These 5 Indian restaurants in Umm Al Quwain satisfied our cravings without breaking the bank!
If you ever find yourself in Umm Al Quwain and suddenly crave Indian food, the first thing to do is not panic. This laid-back emirate may be quieter than its neighbors, but it hides some real culinary gems – especially for lovers of Indian cuisine.
From Punjabi and Kerala to South Indian Chettinadu cuisine, you’ll find it all here. And, you’ll also discover that you don’t need to splurge to enjoy authentic Indian flavors.
Hungry? Let’s dig in!
How much is the average cost of dining at an Indian restaurant in Umm Al Quwain?
Many Indian restaurants in Umm Al Quwain are budget-friendly, so you can expect to pay around AED 20 – 50 per person for a casual meal.
1. Rehan Al Madina Restaurant
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Rehanalmadinarestaurant/
Address: New Sanaya – Emirate of Umm Al Quwain
Contact Details: +971 56 798 8315
Hours:
- Monday – Sunday, 5am – 11:30pm
| Menu Selection | 5/5 |
| Atmosphere | 4.7/5 |
| Customer Service | 4.9/5 |
| Location & Accessibility | 5/5 |
| Pricing | 5/5 |
What makes Rehan Al Madina stand out as one of the best Indian restaurants in Umm Al Quwain is its wide variety of authentic dishes at budget-friendly prices. Stepping into this restaurant is like discovering a little taste of Kerala tucked into UAQ.
We love its warm, casual vibe. You won’t find any fancy decor, but that’s part of its charm.
The bright orange signage gets your attention from the street. And once inside, you’re greeted by friendly staff and the aroma of Indian spices that mingle with Arabic and Asian flavors.
We love how diverse the menu is. If you’re a fan of rich, hearty dishes, order their Kerala-style biryanis or chicken or beef kothu parotta.
For vegetarians, there’s a range of options too. We recommend the paneer and masala dishes that cost around AED 8 – 15. They’re perfect for a healthy, filling meal that won’t hurt your budget.
One of the things people often mention is how fantastic the service is. The staff are attentive and courteous, which adds to the overall pleasant experience.
Just take note that the ambience is pretty basic, like a cafeteria-style eatery, so don’t expect anything fancy. Also, busy times can mean longer wait times or slow service, so there might be some delays on orders during peak hours.
Fantastic food and service at pocket-friendly prices.
“Hidden gem is UAQ… Good food and fantastic customer service. Pocket friendly prices for fresh fish dishes. Thank you Solomon and to your team. Keep up the great job, looking forward to seeing you flourish and conquer your dreams.”
– Anup Mathew, Google Reviews
Gives the real taste of Malabar.
“Such a great restaurant that gives the real taste of Malabar. Kerala Porata with Kadka or Koothal or Beef or Chicken, my personal favorite.And Biriyanis, everyone must try.”
– Shyam Joy, Google Reviews
2. New Punjab RJ13 Restaurant
Website: https://newpunjabrj13.com/
Address: Al MuqtaIndustrial Area – Emirate of Umm Al Quwain
Contact Details: +971 56 420 2014
Hours:
- Monday – Sunday, 8am – 11:30pm
| Menu Selection | 5/5 |
| Atmosphere | 4.7/5 |
| Customer Service | 4.9/5 |
| Location & Accessibility | 4.9/5 |
| Pricing | 5/5 |
Walking into New Punjab RJ13 feels like stumbling upon a classic North Indian/Punjab joint – loud, full of energy, and fragrant with masalas. This roadside eatery may not catch your attention at first, but it’s worth the stop, even for just takeaway.
The menu features Punjabi favorites, from daal and sabzi to thali and naan/kulcha. You’ll also love their selection of Indian snacks like samosa and papad, as well as breakfast options.
What we love most is the no-nonsense approach to food. Portions are generous, flavors are bold, and dishes come out piping hot.
We recommend their thalis if you want a bit of everything. Plus, pairing a buttery kulcha with a spicy curry makes for a satisfying meal.
Prices are affordable too, and most dishes have large size options perfect for sharing. Meanwhile, the atmosphere is simple – more like a canteen, but the cheerful staff and lively chatter make it feel welcoming.
However, it might not be the most convenient, as seating is pretty limited. And since it’s located by the roadside within an industrial area, it can get a bit noisy depending on the time.
Hidden treasure in Umm Al Quwain!
“Very rich and premium tasting food, excellent presentation and overall a great hidden treasure for Asli Punjabi food in Umm Al Quwain both pocket friendly and tasty varieties.
Loved the special deluxe thali with lassi.”
– Mak Makky, Google Reviews
Authentic and delightful dining experience.
“New Punjab restaurant offers an authentic and delightful dining experience. The rich, flavorful dishes, especially the butter chicken and lamb biryani, are highlights of the menu. The naan is perfectly baked, and the samosas are crispy and well-seasoned. The ambiance is cozy, and the decor adds to the authentic feel of the place. The staff is attentive and friendly, providing excellent service with a smile. Whether you’re dining in or taking out, the quality and taste of the food consistently impress. New Punjab is a gem for anyone craving genuine Punjabi cuisine.”
– Dr. Elsir Ali Saad, Google Reviews
3. Podhi Kitchen
Website: https://www.instagram.com/podhikitchen.uae/?hl=en
Address: Al Gharayen Building – Shop #1 – King Faisal St – opp. ADIB Bank – Green Belt – Al Madr 2 – Emirate of Umm Al Quwain
Contact Details: +971 58 538 8323
Hours:
- Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 11:30pm
| Menu Selection | 4.8/5 |
| Atmosphere | 5/5 |
| Customer Service | 5/5 |
| Location & Accessibility | 5/5 |
| Pricing | 5/5 |
Podhi Kitchen is a casual place with a loyal following, especially among those who enjoy Kerala cuisine. Notably, they pride themselves on offering food with no preservatives or artificial colors.
We love its simple, contemporary design, which is pretty inviting and refreshing thanks to its green and wood accents.
Once seated inside, we immediately noticed a nice little quirk. Their menu is engraved on a wooden chopping board, which made choosing our orders a lot more exciting.
Food-wise, the restaurant stands out for its tasty Kerala dishes like flavorful biryanis and rich gravies. You can also enjoy their specialty podhichoru dishes wrapped in a banana leaf.
Their chatti choru is also a crowd favorite and a must-try because of its mix of flavorful and comforting elements, like curries and meat, in one dish.
Portion sizes are also generous and prices are reasonable, making it a good option whether you’re dining solo or sharing plates with friends.
We found the service to be generally prompt and polite. What’s more, they offer free delivery within UAQ if you prefer staying in.
Just one minor drawback is that the menu is not as extensive, so adventurous eaters may find the selection to be quite limited.
Most delicious and scrumptious Kerala cuisine.
“A breath of fresh air in UAQ. This place served the most delicious and scrumptious Kerala cuisine. Service was amazing, food was served quickly and tasted as amazing as it looked. Definitely try this place if you’re in UAQ craving some malayalee food.”
– Bhavana John Bosco, Google Reviews
Excellent food with authentic South Indian flavors!
“Excellent food with authentic South Indian flavors! The dishes were fresh, well-prepared, and full of taste. The staff was friendly and the service was quick. A hidden gem in UAQ – definitely coming back again.”
– Blessen Mathew, Google Reviews
4. Kurinji Restaurant
Website: https://www.kurinjirestaurant.com/
Address: Al Muqta – Al Muqta 1 – Emirate of Umm Al Quwain
Contact Details: +971 54 429 2287
Hours:
- Monday – Sunday, 7am – 11:30pm
| Menu Selection | 5/5 |
| Atmosphere | 4.9/5 |
| Customer Service | 4.8/5 |
| Location & Accessibility | 5/5 |
| Pricing | 5/5 |
What sets Kurinji apart from other Indian restaurants in UAQ is its authentic South Indian Chettinadu focus, which is something not many places offer here.
We like that they have diverse menu offerings. The menu doesn’t feel too overwhelming to look at too because dishes are thoughtfully divided into breakfast, lunch, dinner, and specials.
And we can say the same for the price, as everything is very affordable. You can get biryanis and thalis from their lunch menu for only AED 10 – 16, while their specials like chicken masala and nattukozhi chukka only cost AED 15 – 16.
We particularly loved their Chettinadu fish fry, which is part of their specials menu (available Thursdays and Fridays). It’s crispy with the right amount of spice.
We like that the atmosphere is casual and comfortable. It’s clean, the seating is modest but pleasant, and many people enjoy it for family meals or a relaxed breakfast since it opens early at 7 am.
However, service might be slow during busy periods. And while it’s convenient that they offer delivery, some customers complained about delays.
Delivers a genuine taste of South India.
“Kurinji Restaurant in Umm Al Quwain is a hidden gem for South Indian cuisine lovers. The restaurant offers an authentic menu with a variety of flavorful dishes, from crispy dosas and soft idlis to richly spiced curries and biryanis. The portions are generous, and the prices are very reasonable, making it a great value for money. The ambiance is simple yet inviting, and the staff is courteous and attentive. Whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast or a satisfying dinner, Kurinji delivers a genuine taste of South India. A must-visit for anyone craving traditional Indian flavors in UAQ!”
– Subeesh Kattil Parambath, Google Reviews
Outstanding food quality and variety. Exceptional service.
“I loved it, the food quality was outstanding, with a variety of fresh, delicious options for every meal, especially dosa varieties. The service was exceptional, with friendly and attentive staff ensuring a comfortable experience. Highly recommend for anyone looking for great dinner, lunch, breakfast…and the staff (Naja) very respectful and friendly.”
– Sarath K Ramesh, Google Reviews
5. Chatpata Kabab & Biryani
Website: https://www.instagram.com/chatpata.kabab.biryani/
Address: Al Bootain – Al Butain – Emirate of Umm Al Quwain
Contact Details: +971 56 134 3494
Hours:
- Monday – Sunday, 11am – 2am
| Menu Selection | 5/5 |
| Atmosphere | 4.9/5 |
| Customer Service | 4.9/5 |
| Location & Accessibility | 5/5 |
| Pricing | 5/5 |
One of the things that makes Chatpata Kabab & Biryani stand out among Indian eateries in UAQ is its specialization in favorites like kebabs and biryani. Plus, it’s perfect for late evening meals since it’s open until 2 am.
The kebabs are made with the kind of charred meat flavor many crave, while the biryanis are oozing with spices and are one of the best ones you can try in UAQ.
They offer an extensive menu of these dishes, from chicken and vegetable biryani to Hyderabad biryani, while kebabs come in 3-piece meals to platters for sharing.
Apart from kebabs and biryanis, they have a diverse selection of other dishes. These include Arabic, Chinese, and Pakistani dishes. We found the restaurant a versatile spot for groups with different cravings.
Prices are reasonable, so you can dig into hearty meals without overspending. Also, its location along King Faisal Road makes it convenient and accessible, especially if you’re just passing through the city.
Just a couple of drawbacks are the occasional complaints about smaller portion sizes and inconsistent food quality, particularly with deliveries.
Makes you feel like a cherished guest.
“The food is consistently fresh and meets all expectations. The staff is as wonderful as the cuisine, and they provide service that makes you feel like a cherished guest.”
– Kashif Raza, Google Reviews
The best biryani you can ever try!
“I really need to highlight the amazing taste, excellent service, and warm hospitality. This is honestly the best Biryani you can ever try! The food quality is on par with the top restaurants serving Biryani in the UAE. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy authentic taste. Big thanks to the team and special thanks to the owner.”
– Ihab Ibrahim, Google Reviews