Dubai is a city where you can find a piece of the world in every corner, and for those craving the vibrant and flavorful street foods of India, you're in luck. Indian expats missing the taste of home and food enthusiasts eager to dive into the rich tapestry of Indian cuisine will find fantastic spots to explore. We've got you covered from Mumbai's tangy chaats to Delhi's spicy treats, and Hyderabad's aromatic biryanis.
Let's stroll through Dubai’s streets and uncover the best places to satisfy your craving for authentic Indian street food.
Mumbai's Vada Pav
Vada pav, often called the Indian burger, is a quintessential Mumbai street food. This delicious snack consists of a spicy mashed potato fritter (vada) sandwiched between a bun (pav) and topped with various chutneys. The combination of the crispy, golden vada and the soft, buttery pav, with a hint of spicy chutney, creates an explosion of flavors and textures that is irresistible.
Chaat Bazaar is famous for its authentic vada pav that captures the true essence of Mumbai's street food. The perfectly spiced vada and freshly baked pav are a hit among customers. If you want to experience the taste of Mumbai’s street food in Dubai, Chaat Bazaar is the place to go. Their vada pav is highly recommended for its authenticity and flavour. Besides vada pav, Chaat Bazaar offers a wide variety of equally delicious chaat items.
Location: Karama
Bombay Chowpatty is another hotspot for Mumbai’s iconic vada pav. This place is known for its fresh and spicy vada pav, offering a nostalgic taste of Mumbai’s bustling streets. You should eat here to enjoy the soft pav paired with a perfectly crispy vada and tangy chutneys. They are also famous for their pav bhaji and bhel puri.
Location: Jumeirah
Delhi's Aloo Chaat
Aloo chaat, a popular street food from Delhi, is a spicy and tangy potato dish. It consists of crispy fried potato cubes tossed in a mixture of spices, and chutneys, and garnished with fresh coriander and pomegranate seeds. The contrasting flavors of sweet, sour, and spicy make aloo chaat a favourite among food lovers.
Chatori Gali is renowned for its authentic Delhi-style aloo chaat. The perfectly fried potato cubes, tangy tamarind chutney, and a blend of spices make it a must-try. If you’re looking to experience the true flavours of Delhi’s Street food, Chatori Gali is the place to be. They are also known for their golgappas and papdi chaat.
Location: Bur Dubai, Dubai.
Delhi Darbar offers a rich and spicy aloo chaat that will remind you of the bustling streets of Delhi. The balance of flavors is exceptional, making it a popular choice among customers. Besides aloo chaat, they are famous for their extensive menu of North Indian dishes.
Location: Al Karama, Dubai.
Amritsari Chhole
Amritsari chhole is a spicy chickpea curry from the Punjab region. This dish is known for its rich, aromatic flavours, thanks to the blend of spices used in its preparation. Typically served with bhature (deep-fried bread) or kulcha (stuffed bread), Amritsari chhole is a hearty and satisfying meal.
Tummy Tales brings the true flavours of Punjab to Dubai with its Amritsari chhole. The rich, spicy chickpea curry at Tummy Tales is a must-try for anyone looking to experience traditional Punjabi cuisine. Besides chhole, Tummy Tales offers a variety of North Indian dishes that are worth exploring.
Location: Al Karama, Dubai.
Amritsr Restaurant is famous for its authentic Amritsari chhole, which is both rich and flavorful. The perfectly spiced chickpeas and soft bhature make it a favourite among patrons. This restaurant is also known for its delicious parathas and lassi.
Location: Al Karama, Dubai.
Hyderabadi Biryani
Hyderabadi biryani is an aromatic rice dish layered with marinated meat (usually chicken or mutton) and cooked with a blend of fragrant spices. Known for its rich and complex flavors, Hyderabadi biryani is a beloved dish across India. The slow-cooking method ensures that the meat is tender, and the rice is infused with the spices' aroma.
Hyderabad House is renowned for its authentic Hyderabadi dum biryani. The perfectly cooked rice and tender meat, combined with a blend of aromatic spices, make it a favorite among biryani lovers. Besides biryani, Hyderabad House offers a variety of other Hyderabadi delicacies.
Location: Multiple branches in Dubai.
Biryaniwala & Co in Al Barsha serves a variety of biryanis, including the famous Hyderabadi biryani. The rich, flavorful rice and succulent meat are perfectly balanced, making it a must-try. They also offer a range of other Indian dishes that are equally delicious.
Location: Al Barsha, Dubai.
Lucknowee Tundey Kebab
Tundey kebab, originating from Lucknow, is famous for its melt-in-the-mouth texture and rich flavours. Made from minced meat and a secret blend of spices, these kebabs are grilled to perfection. The history and heritage behind these kebabs add to their allure, making them a must-try for meat lovers.
Afadhil is celebrated for its succulent tundey kebabs that stay true to the traditional recipe from Lucknow. The tender, flavourful kebabs at Afadhil are a delight for anyone looking to indulge in authentic Lucknowee cuisine. Afadhil also offers other Mughlai dishes that are equally delectable.
Location: Karama, Dubai.
Lucknowee Restaurant in Karama is known for its authentic Lucknowee tundey kebabs. The melt-in-the-mouth texture and rich flavours are a testament to their traditional cooking methods. They are also famous for their biryanis and other Lucknowi specialities.
Location: Karama, Dubai.
Paani Puri
Paani puri, also known as golgappa, is a beloved Indian street snack. It consists of hollow, crispy puris filled with spicy tamarind water, potatoes, chickpeas, and chutneys. The burst of flavours from the tangy water and the crunchy puri is an experience that keeps people coming back for more.
Chaat Bazaar is renowned for its variety of chaat items, with paani puri being a standout favourite. The paani puri at Chaat Bazaar is praised for its perfect balance of flavours and freshness. Besides paani puri, they offer a wide range of chaat items like bhel puri and sev puri.
Location: Karama, Dubai.
Bombay Times offers an authentic Mumbai-style Street food experience, including a delightful paani puri. Their paani puri offers a true taste of Mumbai, with perfectly crisp puris and tangy water. They also serve other popular Mumbai Street foods like vada pav and pav bhaji.
Location: Al Barsha, Dubai.
Pav Bhaji
Pav bhaji is a popular street food from Mumbai, consisting of a spicy vegetable mash (bhaji) served with buttered bread rolls (pav). The bhaji is cooked with a variety of vegetables and spices, making it rich and flavorful. The buttery, toasted pav complements the spicy bhaji perfectly.
Bombay Chowpatty is another hotspot for Mumbai’s iconic pav bhaji. The perfectly spiced bhaji and freshly buttered pav offer a nostalgic taste of Mumbai’s bustling streets. You should eat here to enjoy the soft pav paired with a perfectly crispy vada and tangy chutneys. They are also famous for their vada pav and bhel puri.
Location: Jumeirah, Dubai.
Rajdhani Street in Al Karama is known for its authentic Mumbai-style pav bhaji. The rich, spicy vegetable mash and buttery pav make it a favorite among patrons. Rajdhani Street also offers a variety of other Indian street foods, making it a perfect place to enjoy a variety of dishes.
Location: Al Karama, Dubai.
Sindhi Dal Pakwan
Sindhi dal pakwan is a traditional breakfast dish from Sindh, featuring crispy fried bread (pakwan) served with spicy lentils (dal). The combination of the crunchy pakwan and the flavorful dal makes it a delicious and hearty meal.
Spice Kraft JLT offers a range of Sindhi dishes, including their famous dal pakwan. The crispy pakwan and flavorful dal are a perfect combination, making it a must-try for anyone looking to experience Sindhi cuisine. Spice Kraft is also known for its wide variety of other Indian dishes.
Location: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai.
Sind Punjab in Bur Dubai is known for its North Indian and Sindhi cuisine, with dal pakwan being one of its standout dishes. The combination of the crunchy pakwan and the spicy dal makes it a popular choice among patrons. Sind Punjab also offers a range of other traditional Indian dishes.
Location: Bur Dubai, Dubai.
Misal Pav
Misal pav is a spicy curry made from sprouted lentils, topped with crunchy farsan (fried savory mixture), and served with bread rolls. Originating from Maharashtra, misal pav is known for its spicy, tangy flavors and is often enjoyed as a breakfast or snack.
Peshwa Restaurant in Karama offers a delicious misal pav that is a must-try for anyone craving Maharashtrian cuisine. The spicy, tangy flavors and crunchy farsan make it a popular choice. Peshwa Restaurant also serves a range of other traditional Marathi dishes.
Location: Karama, Dubai.
Chatori Gali in Bur Dubai is known for its flavorful misal pav. The spicy curry and crunchy farsan, combined with the soft pav, make it a hit among customers. Chatori Gali also offers a variety of other Indian street foods that are equally delicious.
Location: Bur Dubai, Dubai.
Just reading about these mouthwatering delights is enough to get your taste buds tingling. So, don't wait – go explore these amazing spots and treat yourself to the vibrant flavors of Indian street food in Dubai!