With stunning interiors and a number of locations across the United Arab Emirates, India Palace has become a reliable place to stop for comforting Indian food and great service. The menu combines authentic Mughlai dishes from north west India with other regional Indian favourites, whilst honouring the Mughal tradition of warm hospitality, bringing it into modern times with a casual dining concept that has become incredibly popular across the country.
India Palace Al Salam strikes a great balance between feeling chic and opulent, but also relaxed. The interiors are almost palatial, with gorgeous, carved mahogany furniture, gleaming golden statues and ornaments, and patterned marble tiles lining the floor. Comfortable booth seating gives guests a bit of privacy as they dine, but there are also private dining spaces available for groups who want to be secluded from the buzz of the main restaurant.
The colourful menu takes guests on a tour of classic Mughlai dishes, starting with marinated tiger prawns, crunchy paneer, stuffed rice and lentil balls and samosas, and carrying on through kebabs which come smoking from the tandoor, including the majestic lamb raan - a whole leg of lamb, braised until almost falling off the bone, then finished in the tandoor.
The enormous menu also features pages of specials - seafood specials, chicken specials, mutton specials and more - which largely focus around curries. This is where you'll find classics like kormas, jalfrezis and bhunas, as well as a host of other authentic Indian dishes. There's plenty on the menu for vegetarians too, from vegetarian specials like the aloo gobi (cauliflower, potato and peas with chilli and ginger), bhindi do pyaaza (okra with onion and herbs) and a rich, creamy dal makhani.
If you've still saved some room for dessert, try the rasmalai - soft cheese dumplings topped with pistachios - or the excellent falooda.