Dubai's Indian kitchens carry stories across continents. Behind steaming pots of Punjabi curries and crisp dosas lies a heritage shaped by centuries of movement. These recipes hold memories – a bite of aloo tikki takes you straight to Delhi's streets, and a curry transports you to Chennai feasts.
This guide uncovers Dubai's best Indian restaurants, from quiet Michelin-starred dining rooms to beachfront terraces, each connecting us to the taste of South Asia in a city known for its global hospitality.
1. Trèsind Studio
Before earning its Michelin stars, Trèsind Studio began as a small, six-seat chef's table within the larger Trèsind Restaurant. Now located in Palm Jumeirah, the menu highlights India’s geography through dishes brought to life on your plate. Ingredients representing the country’s regions are assembled tableside into khichdi, transforming a simple comfort dish into something more.
Chef Himanshu Saini, trained under Manish Mehrotra at Indian Accent, focuses on flavour above all else. His inventive approach balances traditional Indian recipes as he adapts techniques, keeping the intensity that makes the cuisine special. This philosophy has established it as a two-starred Indian restaurant.
Location: Palm Jumeirah
2. Avatāra
Located in Dubai Hills Estate, Avatāra is the world’s first Michelin-starred vegetarian restaurant. Chef Rahul Rana, from Rishikesh in northern India, channels his Himalayan background into a concept that was awarded a Michelin star within three months of opening in 2022. His dishes reflect India’s spiritual roots, with creations like Naivedhya, while plates such as Methi Malai Murg demonstrate how vegetarian cuisine can match the depth of traditional meat-based favourites.
The interiors take inspiration from Indian temples, where the Sudarshan Chakra covers the ceiling, and the sound of Krishna’s flute sets a tranquil tone. Natural woods and a river-inspired colour scheme add a grounding warmth, creating an atmosphere of calmness.
Location: Dubai Hills Estate
3. Aamara
High above Sheikh Zayed Road in the Voco Hotel, Aamara traces the culinary path of the old Silk Road. Chef Suhail Arora combines Indian and Middle Eastern influences with finesse, offering courses like butterfly prawns with muhammara chutney. Every dish draws on the shared history of these places when spices and recipes travelled between India and Arabia.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of Dubai’s skyline, adding a contemporary edge to the nostalgic menu. At Aamara, two of the world's oldest food cultures share the same table.
Location: Sheikh Zayed Road, Voco Hotel
4. Indya by Vineet
At Indya by Vineet, Mumbai’s street food receives the fine dining treatment. The Le Royal Meridien restaurant divides its menu into earth, land, and sea, offering over 35 reimagined classics. Pani puri arrives with flavoured water served in delicate glass vials, vada pav transforms into gourmet bites, and traditional curries retain the consistency of local delicacies while showcasing the precision of Chef Vineet Bhatia. As the first Indian chef to earn a Michelin star for his London restaurant, Rasoi, Bhatia has helped shape Dubai’s Indian dining scene.
Between brass-trimmed walls and contemporary art, Bhatia's cooking stays true to its heritage. Whether you're here for dinner or celebration, every dish tells a story of Mumbai made modern.
Location: Le Royal Meridien
5. Indego by Vineet
Overlooking Dubai Marina, Bhatia's Indego shows another side of his cooking. Sea bass steamed in banana leaf and lamb chops take on a beetroot glaze. From the tandoor come dishes like spiced lobster tail and masala chicken evenly charred, reminding you why Bhatia is one of Dubai's most respected chefs.
The dining room features timber jhalli screens and Nataraja sculptures with modern lighting and furnishings, a design that earned Indego a LIV Hospitality Design Award.
Location: Dubai Marina
6. Carnival by Trèsind
In DIFC's Burj Daman, Carnival delivers showmanship with substance. Aga's menu plays with presentation – curries and street food arrive with clever twists, as his signature 'Aamsutra' dessert captures the kitchen's creativity. With 15 years of experience behind the stove, he builds dishes that excite beyond their looks, using local ingredients to build rich tastes.
The restaurant is filled with business lunches and evening crowds. While sister restaurant Trèsind Studio takes a quieter approach, here both kitchen and servers get involved – proof that serious food can still be fun.
Location: DIFC, Burj Daman
7. Masti
True to its name, which means 'mischief' in Hindi, Masti delivers imaginative Indian fusion to The Dubai Edition. Moving from La Mer to Downtown Dubai after six successful years, Chef Prashant Chipkar pairs bold spices with global ingredients, blending star anise with South American citrus and cardamom with Mediterranean herbs, as showcased in dishes like Black Bass Ceviche and Bhatti Merguez.
The energy of the menu extends to the venue. Mixologists experiment with their own spice cabinet, turning timeless cocktails into something Dubai hasn't tasted before. Masti is the place where lunch stretches into sunset, and nobody's keeping count of courses.
Location: Downtown Dubai
8. Little Miss India
In Fairmont The Palm, Little Miss India unites the best of regional Indian cooking. After 17 years in professional kitchens, Chef Mohammed Arif crafts everything from Kerala's coconut-rich fish curries to Rajasthan's tender lamb. This dedication to authentic regional cooking has brought Michelin Guide recognition for three consecutive years (2022-2024).
The colonial-style dining rooms set different moods – quiet spaces for Kerala dishes, and livelier tables for Rajasthani spreads. All rooms’ designs reflect their menu, making the connection between place and plate feel natural.
Location: Fairmont The Palm
9. Bombay Bungalow
Along JBR's strip, Bombay Bungalow serves from sunrise to sunset. Mornings mean chai and egg bhurji on the terrace, and evenings bring groups sharing Chef Bhupender Singh's signature smokey lamb chops from the tandoor. Inside, vintage photos line whitewashed walls, with rattan chairs and brass accents creating a space that suits both post-beach lunches and evening dates.
The kitchen reworks Mumbai’s comfort food like Burrata Butter Chicken and Smoked Butter Chicken, adding subtle upgrades that retain their originality – a style that’s seen Michelin Guide praise. Bombay Bungalow is where locals bring visitors to experience Indian flavours that perfectly complement Dubai’s beachfront lifestyle.
Location: JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residences)
10. Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia
At Madinat Jumeirah's waterside tables, Ritu Dalmia breaks the rules with grace. Atrangi – which means 'unique' in Hindi – lives up to its name, coupling Italian technique with Indian classics. A burrata might come drizzled with curry leaf oil, pasta might hide hints of masala. You'll arrive by traditional abra boat, but what's on the plate is anything but expected.
Since opening in 2023, Dalmia has found a fresh voice in Dubai's Indian dining scene. Her kitchen proves Italian and Indian seasonings have more in common than you might think.
Location: Jumeirah Al Qasr
Dubai's expat population shapes the city's identity, with 27.5% being of Indian origin. This brings 8,000 years of culinary tradition to the city's tables. These restaurants make Dubai one of the most exciting places to explore Indian flavours outside India itself.
