With our foster dog recovering from a long overdue surgery (always spay and neuter your pets, people!) I hadn’t planned anything significant for the weekend. In the end, this was a good idea. Friday saw Hubs enjoying golf in the beautiful February weather which Dubai likes to offer, and me monitoring our little patient and generally catching up on things before a busy week ahead. Thus, having heard positive comments about the recently opened Indya by Vineet, I braved the marina (something I do on a bi-annual basis only) for a Friday night visit. In the 13+ years, I think this was actually our first visit to Le Royal Meridien Beach Hotel, which was clearly in the stages of the late late brunch crowd (yikes!).
Turning right from the lobby on the ground floor is Indya, and once inside, color pops everywhere. My favorite feature had to be a giant pink elephant on the wall (you might better know him as Ganesha, remover of obstacles — still waiting for him to get a few things out of my way). The restaurant is also home to an outdoor terrace, and other little nooks and crannies, along with seating to make anyone feel like a Maharaja (or Maharani). The ‘by Vineet’ mention in the title of the restaurant alludes to award-winning Chef Vineet Bhatia, who offers this about the recently opened venue: “Indya is an opportunity to have fun with Indian food, to challenge perceptions and introduce new ingredients to age-old dishes. I guess you could liken it to an expression of my roots and respectfully breathing new life into the food I grew up with.”
We’re walked through the cocktail menu, which offers concoctions not seen elsewhere in the city — really, the drinks are super creative. Obviously, my knowledge of India is more limited than it probably should be, but we were assured by our expert server Ruby that each region of the country could lay claim to a specific beverage. For the record, my favorite was the not too sweet Sabse Chotta Bhim and Hubs’ was the Don’t Wait for Diwali. Props to naming all of the drinks, because the puns and creativity add to the attitude. I encourage you to do as we did, and try a few — prices range from AED38-AED68, and traditional cocktails are also on offer.
As we turned our decision towards food, in a way I’ve not seen many menus do, the approach is quite simple. Starters, mains, and other dishes are all listed for a set price — broken down ‘from the earth,’ ‘from the land,’ and ‘from the sea.’ As you would imagine, there are quite a few options for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. To start, we split a chaat — one of four to choose from, all priced at AED35, and then nibble on some delicious Crispy onion bhajias, AED55. Of our other starters, there was a mutton dish which I didn’t overwhelmingly love (mutton as a protein rarely does it for me), as well as a samosa style dish that lacked texture, and, while trying another delicious cocktail, we mulled over what to order for mains.
While we want to be Basics™ and settle for Butter Chicken, Ruby urged us to try something different and I’m glad we took her advice. Our favorite dish of the evening is the KFC (Kerala Fried Chicken, AED65), which delivers a nice spice, and an excellent preparation (the serving is made of two fried chicken drummettes). For our curry, we liked the Chicken Habibi, AED65. While the cook on the shrimp in the Prawn Stew, AED75 was good, I wanted the sauce to be a bit thicker and perhaps with a bit more depth. We accompanied the mains with rice and naan (including our favorite, Peshwari), because how can you not?
Overall, when I add up all the small things during our evening, Indya delivers and more. While it would seem so easy to put forward a diverse menu, priced well, with knowledgable service, and upbeat experience, the reality is that many a Dubai restaurant leaves me wanting for some (or more) of these items. And sure, Indya isn’t Tresind (or Tresind Studio), but they don’t need to be. Sometimes honest food can just be honest food, and in Dubai there is room for both. Enjoying a slightly elevated homestyle experience doesn’t take away from another style of dining.
Would I go back to Indya by Vineet? Although I tend to avoid the marina (like it’s my job), yes, I would happily return for drinks or food. Really, this is a lovely little spot that does right by its customers for value for money and service.
Who is Indya by Vineet best for? If you have any interest in Indian food, Indya delivers (not literally, but figuratively).
A to Za’atar was a guest of Indya by Vineet. Opinions are my own, just ask my husband.
Where is your favorite homestyle Indian restaurant in Dubai?
