What are Dubai Thali Meals all about then?
UPDATE AUGUST 2025: NEW THALI MEALS ALERT
Read on for our marvellous Mangalorean find, an excellent Rava dosa combo in Karama and a feast type thali in Barsha fit for a King.
Dubai Thali Meals are regional Indian meals and the best I’ve tasted outside India.
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. No one should leave Dubai without trying them at least once! We go regularly, often on a Sunday late morning.
The Maharaja Bhog in Al Barsha
This is a thali fit for a King or someone with a very hearty appetite!, Indian street food starters at a live station, followed by the traditional Rajasthani type thali and seasonal additions.
It gets very busy at lunchtimes, so go early. Some parking outside and there is also a very good Adils Indian supermarket next door.
TNagar Karama
We loved our South Indian breakfast combo at TNagar in Karama, great for a Sunday morning breakfast.
The picture above is my go to Rava masala dosa with an urad daal vada, not a donut! I always ask for my masala (spicy potato dosa filling) separate, so my dosa dosen’t go soggy!
Canara Karama
A great Mangalorean find. We have tried their seafood and prawn thalis and loved them. I don’t know anywhere else that does a prawn thali! Recommended by Mangalorean friends who originally come from Canara, but now live in Dubai.
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.
Nice place to sit and super grocery shopping at the nearby Flavours supermarket! Blueberry boxes for AED 3 and Strawberries for AED 6!
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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Always ask for your masala (spicy potato dosa filling) separate, so your dosa dosen’t go soggy!
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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. The same applies for Sundays too.
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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 a group of restaurants called Rangoli, we ate in Karama branch 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!
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.
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!
Expect to pay between aed 20 and aed 50 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.
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