Diwali in Dubai: Restaurants celebrating the Festival of Lights

These meals will brighten up your celebrations…

Diwali in Dubai is packed with outdoor markets, lights adorning buildings (head down to Bur Dubai and be wow’ed, trust us…), sparklers, diyas (candles), rangoli artwork (colourful patterns created using powder) etc. And of course, there are many restaurants in Dubai offering up special menus.

Here are 10 restaurants that are celebrating Diwali in Dubai

Armani/Amal

On October 23 and 24, head down to Armani/Amal for a three-course dinner with views of The Dubai Fountain. The restaurant is offering a choice of vegetarian or non-vegetarian menus both packed with Indian flavours. Tuck into chaat, cottage cheese dumpling, dal maharani, slow-cooked lamb leg and more. It is priced at Dhs399 per person. To book, email restaurant.reservations@armanihotels.com or call 04 888 3666

Armani/Amal, Armani Hotel, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, 6.30pm to 11.30pm on Oct 23 and 24, Tel: (0)4 888 3666. armanihotels.com

Amala

Kickstart your Diwali with a shimmering dinner at this North Indian restaurant, featuring a three-course menu showcasing some of India’s most beloved dishes. Whilst you indulge in your Diwali spread, guests will be able to enjoy live entertainment, including Indian dancers and a sweet trolley offering popular Indian delicacies.

Amala, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Crescent Road, The Palm Jumeirah Dubai, from 22 to 24 October, 7pm to 10pm, from Dhs230, Tel: (0)4 453 0444, Jumeriah.com/amala

Ashiana

Enjoy the stunning views of Dubai Creek this Diwali at Ashiana. This outlet promises to illumine your taste buds with its soulful menu, with dishes including aloo chilli chaat and murg pesto Angara tikka. Ashiana caters to veggies and meat-eaters alike, bringing sensational flavours to the table through their five-course menu.

Ashiana, Sheraton Dubai Creek, 22nd to 24, 12pm to 3.30 and 6.30 to 11pm, Dhs149, Tel: (0)4 207 1733, ashianadubai.com

Bombay Borough

Head to Bombay Borough for a four-course menu with dishes designed for both meat lovers and vegetarians from October 20 to 31. The menu includes everything from starters to small plates, large plates and desserts. There’s spiced kheema samosa, Kashmiri naan kebab, biryani and more. It’s available all day for Dhs199.

Bombay Borough, DIFC, Gate Village 3, Dubai, Tel: (0)54 995 8296, @bombayborough_uae 

Bombay Brasserie

This four-course dinner menu is packed with traditional and contemporary Indian cuisines. Highlights include dahi ke kebab, ajwaini prawns, mutton kebabs and there’s badam halwa and coconut kheer to end your meal on a sweet treat. It’s available from October 17 to 24 and priced at Dhs295 per person. 

Taj Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai, 6pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 438 3222. tajhotels.com 

Bombay Bungalow

Head over to Bombay Bungalow to experience an evening full of flavour and culture to commemorate your Diwali. Dive into the paneer do pyaza, complete with chargrilled panner and a creamy onion tomato sauce. With the iconic views of Bluewaters Islands and Ain Dubai, this restaurant will be the perfect way to celebrate with your loved ones.

Bombay Bungalow, The Beach Mall, JBR Walk Dubai, 17 to 31, Tel: (0)800 692 8779, @bombaybungalow, 

CEZ

CEZ at Address Dubai Mall is offering a Diwali lunch for Dhss149 per person to help celebrate the Festival of Lights. Only available on October 24, from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.

CEZ, Address Dubai Mall, Dubai, Oct 24 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Tel: (0)4 38 8666. addresshotels.com

Cinnamon Club

Expect a multi-course dinner at this modern Indian fine-dining restaurant. Try the prawn malai curry or paneer pesto tikka, alongside a selection of Indian bread that is perfect to soak up the last drops of flavours. To celebrate Diwali there will be an interactive chaat counter, where guests can learn about the different varieties of chaats.

Cinnamon Club, Park Hyatt, Dubai Creek, 17 to 24 October, 5.30pm to 11pm, Dhs145 for vegetarian menu, Dhs175 non-vegetarian menu, Tel: (0)4 602 1839, 

Farzi

Take your Diwali celebrations to the next level with this gastronomical experience. This modern bistro will launch two (a vegetarian and non-vegetarian) festive three-course sharing style menus, with a selection of dishes that bring a pinch of modernity to Indian cuisine. With dishes like pesto naan, all diners will be kept on their toes.

Farzi, City Walk and Mall of the Emirates, from October 21 to 24, Dhs130 for the vegetarian menu, Dhs150 for the regular menu, farzicafe.ae

Kinara

Kinara offers all diners a culinary journey this Diwali, through a lavish six-course spread. Dive into sakarkandi ki chaat which comprises of sandalwood smoked potatoes, cumin labneh and a strawberry-ginger dressing.

Kinara, JA Lake View Hotel, Dubai, 23-27 October, 6.30pm to 10.30pm, Dhs280, Tel: (0)4 814 5604, kinaradubai.com

Khyber

Celebrate the festival of lights at this award-winning North-Indian restaurant at Dukes the Palm. From 5pm to 11pm from October 20 to 24, tuck into a three-course menu with mouth-watering dishes such as paneer tikka, Punjabi kukkad curry, chaat from a dedicated station and more. Your dinner will be paired with an unparalleled 180-degree view of the Dubai Marina, entertainment and henna art.  

Khyber, Dukes the Palm, A Royal Hideaway Hotel, Oct 20 to 24, 5pm to 11pm, prices start from Dhs195. Tel: (0)4 455 1101. khyberhotels.com

Peppermill

Get a discount of 30 per cent at Peppermill from October 17 to 24 (and 50 per cent for loyalty card holders). Pick from the a la carte menu that brags a wide range of soups, starters, mains and desserts. Try your luck at spinning the wheel to win one of various offers and discounts across all outlets.

Peppermill, The Dubai Mall and Dubai Festival Plaza, from Oct 17 to 24, @peppermill_uae

Liwan

Join this outlet for a festive Diwali dinner on Monday, October 24. With beautiful decorations, live cooking stations and a buffet, diners will be able to fully immerse themselves in the flavours of India. From butter chicken to dal tadka, cardamon lassi and chaas, you will be spoilt for choice.

Liwan, Swissotel Al Ghurair, free under the age of six, Dhs49 for children 6 to 12 years of age, Dhs99 for adults, Tel: (0)4 293 3270, swissotel.com

Purani Dilli

Transport to Delhi and celebrate the festival of lights with this authentic feast packed with delicious Diwali dishes on Monday, October 24. Purani Dilli, located in Four Points by Sheraton hotel, invites guests to indulge in a phenomenal dinner buffet and soft drinks for Dhs149 per person at their Sheikh Zayed Road branch and Dhs109 per person at the Al Mankhool.

Purani Dilli, Four Points by Sheraton, Sheikh Zayed Road, and Purani Dilli, Al Mankhool. October 24, 7pm to 11.30pm. Dhs149 Sheikh Zayed Road, Dhs109 Al Mankhool. @puranidillidubai

Roobaru

With curated Chef Specials of sweet and devour delights, celebrate the Festival of Lights at Roobaru. Indulge in dishes that fuse traditional Indian cuisine with modern flavours. Tantalise your tastes with a sourdough naan studded with seared wild mushrooms and topped with sliced black truffle. It’s available until Wednesday 26.

Roobaru, Burj Khalifa Blvd, Dubai, until October 26, @roobaru.me

Tandoor Tina

Chef Trisha Singh Henaul has created a vegetarian and non-vegetarian menu for Diwali. The restaurant will also be decked up to celebrate until October 24. On the menu, you will find chicken samosa, okra chips,  biryani seekh kebab roll, garlic naan and more.

25hours Hotel One Central, Trade Center Street, Dubai, Oct 17 to 24, Dhs150 for the vegetarian menu, Dhs200 for the non-vegetarian menu, Tel: (0)4 210 2500, @tandoortina

Shamiana – Taj, Jumeirah Lakes Towers

Tuck into a five-course menu for Dhs199 with dishes such as chicken Hara pyaaz, saag paneer, nawabi vegetable pulao and more. Save room for the classic dessert. The special lunch and dinner are available only on October 24. Reservations required.

Shamiana, Taj Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai, Tel: (0)4 574 1111, tajhotels.com 

The Crossing

From October 18 to 28, tuck into an exclusive tasting menu at The Crossing with favourite dishes from across the Indian subcontinent. Lunch runs from 12pm to 3pm and dinner from 6.30pm to 12.30am. It will cost you Dhs245 per person.

The H Dubai, opposite Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, 12pm to 3pm and 6.30pm to 12.30am, Oct 18 to 24, Tel: (0)4 491 9695, crossingtherestaurant.com

Varq

Varq at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa is offering an authentic Indian three-course set menu from October 15 to 24 for Dhs295 per person. It’s available for lunch and dinner from 12pm to 12am.  

Varq, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, the Palm, Dubai, Oct 15 to 24, Dhs295 per person, Tel: (0)4 275 4444. tajhotels.com