These are 10 of the best local dishes to try in Karama
No doubt that Dubai is a foodie haven. From poolside spots to brasseries to fancy schmancy dining, there's something to match every mood and craving.
But if you want to explore the off-beaten path, discover new cultures and try new dishes, then it's time to head to Karama, the curry corridor of Dubai.
One of the best things about wandering its streets? You could have breakfast, lunch and dinner and only have spent Dhs60 by the end of the day.
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Don't know what to order? We've rounded up ten must-try dishes from different cuisines that make Al Karama a food lover's paradise.
10 flavourful dishes to try in Karama
Lamb chops at Eric's
Price: Dhs30
Cuisine: Goan (Indian)
The lamb chops, tandoor-grilled to perfection, are crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside. It's served with this unassuming banger of a mint chutney. We're not exactly sure which is better, the meat or the creamy and fresh chutney.
Eric's is a cosy little Goan spot that brings all the laid-back charm of Goa right here. You'll see its Portuguese roots shining through the yellow walls, warm wooden interiors and the pretty bougainvilleas blooming around the place.
Open daily from 11am-3.30pm, 6.30pm-11.45pm. Sheikh Hamdan Colony, Karama, ericsdubai.com (04 396 4447)
Appam and tangy mango curry at Calicut Paragon
Price: Appam, Dhs2.25, curry, price varies based on your choice of meat
Cuisine: Kerala (Indian)
Appam is a flat, lacy pancake made from rice flour sourdough, and when it's freshly served on your plate, like it's done at Paragon, it will melt in your mouth. Order a tangy mango curry with Kingfish or prawns to accompany the appam, and you're sorted.
It also happens to be the favourite budget dish of Akmal Anuar, the founder of Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori and Osteria Funkcoolio.
Located right in the heart of Dubai's 'Curry Corridor' of Satwa, Karama and Bur Dubai, Calicut Paragon is a legendary Kerala restaurant that offers Malabari dishes in a homely setting.
Open daily, 7am-midnight. Karama, paragonrestaurant.in (04 335 8700).
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Grilled shrimps at Sallet Al Sayed
Price: Dhs175/kg
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Sometimes, simple really is best – and nowhere does that hit home more than with the grilled shrimp here. It's served with a fresh tomato salad, hummus and breads.
Smoky, spicy (but not in a burn-your-mouth way, just packed with flavour), this is the kind of dish you'll find yourself craving again and again. Stephen Flawith, founder of Pickl, even called it the best grilled shrimp in the UAE. We get the hype.
This laid-back Middle Eastern seafood joint keeps things fuss-free, serving up super fresh fish in the tastiest way possible. There's loads of fish on the menu from sherri to koffer, red snapper, sea bass, salmon, sardines and more.
Open daily, noon-midnight. Al Shafar building, Karama, salletalsayad.com (04 335 5722).
Beyaynetu at Zagol
Price: Dhs50
Cuisine: Ethiopian
Beyaynetu is a vegetarian lentil-based platter featuring injera – a sourdough flatbread – served with an assortment of vegetarian and meat curries.
It's simple, but the variety of rich flavours on it is palate-awakening, according to Kelvin Cheung, chef and partner at Jun's.
Zagol takes up a humble space in Karama, all done up with straw tables and colourful Ethiopian paintings, it's got charm for days. And when you swing by (which you absolutely should), don't leave without trying the Ethiopian coffee. Trust us on this one.
Open daily, 10am-11.30pm. Mabrooka 1 Building, Al Karama (050 323 1822).
Nasi padang with ayam baker at Daoper Kita
Price: Dhs40
Cuisine: Indonesian
Order the Nasi Padang Rendang and replace the rendang with Ayam Bakar, aka grilled chicken, to reduce the eye-watering level of spice (thank us later).
This chicken and rice meal comes with a side of sayur lemak (a coconut-milk-based vegetable curry) and egg sambal, which are just *chef's kiss*.
Dapoer Kita is an authentic Indonesian restaurant with a menu that features flavorful dishes that keep diners coming back again and again. From delicious chicken satay to nasi goreng and the comforting soto ayam. There's a daily buffet, fantastic service and a comfy space to enjoy the authentic cuisine.
Open daily 11am-10.30pm. Sheikh Mohammad Building, Al Karama, dapoerkita.com (050 453 9991).
Read more: 10 delicious restaurants in Al Karama worth visiting
Thali at Khandani Rajdhani
Price: Dhs53
Cuisine: Rajasthani (Indian)
Rajasthani thalis are loved across India for two big reasons: first, every single dish on your plate is freshly made and served steaming; second, the staff will absolutely spoil you with endless servings. And over fifteen minutes, you'll be served with over 27 curries and sabzis and pickles and a range of warm rotis and rice. If comfort on a cold night could take the form of a meal, this would be it.
Rajdhani only does one dish – the thali, but that's more than enough to travel to India and be back.
Open daily, noon-3.30pm, 7pm-11pm. Al Khafajy Building, Al Karama, @rajdhanimiddleeast (04 334 7977).
Idli sambar at Sri Balaji Bhavan
Price: Dhs15
Cuisine: Tamil (Indian)
Idli is a steamed bun made from rice flour sourdough that is best enjoyed with a steaming bowl of coriander-laced lentil and vegetable curry (aka sambar). Order the idli-vada set along with a filter coffee, and you're all set.
At Balaji Bhavan, the idli is soft-as-clouds and the chutneys are freshly made. Having this for breakfast will be the best thing you can do that day.
Plus, it's vegan and gluten-free (the kind that doesn't taste like cardboard).
Open daily. 7am-midnight. Karama park. (054 294 9897)
Kottu mix at Ceylonian Restaurant
Price: Dhs26
Cuisine: Sri Lankan
Kottu mix is a mish-mash of slivered parathas or hoppers tossed in a wok with onions, capsicum, coriander and meats of your choice. Think of a Sri Lankan version of fried rice. It's spicy, sticky and simply perfect for a quick and filling meal.
Ceylonian Restaurant offers Sri Lankan delicacies in a nice spot in Karama, walkable from the ADCB metro station. If you're asking for the most authentic sri lankan dish, we'd recommend the the hoppers and beef stew.
Open daily, 11am-11pm. Wasl Hub Block 2, Karama, @ceylonian.dubai (04 339 3010)
Chole bhature at Delhi Highway Restaurant Dubai
Price: Dhs26
Cuisine: Delhi (Indian)
If Delhi (India's capital city) had a national dish, it would probably be chole bhature. We won't go as far as to compare this version to the legendary bhatures served in crammed gullies of purani Delhi, but this one definitely deserves a shout.
This restaurant in Al Karama offers a real taste of the Mughlai charm, with Persian-inspired interiors that set the mood for family-friendly fun. The dishes are as lavish in presentation as they are in flavour. With avocados, broccoli pestos, tandoori tacos, mint pesto and more, the menu is elevated. So don't expect anything basic here. Even the chat is served on a beautiful platter.
Open daily, noon-1am. Al Karama. @atdelhihighway_dubai (04 220 8844)
Palada ice cream at Cintafresh
Price: Dhs26
Cuisine: Kerala (Indian)
Papa Scoop is an ice cream flavoured by a popular Kerala dessert, palada payasam.
Palada payasam is Kerala's answer to kheer (rice pudding). The rice, milk and sugar are slow-cooked together until the milk thickens and turns slightly pinkish, giving the payasam a rich and creamy texture with a delicate caramel-like flavour.
Cintafresh specialises in different kinds of palada-flavoured dishes: chilled palada shake, ice cream and the actual thing.
Open Sun-Thu 11.30am-midnight, Fri 10.30am-1pm, 2pm-2am, Sat 11.30am-2am. BK10 building, Karama, chatfood.io (04 422 9976)
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