Restaurants & Cafes

5 new Indian restaurants to try in Dubai

Published

5 years ago

January 25, 2018

For our latest food search, we decided to explore the many Indian eateries that have graced the city in recent months. After eating our way through most of them (you’re welcome) we have shortlisted our top five.

Here they are. Remember to order a glass of buttermilk and to pace yourself.

The Bhukkad Cafe
The Hindi word ‘bhukkad’ refers to someone who is constantly hungry and will eat at the drop of a hat and this vibrant eatery caters to just that kind of diner. With Mumbai favourites such as vada pav, Frankie, bread pakoda and bombaiya bhel gracing the menu along with Bollywood film posters and tin signs adorning the walls, this venue definitely does evoke a sense of nostalgia.
Where: Karama
Contact: +971 4 349 9957, website

Little Miss India
This character-themed restaurant on the Palm isn’t your average Indian eatery. It is built around the concept of a fictional character, Mohini Singh, who invites diners to her mansion. The space showcases a colonial era dining room and the show kitchen is accentuated with elements like pop art, antique wooden doors and lots of memorabilia – perfect for those looking for their Insta-snap. The menu offers sharing-style dishes of classics like butter chicken and dal makhani as well as coastal curries like the Goan shrimp one and Malabar Pompfret. The neat truck-styled bar is worth a mention, too. The exotic mocktails are just as good as the food.
Where: Fairmont The Palm
Contact: +971 4 457 3457, website

Moombai & Co
This venue located in Dubai’s H Hotel takes you back to the traditional Irani-Parsi cafes of India with its retro Bollywood tunes, funky props and movie poster lined walls. The menu is a good mix of Parsi favourites, Mumbai street food and BBQ meats as well as poultry that can be paired with innovative beverages named after popular film quotes. We like, a lot.
Where: H Hotel
Contact: +971 4 501 8607, website

Masti
For a restaurant with a name that translates to ‘fun and mischief’, Masti delivers. Overlooking Jumeirah beach, it’s currently the only licensed restaurant at Dubai’s latest beach side hotspot, La Mer. Award-winning chef Hari Nayak toys with international ingredients to serve a reinterpretation of Indian cuisine. The result: dishes like tuna bhel tartare, Goan seafood sausage, pulled tandoori chicken bao and kheema popsicle.
Where: La Mer, Jumeirah
Contact: 800 62784, website

Tum Tum Asia
Vegetarians, here’s a restaurant just for you. While pan-Asian dishes rule the menu at this Oud Metha restaurant, there are several Indian dishes to satisfy your spice cravings. Dal, paneer tikka masala, cumin rice, naan are some of them. The meal can be washed down with one of their creative concoctions, most of which are brought to your table in quirky serve ware. Vibrant street art as well as murals created by local artists and eclectic artefacts make this spot an Instagram favourite. Tip: take your friends along. You’ll need help finishing your food.
Where: Sheikha Building, Oud Metha
Contact: +971 4 453 5496, website