August 15 marks India’s 75th Independence Day, an occasion several restaurants in the Emirates are celebrating with special menus and deals. From dishes that pay homage to the colours of the Indian flag, to discounts on kebabs, biryanis and more, here are a few places to get your Indian food fix at this week.
Bombay Bungalow, Dubai
To satiate the sweet tooth, the restaurant will be giving a complimentary tri-coloured barfi with all orders above Dh75 made via Deliveroo. For those not in the know, a barfi is a traditional Indian sweet made with milk for a fudge-like texture. In keeping with the occasion, Bombay Bungalow’s special dessert will also feature coconut, saffron and pistachio, surrounded by chocolate to recreate the Indian flag.
Deal: Complimentary dessert on all delivery orders above Dh75
When: Sunday, August 15
Contact: 044 27 0758 (but orders must be placed via Deliveroo)
Dhaba Lane, Dubai
The restaurant has created a tri-colour lunch thali, serving unlimited helpings of papdi chaat, pudina paneer tikka, dal makhani, paneer makhni, sarson ka saag, hariyali chicken tikka, murg maska, hari mirch ka kukad, rice, naan and shahi kheer, plus the lemon-based mocktail shikanji.
Deal: Dh49
When: Sunday to Wednesday, August 15 to 18, noon-4pm
Contact: 04 358 3554 (Karama branch) or 04 223 7233 (Al Garhoud branch)
O’Pao, Dubai
The colourful restaurant in Al Karama has slashed the price of its vada pao, a famed Mumbai street-food snack that comprises a deep-fried potato dumpling inside a potato bun served with red and green chutneys and green chilli pepper.
Deal: Dh3 (original price is Dh7)
When: Noon to midnight, Sunday, August 15
Contact: 04 349 6726
India Palace, UAE
All 12 branches of the restaurant in the Emirates are putting on a Biryani Khaas Festival, serving six varieties of the popular rice dish, the preparation of which differs across the length and breadth of India. On offer are: Noor mahal, raan, shahi jheenja, Lucknow murg, subzi Qabuli and Coorg murgh.
Deal: Between Dh36 for the subzi Qabuli to Dh150 for the raan biryani
When: Until Tuesday, August 31, 11.30am to 10.30pm
Contact: 02 644 8777 (Abu Dhabi), 04 286 9600 (Dubai), 06 537 4331 (Sharjah); 07 226 0171 (Ras Al Khaimah)
India Bistro, Dubai and Sharjah
The contemporary restaurant has curated a five-course set menu for lunch and dinner, with dishes styled up to pay homage to the Indian flag. On offer are green pea soup, spinach chaat, a kebab platter, dal makhani, pulao and breads, and a fruit rabri for dessert.
Deal: Dh75
When: Sunday and Monday, August 15 and 16
Contact: 052 652 9353 (Dubai branch) and 052 134 2857 (Sharjah branch)
Art Of Dum, Dubai
The cloud kitchen launched by Foodlink, an Indian F&B brand, celebrates the traditional art of slow-cooking. This Independence Day, it is offering tri-coloured dishes, including tiranga chicken tikka; and boneless tandoori chicken and paneer tikka, both served with cream cheese and herbed marinade.
Deal: From Dh36
When: Sunday and Monday, August 15 and 16
Contact: 052 575 2132 (Karama branch); 052 575 2313 (Discovery Gardens branch); also available to order from Zomato, deliveroo, Careem and talabat
Mohalla, Dubai
Adwait Anantwar, head chef of the home-grown restaurant known for its street food, has whipped up a special limited-edition tri-colour dish to celebrate Indian Independence Day.
For one week only, foodies will get to tuck into the crispy kale chaat featuring fresh, kale leaves, sweet whipped yoghurt and a duo of chutneys and grated carrots. The dish also uses no preservatives or artificial food colours.
Deal: Dh38
When: Sunday to Saturday, August 15 to 21
Contact: noon-11pm; Building 5, Dubai Design District; 052 689 2072
The Huddle, Bur Dubai
The venue has launched a “Desi Videsi” food festival for those craving a taste of India, street food and nostalgic snacks. Those visiting the restaurant in August will be able to try dishes such as the kheema ghotala sliders and the kakori kebab speedies wrapped in roomali roti and kurkure chaat.
For those who enjoy fusion food, there’s a Cajun shrimp kathi roll and a murgh rogani naan quesadillas. There’s even a pulled tandoori murgh samosa-wich, a roomali-roti cone stuffed with pulled tandoori chicken, Indian ranch, onion salad, and lemon-masala corn.
Vegetarian dishes to try include the pulled paneer baida roti, a paneer-filled tortilla shallow fried with Oman chips, and mashed potato dabeli, served in ladi pav (soft bread) with Gujarati crackers.
Deal: Most dishes are priced between Dh33 and Dh52
When: Available until Tuesday, August 31
Contact: 050 100 7065
Zafran Indian Bistro, Dubai
The restaurant is having a limited-time Coastal Chronicles menu featuring some favourites from along the Indian coast. Expect dishes such as the mahi samudri tikki (fish cakes flavoured with ginger and curry leaves), murgh dakshin (southern deep fried chicken), grilled black pepper and curry leaf prawns. Cochin mutton masala and chicken ghee roast biryani, an ode to the authentic Mangalorean dish, are also on the menu. Finally, there’s a Parle G cheesecake to end the meal on a sweet note. Delivery is also available
Deal: varies according to dish
When: until Thursday, September 30
Contact: 056 188 4739 (Mirdif City Centre) or 054 994 2435 (Dubai Marina Mall)
Punjab Grill, Abu Dhabi
The fine-dining Indian restaurant has launched a four-course menu inspired by the team’s favourite dishes from across India.
Tuck into appetisers such as mutton kofte and palak patta chaat, indulge in mains such as the coconut prawns and mutton vindaloo and end the meal with gourmet desserts such as carrot halwa phyllo served with vanilla ice cream or rasmalai. The special menu is available on the day for both lunch and dinner.
Deal: Dh200 per person
When: Sunday, August 15
Contact: 050 668 3054
