Dubai does Diwali properly, and 2026 is no exception. With the Festival of Lights running across late October and into November, a long list of the city's Indian restaurants — including two Michelin-starred names — are rolling out festive tasting menus, buffets and themed evenings.
The big-ticket option is Gymkhana Dubai, the Michelin-starred restaurant that recently landed in DIFC. It's marking its first-ever Diwali in the city with a tasting menu of restaurant classics priced at Dhs495 per person on November 8, all served in moody, club-style interiors inspired by India's elite social clubs. Not far behind on price is Jamavar in the Dubai Opera District, a Michelin-starred venue teaming up with design house Chahar Bagh by Good Earth for a menu running October 29 to November 11 — Dhs395 for the vegetarian version, Dhs425 for non-veg, with dishes like Wild Mushroom Galouti and Bhatti ka Paneer.
Over at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa on The Palm, the celebration stretches the longest: from October 30 to November 15, the resort's Varq restaurant offers a festive set menu from Dhs275, while its all-day venue Palm Kitchen hosts a one-night Diwali buffet on November 8 (6.30pm to 10.30pm) at Dhs235 for adults and Dhs120 for kids aged 6 to 11.
Looking for something less flashy? Jodhpur at the Hyatt Place Dubai Jumeirah specialises purely in Rajasthani cooking — think Dal Baati Churma and Kair Sangri Kofta — in interiors that nod to the blue city itself. Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia at Jumeirah Al Qasr covers North and South India in one menu, with lagoon views thrown in. For theatrical food and a fun atmosphere, Carnival by Tresind at Burj Daman (a Michelin Guide restaurant) is open daily from midday to 1am. And Asha's at Wafi City, founded by the late singing legend Asha Bhosle, pairs chaats and comfort classics with live-ish musical flair for lively group nights.
Why it matters: if you're travelling to Dubai during Diwali, this is one of the best times of year for Indian food in the city — restaurants pull out limited-time menus you won't find the rest of the year. Book ahead, though. The one-night buffets and November 8 tastings will fill up fast, and the Michelin-starred venues are firmly special-occasion territory at Dhs395-495 a head. Families get the best value at the Taj buffet, while couples and groups after atmosphere should look at Gymkhana, Carnival or Asha's.
