Best Authentic Indian Restaurants in Abu Dhabi (2026)

Abu Dhabi is home to one of the largest Indian expatriate communities in the world. It is no surprise then that the city has a thriving, diverse Indian food scene—from budget-friendly Kerala "meals" restaurants to upscale North Indian fine dining in luxury hotels.

For the Indian community in Abu Dhabi, food is deeply tied to identity. Finding a restaurant that cooks the way your mother does—with the right balance of spices, the right type of rice, the right consistency of dal—is a deeply personal quest. This guide helps you find exactly that.

Kerala Food: The Heartbeat of Abu Dhabi's Indian Scene

The largest sub-group within Abu Dhabi's Indian community is Keralite, and their food culture is visible everywhere. Kerala "meals" restaurants—where you are served an unlimited, traditional Sadya-style lunch on a banana leaf or a large steel plate—are a staple of daily life. Expect fragrant rice, fish curry, thoran (stir-fried vegetables with coconut), and papadam at incredibly reasonable prices.

North Indian Fine Dining in the Capital

For special occasions, Abu Dhabi's hotel restaurants serve exceptional North Indian cuisine. Think slow-cooked Dum Biryani, wood-fired Tandoori kebabs, and rich, slow-simmered gravies. These establishments also cater to vegetarian Gujarati and Rajasthani tastes, offering pure-veg thali menus on request.