Satisfy your cravings for curry, spice and everything nice at the capital’s standout Indian restaurants.
From fragrant biryanis and fiery tandoor grills to delicate chaat and contemporary interpretations of regional recipes, Abu Dhabi has no shortage of excellent Indian restaurants. The capital’s dining scene covers the breadth of the subcontinent, whether you are craving comforting butter chicken, slow-cooked lamb, seafood curries or inventive dishes shaped by modern techniques. From Michelin-selected dining rooms and celebrity chef concepts to long-standing local favourites, these are the best Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
Art of Dum
Slow cooking takes centre stage at Art of Dum, the Reem Mall restaurant inspired by the centuries-old Dum Pukht technique once associated with India’s royal kitchens. The method sees ingredients sealed and cooked gently in their own juices, allowing spices and flavours to deepen over time. At its Abu Dhabi outpost, the concept moves beyond the casual curry house with a contemporary dine-in setting and a menu rooted in comforting Indian classics. Signature dishes include the creamy Dal Makhani, aromatic Yakhni Dum Gosht Biryani, rich Butter Chicken and Lamb Bhavangiri Seekh, each showcasing the restaurant’s focus on patience and flavour.
Where: Art of Dum, Reem Mall, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi
When: Open daily from 11am to 11pm
Contact: https://artofdum.com
Asha’s
Indian music icon Asha Bhosle provides the inspiration behind Asha’s, an upscale dining destination at The Galleria Al Maryah Island. The restaurant draws on recipes collected throughout Bhosle’s life, from family meals and roadside eateries to royal receptions, resulting in a menu rooted in North-West Indian cooking. Jewel-toned interiors, Indian motifs and curated artwork create an elegant backdrop for signatures such as the velvety Dal Makhani, aromatic Murgh Malai Kebabs and fiery Kerala Chilli Garlic Prawns. More distinctive dishes include Muscat Gosht, inspired by Bhosle’s travels in Oman, and the fragrant Lamb Kesar Biryani infused with saffron. Combining celebrity pedigree, accomplished cooking and an attractive Al Maryah Island setting, Asha’s remains a dependable choice for elevated Indian dining.
Where: Asha’s, The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi
When: Daily from 11am to midnight
Contact: ashasrestaurants.com
Indigo
Traditional cooking techniques take centre stage at this long-standing Beach Rotana favourite, where chefs work from a show kitchen equipped with tandoori ovens. Indigo specialises in North Indian cuisine, presenting familiar flavours with enough creativity to keep things interesting. Kebabs, chaat and fragrant biryanis provide plenty of choice, but the signature Sikhandari Raan remains the dish to order, featuring a pot-roasted leg of baby lamb that is made for sharing. The restaurant also offers private and semi-private dining alongside an outdoor terrace overlooking the hotel gardens, sea and city skyline. A former winner at the FACT Dining Awards Abu Dhabi, Indigo remains a dependable choice for classic Indian flavours in comfortable surroundings.
Where: Indigo, Beach Rotana, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi
When: Open daily from 1pm to midnight
Contact: www.rotana.com
Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi
Inside Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, celebrated chef Hemant Oberoi brings more than four decades of culinary experience to one of the capital’s most sophisticated Indian restaurants. The MICHELIN-selected Martabaan takes classic Indian cooking in a contemporary direction, combining detailed presentation with bold, recognisable flavours. Arabian Gulf views and the striking Tikka Le Bar add to the sense of occasion, while private dining rooms make the restaurant particularly suited to celebrations. Signature dishes include the delicate Varqui Crab and deeply flavoured Dum ki Nalli, before dessert moves into playful territory with Masala Chai Crème Brûlée.
Where: Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi
When: Wednesday to Sunday from 12:30pm to 10pm
Contact: www.mandarinoriental.com
Moksh
Chef Abs Patil approaches Indian cuisine with creativity at Moksh, combining traditional flavours with progressive techniques and international influences. Located at Etihad Towers, the restaurant moves beyond straightforward curries and kebabs with a menu designed to surprise. Begin with the Gold Tikka or Hara Bhara Scotch before exploring dishes such as Scallop Molee, Lobster Piri Piri and the robust Gunpowder Rib Eye. The Dum Parda Murgh Biryani provides something more familiar, while colourful interiors and expressive presentation add personality to the experience. Moksh works particularly well for diners who know their Indian classics but are keen to see them reinterpreted through unexpected ingredients, contemporary plating and influences gathered from beyond the subcontinent.
Where: Moksh, Ethad Towers, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi
When: Daily from 12pm to 1am
Contact: https://mokshrestaurant.com
MYNT
For accessible Indian cooking without losing sight of regional diversity, MYNT has become a reliable Abu Dhabi favourite. Located on Salam Street, the restaurant combines traditional recipes with a distinctly modern outlook in a welcoming dining room dressed in teal and warm wood. The menu travels across India, taking in tandoor dishes, curries, seafood and biryani. House signatures include the creamy Murgh Makhani, ginger-spiced Gosht Khada Masala and Daab Chingri, where Gulf prawns are cooked with coconut, mustard, ginger and turmeric. The Masala Jhinga Poppers are another crowd-pleaser, while Chicken Dum Biryani and Malai Pista Kulfi provide comforting bookends to the meal.
Where: MYNT, Salam Street, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi
When: Daily from 12pm to midnight
Contact: www.mynt.ae
Namak
Bold colours, ornate wooden doors and gleaming brass details create an immediate sense of India at Namak inside Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi. The Michelin-selected restaurant celebrates the country’s regional cooking through traditional techniques, expressive presentation and dishes designed for sharing. Standouts have included the refreshing Crab and Mango Salad, Rocket and Cheese Paniyaram and kataifi-wrapped tiger prawns paired with pickled chilli cream and tobiko caviar. Larger groups can also explore the Royal Platters, including Samundary Khazana with tandoori seafood and lobster, alongside meat and vegetarian alternatives accompanied by dum biryani, curry and naan. With regional menus, weekend family feasts and a strong focus on Indian culinary traditions, Namak offers plenty of reasons for repeat visits.
Where: Namak, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street, Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi
When: Wednesday to Sunday from 7pm to 11:30pm
Contact: www.dusit.com
Nira
Indian flavours meet subtle UAE influences at this atmospheric Al Qana restaurant. Nira occupies a waterfront setting where muted browns, geometric patterns and palace-inspired arches bring Indian and Emirati design references together. A semi-open kitchen adds theatre without dominating the dining room, while the menu takes familiar dishes and pushes them in a more contemporary direction. Wagyu Beef Masala Rolls showcase the restaurant’s modern approach, while the Lobster Biryani turns a comforting Indian staple into something more indulgent. Other highlights include tandoori meats, kebabs and aromatic rice dishes, alongside classics such as Dal Makhani and Chicken Tikka Masala. With waterfront views and a menu balancing tradition and invention, Nira brings something distinctive to Al Qana’s busy restaurant scene.
Where: Nira, Al Qana, Al Maqta Street, Rabdan, Abu Dhabi
When: Daily from 1pm to midnight
Contact: @nirauae
Pincode by Kunal Kapur
Inspired by the culinary identities hidden within India’s postal codes, Pincode by Kunal Kapur celebrates recipes, ingredients and food memories from across the country. Located at The Galleria Al Maryah Island, the restaurant takes its name from the handwritten letters and family recipe books through which dishes were once passed between generations. The approach is nostalgic, yet the food feels contemporary. Dates and Olive Malai Paneer Tikka offers a sweet and savoury combination, while Amritsari Fried Fish and Chicken Malai Tikka Caesar Salad provide inventive takes on familiar flavours. The Saag Burrata has become another talking point. Desserts are equally playful, with Rasmalai Tiramisu and Falooda Sundae providing creative conclusions to a colourful Indian meal.
Where: Pincode by Kunal Kapur, The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi
When: Daily from 11am to 10:30pm
Contact: https://pincodebykunalkapur.com
Punjab Grill
Royal Indian cooking provides the inspiration at Punjab Grill, the acclaimed restaurant inside The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. The flagship UAE location draws from recipes associated with India’s royal courts while incorporating modern techniques and premium ingredients under Executive Chef Sandeep Ail. Kebabs from the charcoal grill, slow-cooked curries and regional specialities form the backbone of the menu, making it a strong option for diners seeking depth of flavour rather than unnecessary theatrics. Sharing dishes are particularly well suited to the restaurant’s grand setting, while its rich curries and biryanis provide plenty of comfort. The green, botanical Aranya dining room adds another layer of character, helping Punjab Grill balance the ceremony of fine dining with the generosity associated with Indian hospitality.
Where: Punjab Grill, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi
When: Daily from 12pm to midnight
Contact: https://punjabgrill.me
Rangoli
North and South Indian favourites come together at Rangoli inside Yas Island Rotana, where the menu has traditionally offered everything from tandoor dishes and biryanis to rich curries and contemporary desserts. Signature plates include succulent Lamb Chops and flavour-packed Wagyu Ribs, providing a meat-heavy counterpoint to the restaurant’s vegetarian dishes and classic Indian accompaniments. Desserts move in a more playful direction, with Gulab Jamun Brioche Pudding and Ras Malai Custard with Chikki Ice Cream reworking familiar Indian sweets. The relaxed dining room and extensive menu have made Rangoli particularly useful for family meals and groups with differing tastes.
Where: Rangoli, Yas Plaza Marina by IHG, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
When: Daily from 6pm to midnight
Contact: www.ihg.com
Ushna
A fixture of Abu Dhabi’s dining scene since 2005, Ushna continues to combine traditional Indian recipes with contemporary presentation at Souk Qaryat Al Beri. The waterside location and terrace provide an attractive backdrop, but the kitchen gives the restaurant its staying power. Start with Chicken 65, Murgh Malai or ginger-marinated lamb chops before moving on to the Raan Sikandari, an overnight-marinated leg of lamb slow-roasted for sharing. Curry lovers should consider the Old Delhi Butter Chicken or Mutton Rogan Josh, while Ushna’s signature Dal Makhni is slow-cooked for 24 hours with home-churned butter over charcoal embers. Add an Awadhi Gosht Biryani and Ushna remains a compelling destination for a generous Indian feast.
Where: Ushna, Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi
When: Daily from 12pm to 11pm
Contact: www.soukqaryatalberi.com
Zeera by Buddha-Bar
Bringing the soundtrack and social atmosphere associated with Buddha-Bar to Indian dining, Zeera occupies a prime waterfront position at Yas Bay. The restaurant takes a contemporary approach to regional Indian cuisine, combining traditional recipes with global ingredients, sharing-style presentation and modern cooking techniques. Chaat, tandoor dishes and grills lead into larger plates such as Malai Lobster, Patta Macchi sea bream and the extravagant Raan 24 Carat lamb leg. Desserts return to comforting classics including Carrot Halwa and Gulab Jamun. Cocktails also incorporate Indian ingredients and spice profiles, making Zeera equally suited to dinner or a livelier evening out. Named Favourite Indian Restaurant at the FACT Dining Awards Abu Dhabi 2024, it remains one of Yas Island’s more distinctive dining destinations.
Where: Zeera by Buddha-Bar, Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
When: Daily from 2pm to midnight
Contact: www.zeera-abudhabi.com