South Indian restaurants in Dubai

Being one of the largest expat populations in the city, Indians in Dubai have no shortage of exciting culinary options to choose from. For the Indian expats from the beautiful, lush green states from the southern part of the country, nothing is more comforting than a sumptuous spread of South Indian food. Whether you are planning a date night, family dinner or lunch with colleagues, the eateries on our list of South Indian restaurants in Dubai are definitely worth the visit. Take a look at this list of best South Indian restaurants in Dubai and indulge in your share of tasty treats from across the southern states!

Shri Krishna Bhavan

First up on our list of best South Indian restaurants in Dubai is Shri Krishna Bhavan. With food as exotic as the name, dinner or lunch at this eatery is truly memorable. A haven for vegetarians, the menu here features everything from native favourites such as Plain Dosa, Idly and Sambar to succulent fried items like Palak Pakora — fried and battered spinach leaves. The veg-only mains deserves special mention, with items like the Bhindi Masala made from okra to Green Peas Masala. For dessert, order the establishment’s dessert of the day or traditional Halwa Poori.

• Average price for two: AED 60
• Contact: 04-399-5522
• Location: Sama Building – Dubai
• Opening hours: 07:00 am to 11:30 pm

Vasanta Bhavan

With several branches in Dubai and the rest of the UAE, Vasanta Bhavan is a popular venue for South Indian cuisine. Specialising in vegetarian options, local favourites here range from the ever popular Masala Dosa to delicious Dipped Sambar Idli. Depending on requirements, customers can order the Mini Tiffin, Mini Meals or Full Meals. Do try their seasonal drinks too, especially during the summer months. 

• Average price for two: AED 60
• Contact: +971-04-330-9555
• Location: Ground floor, Al Wasl building, opposite Palm Supermarket
• Opening hours: 07:30 am to 03:30 pm, 05:30 pm to 11:45 pm 

Calicut Paragon

One of the best South Indian restaurants in Karama, Dubai, Calicut Paragon is a go-to eatery for families and foodies looking for coastal cuisine. Nestled in the heart of the emirate’s “Curry Corridor” of Karama, Calicut Paragon is all about incredible Keralan flavours with mains as cheap as AED 22. And while there are several vegetarian and meat options available here, it’s the seafood that reigns supreme at this popular Kerala restaurant in Dubai. For us, the crab dishes are the highlight, served in a clay pot, this dish features a full crab broken down into delectable parts — so don’t be afraid to jump right in with your hands. Not a shellfish fan? Try the Paragon Chicken or a steaming serving of mutton curry, cooked to perfection.

• Average price for two: AED 120
• Contact: +971-4-335-8700
• Location: Mattar Al Tayer Building, 20B Street, Al Karama
• Opening hours: 07:00 am to 12:30 am

Fisherman’s Hub

Fisherman’s Hub offers everything from melt-in-your-mouth Paneer Tikka to an impressive assortment of fresh shellfish, fish, and other dishes from the Indian South. We recommend ordering from the Indian Seafood menu. With spicy Kastoori Jinga, succulent Hara Masala Pomfret and King Fish Masala cooked in an onion curry, the food here makes you come back for more. New to the cuisine? Indian food, especially fish or curry-based dishes are usually accompanied by Roti or Naan. And Fisherman’s Hub has you spoilt for choice with an impressive range from plain to the cheese and veggie-stuffed varieties.

• Average price for two: AED 190
• Contact: 005-419-9020
• Location: Al Fahidi Street, Dubai
• Opening hours: 12:00 pm to 03:00 am | 12:00 pm to 12:00 am (Sunday)

Mami’s Illam Pure Veg Restaurant

Considered one of the finest South Indian restaurants in Discovery Gardens, Mami’s Illam must be on every vegetarian foodie’s bucket list. As the name implies, the menu only has vegetable-based dishes that are cooked using the finest ingredients sourced through select suppliers. The food here is served in traditional thalis with portions limited to the size of the platter. For a healthy start to your day, try the Poori Masala or Rava Uppuma for breakfast. For mains, the Mami’s Veg Biryani and the Idiyappam with Veg Stew and Coconut Milk are commendable items. For variety, all items are served at certain days of the week, so we recommend planning your dine-ins for days when the place is serving your favourites.

• Average price for two: AED 70
• Contact: +971-55-127-8780
• Location: Building No. 6, Zen Cluster 3, Discovery Gardens, Street 1A
• Opening hours: 07:00 am to 11:30 pm | 07:00 am to 12:00 am (Thursday to Saturday)

Kovalam

Also considered one of the most commendable South Indian restaurants in Karama, Dubai, Kovalam definitely deserves a spot on our list. Located at the President Hotel in Karama, the cuisine here takes inspiration from different regions in the Indian South. Examples include Goan Specials with choices like the Rechado – pomfret or mackerel stuffed with red masala and a tangy coconut-based Goan Curry. For a taste of Kerala, try the Vegetable Korma; a mix of veggies simmered in coconut milk or Chicken Mullagitta Curry, tender chicken cubes cooked in a spicy gravy. The eatery also has an impressively diverse menu with items other than its core cuisine. For example, notable mains include Cantonese Style Chicken or continental vegetarian starters like Sauteed Exotic Vegetables.

• Average price for two: AED 140
• Contact: 04-526-0685
• Location: President Hotel, Lobby Level, Al Karama – Dubai
• Opening hours: 12:00 pm to 03:00 am | 12:00 am to 03:30 pm (Friday)

Aryaas

Next up on our list of notable South Indian Restaurants in Dubai is Aryaas. From traditional South Indian snacks like vadas, appam, poori masala and curd vada to an assortment of tiffin-friendly side dishes like dal fry, vegetable korma, and paneer kofta, this place has it all. For families with diverse tastes, there is even a Chinese menu at this vegetarian restaurant. All in all, it definitely lives up to being a best South Indian restaurant in Dubai. 

• Average price for two: AED 75
• Contact: 04-357-7800
• Location: Shop #2, Ground Floor, The Business Centre, Khalid Bin Waleed Road – Dubai
• Opening hours: 07:00 am to 11:30 pm | 07:00 am to 11:30 pm, 01:15 pm to 12:00 am (Friday)

Venus Restaurant

A casual restaurant in Karama with dishes that are as tasty as they are easy on the pocket, Venus Restaurant features a friendly laid-back environment perfect for a family hangout. Thalis here come with dahl and, excellent pooris, loads of rice and three vegetable curries. Chaat enthusiasts have reason to rejoice too with items ranging from Alu Bonda to local favourites like Pani Poori, Bhel Poori, Vada Pav, Samosa Channa and Kachori. All in all, it’s one of our favourite famous South Indian restaurants in Dubai.

• Average price for two: AED 70
• Contact: +971-4-335-2113
• Location: Shop 4, Ground Floor, Al Sharooq Building, adjacent to Karama Park, Al Karama
• Opening hours: 07:00 am to 11:30 pm

Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant

The term “Sangeetha” refers to music. Try any of the items at Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant and your taste buds will definitely sing. Ask any regular what the experience is like here, and they will rave about the crispy vadas, mouthwatering idlis and crunchy dosas. Let’s just say that the food here is enough to make any new customer a regular. Taking a cue from traditional Udupi and Chettinad style of cookery, the food here is a definite must-try for residents or visitors in search of authentic food from South India. In addition to the exotic mains and starters, the sweets mustn’t be missed out on either. Think syrupy Gulab Jamuns and delicious Laddus. 

• Average price for two: AED 85
• Contact: 04-336-7111
• Location: Opposite Lulu Supermarket, Al Karama – Dubai
• Opening hours: 07:30 am to 03:30 pm, 05:00 am to 11:00 pm |07:30 am to 11:00 am , 01:30 pm to 03:30 pm, 05:00 pm to 11:30 pm (Fridays)

Woodlands Restaurant

Also considered a cheap Indian restaurant in Dubai, Woodlands Restaurant is a go-to dining establishment with old-timers in the city. Choose any of the thali sets offered featuring Mini Meals, South Indian Meals and Special Meals with Juice. For a tangy accompaniment to your food, we recommend the Tamarind Rice with a side of Spinach Vada or just the Veg Biryani. The place is also a popular hangout for Dosa enthusiasts. Made with thin layered rice batter, this popular South Indian delicacy is available in an impressive variety from plain to Cashew, Cheese and Masala variety. To wash it all down, choose any of the assorted drinks. Whatever your choice, this eatery is definitely one of the best South Indian restaurants in Karama, Dubai.

• Average price for two: AED 50
• Contact: 04-337-0253
• Location: Karama Shopping Complex, Al Karama
• Opening hours: 07:00 am to 11:00 pm

Salkara Restaurant

With food that takes inspiration from classic recipes popular during the 70s and 80s in Malabar, Salkara Restaurant rounds up our list of best South Indian Restaurants in Dubai. Notable mains from the southwest region of India featured in the menu here include chicken-based dishes like Chicken Kuttichira and fish-based items like the Kottayam Curry. For dessert, we recommend the Falooda and Coconut Pudding.

• Average price for two: AED 75
• Contact: 04-263-1110
• Location: Food Court, Beside Lulu Hypermarket, Qusais – Dubai
• Opening hours: 07:30 am to 12:00 am

Besides these top Dubai South Indian eateries, there are some other renowned favourites too for discerning foodies. Those looking for the consummate Andhra meal in Dubai should head to Amravathi in Karama while foodies hankering for some Dindigul style biryani can hip the famous Dindigul Thalappakatti Restaurant. Seafood lovers will enjoy the flavours at the popular Goan restaurants in Dubai, while fans of the popular rice-based dishes from the south love visiting the different branches of Kamat Restaurant which is known for yummy Bisebele Bath, Chow Chow Bath and more. 

That’s all for our picks for the best South Indian restaurants in Dubai. For other popular restaurants of the type, check out our recommendations for the best Indian restaurants in Karama. Looking for a change in cuisine? Our choices for top Chinese hot pot restaurants in Dubai will offer a welcome change to your dining experiences. For a unique experience, visit any of our picks of popular French restaurants in Dubai.