Certainly! From the southwestern part of India, Kerala cuisine is known for its heavy use of spices such as coconut, curry leaves, coconut, mustard seed, turmeric, tamarind and asafoetida, and is often referred to as the “land of spices”, Kerala offers culinary experience a distinctive special offers through complex and delicious foods.
Known for its diversity and vibrant cuisine, Kerala food is popular in Dubai as well. Kerala restaurants in Dubai are known for their authentic dishes that capture the real taste of this South Indian region
Top Best Kerala Restaurants In Dubai
DhePuttu Restaurant
Image Source: Zomato
DhePuttu, dedicated to providing delicacies to diners everywhere, has created a variety of Kerala dishes here in Dubai. Great care is taken to follow authentic recipes that have been handed down for generations. Their spacious dining room is ideal for families and large groups, and they often have plenty of diners at dinner time. And it can be quite energetic at these times.
For food, you’ll find plenty of cultural favorites here. For example, there are several curry options, giving you the chance to try a beautiful vegetable butter masala or a delicious red lamb curry. However, it is their “puttu” that is really known as Kerala restaurant in Dubai. Almost all your traditional flavors are available here, from plain white puttu to cholamputtu.
That said, they also have “special” flavors. You get to take your pick from lamb, eggs, beef, veggies, and even chocolate and mixed fruit if you want to have it for dessert as well. Although this applies to the number of diners, you should expect to have some waiting times for your food at DhePuttu. Not the worst wait time we have had but you will experience this at some point. However, if you are in the mood for puttu or just great South Indian food in general, we definitely suggest visiting DhePuttu Restaurant in Dubai.
Pros
- The choice of puttu is good
- Many different words
Cons
- The restaurant is a bit noisy
- Food delivery takes time
Rating: 5.0
Menu offering 5.0
Quality 5.0
Miscellaneous 5.0
Customer Service 4.5
Business Skills 4.5
Communication 4.5
Availability 5.0
Location: Shamma Building, Shop No.1, Opp. Aster Clinic, Behind Park Regis Hotel – 6A St – Al Karama – Dubai – UAE
Kozhikode Star Restaurant
Image Source: Kozhikode Star Restaurant
Originally opened in Deira Dubai in September 2014, Kozhikode Star Restaurant has steadily developed into a major destination for Indian, continental and regional cuisine. The restaurant has a very clean and bright atmosphere which we feel is very good for dining with friends and family, we can also offer outdoor dining around their office.
Kozhikode Star Restaurant is known for its very good collection of seafood and vegetarian dishes. We definitely recommend the Tawa Fry which you can get with cake or shrimp depending on your seafood preference. However, many of the customers we spoke to recommended their “beef Ularthiath”, a testament to its taste and value, this statement holds up well and is a great first choice when dining here for the first time.
Of course, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind here at Kozhikode Star Restaurant . Parking for one is very limited so those bringing a car may want to find nearby parking first. However, Kozhikode Star Restaurant has proved to be a great Indian restaurant. We definitely suggest you check them out when you are doing some Kerala food in Dubai.
Pros
- Very clean and beautiful environment
- A wide variety of Indian food available
Cons
- Parking is very limited
Rating: 5.0
Menu offering 5.0
Quality 5.0
Miscellaneous 5.0
Customer Service 4.5
Business Skills 5.0
Communication 4.5
Availability 4.5
Location: 153 Damascus Street – Al Qusais 2 – Dubai – UAE
Calicut Notebook Restaurant
Image Source: Tripadvisor
With its humble beginnings in 2012, Calicut Notebook Restaurant has chosen to focus on excellent service and quality food to slowly build its reputation as the premier Kerala restaurant in Dubai. You get to check out a beautiful restaurant that looks very nice, with just the right amount of lighting and location. The atmosphere is very relaxing and allows us to really focus on the delicious food on offer. The food itself is also very unclean. From pineapple uppilittathu or a spicy raw mango salad, you can find great vegetarian dishes.
As for the meat eaters, you will have your share of seafood like traditional Kerala spiced dried prawns with chemmeenpodi, or Idicha beef with Catholic cooking with red chilies and curry leaves and it motivated him
Curry is also available of course and we found those tasted very good too. And for those traveling with kids, we are happy to have some fried chicken, crispy fried shrimp and noodles. The prices at Calicut Notebook Restaurant are a bit expensive though, based on our experience. We think this is something to keep in mind before visiting the place. Calicut Notebook Restaurant is definitely a good place with a very premium feel for Kerala food. We definitely suggest you check it out.
Pros
- Cozy and comfortable setting
- The curry is delicious
Cons
- The food is very expensive
- Orders take time to serve
Rating: 5.0
Menu offering 4.5
Quality 5.0
Miscellaneous 4.5
Customer Service 4.5
Business Skills 5.0
Communication 4.5
Availability 4.5
Location: Abu Baker Al Siddique Road-Hor Al Anz-Deira Abu Baker Al Siddique Rd- Deira- Dubai
Nalukettu Restaurant
Image Source: Dubai Restaurant Guide
Located inside the Dubai Grand Hotel by Fortune, Nalukettu Restaurant is the place to go for premium Kerala food here in Dubai. It’s the restaurant to go to whenever you want real local flavors with fresh ingredients. The restaurant is easily found in the lobby of the hotel although note that it only opens at 12:00 PM during lunch.
Inside you will find a somewhat dim room, with just the right amount of light to enjoy the food being served. It definitely reminds us at times of a jazz bar or an Italian restaurant, although the food on offer is definitely authentically Kerala. You can start with a small plate like a pachamanga or hearty chicken salad, or maybe start with a mixed plate, be it spring rolls, vegetable pakoras, or even a seafood platter with grilled shrimp. Afterwards, you can experience their buffet-style food (which is a bit more expensive).
Note that some waiters did inform us that choosing a la carte could make us wait longer for our food compared to a buffet service. We think it’s important to keep that in mind when visiting a place as a group. They don’t even have a kid’s menu. What this means is that many of the dishes at Nalukettu Restaurant tend to veer towards the spicy side which we think some kids eating there won’t like.
However, if you are a guest of the Grand Hotel, we definitely recommend a visit to Nalukettu. For lovers of spices and sweets, this is definitely one of the best Kerala restaurants in Dubai to try.
Pros
- A good selection of spicy food
- Great service
Cons
- Long wait for ala carte
- There is no kid’s menu
Rating: 5.0
Menu offering 4.5
Quality 5.0
Miscellaneous 5.0
Customer Service 5.0
Business Skills 4.5
Communication 5.0
Availability 4.5
Location: Dubai Grand Hotel – Al Qusais – Dubai – UAE
Calicut Foodies Express
Image Source: Zomato
Originally opening its first doors at Marina Mall in February 2021, Calicut Foodies Express has consistently become one of the best Kerala restaurants in Dubai and has also opened a second fast-moving store at Jumeirah Lake Towers. The restaurant strives to serve authentic Kerala food cooked like at home, making it a great place for tourists to the area to work up a craving
From here you can enjoy your favorite chicken tikka, tandoori chicken, garlic naan, chicken dum biryani, and many others in as many spices that we think work well for everyone.
You’ll also find a nice dining area to enjoy your meal, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Even so, we found the space a little small, which can make large groups feel cramped. However, Calicut Foodies Express continues to offer deliveries. It takes a while to prepare and arrive but, we think the taste makes up for it.
However, some of the food served in the restaurant is quite light. We have definitely seen people choose to order two for this reason although this will depend on your budget. Calicut Foodies Express is definitely one of the best places to sample authentic Kerala food in Dubai in a hurry. We definitely recommend trying them out.
Pros
- Pricing is very competitive
- Beautiful and calm environment
Cons
- Portions of some foods are relatively small
- The seating area is a little small
Rating: 4.5
Menu offering 4.5
Quality 4.5
Miscellaneous 5.0
Customer Service 5.0
Business Skills 5.0
Communication 5.0
Availability 5.0
Location: Lake Level, Fortune Tower – Jumeirah Lake Towers – Dubai – UAE
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are these restaurants suitable for large groups?
DhePuttu Restaurant, in particular, is mentioned to have a spacious dining room suitable for families and large groups. However, during peak times, there might be some waiting for food.
- Are these restaurants vegan-friendly?
All the Kerala restaurants mentioned in Dubai have vegetarian options. You can get delicious dishes like vegetable curry, puttu, and more.
- Do these restaurants offer home delivery?
Most of these restaurants offer home delivery. Delivery times can vary, though, so customers should be prepared for a bit of a wait, it said.
- Are these restaurants kid friendly?
Some restaurants like Nalukettu Restaurant may not have a specific kids menu, and many of the dishes are on the spicy side. Advise touring the restaurant or thinking about what the kids in your group want.
- Which restaurant has the best seafood?
Kozhikode Star Restaurant is known for its excellent variety of seafood dishes, including Tawa Fry with a choice of fish or prawn.
- Is parking available at these restaurants?
It has been mentioned that parking is limited at Kozhikode Star Restaurant, so diners with cars might want to find a parking space nearby. The condition of the parking lot can be checked prior to the visit.
Final Words
Dubai offers lovers of Kerala cuisine a rich culinary experience with restaurants showcasing authentic flavors. Whether you love traditional puttu at DhePuttu, enjoy seafood at Kozhikode Star Restaurant, the luxurious experience at Nalukettu Restaurant, or the fast and authentic service of Calicut Foodies Express, so these places offer a fascinating journey into the vibrant and diverse world of Kerala restaurants in Dubai. Keep conditions, service, and parking considerations in mind when choosing the best fit for your meal preference.
