Calicut Paragon
16.
What you’re ordering: chicken malabari dish Price: Dhs20
Some say that seafood is Calicut’s speciality; we say they are good at whatever they pound their curry leaves into. Take the chicken malabari dish (Dhs20), for example. It’s dripping in roasted coconut and coriander-flavoured curry that’s so pungent and tasty you’ll proudly lick the bowl clean.
Mattar Al Tayer Building, 20B Street, Karama, Dubai, daily 7.30am to 12.30am. Tel: (04) 3358700. Taxi: opposite LuLu Hypermarket. paragonrestaurant.net
17. Govinda’s What you’re ordering: kasturi aloo Price: Dh32
This vegetarian eatery follows the principles of Sattva, an Indian concept centred on all things pure. This potato dish is prepared with fenugreek and cooked in tandoori masala gravy.
Street 4A, Karama, Dubai, daily noon to 3.30pm, 7pm to midnight. Tel: (04) 3211884. Taxi: BurJuman Centre. mygovindas.com
18. Hot ‘n Spicy What you’re ordering: chicken handi Price: Dhs29
So tasty are the Pakistani curries Hot ‘n Spicy that you may find yourself hooked. Its popular chicken handi is made using boneless meat prepared in a tomato-based gravy. Add a piece of plain naan for Dh3 and that’s one cheap and tasty meal.
Al Shaiba Tower A, Barsha Heights, Dubai, Sun to Wed 11am to 1am, Thur 11am to 2am, Fri 9am to 2am, Sat 9am to 1am. Tel (04) 3688508. Metro: Internet City. hotnspicy.ae
19. Chef Lanka What you’re ordering: king kSH KOTHTHU ROTI Price: Dh22
While lacking in ambience, this popular haunt makes up for with its freshly prepared Sri Lankan fare. The king fish is served from about 4pm onwards
Al Khazana Centre, Karama, Dubai, Sat to Thur 7.30am to 11.30pm, Fri 7.30am to noon, 1pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 3353050. Taxi: LuLu Hypermarket
20. 25 Degrees North What you’re ordering: paneer makhanwala Price: Dhs35
Generous chunks of cottage cheese are simmered in a creamy butter and tomato sauce to make this rich, comforting dish from northern India.
Damac Executive Heights, Barsha Heights, Dubai, daily noon to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm. Tel: (04) 4527779. Metro: Internet City. 25degreesnorth.com
21. Memsaab What you’re ordering: chicken tikka Price: Dhs34
In other restaurants you might find a platter of dried-out meat, but here it’s all about juicy chunks of chicken tikka
roast masala Price: Dhs13
The masalas here are almost as long as the table they are served on. The Indian-style pancake is served as a long thick roll with a dollop of mashed potato and little pots of sauce.
Marina Pearl Building, Dubai Marina, Dubai, Sat to Thur 7.30am to 11.30pm, Fri 7.30am to midnight. Tel: (04) 4512525. Taxi: off Al Sayorah street. saravanabhojan.com