August 15 marks the 77th Indian Independence Day. Whether you’re part of the 2.8 million-strong Indian community in the UAE looking to honour your homeland’s history and 76 years of freedom, or even if you’re just someone who admires Indian films, culture and food, head to these Indian restaurants in Dubai with special offers combining patriotism and culinary genius this August.
1. Masti
The playful fusion Indian food and craft cocktails spot in The Dubai Edition Hotel has created a complimentary Cassata Kulfi Tiranga for guests dining at the restaurant on August 15. The three-layer frozen dairy dessert from Sicily will get a distinct Indian revamp as it’ll be done up in the tricolours of the Indian flag. Each layer will be made up of saffron, mascarpone cheese, pistachio, coconut, cream and chocolate.
Free for guests dining on August 15; call 800 62784
2. Punjab Grill
Award-winning restaurant in the Anantara Hotel is offering special tricoloured dishes from August 11-15 for just AED 76 in celebration of 76 years of Indian independence. Vegetarians can dig into the paneer roulade, makhani, and saag, while meat lovers have the chicken tikka sampler to look forward to.
Call 050 194 1107
3. Yummy Dosa
The Dosa specialists are serving up an Indian-flag-themed dosa for the occasion for AED28. Divided into three sections, you’ll be sampling a red pizza dosa, a white plain cheese dosa in the centre and the green strip will be represented by chilli cheese dosa.
Available on August 15 only across all Yummy Dosa locations. Call 04 342 6332
4. Dhaba Lane
The casual Indian restaurant will be rolling out a special Independence Day Thali (platter) for AED47. While the price tag is a nod to the year (1947) India gained Independence, dishes like Tiranga (tricolour) pulao and 1947 Dal Makhani keep the theme going. The thali will include a mix of mains, starters, chaat items and dessert.
Available at Karama, Garhoud and JLT outlets on August 15
5. Pincode by Kunal Kapur
Try special Independence Day dishes at this Dubai Hills Mall restaurant by celebrity chef Kunal Kapur. Rooted in Indian heritage and use of spices, these items will only be around on the menu for three days. Enjoy potato salli chaat, Punjabi chole & potato kulcha and bhuna keema masala.
Available on August 13,14 &15; from AED 30 onwards. Call 04566 1424
6. Trèsind
India’s 28 states with their vibrant, diverse cultures are blended into a delicious mishmash in Trèsind’s special Independence Day khichdi. Saffron from Kashmir, butter from Punjab, garlic chutney from Maharashtra and pink peppercorns from Kerala, Andhra Pradehs’s gongura leaf pickle, mustards from West Bengal, roasted gram flour from Bihar and more make up the exhaustive list of 20 ingredients used to create this comfort food.
AED 170; call 056 420 9754
7. Rang Mahal
JW Marriott Marquis Hotel’s award-winning Indian restaurant has prepared a luscious five-course set menu for Independence Day inspired by famous Indian athletes and sports personalities. Available in vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, diners get to dig into olive with truffle naan inspired by Olympic medalist shooter Rajyavardhan Singh, crispy prawn vada dedicated cricket legend Kapil Dev and shredded chicken and rice hoppers as an homage to long-distance runner P.T. Usha.
AED 225 for vegetarian and AED 395 for non-vegetarian with selected beverages; call 04 414 3000
8. Bombay Bungalow
Michelin Guide-recognised Bombay Bungalow in JBR has created special dishes for Independence Day from now until August 15. You can dig into a colourful Tiranga kebab platter made up of basil paneer tikka, malai chicken tikka, and narangi mahi tikka. There’s a tricoloured Trio curry – a combination of mattar paneer, Kafali murgh, mutton stew, and paratha. Then, cap off the meal with an assortment of sandesh – the milk dumplings desserts will be placed on a bed of chocolate soil and filled with vanilla saffron jelly.
Dishes start from AED 30; call 800 692 8779