The 5 Best Indian Restaurants in Deira for More Than Tikka Masala
Finding good Indian food abroad is challenging. One time, while I was touring a city in Asia, I was served butter chicken that lacked spice, and a naan that should have just been called “flatbread.”
That’s why, when I got back to Deira, I started to keep track of Indian restaurants I ate at that got the flavors right.
If you’re like me and tired of restaurants that don’t give Indian cuisine justice, here are the authentic Indian restaurants in Deira that I found.
How much does it cost to eat Indian food in Deira?
It costs at least 10 AED to eat Indian food in Deira. This price is just an estimate. The actual cost will depend on where you eat at and what you order.
1. Mehman, Dubai
Address: Ground Floor, Asiana Hotel – Salah Al Din St – near Reef Mall – Deira – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact Details: +971556099709
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 12 to 10:30 PM
- Friday to Sunday – 12 PM to 11 PM
Mehman Dubai is inside the luxurious Asian Hotel. While they have an à la carte menu, it’s their weekday dinner buffet that really stood out to me.
The jumbo prawns in their tandoori jhinga were tangy from the achari (pickle) marinade. But the crunch of the fennel seeds made me pause mid-bite because of how good the flavor combo was.
The kasundi mustard fish tikka, though, is where many people agree Mehman flexes. Kasundi (a pungent Bengali mustard sauce) packs a sinus-clearing punch, but the kitchen balances it with yogurt and herbs so it doesn’t bulldoze the delicate fish.
Their Chettinad mutton curry also isn’t drowned in a fire hose of black pepper. I like how the dry-roasted spices—cumin, fennel, star anise—layer into a gravy that flavors every part of the mutton.
The Jhinga dum biriyani tasted like saffron and had curry-laced prawns. Regulars here called it their most underrated biryani.
Now, while the ambiance of this place is nice, the service is lacking. People who ordered a la carte said they had to flag down a waiter several times to place their order.
Rich ambience, exceptional cuisine
“We hosted our company Iftar buffet at Mehman Restaurant for the second year in a row, and once again, it was an amazing experience. This hidden gem in Deira offers a rich ambience, exceptional cuisine, and top-notch service. Highly recommended for office parties, family gatherings, and special occasions.”
– Sahad Thalappuzha, Google Reviews
Food was so delicious
“Dear Viewers 😃
This restaurant is located in Asiana Hotel
Served Indian Buffet I booked this restaurant for my 50 pax group lunch buffet.
Ambiance is really good and food was so delicious. Must try Tikka starters, Dal makhni, Chicken Curry and don’t forgot to have Indian Dessert 🍨🧁 as we know food is incomplete without sweet treat.
Overall it was nice experience good for large groups.“
– Barinder Singh, Google Reviews
2. Gazebo – City Centre Deira
Address: City Centre – Deira – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact Details: +97142566999
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 12 AM
Gazebo stands out for their charcoal-grilled kebabs. I started off with their Murgh Seekh Bharwan, a chicken seekh kebab, and really loved it.
The charcoal kiss adds smokiness, and the cardamom-infused cheese and coriander filling made me want to go for a second order.
Then there’s the Raan-e-Sikandari, a dish that is for foodies who like to splurge. It’s one of the more pricier kebabs, but that’s because the baby lamb leg is marinated overnight in a yoghurt-laced spice blend.
People who’ve had it love how the slow kebab roasting locks in a caramelized crust, while the meat stays absurdly juicy.
The Zafrani Murgh Tikka Biryani is just as delicious. The dum cooking method lets the spices infiltrate every grain, and the chicken tikka was fresh off the grill.
For dessert, I’d definitely order their Shahi Pista Cake again. The pistachio sponge cake is light, but the sweetness of the ganache almost made me forget I was full.
Although I didn’t have any major complaints about my meal, I did overhear a few other diners grumbling about being charged double for entrees sometimes. Since it appeared to be most likely a cashier’s error, I double-checked the bill before paying.
Affordable, flavorful, and worth coming back for
“It was our first time at Gazebo DCC branch, I’ve been wanting to try it since I love Indian cuisine and it’s got solid reviews. We ordered lentil soup, Arabic salad, Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani, the samosa platter, and karak tea. The lentil soup had good flavor but was too watery.. needed a little more balance to bring out the taste. The Arabic salad was light and refreshing. The biryani was nicely spiced (not too hot, just right!), though my plate got the mushy rice part. The samosas were fun to try.. cheese samosa instantly became my fave, while the meat one was a bit salty and the chickpea just okay. The karak tea? Loved it! Bonus points for letting customers control the sweetness. ☕ Service was generally good, though a few smiles went missing..understandable since it was quite busy around 2–3 p.m. Maybe tighten up consistency in dishes and train staff to maintain that warm, welcoming vibe even during the rush. Overall, it’s affordable, flavorful, and worth coming back for, especially to explore more biryani versions! 🍛✨”
– JEMIMA, Google Reviews
Great variety of flavors
“We had a wonderful iftar at Gazebo Restaurant in Deira City Center. The food was delicious, with a great variety of flavors that made the meal memorable. The ambiance was cozy, and the service was attentive. It’s a fantastic spot for a satisfying iftar experience. Highly recommended for tasty Indian cuisine!”
– Ali Abbas, Google Reviews
3. Erode Amman Mess (ஈரோடு அம்மன் மெஸ்)
Address: Business Village – Deira – Ground Floor – Port Saeed
Contact Details: +971 4 343 3043
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 4 PM & 6:30 PM to 11 PM
Website
Erode Amman Mess is a no-frills Tamil spot. When I came here, I appreciated the quick service. I was seated at my table in under 20 minutes.
I didn’t have to chase down the waiter either. The staff here are attentive and bring you constant refills of chai and water.
Their menu is diverse with several Tamil specialties, but I’d heard great things about their mutton biryani, so that’s what I started off with.
Now, I will admit that I loved the flavor. In every bite, I could taste a deep spice blend of cardamom, clove, and a whisper of star anise.
The meat, though tender, had me reaching for toothpicks and hoping I wouldn’t accidentally choke on a bone. At least in my order, half the mutton pieces were all ribs and cartilage.
I did, however, like their take on mutton kothu. It was equal parts chewy, crispy, and not extremely oily. Plus, in this dish, the mutton pieces I got were more meat than bone.
Their butter chicken is also delicious. While the curry was a bit watery, it still had that tangy tomato base that tasted like it had been simmering since the morning.
Unmatched, comforting, and authentic
“Amman Mess truly lives up to its name – every bite feels like food cooked by your own mother. The taste is unmatched, comforting, and authentic to the core. The moment I started eating, I felt like I was back in Salem, enjoying one of the finest cuisines on the planet. The food is simply amazing, the flavors are rich yet homely, and the staff make the whole experience even better with their warmth and hospitality. If you haven’t been here yet, it’s an absolute must-visit in Dubai. Trust me – once you taste it, you’ll keep coming back. Amman Mess isn’t just a restaurant, it’s an emotion that will surely become one of your go-to lunch or dinner spots in the city.
🌟 Highly Recommended!”
– Sidharth Khatri, Google Reviews
Authentic Tamil meals
“Authentic Tamil meals in Dubai very tasty sambar you will never get anywhere else. Fresh prawns with hot rice and ghee was ultimate. 😍😍
During Sunday overcrowded so try to come by noon so that you will avoid long waiting time.
Best service by Mr.Manoharan
Best dishes : veg Meals, Japan chicken, Mango prawn ghee roast.”
– Mansoor Mohamed, Google Reviews
4. Tej Indian Restaurant
Address: Ramada by Wyndham – Salah Al Din St – Deira
Contact Details: +971 4 279 1144
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 12 PM to 11 PM
Website:
Tej is where people go for a fish curry done right. The Fish Tawa Masala comes with boneless kingfish steaks and a tangy masala with charred veggies that hold their texture.
I’m really glad I held out for their Jheenga Malamal Curry. The prawns swim in a creamy coconut milk gravy that’s popping with mustard seeds. It’s the kind of dish that makes people want to order a second naan just to mop up the rest of the curry.
For something bolder, the Salmon Alleppey Curry that uses Norwegian salmon is a solid pick. It stays buttery under a Kerala-style tamarind-mango sauce that balances sour and sweet without veering into dessert territory.
However, the focus is so laser-sharp on their main entrees that the side dishes lack a bit in flavor. Their biriyani was nothing to write home about, and the naan I ordered was served cold.
Food was surprisingly delicious
“Tej is a hidden gem which is conveniently located at Ramada Deira and is easily accessible through metro as well.
The food was surprisingly delicious and especially the butter chicken was so good unlike other restaurants where they serve it too sweet.
The salads, starters , mains and desserts everything was yum 😋“
– Anzia Abdul Khalam, Google Reviews
Excellent
“The food was very good. Vegetarian thali was good and also the paneer kadai and dal makhani were excellent with roti n jeera rice. Heena was very courteous and swift wit her service. Just one thing Staff Neeraj was okish he dint follow our request.”
– PS, Google Reviews
5. Kalthappam Restaurant
Address: 12 24 St – Deira – Al Murar – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact Details: +97142979056
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday, Saturday & Sunday – 6 AM to 2 AM
- Friday – 6 AM to 12 PM, 1PM to 2 AM
Kalthappam Restaurant is Kerala home cooking at its most unapologetic—a cramped, no-frills canteen where the plates clatter and the aroma of roasted coconut and curry leaves fills the air.
But people really line up here for the namesake kalathappam. They season the rice cake with fried onions, cardamom, coconut, and sugar to give it that crispy caramelized bottom and a spongy center.
Several regular customers told me that they arrive early to place their orders before it’s all sold out.
They also have a delicious kingfish curry. When I tried it, the tamarind hit me first. Then the coconut mellowed it out, while the curry leaves tied it all together. The fish? Tender and well-flavored.
Another favorite here is the beef masala. The chunks of meat are simmered in a gravy so dark and intense it could double as espresso, with roasted spices and a kick of black pepper that lingers on the tongue.
Customers told me they hardly leave any curry left to waste.
That said, getting a table feels like competing in Squid Game. People wait in line for seats, delivery guys sprint through the aisles, and the loud noise level makes this place not for quiet diners.
Pretty cheap
”Tried pallikett and chicken fry tor two people and only cots us 30 dirhams which is pretty cheap when compared to others. The place is neat and clean, which i really loved”
– Ashkar Ali, Google Reviews
Simple, honest meals bursting with flavor
“visited Kalthappam Restaurant in Naif (located opposite Saba Al Madina Supermarket, Street 22), and it truly delivers hearty, home-style Kerala dishes without breaking the bank.
The kalthappam bread and beef curry are standout items—rich, well-spiced and thoroughly satisfying. It’s not a fancy dining spot — but that’s part of its charm: simple, honest meals bursting with flavor and lots of heart.”
– Aura Reviewer, Google Reviews