Navratri fills the city with colour, music, and tradition, and food is a big part of it. Restaurants are serving special thalis packed with fasting favourites like sabudana khichdi and crisp kuttu puris. Some are simple and filling. Others are full Satvik meals. Here are five places to try this month.
5 Navratri Thalis in the UAE Will Make Your Vrat Feel Like a Feast
1. Swades Vegetarian Restaurant
Swades has a special fasting menu, with dishes starting at just AED 7. The star is the Premium Upvas Thali. It comes with Paneer Butter Masala, fried aloo, sabudana khichdi, vrat puri, sabudana vada, dahi, vrat chips, chivda, and rasgulla. Beyond Navratri, you can also order snacks, mains, mithai, and savoury bites.
Where: Discovery Gardens, Karama, DSO and Al Nahda
Cost: AED 36 for the Premium Upvas Thali
2. Punjab Grill
This is the fancy pick. Punjab Grill’s Devi Bhoj Satvik menu is a four-course meal. It starts with a smoked white pumpkin shorba, then three kinds of tikkis. The main course, called Bhog, has Lauki Kofta, Jackfruit and Chestnut Curry, Classic Aloo Tamatar, Samak Rice with Black Sesame Upma, and Kuttu Puri. It ends with Paneer Malai Sheera, served as Prasad. The whole menu is Satvik, so there’s no onion or garlic.
Where: Anantara Downtown, Lobby Level, Marasi Drive, Business Bay
When: October 11 to 20
Cost: AED 125 for the Devi Bhoj Menu
3. Dhaba Lane
Dhaba Lane’s Navratri Thali mixes snacks, mains, and sweets. It opens with Khajoor and Shakarkandi Tikki, fresh-cut fruit, and Thandai and Lassi. The main course has Falahari Paneer Kofta Curry, Aloo Tamatar Ki Subzi, and Kaddu Masala, with Sama Ke Chawal and Kuttu Poori. Sabudana Gulkand Kheer is the sweet finish.
Where: Al Nahda, JLT, Al Garhoud, and Al Karama
When: October 11 to 19
Cost: AED 59 for the Navratri Thali
4. Rasoi Ghar
Rasoi Ghar’s Navratri Fasting Thali is a big spread. There’s Sabudana Vada, Banana Bhajia, Banana Cutlets, and Shingoda Ki Pakoda, then Paneer Sabji, Aloo Bhajee, Kela Sabji, Tomato Dal, and Shingoda Curry. You get Rajgira Puri, Kuttu Puri, and Sabudana Khichdi too. Shrikhand, Basundi, and Shakarkand Halwa cover dessert, with curd, cut fruit, and lassi on the side.
Where: Sheikh Zayed Bin Khalifa Road, opposite Burjuman, CenterPoint, Bur Dubai
When: October 11 to 19
Cost: AED 61 for the Navratri Thali
5. Naivedyam Thali Restaurant
Naivedyam serves crisp vrat puris, hot sabudana vadas, and comforting curries. The menu includes Sabudana Khichdi, Sabudana Vada, Kuttu Puri and Kuttu Pakori Chaat, plus Jeera Aloo and Paneer Butter Masala. Cut fruit, buttermilk, and mint chutney round it out.
Note that this one is in Abu Dhabi, so it’s a good stop if you’re in the capital.
Where: Bin Moosa Building, An Nour Street, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi
Cost: AED 45 for the Navratri Thali
How to Pick the Right Thali
If you want a quick and affordable meal, Swades at AED 36 is the easiest on the wallet. For a full Satvik experience with no onion or garlic, Punjab Grill is the one, though it costs more. Dhaba Lane and Rasoi Ghar sit in the middle, with plenty of variety and a sweet ending.
Since several menus run only from October 11 to 19 or 20, it’s worth calling ahead to check availability, especially on weekends.
Make It a Full Festive Evening
Food is only half the fun. You can pair dinner with a night of dancing. Our guide to where to dance this Navratri in Dubai lists Garba and Dandiya events with dates and ticket prices. And if you’d like a wider look at the options, here’s our full roundup of the best Navratri thalis in Dubai.
If you’re heading out with the kids, it’s also a good moment to start a chat about technology at home. Dubai has just launched a platform to help families with that, which we covered in our piece on the GenDubAI platform for parents.
Whether you like a simple fasting plate or a four-course feast, there’s a Navratri thali for every budget this October, from AED 36 to AED 125. Pick a spot, bring your family, and enjoy the festive flavours.