Little Miss India, Fairmont The Palm

This visually enticing place is a true little gem; right from the entrance it’s as though you are being welcomed into someone’s home, not a restaurant. It feels like an invitation to discover the true taste of Indian cuisine, and as I discovered over the next few hours, it truly was.

The ornately decorated ‘Tribal Art Taxi’ – a painted truck in vibrant colours – gives you a feel that you could be in southern India. The restaurant focuses on regional Indian flavours with all-time classic dishes such as lamb rogan josh and butter chicken, but also a selection of seafood and vegetable dishes. For those who love spicy food, the shrimp curry with chilli, tamarind and coconut will wake up your palate. Another great option is the cauliflower stir-fried with ginger and turmeric. You can also opt for sharing dishes – perfect for groups and families. The signature dishes include tandoori raan, a marinated leg of lamb slowcooked for eight hours and finished in the charcoal tandoor. If you are a rice lover, you will love the dum biryani – basmati rice with saffron and spices slow-cooked in a sealed clay pot, served to the table with a selection of fresh Indian breads.

For the sweet toothed, must-tries are the gulab jamun, the pistachio kulfi and the coconut-influenced creme brulee, while sipping on a delicious beverage and taking in the breath-taking views of the Dubai Marina skyline under the stars – after all it’s now almost-perfect weather!

Little Miss India is open all days from 6.30pm to 11.30pm. The bar and lounge area is open from 5pm until 1am. For bookings, call 04 457 3457 or email palm.dining@fairmont.com.