Top 10 Indian Restaurants in Dubai

Recognized as the world’s fastest-growing city, Dubai has developed to become one of the most glamorous urban destinations over the past few decades. The remarkable development of the beautiful Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, and the vast Palm Jumeirah Island show the Sheikhs’ determination to make Dubai one of the world’s essential recreational spot. Also, the city’s reputation for lavishness and extravagance is also evident in its restaurant scene, where everyone tries to meet the pinnacle of fine dining perfection, and a lot of culinary giants come to prove their credentials, from all over the world.

On a trip to Dubai, you should never miss some places if you are a desi food lover. It has a broad array of Indian restaurants, which offers the most exceptional Indian food menus where you can find the best flavors of the Indian cuisines offered at a very fair price.

Here we reveal the ten most spectacular Indian restaurants in Dubai, which gives you the best variety of Indian curries, barbecue, rice, and deserts.

10. Gazebo – Bur Dubai, Dubai

Regaling the region for over 15 years, Gazebo is a fine dining independent restaurant where you can relish the aromatic Indian culinary food. Located in the Bur Dubai region, its Hydrebadi and Lucknowi curries are fabulous, and there are plenty of them to choose from with the achari gosht being the all-time favorite. The restaurant has also successfully perfected the Dum Pukht cooking style, used to preserve the natural flavors by cooking at a low flame. Other equally delectable servings for which the restaurant is well known for includes Raan-E-Sikanderi, Murgh Seekh Bharwan, Lobster Tawa Masala and the array of Biryanis.

If you love Indian food, Gazebo is definitely a place to visit due to its extremely reasonable prices and a quite helpful staff, which makes it a sure hit for delicious Indian foodstuff. The presence of exotic ingredients like cardamom, saffron, and herbs adds appeal to the culinary masterpieces that demand true appreciation.

9. The Bombay – Marco Polo Hotel, Naif

The Bombay dining, where dishes are carefully prepared with the right ingredients to provide an out of the world culinary experience, is the perfect place to enjoy the essence of an extra-ordinary Indian treat. At Bombay dining, the authentic Indian food exhibits its centuries-old tradition and diversity loved by both Eastern and Western folks for its unique flavors and exotics. With the right ambiance and great hospitality, the restaurant’s dedication to quality and taste has helped it to become one of the popular Indian restaurants in town.

There are varieties of foods on the main course menu, and the staff is more than willing to guide you through considering your preferences before making a recommendation. The servings are definitely more than normal and are the starters are equally impressive with traditional Indian live entertainment that adds to the atmosphere and exoticism. Located within the Marco Polo Hotel, the restaurant is licensed making it available with alcohol or the staff can bring in your desired liquor from the English bar downstairs if something exotic is ordered rather than say the drink is unavailable. The amazing interior, the traditional Indian live entertainment and the ever so heady aroma of Indian food make this restaurant an essential dining experience.

8. India Palace – Garhoud

With outlets all across UAE, India Palace is seemingly the most traditionally rich fine dining restaurant. The sophisticated wooden carved interiors and old-style copper tableware shows its inspiration from the Indian North West Frontier traditions. The menu shows a perfect blend of ancient culinary ingredients and exotic flavors, with starters like Hara Bhara Kebabs and lasoon machli. The main course contains dishes like Banjara Kofta while desserts spin up names like Saffron Kulfi that are deliciously prepared and is formulated by guarded secret recipes handed down from the great Mughal kitchens.

Perfected by the skilled chefs, you can experience the authentic Indian delicacies at the India Palace restaurant, and the Flamboyant Princely Culture and the golden memories of Mughal Ideology will doubtlessly require you to add it to the list of must-visit restaurants.

7. Patiala Restaurant – Souk Al Bahar

Located in the prestigious Souq-Al-Bahar, Patiala restaurant is the celebrity chef Kunal Kapur’s signature Indian restaurant that won the six Best Indian Restaurant Awards. The restaurant offers a very sophisticated ambiance that gives an energetic vibe of excitement with stylish interiors and outstanding food that combines the authentic Indian flavors with contemporary interiors to appeal Dubai’s most discerning diners.

Patiala is a rare instance of a restaurant that gets the balance just right. A display kitchen in the restaurant that enables the customers to see how centuries-old recipes are prepared is one of the few satisfying characteristics that won the restaurant a reputable award. The signature dishes and authentic recipes prepared by Chef Sanjay Bahl’s and his team of chefs from Delhi bring out the essence of Punjab. The chicken tikka chaat, the classic gosht rogan josh, and the quail kebab are few of the must have dishes along with.

The royal reminiscent of Indian palaces along with a decorative menu filled with delightful tawa dishes, bread and desserts absolutely make this restaurant one of the top Indian food outlets in Dubai.

6. Delhi Darbar, Al Karama

In the Karama food streets of Deira district Dubai, Delhi Darbar is an inexpensive yet tantalizing Indian restaurant that is very down to earth and inviting. The restaurant does not display an elegant or exquisite décor but is known for the fantastic cuisine which is served in a very Indian and traditional style. The restaurant is known for serving up delicious varieties of North Indian cuisine all across Dubai with some of the best entrees like Palak Paneer, Chicken Tikka Masala and Malai Kofta along with Chicken Behari Kebab consisting of chunks of chicken in a delectable spicy yogurt based marinade.

For the admirers of North Indian cuisine, we highly recommend visiting the new branch of Delhi Darbar at Jumeriah Lake Towers to enjoy the delectable dishes and the inexpensive prices which laden the encompassing menu.

5. Options by Sanjeev Kapoor, Trade Center Area

When it comes to desi food, Sanjeev Kapoor is the celebrated chef who has remarkably promoted Indian cuisine all around the world. With his strong traditional influences, the master chef has made his restaurant a satisfying experience that innovates with every dish offering genuine Indian specialties with a twist. Considering the many forays to the culinary scene in Dubai, Options by Sanjeev Kapoor remains a hot favorite.

At Options, the dishes immersed in tradition are transformed for a unique experience and the spice levels are adjusted upon request to ensure that your every expectation is exceeded. The entire dining experience is amusing due to the live cooking kitchen where diners can see the food, smell it and hear the sizzle while it is being cooked. The soft, juicy and succulent Mutton Seekh Kebabs with mildly spicy perfectly grilled Tandoori Prawns are recommended for starters. For the main course, the famous Daal Makhni along with one of Sanjeev Kapoor’s most popular signature dish Shaam Savera, and Butter Chicken are highly recommended.

What makes Options exceptional is the way resident chef Kuldeep Raturi brings new and unique menus every few months. When craving Indian food in Dubai, anyone can tell that it is a wise choice considering the crowd that flock to the restaurant.

4. Rang Mahal by Atul Kochhar

Being the first Indian chef to earn a Michelin star, Atul is a British based chef, restaurateur and television personality critically acclaimed for his take on modern Indian cuisine. He owns six restaurants, including Rang Mahal at the JW Marriott Marquis in Dubai, around the world. The restaurant presents an exciting menu of modern Indian cuisine with a fascinating ambiance and fuses a touch of tradition with a contemporary flair that creates a feast for the senses and mind. While following the latest food trends, Atul Kochhar’s specialty is modern Indian cuisine that stays true to the authentic flavors of his motherland.

The interior of the restaurant is amazing where the lounge opens up to a huge room with grand carved wood columns, pulsing beats and authentic Indian murals. The restaurant section is airy and bright in contrast, and the interior encompasses Indian memorabilia that includes carved stone pillars and statues of deities. Modern Indian music is also played but is barely noticeable because you will be mesmerized by your culinary journey of the delicious food and drinks.

Whether you love traditional or experimental Indian cuisine, the food served at Rang Mahal is perfectly balanced in every way. You are definitely going to love the scallops, shrimp and the shell crab, which is served with crunchy peanut salad, coriander chutney, and a side of thinly sliced apples. For the main course, the classic chicken tikka curry, pulao rice, and laccha paratha are highly recommended. You may also try the soft and tender lamb chops cooked in tellicherry pepper marinade.

3. Mint Leaf of London, Emirates Financial Towers, DIFC

Mint Leaf of London make its place in the top three of our recommended restaurants due to its ultra-stylish setting and glamorous decor regarded as the best in modern Indian cuisine in the UK. Mint Leaf of London is reborn in Emirates Financial Towers in DIFC, promising a new twist to the Indian cuisine. The swanky décor is everything you would expect; the low lighting but enough illumination creates a cool laid-back vibe that is perfect for a chilled dinner or a quick business lunch with breathtaking views of iconic buildings in the background – especially Burj Khalifa and most of Downtown Dubai.

Mint Leaf is one of a few that delivers the sophisticated and comfortable style of high-class dining that provides table service so you can truly sit back, enjoy the views, and savor every bite of food. Luckily, the restaurant follows the rising trend for à la carte brunching that offers a set six-course menu with sampler portions of everything served at your table, but you still have the option to order more of anything you choose.

The next thing to appreciate, other than the modern interior design and gorgeous views of the Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai, is the trendy open kitchen in the center where you can see the delicious delights being cooked right from the tandoor. Recommended for starters are the lasooni chicken tikka and the lamb seekh kebab with tangy masala chana chaat served alongside tandoori broccoli. For the main course, chicken tikka makhani with a creamy tomato sauce and dal makhni are recommended paired with oven fresh fluffy roomali roti that complemented the mains quite well. Further, you can try the extra tender Punjabi chicken masala braised in tomato and onion sauce, and if you’re having trouble choosing the right item, the restaurant’s manager takes the time to explain the course of the brunch and will set the menu for you.

With a very iconic location, lovely ambiance, and scrumptious food, Mint Leaf of London is on its way to becoming one of Dubai’s latest hotspot for Indian cuisine lovers. Anyone with any interest in Indian food should visit this wonderful restaurant for its venue’s sophistication and class with a suitably relaxed vibe. It’s not exactly a budget option, but all the packages offer fair value for money.

2. Indego by Vineet

Located at the Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina, the famous dining sensation by Vineet Bhatia is a highlight of the area. The talented Chef has spent hours in the kitchen perfecting each of his recipes to offer a gastronomic sensation at all his restaurants spread across the world. The restaurant is a great place to appease your taste buds with the unique and lovable flavors, and to get an authentic palette that reflects the diverse and vibrant Indian food culture.

At Indego, the relaxed environment with a calm and inviting ambiance allows food to take the center stage. The warm lighting and accents in reds and browns manage to boost your craving, as does the aroma of freshly prepared spices and exotic Indian dishes. The extremely talented Chef, Vineet Bhatia employs a variety of textures and traditional spices to provide a culinary sensation with his signature dish, the tandoori salmon appetizer, which comes drenched in honey marinade and grainy mustard. The exceptionally tender tandoori chicken breast is a notable example of the chef’s commitment to authentic cuisine, which comes simmered in buttery tomato sauce complemented by a saffron pulao and the pot-roasted ginger lamb chop is a must-try that is served with corn and morel korma. For the dessert, the truly dazzling chocolate samosas will offer the perfect finale to an exemplary Indian styled supper.

Indego manages to be fancy yet accessible and is the right place if it’s Indian style seafood you are craving for. The complex and refined food that pairs ingredients imaginatively make the restaurant a must visit.

1. Armani/Amal, Burj Khalifa

This famous Indian gem definitely deserves to be at the top of our list firstly because of its location that offers breathtaking views of the Dubai Fountain. The restaurant sits within the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa. Then, its mellow and sophisticated ambiance, mesmerizing views coupled with discreet service, a minimalistic interior that makes you aware of the generous amount of money that went into the design and development of the place. With a spacious, perfectly lit, and serene ambiance, the restaurant’s environment, and an extraordinary display is something memorable. Everything regarding the restaurant is outstanding including its attentive, helpful and well-dressed staff, which gets everything right.

The restaurant has made its place in people’s heart by winning three consecutive Times Out awards for its exquisite Indian cuisine. Visible to all, the kitchen is the highlight of the restaurant, separated by thick plates of glass that let you see what they’re cooking, but you can’t hear what they’re cooking. The restaurant has an extensive menu with over 70+ dishes to try with a taster menu that allows you to sample dishes as diverse as a Tandoori Seared Seabass, Duck Jalfrezi, and a Balsamic Lamb Chop all in one sitting. The Lentil Rasan Broth and the Tomato bring together flavors that will surprise you and a three-course menu named Amal Anise that provides a selection for each course. The chef behind the glass had also no problem with the Scallops, which are usually overdone and rubbery at other restaurants.

Dining at Amal doesn’t come cheap of course, but the overall food quality will be the highest you’ll find anywhere. The menu is well organized with a great deal of variation with a plenty of seafood options. For the Indian cuisine fans, this restaurant is probably the best option in Dubai considering the food, quality of service, the restaurant’s ambiance and setting. But, as for budget is concerned, it is best off being reserved for special occasions only, rather than your weekly curry fix because a couple of curies and a nice bottle of wine will cost you around 700AED.