For the best Indian street food in Dubai head to Mohalla at Design District.

There are so many great Indian street food options in Dubai that picking a firm favorite can be a daunting task. But there is one spot that has been our go-to since it opened back in 2018 (check the review here), Mohalla at Dubai Design District (D3).

The word Mohalla carries a similar meaning in multiple languages (Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Uzbekistani) of “my neighborhood” or “my community” and so it inspired the meaning behind Mohalla, an ode to the community neighborhoods of India.

We love the authentic decor-there is also outdoor seating including traditional Indian style beds that look very inviting. Inside the ceiling is decorated with rugs and the main wall is covered with a mural by a local Indian artist depicting a typical street scene with fruit vendors and men on bicycles.

Over the years the restaurant has kept its menu the same with a few tweaks here and there. But just recently they have added a long list of new dishes that we were invited to try. Boasting a menu full of new modern chic but still deeply rooted Indian flavors, there is an array of fantastic dishes to pick from.

Offering a mix of small and big plates all perfect for sharing, we absolutely adore the moist and succulent lamb vindaloo chops that are newly introduced. Another favorite is the most delightful pani puri- fried puff pastry balls filled with mashed potato, spiced water, and tamarind juice, that we have to order each time we visit. Another pro tip we can give you is to order the avocado papdi chaat made with crisp wheat crackers topped with desi Guac and chutneys.

In the new additions the refreshing tomato and peanut salad is made with farm tomatoes tossed in spicy, sweet and tangy tamarind dressing sprinkled with roasted peanuts, crispy shallots and garlic. For a more filling dish the tikka chole salli which is potato patty fried in ghee and served with curried chickpea and crispy potato is perfect.

We also tried daal pakwan a simple lentil dish that is elevated with crispy wheat crackers and an assorted accompaniments of pickled onion, boiled potatoes and fried chilies. The butter shrimp is another must-try as the zesty chilies and peanut pesto sauce gives it a whole new flavor palette we have not tried before.

At Mohalla the main dishes are made to perfection and the Delhi 6 butter chicken is exceptionally good and is perfect with a side of piping hot garlic naan.

Although the savory food is filling and incredibly good, it would be a travesty to leave without trying their freshly prepared jalebis. A classic sweet dish made with sugar syrup and topped with nuts it is served with rabri which is a creamy sweet dessert. The combination of the two together is heavenly!

Mohalla
Building 5, Ground Floor, Dubai Design District
Phone: 800 MOHALLA (800 664 2552)
Opening Hours: Open Daily from 12pm – 11pm

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