Avatara is the place to change your perception of vegetarian food. Priding itself on its ability to break through any perception on limitation, chef Rahul Rana curates a unique vegetarian fine dining experience. Avatara holds the position as Dubai's first and only all-vegetarian fine dining spot, serving inventive takes on indian food using seasonal, fresh and sustainable produce.
The restaurant interiors use plants heavily in its decoration with leafy greens lining the space next to tables and centre flowers on the tables - the overall atmosphere is one of sleek, clean and natural influences.
Not only is the menu vegetarian-only, but it also aims to educate diners with each dish appearing alongside a descripton of the nutritional benefits and its place in Indian culture. Starting off with Naivedhya, a traditional food offered to a deity in worship, the menu offers a few smaller plates as starters. Moving onto larger dishes, chef Rahul makes pumpkin the centre of his ravioli option that is served with a spinach crisp and sage pesto. Diners can opt for an Indian-inspired dry curry with a veggie twist of raw banana paired with coconut lassi and a curry leaf chutney. To compliment these dishes, the menu features a porika stuffed bread that is filled with green pea, aloo rasa and masala-spiced brussel sprouts.
The dessert offering is just as exciting and inventive as the mains with the Imarti waffle being the highlight of the selection. The waffle is a deep-fried ring of batter served alongside the traditional Indian dessert aam shirkhand - a curd-like dessert often made with sweet mangoes and spiced with saffron and cardamom. The dessert also comes with a strawberry chilli sorbet so it really is the perfect combination of sweet and spice.
Diners are spoilt for choice with the drinks menu that features an extensive list of wines, spirits and liqueurs. A special mention has to be made of the huge cocktail selection with drinks such as men in black using edible charcoal and the aptly-named rainbow candy cocktail served alongside some rainbow candy.