With such a huge Indian expat population, it’s only right that Indian food in Dubai is absolutely fantastic. From traditional dishes done right to cool young chefs offering creative and contemporary twists on the classic, from streetfood to fine dining, here are the very best Indian restaurants in Dubai.

Best Indian restaurants in Dubai

Little Miss India

Tucked away in the verdant grounds of Fairmont The Palm, Little Miss India may look unassuming, but this is far from – as it’s actually one of the best restaurants in Dubai and booked up year round. A playful tuk-tuk marks the entrance, and the interiors take you straight to the regal northern states of Punjab and Rajasthan, but the terrace is more Goa and Kerala – especially with the daytime sea views and warm, salty sea breeze come evening. There are kebabs and breads from the tandoor, biriyanis, seafood, curries (with a dedicated vegetarian menu), all the flavours of rice. Order the Bhatti da smoked lamb chops (AED195) – with 12 spices and served smoked in a jar -, the paneeer tikka (AED78), Tandoori achari broccoli (AED70) – broccoli marinated with pickling spices and cooked on the tandoor – butter chicken (AED98) and rich and creamy (and slightly addictive) dal makhani (AED65).
fairmont.com; @littlemissindiarestaurant

Mohalla

As the original site of the acclaimed Atelier Hospitality Group (loved by foodies and holders of many Michelin stars), Mohalla is one of the best Indian restaurants in Dubai and the perfect spot for a casual bite (or takeaway). Located in D3, Dubai’s vibey Design District, the chic space offers indoor seating and tables on the terrace with a lovely laid-back neighbourhood feeling (no wonder, as the name loosely translates to ‘neighbour’ or ‘community’. Headed up by Chef Adwait Anantwair (ex-Tresind Studio), the menu champions Indian street food made for sharing. For lunchtime and on the go, there are wraps and rolls, from paneer and chicken tikka to egg bhuri, but the small, sharing-starters are where Mohalla shines. Order the avocado papdi chaat (AED37), the crispy kale pakora salad (AED50), the piping pani puri (AED33) and tangy keema samosa chaat (AED48) before moving onto delicious sharong-style curries, biriyanis and excellent sides (fresh breads, dhals, salads and more). Mohalla isn’t licensed but there are wonderful takes on cocktails that are impressive for a laid-back neighbourhood restaurant.
@mohallarestaurant

Trèsind Studio

One of the (if not the) best Indian restaurants in Dubai, Trèsind Studio is best known for its global acclaim – its two Michelin stars, Gault&Millau awards and current Number 11 spot on MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants. The baby of New Delhi-trained chef Himanshu Saini, the original Trèsind concept first launched in 2014, followed by Trèsind Studio, and the latter now has a new location at St Regis Gardens, Palm Jumeirah. Trèsind Studio brings ‘modern Indian gastronomy’ to Dubai with theatrical and molecular cuisine, offering a truly fine dining experience that is occasion-worthy. Menus pay homage to India’s culinary history and produce, and menus are spliy into areas of the subcontinent. There are just 20 seats, and it’s adored by locals and tourists alike, so make sure to book in advance.
tresindstudio.com; @tresindstudio

Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia

Elegant Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia is one of the most modern and refined Indian restaurants in Dubai – located on the peaceful waterways of the luxurious Jumeirah Al Qasr hotel (or which you can arrive by abra, adding a touch of glamour to the occasion). The restaurant focuses on elevated home cooking, a tribute to the legacy of female cooks – mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers – and their ability to make simple sparkle. Part of acclaimed chef Ritu Dalmia’s culinary empire, Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia is her first foray into the Middle East and offers wonderful dishes with lots of theatre and flair. The restarunts is open for lunch, business lunch (AED140 for three courses) and dinner and serves small and ‘big’ plates from tandoori prawns and beef sukka to dhal chawal and lobster curry. Finished with a sticky Goan Serradura or Doodh jalebi
jumeirah.com; @atrangi.dubai

Tandoor Tina

For a playful and contemporary take on Indian cuisine, head to Tandoor Tina, the restaurants on the ground floor of 25hours Hotel Dubai One Cenrtral. The sister of London’s Tandoor Chophouse, Tandoor Tina takes diners on an imaginary tour around India with a subtle British twist. In a beautiful dining room of usury Rajsatan pink walls and lots of greenery, or out in a sectioned-off corner of the hotel’s famous courtyard, diners can enjoy dishes cooked in eh tandoor and open flame. We love the okra chops with grape and mint chutney (AED30), paneer with coconut and mango (AED30), and crispy chicken samosa (AED40), alongside mains ranging from cutties and biriyanis (order the duck), to lighter dishes like whole coal-roasted seabass (AED120) and charred butternut squash with smoked aioli (AED60). The cocktail menu is also fantastic – a nod to the UK with a G&T menu, flavourful punch bowls to share and creative house cocktails – plus some really great wines.
tandoortina.com; @tandoortina

Bombay Brasserie

One would expect a restaurant at the Taj to be one of the best Indian restaurants in Dubai, and Bombay Brasserie doesn’t disappoint. The restaurant feels very befitting of the hotel group – India’s most famous and finest – with its jewel-toned dining room, colourful Indian artwork and open kitchen. Expect all the traditional dishes from across the country done properly, alongside great cocktails and Burj Khalifa views. Whether it’s the Thali lunch of all-time favourites or a vegetarian set menu – you’re in safe hands.
tajhotels.com; @bombaybrasseriedubai

Masti

Masti is one of the most unique Indian restaurants in Duba, fusing Indian flavours and techniques with Italian and European dishes. It sounds slightly bizarre – but the result is brilliant. After moving from its popular La Mer site, the restaurant is now located at the uber-style Dubai EDITION hotel and offers a similar level of style with its warm and design-led dining room. Seductive and dimly lit, the restaurant is anchored by a glowing bar, and the fans of the old location will recognise the stained-glass elephant sculpture and 19th-century style paintings dotted around. There are small plates, cold and hot, like avocado ceviche pani puri (AED45), injipulli beef tartare (AED95), baked oysters (AED18 a piece) and chicken tikka masalas waffle (AED65), but the stand-out dishes are the mains – like the cult classic saag paneer lasagna )AED95) and burrata butter chicken (AED120) – simply divine.
mastidubai.com; @mastidubai

Indego by Vineet

Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia brings his acclaimed contemporary Indian cuisine to Dubai with Indego, one of the best Indian restaurants in the city. The restaurant’s charming matcha green interiors are adorned with rich fabrics and warm lighting, and the luxurious setting is perfectly matched by stunning views of the Dubai Marina. This glamorous backdrop complements their refined vegan dishes, of which the restaurant is known for, where elevated takes on Indian classics showcase the aromatic complexity of spices and fresh ingredients.
Grosvenor House, @indegobyvineet, indegobyvineet.com

Rohini by Little Miss India

Rohini is the edgy little sister of the more traditional, grown-up Little Miss India, offering a more experimental and contemporary take on Indian cuisine. The new restaurant is located in the Movenpick JLT and has just launched its all-new menu, inspired by American dishes and the famous Route 66, and there are fun, themed nights like Bollywood Night (Wednesdays with unlimited drinks and a DJ for AED99) and a daily business lunch and ‘Chill Out Hour’ – buy one get one free drinks from 3pm to 8pm and then again at 11pm to 2am.
movenpick.accor.com; @rohinibylmi

Carnival by Trèsind

While Trèsind can be found at the sleek new St Regis Gardens on Palm Jumeirah, Carnival by Trèsind is located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and promises a heavy dose of ‘fun, flavour and folklore’. The restaurant is featured in the Dubai Michelin Guide, is ranked in the World’s 50 Best Discovery, and offers a futuristic and wildly inventive take on the Trèsind concept. The space itself is colourful and modern, and dishes follows a unique thematic twist filled with theatre and dramatics. A la carte features chaat, salads, dumplings, stir-fried dishes, big plates, and live cooking. But for a true taste of one of the best Indian restaurants in Dubai, try the Carnival Experience menu for AED375, a four-course feast with both veggie and non-veggie options. In another fun twist, the restaurant hosts an upscale Saturday brunch from AED375 soft and AED475 alcoholic and a Saturday Gala Night dinner set menu for AED189.
carnivalbytresind.com; @carnivalbytresind

Gazebo

For a laid-back, faultless and delicious Indian experience in Dubai, look no further than Gazebo – a city favourite for delivery but also boasting 32 locations across the UAE. Founded in 2000, Gazebo is one of the most loved Indian restaurants in Dubai and a likely favourite with most residents looking for their fix. There’s quite literally everything on the menu: biriyanis, curries, chaat (order the sensational papdi chaat), kababs, salads, soups, you name it. The restaurants are usually found in malls, but there are also more glossy venues in DIFC, Business Bay and City Walk.

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