Samad Restaurant

Samad Restaurant is a casual Middle Eastern restaurant in the Karrada district of Baghdad, Iraq, known for large mixed grills. Karrada is one of the busiest commercial and residential districts of the capital, with a dense mix of shops, cafes and restaurants, and Samad serves a loyal local clientele that includes families, office workers and groups of friends. The kitchen's centrepiece is the mixed grill, a platter that typically combines kebab, tikka and grilled chicken or lamb pieces, served with rice, flatbread, grilled tomato and onion and fresh salad. Hummus, creamy and drizzled with olive oil, opens many meals, and rice sides are generous. The platters are designed for sharing and offer good value for groups. Prices are in the mid range for Baghdad. The dining room character is bustling and family oriented. Seating is functional, service is quick, and noise rises considerably on Thursday and Friday evenings when many diners come out for a weekend meal. There is no dress code beyond modest everyday clothing. Tea, soft drinks and juices are the usual drinks, with no wine programme. Reservations are generally not needed and walk-ins are normal, though large parties at weekends are better phoning ahead. Typical opening hours run from late morning until around midnight and should be confirmed locally. The restaurant has a high local rating relative to peers, which reflects consistent grilling and generous portions. Karrada's streets can be congested in the evening, and security checkpoints in the city may lengthen journeys, so allow extra time when planning a meal here.