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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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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.

NOTE

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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RED PEPPER DIP Easy, healthy and versatile

Bored with your usual SNACKS? Then try this delicious red pepper dip using simple ingredients, EASY to make, HEALTHY and versatile too. Did I say tasty as well? It’s really versatile as the concentrated red pepper paste you end up making  is a super base for pasta sauce and great to serve on the side of any kind of fried fish or cold meats and try spreading it onto sandwiches or tortillas before you fill them! Great idea for meal prep too.

Easy Red Pepper Dip

Great in front of the tv snack with some crackers, crisps or tortilla chips, spicy tapioca chips (as shown above) and much better than anything processed straight from a jar! See how we’ve added labneh to make it into a perfect dressing for salad or as a lighter dip.

This recipe would be so easy to make in a THERMOMIX if you have one, but a simple processor will also work fine.

  • Cook peppers until charred not burnt
  • Add ingredients to blender
  • Add Capers and blend until paste like
  • Mixed to a paste season to taste
  • Store in Fridge up to 3 days
  • Add one tablespoon of Lagneh
  • Serve with a green leaf

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 medium red peppers
  • 1 tablespoon of good olive oil
  • Salt/Pepper/chilli oil
  • Dessertspoon of capers drained
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • Little brown sugar
  • Anchovy paste or 2 fresh anchovies if you LIKE that fishy, salty taste
  • Some labneh to lighten if you like or use a little creme fraiche

HOW TO MAKE

  • Halve and deseed  3 fresh red peppers (so 6 pieces), place open side up on a baking sheet
  • Make a simple marinade with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 2 crushed garlic cloves, half a teaspoon of brown sugar and salt and pepper
  • Drizzle generously over the peppers and then roast the marinaded peppers slowly at 180c until they have really shrunk and charring but not burnt
  • When cool put peppers in a blender goblet or thermomix jar along with
  • 1 dessertspoon of capers
  • 3 anchovies (tinned are fine and I use the rule of 1 anchovy per pepper / anchovy paste)
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil and salt and pepper
  • Half a deseeded red chili or a teaspoon of chilli oil
  • Whiz up the mixture until it resembles a thick puree
  • Put into an airtight container; it can be kept for up to three days
  • To serve add a tablespoon of fresh labneh to lighten the mixture up; this also makes it go further

In praise of Labneh

I only started using Labneh in Dubai (not sure you can get it in London?) I use it as I would Creme Fraiche or light fromage frais. It’s great for savoury recipes not so good for sweet things although you could add sugar. BUT it’s so much more reasonably priced compared to the ready-made equivalents ! Dhs 39 a kilo so I buy a medium tub for about Dhs 10 and keep in the fridge. Add a teaspoon of dijon mustard and season instead of your usual jar of mayonnaise and and see if you like the results. It’s certainly lighter and less processed.

Have concentrated as it is or lighten with labneh/crème fraiche

Make your own chlli oil using some grapeseed oil and fresh chopped red chillis. Store in the fridge and use sparingly for a zingy kick

Try this dip on a bagel cut like this!

Make life a little easier by checking this page for recipes with ingredients that can be delivered to you TODAY if you live in Dubai.

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