Craving Indian food? Here's where you should head to in Dubai

On the streets of India
If your growing up years included waiting anxiously for the street food vendors to arrive, then you'd like the amuse-bouche - Dahi Bhalla and Jaljeera. The bite-sized fluffy-fried balls are served in appetiser spoons, whilst tiny, slim beakers hold the pleasantly spiced water (high on asafoetida). Kids in small towns of India (still) use their pocket money to buy packets of wheat crisps, plates of Kabuli chana chaat, etc. Here, these elements are incorporated in the dishes with ease.
Chutney Love
Sample the sweet-tangy pineapple chutney with Soya Chaap and the hot red chilli one with Shakarkand Tikki. Don't let the fine dining ambience deter you from licking the chutney spoons (lentil-based, pumpkin, and garlic). There's an assortment of homemade pickles too - mango, carrot and turnip.
Eat your vegetables
As you'd bite into the Eggplant Chaat, you'd fall in love with the crunchiness of the fried vegetable. Add to it, the sweetness from yoghurt, tang from the tamarind chutney and spice from the chat masala. Gobi Aur Saag Bhurji in a cumin-scented tomato marinade - a dish where the contrasting tastes of veggies work.
Ode to mums
Junoon Black Lentil will remind you of the Indian mum, who dishes out the best dals. Mildly spicy with acidic hints of tomato and smoky traces of roasted onions, courtesy of tempering blend with the comfort of butter. Robust and vivid Indian spices can be tasted in Paneer Dum Anari.
A little drama
Saffron-flavoured Rasmalai arrived with a cloud of impressive smoke (created with dry ice).
Meal for two: Dh360
We tried: Vegetarian Gala Menu
Will we go back? Yes, for it's not every day that you get a chance to rewind.

• Food and Dining
• Dubai