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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.

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

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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.

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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!

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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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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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CASUAL DINING IN DUBAI – good value healthy close to the beach

Dubai has some super fine dining restaurants but what about casual dining in Dubai? Where to go for good value, healthy food that’s good for sharing and ideally not far from a beach walk ?

Welcome to my pick of a few well tried and tested places that I go to very often. Great to catch up with a friend or share some family time. Each place is distinct and has it’s own unique features. Read on to find out which of these casual dining in Dubai places would suit you best.

MAMA’ ESH a very cute cafe/restaurant set in a converted villa on the corner of Al Thanya and Al Wasl road.

Mama Esh Honest Palestinian

Food

Honest, Palestinian food, very well priced, super for sharing. Think Palestinian hummus, spicy muhammara and cheese fatayer, fresh Middle Eastern style salads and basic coffee. You must also try the very good Um Ali dessert even if you don’t normally have puddings for casual meals.

Al Fresco

Yes a super little terrace at the side, but it can get busy and watch out for flies but that’s just a seasonal thing, remember it will be too hot to sit outside from about June to October!

NOTE: It gets very busy during the weekends and even lunchtime weekdays so be prepared to wait or go off normal eating times. Also it’s quite a “bready” place so not the best if you’re looking to stay mainly gluten free, unless you’re very disciplined! Parking is limited but there is a valet.

VANILLA SUKAR – a family run local cafe specialising in homemade style sourdough sweets and savouries set on the ground floor of a the low rise API mall on the corner of Al Thanya and Al Wasl raod

Vanila Sukkar family run

Food

Coffee shop serving breakfast and lunch with a Middle Eastern twist. Try their Vanila Sukar breakfast to share to be able to sample the best the cafe has to offer.

Al Fresco

A small section of outside seating in front of the restaurant facing the road side but screened by some plants.

NOTE

There is a car park in the basement and a little parking outside no valet. This seems to be quite a quiet cafe. Not too much gluten free here.

FRIENDS AVENUE – The second branch of a happy, home grown eatery serving a good selection of coffee shop style food. This branch is located in the Waitrose mall halfway down Al Thanya street.

Casual Dining in Dubai DoinDubai Monica Kapila Friends Avenue
Friends Avenue Happy Vibes

Food

Great choice for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. Very good range of vegetarian options and some gluten free too. Mainly Western style eggs with avo on toast, halloumi, good croissants and coffee. Service is always with a smile. I like their veggie burgers and Asian slaw with fries, super dish to share! Good portion sizes too. Also try their acai bowls if you want something cold and sweet.

Al Fresco

Yes, a lovely seating area at the back of the cafe with good shade too. Light and airy.

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Very easy parking outside usually, parking is also free here. Super choice to combine with some shopping at Waitrose too.

ROH CAFE This is a cool coffee shop that’s part of a community health club called Studio Republik parallel to Sheikh Zyed road just down from the Metropolitan Hotel, close to the Safadi restaurant.

ROH Cafe Boho cool vibes

Food

Speciality coffee and teas, good coffee shop food with a Middle Eastern twist. Great for breakfasts and snacks, lot’s of healthier options like tahini cookies too! We’re regulars here so we always bump into someone we know!

Al Fresco

Nope all indoors, one section a little dark, but one very bright section too. This cafe has a cool boho kind of vibe.

NOTE

Can get a little busy on a Sunday it seems as that’s the new family day. They play great impromptu music sets most weekdays from about 5.30 or so. No alcohol though to go with the jazz! Great for when it gets hot outside! It’s located on the first floor of the club, so take the elevator from the ground or park in the basement and go to the ground by elevator.

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CHINESE SUPERMARKET IN DUBAI fabulous food and shopping in Deira

Chinese Supermarket in Dubai UPDATED NOVEMBER 2021

Do you get bored shopping at your regular supermarket? I certainly do and so was delighted to find an amazingly authentic Chinese supermarket in Dubai’s International City. NOW RELOCATED TO AL RIGA IN DEIRA just near the Clock Tower. Well worth a visit for all real foodies.

BUT check these Top Tips before you go on this delicious outing. 

Chinese Supermarket in Dubai Monica Kapila DoinDubai In My Trolley

Where exactly is the Chinese Supermarket in Dubai? NEW LOCATION in Deira near the Clock Tower – easy drive and there is parking too. See map. 

 What did I buy at the Chinese supermarket in Dubai?

I bought fresh Kai Lan (Chinese broccoli) Choi Sum and Pak Choi all at around Dhs 3 to Dhs 5 per pack, a fraction of what I’d normally pay. I also got a large packets of sweet potato noodles, some ready fried tofu, steamed chicken dumplings for soup and all manner of baked rice snack items for healthier munchies.

There is also plenty of fresh LIVE seafood to buy too, giant, live lobsters seemed reasonable at AED 268 or so!

Chinese Supermarket in Dubai Monica Kapila DoinDubai Live Lobsters

See how to make the dumplings yourself HERE

I wasn’t brave enough to try some of the more exotic and painfully authentic ingredients such as the chicken’s feet or sheep’s tongue but steer clear of these more squeamish items (to me) and you still have a huge, well stocked shop that boasts fresh ingredients regularly flown in very sensibly priced.

https://www.doindubai.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Chinese-Supermarket-in-Dubai-Monica-Kapila-DoinDubai-weigh-your-vegetables-for-hot-pot.jpg

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Do buy some of the exotic fruits like red dragon fruit, sweet melons and grapefruit pink flesh pomelos! We also loved the Chinese garlic chives and dark green leaves that look like spinach. The variety of mushrooms was incredible and these would make a super gift for any foodie! Pop in a dragon fruit for some extravagance, the mixed mushroom packs are only AED 6.50!

Chinese Supermarket in Dubai Monica Kapila DoinDubai Exotic Mix mushrooms aed 6

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Alot of the servers speak English and or HIndi, so do ask if you need to clarify anything, BUT note alot of the labels of prodcuts are in Chinese. 

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Do buy some ready made pastes like chilli oil, I also bought 5 spice powder and and of course prawn crackers, a favourite with kids of all ages, just AED 3 per packet! 

EATING at the WeMart

On the ground floor as you enter there are a number of “stalls” selling all manner of cooked Chinese food. You can buy what you like and sit at any of the communal tables in the middle. It’s not only Chinese food on offer, there is a huge array of very reasonably priced sushi too.

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Go to the back of the ground floor and choose your vegetables, fish and or meat, weigh it and have it cooked up FRESH hot pot style. This is what my Chinese friend recommended and she was right to do so!

Chinese Supermarket in Dubai Monica Kapila DoinDubai Veg Hotpot

WARNING TIP

The little bit spicy sign will be super spicy (I just about managed) so maybe ask for tiny or no spice then add your own!

This way of eating, is fresh, completely customisable (we had heaps of fresh vegetables and various types of tofu with 2 large prawns each) it’s also super cheap, just AED 77 for 2 of us!

You buy your drinnks separately (mostly cold drinks, none hot!) and also buy a few dim sums from another stall, we liked leek fried gyozas and crystal prawn dumplings.

You’ll be shocked at how reasonable the dim sum baskets are too!

Chinese Supermarket in Dubai Monica Kapila DoinDubai leek Gyozas

Cool shopping and authentic eats at this Chinese supermarket emporium in Deira, like going to a different part of Dubai you never knew existed! Do let me know if you have a favourite and as yet undiscovered restaurant you’d like me to review, and please share this post as usual.

Thanks, Monica.

Little Fat Sheep is another authentic and very popular Chinese restaurant in International City but there are so many hot pot restaurants in Dubai now. 

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