELgtVw65453jyzxn)

Location

Al Ikhtayar Al Awal Restaurant Branch 1 - Maleha Road - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates

[Open in Google Maps ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Al%20Ikhtayar%20Al%20Awal&query_place_id=ChIJvVKaZ1ai9T4RyqmAVWMV1D8)

You might also like

[All reviews →](https://9715.ae/reviews/)

### [Zahr El Laymoun](https://9715.ae/dubai/zahr-el-laymoun/)

ARABIC · DUBAI MALL 4.0 out of 5 “Zahr El Laymoun's terrace puts you front-row for the Dubai Fountain, not just dinner.”

### [Al Amoor Express](https://9715.ae/dubai/al-amoor-express/)

ARABIC · BARSHA 4.0 out of 5 “Al Amoor Express is an Egyptian canteen built around AED 11 koshary.”

### [Hadoota Masreya](https://9715.ae/dubai/hadoota-masreya/)

ARABIC · JUMEIRAH 3.8 out of 5 “Hadoota Masreya's Koshary is the one regulars measure every other version against.”