Review: Lafeef Restaurant, Sharjah Ladies Club

Lafeef Restaurant, located within the Sharjah Ladies Club on Corniche Street, has long been a favourite for its laid-back feel and sweeping beach views. Following its recent revamp, the interiors now showcase a fresh and contemporary design, with natural light pouring through large windows, sheer curtains that soften the space, and comfortable seating in warm wood and eye-catching coral tones. Lush greenery and citrus trees cover the space, further adding a pop of colour to the homely space.

When I visited on a weekday afternoon, the restaurant was pleasantly busy, a true reflection of its role as a community hub, where friends, families, and members come together to share food and conversation. I chose a table by the window, where I could admire the serene view of the beach framed by sunlit arches, perfectly balancing the atmosphere indoors with a sense of calm just outside.

Culinary highlights

True to its reputation, Lafeef serves an extensive selection of both modern and traditional dishes, making it an ideal spot for anyone seeking comforting flavours with a contemporary touch. We began with a round of appetisers. The Crispy ranch chicken salad arrived first, featuring neatly cut chicken strips, fresh ribbons of romaine and cabbage, with cucumber and sweetcorn punctuating the textures. The ranch dressing drizzled on top and a dusting of parmesan lent a savoury edge.

The Cajun corn salad stood out visually with its mix of scarlet cherry tomatoes, dark olives, and speckled red quinoa. The rocket and basil gave it a peppery backbone, while the corn riblets, charred at the edges, introduced a gentle smokiness.

Next came the Harvest Salad, a mix of kale, rocket, roasted sweet potato, apple, carrot, feta, and mint. The pecans added a gentle crunch, while the lemon-thyme dressing kept it bright and not too heavy. To complete the starters, we tried the Trio of Hummus: beetroot, pumpkin, and avocado hummus served in generous scoops, drizzled with olive oil and paired with crisp Arabic pita bread.

The mains continued, presenting the Buttermilk chicken burger. A plump fried chicken breast sat inside a glossy brioche bun, contrasted by the lettuce, bite of pickles, and the crunch of chips. A drizzle of buffalo-ranch sauce added heat, while the potato strips on top gave it a second layer of crispness.

In contrast, the Joojeh kebab came as juicy saffron-marinated chicken, grilled to a gentle char and served with fragrant rice. Garlic yoghurt and a fresh biwaz salad balanced the richness well.

For desserts, the Warm date pudding arrived soft and dense, its sweetness deepened by a glossy butterscotch sauce and finished with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The highlight was the Saffron and Pistachio Milk Cake, the sponge soaked through with saffron-infused milk and crowned with a pistachio cream that was both nutty and delicate. The warm saffron sauce poured over added fragrance that lingered on the palate long after the last bite.