Dubai’s proximity to its South East Asian neighbours like India and Pakistan make it an ideal place to tuck into some flavourful and succulent curries. The warmth, aroma and the delicious spiciness of these curries are enough to satiate our palate on a lazy weekend. Being a haven for an eclectic mix of cuisines, Dubai has a wide selection of curries that make it one of the curry capitals of the world. Here is our list of the best curry houses.
Craving a vegetarian thali of aromatic curries? Then Rasoi Ghar is just the right place. There is no menu. All you do is get your hands washed from a silver jug and start eating. The menu changes every day, 365 days of the year, so you won’t be having the same curries more than once. The cashew and red kidney bean curry is to die for and so is the tamarind chutney. The waiters are like mother hens clucking over you and goading you to eat more as you devour two more helpings of their succulent cabbage curry. A place that definitely leaves you salivating.
A makeover from the classic beef vindaloo of Goa, this curry is a flavourful and spicy concoction of chunky beef paired with creamy, melt in the mouth mashed potato and a generous helping of a sweet and sour tangy sauce. Don’t miss the generous helping of herbs and pretty edible flowers. Pair it with some crust bread or buttery Nan and you are good to go.
A day spent tirelessly walking the opulent corridors of Dubai Mall deserves a well-earned treat. Zaffran at the Dubai mall will whet your appetite with its famous butter chicken. The mild, orange coloured curry is renowned worldwide as being one of the best Indian curries. Succulent pieces of whole chicken or shredded boneless chicken are doused into a thick, creamy, orange, rich sauce that is mildly spiced yet very tasty. The helpings here are generous and you could end up packing some for take away. The warm curry can be mopped up with rustic tandoori roti or Nan.
Chef Vineet’s Indian restaurant Indego by Vineet has been touted as one of the best restaurants in Dubai and if you are lucky enough to savour the Jhinga curry, you will know why. The delicious coastal curry is reminiscent of days gone by of sun bathing, fishing and then tucking into some curry rigged up by grandma. The size of the prawns is humungous and the curry sauce absolutely divine. It has just the right combination of coconut milk and kaffir lime to give it a wondrous texture and a rich flavour that will leave you drooling. It comes with a slice of cornmeal and some grilled vegetables. Healthy I say! Chef Vineet kudos to you!
Who said only Indian curries are the best. Get a taste of Thailand and their ravishing curries right here at Thiptara. Tuck into their Thai green curry with fragrant rice which is the best. The flavours of kaffir lime and lemon grass will hit just the right sensory notes. Pair it with a Thai papaya salad and make sure you have it outdoors where you get a good view of the fountain. Another favourite curry is the tom kha gai, pomela salad, chicken red curry and the coconut pudding.
This super spicy Kerala curry is not for the faint of heart. Cooked in a large earthenware pot, the curry is just mildly cooled with a hint of coconut. The entire pot is served up to you on the table and you can literally feast with your eyes, the curry bubbling away and meaty pieces of a whole crab floating deliciously inside the curry. Lick the plate clean with large and fluffy appams that are an ideal combination with this superb concoction.
The legendary Jaffer has his franchisees everywhere and is hailed as the veritable Biryani King, but that is not the only standout dish of his restaurant. Try his Patiala curry, a delicious chicken curry with a thick and warm texture. As you take your first bite, you will find the pieces of chicken just melting in your mouth. It would be a waste of time if you did not also order a rich vegetarian biryani as an accompaniment. A hearty meal and a day well spent.
The vibe of Ananta reminds you of days gone by where fragrant and aromatic curries were served up to Maharajas and Nawabs. Case in point is the shahi nehari which is essentially a shank of lamb cooked overnight in tender onion gravy. Once you bite into it, you won’t even know where the lamb disappeared in your mouth, it is so deliciously soft and well cooked. Smoky baby lamb curry, a Rajasthan special is also very famous.
Do you have something interesting you would like to share? Write to us at [email protected]
