The best Kerala restaurant in Dubai is Calicut Paragon in Al Nahda, whose Malabar fish curry and biryani draw queues at weekends. For backwater dishes like Kuttanadu duck roast head to Kadavu, and for a vegetarian Kerala breakfast of puttu and appam, Aaraamam in Karama. Most sit under AED 120 for two.
Kerala restaurants in Dubai at a glance
| Restaurant | Area | Price for two | Signature dish | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calicut Paragon#1 | Al Nahda | AED 120 | Malabar fish curry & biryani | ★★★★☆ 4.3 |
| Kadavu Restaurant#2 | Karama | AED 100 | Kuttanadu duck roast | ★★★★☆ 3.8 |
| Aaraamam Restaurant#3 | Karama | AED 90 | Kerala thali & appam | ★★★★☆ 4.1 |
| Calicut Notebook#4 | Al Qusais | AED 110 | Malabar biryani | ★★★★☆ 3.9 |
Prices are our most recent in-person estimates for two people before drinks. Last verified July 2026.
Calicut Paragon
The most complete Kerala restaurant in Dubai. The Al Nahda flagship of the Calicut Paragon group turns out benchmark Malabar fish curry (around AED 32) and a fragrant chicken biryani, with fresh seafood displayed at the entrance.
It gets rammed on weekend evenings with Malayali families — go early or expect a wait. Order the fish curry, a biryani, and a karimeen pollichathu if it’s on. The gold standard for Kerala food in the city.
Kadavu Restaurant
The place for the backwater specialities other Kerala restaurants skip. Kadavu’s Kuttanadu duck roast (around AED 38) with soft appam is the order — dark, peppery and rich, a Central Travancore classic.
A no-frills Karama room where the cooking does the talking. Come specifically for the duck and the beef ularthiyathu. More in the South Asian pillar.
Aaraamam Restaurant
The pick for a Kerala breakfast or a vegetarian meal. Aaraamam in Karama does puttu with kadala curry, appam with stew, and a proper sadya-style veg thali (around AED 28) served on banana leaf at weekends.
Cheap, quick and consistent — ideal for a morning puttu-and-chai before the day. A useful everyday Malayali kitchen. See the Karama and Bur Dubai guide.
Calicut Notebook
A Qusais favourite built around Malabar biryani (around AED 30) — the short-grain, subtly spiced Kozhikode style, served with a date pickle and raita. Consistent and generous.
A reliable pick near the Stadium Metro end of town, handy if Al Nahda is out of the way. Order the biryani and a fish fry. Compare across the city in best biryani in Dubai.
What to order at a Kerala restaurant: Start with a Malabar biryani (short-grain, fragrant, not the same as Hyderabadi) and a Kerala fish curry made with kudampuli (smoked tamarind) and coconut. For breakfast or a lighter meal, puttu with kadala curry, or appam with stew. Karak-style chai and a Sulaimani (spiced black tea) close it out. Karama and Al Nahda hold the densest cluster of authentic Malayali kitchens in Dubai.
Where to eat Kerala food in Dubai
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best Kerala restaurant in Dubai?
Calicut Paragon in Al Nahda is the best Kerala restaurant in Dubai, known for its Malabar fish curry and biryani. Kadavu in Karama is best for backwater dishes like Kuttanadu duck roast, and Aaraamam for a vegetarian Kerala breakfast.
What should I order at a Kerala restaurant?
Start with a Malabar biryani and a Kerala fish curry made with kudampuli and coconut. For breakfast, order puttu with kadala curry or appam with stew. Beef ularthiyathu, karimeen pollichathu and Kuttanadu duck roast are standout non-veg specialities.
Which area of Dubai has the best Kerala food?
Karama and Al Nahda have the densest cluster of authentic Malayali restaurants in Dubai, with Al Qusais also strong. These neighbourhoods hold large Kerala communities, which keeps the cooking honest and the prices low.
How much does a Kerala meal cost in Dubai?
Kerala food is excellent value — a fish curry runs about AED 30–38 and a biryani around AED 30, so two people typically eat well for AED 90–120 including drinks.
What is the difference between Malabar biryani and Hyderabadi biryani?
Malabar (Kozhikode) biryani uses short-grain khaima or jeerakasala rice, is milder and more fragrant, and the rice and meat are often cooked more separately. Hyderabadi biryani uses long-grain basmati and is spicier and dum-cooked. Kerala restaurants serve the Malabar style.
Related Guides
Keep exploring: our South Asian restaurants pillar, best biryani in Dubai, and the best cheap eats guide.