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Dubai is now definitely a FOODIE DESTINATION for sure. But where would you go to find honest reviews of recent experiences? We regularly review a variety of places to eat in Dubai and will tell you what's good for your budget and taste. We are regularly asked to recommend restaurants based on our honest reviews.

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DUBAI THALI MEALS authentic value for money Indian food

What are Dubai Thali Meals all about then?

UPDATE DECEMBER 2022: NEW THALI LUNCH ALERT

We really liked our Andhra (from Andhra Pradesh state) style thali in Discovery Gardens near the Jebal Ali side of Dubai. It’s called GODAVARI and serves both vegetarian and non vegetarian thalis. Be prepared to wait for a table at the weekend. Definitely worth the trip.

VEG AND NON VEG MEALS FROM GODAVARI RESTAURANT ANDHRA STYLE

Nice place to sit and super grocery shopping at the nearby Flavours supermarket! Blueberry boxes for AED 3 and Strawberries for AED 6!

Dubai Thali Meals are from India mainly. They are a complete meal served to you in separate little bowls all on one, tray style plate. Dubai Thali meals are cheap as chips but hugely authentic, and very tasty too. They’re great for hearty eaters as you can often have refills of your favourite dishes.

Money Saving Deals DoinDubai Monica Kapila Andrha Thali
Andhra Style Thali at Shree Krishna Bhavan in Karama

Quite often they’re also served on fresh banana leaves instead of china plates. Very sustainable and saves water and laborious washing up.

TIP

Do ASK for knives and forks if you need them else eat with your hands like everyone else!

TIP

In terms of timing, if you go on a Friday for lunch (much more sensible than boozy, overpriced brunches) then get to your thali place by about 12 or 12.30 pm else you may have to queue.

TIP

Rice is typically served at the END of the meal to fill you up, again you can have as much as you like IF you have room!

TIP

We like the Gujerati thali (Western India style) from Rangoli in Karama most of all. Decent place to sit and don’t forget to get some fresh eggless ice cream from Govinda’s restaurant next door after you’ve finished your spicy thali. Try flavours like guava or custard apple!

MONEY SAVING DEALS DOINDUBAI MONICA KAPILA Thali at Rangoli Karama Cafe
Gujerati Style Thali from Rangoli in Karama

If you fancy making your own easy peasy vegan ice cream with just 3 ingredients then listen to how easy it is on our vegan ice cream podcast.

Just 3 ingredient vegan ice cream

Other Thali places include Venus Restaurant (Karama) Shree Krishna Bhavan (Karama) and Saravana Bhavan branches in Al Barsha near Mall of Emirates and Karama.

If you’d like seafood then try Dhe Puttu for your thali also Karama side of town. I still suggest you call before hand and CHECK they are serving thalis when you want to go. Often the a la carte items may not be available when it’s Thali Time!

Money Saving Deals DoinDubai Monica Kapila Thali Meals Venus Karama
South Indian Thali from Venu restaurant Karama

Expect to pay between aed 10 and aed 25 or so for a Dubai Thali meal

You can also get and should try South Indian dosas as well if you’re at one of these restaurants. We like the dosas at Sarvana Bhavan with branches in Karama and Al Barsha not far from Mall of the Emirates. Or you could go to Bombay Chowpatty at Mall of Emirates itself if you’re shopping.

A great alternative Friday breakfast brunch idea for the family. VERY REASONABLY PRICED TOO so treat your family and friends but leave your designer gear at home, it’s casual and comfortable style here.

Dosa at Bombay Chowpatty Mall of Emirates

Want MORE? Then follow us on @DoinDubai INSTAGRAM for more up to the minute ideas and do check out our Money Saving Deals page that links to the Dubai Eye Podcast

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FISH MARKET IN DUBAI – where is it and where to eat nearby

FISH MARKET IN DUBAI

UPDATED FEBRUARY 2022

Note you can also now buy oysters, supplied from Dibba Bay Oyster hut at the fish market itself! I asked them to shuck 2 oysters for me to eat on site!. AED 8 each. Fabulously fresh.

If you want to eat in the area, you can eat at Dibba Bay Oyster hut itself open from 12pm, or at Azeema Seafood just behind the fish market but it also has a great outdoor terrace with shade, both places open from about 12pm.

Fish Market in Dubai DoinDubai Monica Kapila Oysters now available

Oysters now available

Which Fish Market in Dubai am I talking about? There are a few, this fish market is based in Jumeirah and has recently become a covered fish market with air conditioning.

Where is this fish market 

It’s now called Souk Al Bahar for Fish, nowhere near Souk Al Bahar in Downtown, but along the seaside at the Fishermans Harbour in Um Suqueim 1. There is free parking available.

What can you expect to buy

All kinds of fresh fish, shellfish and seafood. Think squid, red snappers, sea bass, different types of prawns, lobsters and crabs.

Can you have your fish cleaned at the market

Yes you can for a very reasonable price. It’s in a section behind the fish market but it gets very busy, so be prepared to wait. Take your own ice box, they will clean your fish, fill with ice and then it’s easier for you to take your fish away.

Can I eat my fish there at the fish market itself

There is provision to have your fish prepared, spiced and cooked at the section just passed where you have it cleaned up. So you can take it away like this or you opt to eat it there. The ac room is very basic though. It’s a good place to wait while your fish is being cleaned.

* Need some fish recipe ideas?   then check out our RECIPES here.

monicas-weekend-monica-kapila-doindubai-chinese-style-fish-fillets-

Remember you can also Air Fry fish if you don’t want to deep fry,  follow our Air Fryer Simple instagram and page for Air Frying everything!

Jumeirah Fish Market

Location map

VIEW FROM THE FISH MARKET IN DUBAI DOINDUBAI

TOP TIPS FOR WHEN YOU VISIT THE FISH MARKET

  • On Fridays it’s closed between 12pm and 1pm
  • Take cash
  • Take an ice box; they will provide the ice
  • Dress appropriately. It’s in Dubai and it is a Fish market. So no designer bags/shoes or skimpy bikinis

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RAJ MAHAL RESTAURANT DUBAI taste genuine authentic vegetarian thali

Authentic vegetarian thali at Raj Mahal restaurant Dubai

Home style tasting Gujerati and Rajasthani specialties with Indian street food to start with at Raj Mahal restaurant Dubai.

AUTHENTIC THALI AT RAJ MAHAL RESTAURANT DUBAI

Where is Raj Mahal restaurant

The Raj Mahal restaurant is located on the ground floor of the Westzone Pearl Residence apartments building just behind the Bur Juman shopping centre in Bur Dubai.

You can park easily on the street. There is no valet at the moment but there is also free parking in the basement.

Food at Raj Mahal restaurant

Food is served to you at your table in a large, pre set thali plates. Servers bring fresh items in a particular order and always ask you if you’d like a little more or less of any item.

Don’t be overwhelmed by the variety of dishes that you’re served! Everything from the condiments, chutneys and sides all have a role to play in this special thali meal!

The vegetables themselves

Everything is strictly vegetarian at Raj Mahal and you can expect dishes made from beans, peas, lentils, corn and a variety of fresh ethnic vegetables too.

If you’re familiar with paneer, don’t worry there’s always a paneer dish on offer too! The breads to accompany your vegetables also vary on a daily basis so you can expect puris, rotis and parathas depending on the day.

RAJ MAHAL RESTAURANT DUBAI DoinDubai Monica Kapila variety of savoury sweets and breads
SPECIALITY BREADS CHANGE EVERY DAY

The desserts

Unlike many thali places we’ve tried in Dubai, the sweet section of this thali is very palatable and not overly sweet!

On the day we visited we tried kulfi on a stick, burfi a special halwa and a traditional mango pudding called aam ras. So do leave room to try dessert.

Anything to drink

Drinks are included in the price of this thali, bottled mineral water is on your table, but you also get a refreshing saffron drink as well as a mildy spiced buttermilk cooler known as masala chaas.

Prices at Raj Mahal

The thali meal including all the desserts, drinks and street food to start is priced at a very reasonable AED 52.

Do note that children aged 10 and under eat for free.

The restaurant is open every day for lunch and dinner and also caters for groups. But NOTE timings below:

MONDAY TO FRIDAY LUNCH 12 TO 3.30pm DINNER FROM 7pm TO 11.30pm

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY LUNCH 12 to 4pm and DINNER FROM 7pm to 11.30pm

Tel 04 236 0460 or 058 504 7000

I would definitely recommend this restaurant and would also not hesitate to visit again. It’s a great place to take visitors coming to Dubai.

LIVE FLUTE PLAYER AT RAJ MAHAL

NOTE

Jain meals (without onion, garlic and root vegetables) AND vegan meals can also be served on request.

Listen to us talk about Raj Mahal restaurant Dubai on Monicas Weekend Dubai Eye here

More ideas for thali meals in Dubai here and a link to an article on Indian street food here.

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COPALA MEXICAN FOOD IN DUBAI authentic tasty Mexican cuisine

Welcome to Copala Mexican Food in Dubai. Authentic, tasty Mexican cuisine prepared with fresh ingredients by a genuine Mexican chef.

COPALA MEXICAN FOOD DOINDUBAI CHICKEN AND CHICKPEA SOUP
COPALA MEXICAN FOOD IN DUBAI NOT TEX MEX

Copala Mexican Food in Dubai – Where is it

COPALA cafe/restaurant is located on Level 1 of Index Tower in the DIFC area of Dubai. But don’t worry these aren’t swanky gate village 5 prices at all. This is a casual cafe with friendly service in an iconic residential building in Dubai adjacent to Gate Avenue.

The food at Copala

Expect authentic Mexican dishes cooked using fresh ingredients many of which are sourced direct from Mexico itself. Everything is very reasonably priced, moreover portions are extremely generous.

Dishes are professionally prepared and presented by Adan, a genuine Mexican chef. The whole restaurant was started and is run by 2 Mexican lawyers living in Dubai.

Exasperated at not being able to find genuine home style Mexican dishes they opened Copala to showcase proper Mexican food and ingredients to Dubai diners.

To begin with at Copala – Mexican Food in Dubai

Try the excellent Portobello chcharon guacamole. It’s their signature guacamole using Hass avocados from Michoacan in Mexico.

No ordinary guacamole, expect sides of red onion, coriander, lime, salt and crispy fried mushrooms with home made tortilla chips.

COPALA MEXICAN FOOD DOINDUBAI AVOCADO CRISPY MUSHROOMS RADISH APPETISER
COPALA MEXICAN GUACAMOLE WITH CRISPY MUSHROOMS

You could also select the cheese croquettas with fresh, green salsa or the chicken quesadillas. For any vegetarians or vegans there is also the option of the cauliflower tempura popcorn with chipotle dip.

A substantial soup at Copala

One of the heartiest and tastiest soups we’ve tried in a while, the red Pozole soup is made with Mexican corn, shredded chicken and served with in a sauce/gravy of Mexican spices along with a hand made cheese tortilla. See main picture.

Main courses at Copala

Choose from a range of vegetarian, non vegetarian, vegan or even keto main courses! We liked to the crispy tuna gorditas served with sour cream and a fresh green salad.

But we also recommend the fabulous crispy, Mexican cheese crust that forms the cover for the chicken pastor dish with coriander and onion too.

COPALA MEXICAN FOOD DOINDUBAI TUNA GORADITOS
TUNA GORDITAS SHOWN IN CENTRE OF MAIN COURSE SELECTION COPALA

Desserts at Copala

We were served a fresh zingy fruit salad incorporating roasted pineapple and chamoy chilli as well as a comforting, soft Mexican dessert flan called Flan de Elote made with a creamy, but lightish, goat milk caramel.

COPALA MEXICAN FOOD DOINDUBAI DESSERT FLAN
FLAN DE ELOTE MEXICAN DESSERT

Don’t leave without trying the excellent Mexican espresso coffee

We also were inspired by the genuine Mexican artisanal cups, scarapes and the REE brand of Mexican coffee all on sale at Copala. These would make unique gifts too.

COPALA MEXICAN FOOD DOINDUBAI HAND PAINTED ENAMEL DRINKING GLASSES
HAND PAINTED STAINLESS STEEL DRINKING GLASSES GREAT GIFT IDEA

We were tempted to buy a jar of the special Mexican chilli paste prepared fresh, an ideal gift for any real foodie.

COPALA MEXICAN FOOD DOINDUBAI MEXICAN COFFEE
LOVE THE MEXICAN ESPRESSO AT COPALA DUBAI

Worthy of note about Copala Mexican food in Dubai

The focus on the flour used to make the tortillas, the chips, the quesadillas and everything that uses corn. It’s milled freshly and then this flour without lot’s of preservatives, enhancers or colourings is what’s used to make the dough for all the above items.

So it’s easy on the stomach, very unprocessed, tasty and good for you too.

Try Copala for yourself and let us know what you think by sharing your pictures on instagram and tagging @copaladubai and @doindubai

Copala Mexican food in Dubai – need to know

TEL 04 878 5757

EMAIL Hola@copalarestaurant.com

COPALA INSTAGRAM

Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten Free and Keto options are available.

CHECK OUT THEIR MENUS BELOW

COPALA MAIN MENU

COPALA PLANT BASED MENU

Copala is OPEN from 12pm till 9pm everyday. Dine in and takeaway options are both available.

Note the nearest place to have a few drinks before or after your meal at Copala would be Gate Avenue where there is a MgGettigans.

However Copala does serve non alcoholic beer and a range of artisanal non alcoholic beverages made from hibiscus and tamarind.

VISITORS PARKING accessible via Index Tower main entrance (fountains level).  2 hrs validation
Take the service road of Al Mustaqbal st (Burj Khalifa direction), and turn right and go up the ramp, immediately after Index Tower Residents’ parking entrance. 

Note: This post was written in conjunction with Copala but the views are all my own.
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