“I believe Trèsind Studio can only be Trèsind Studio in Dubai. It cannot be the same in any other city or country in the world,” Chef Himanshu Saini claimed in front of the roaring crowd at the MICHELIN Guide Ceremony Dubai 2025. “I must thank the city of Dubai for fulfilling the dreams of millions of people. This is a win for team India.”
Saini, like more than two million other Indian expats, moved to Dubai over 15 years ago to boost his culinary career. Today, he becomes the first chef to earn Three MICHELIN Stars for an Indian restaurant, a historic feat for the cuisine and for Dubai.
This significant moment shines a light on one of the city’s largest expat communities and its cultural contributions. Indians in Dubai have a long history spanning all the way back to the 19th century when they first began arriving in what was then a maritime trading hub. Since then, the Indian community has grown significantly, establishing itself and enriching the city with its customs and traditions. From restaurants to hotels, sports tournaments to celebrations, Indian culture in Dubai has had a thriving impact on multiple industries in the dynamic city.
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Flavorful Indian fare
Indian cuisine is known for being incredibly fragrant and flavorful, balancing complex combinations of spices and flavors, which result in unique-tasting dishes.In Dubai, there are 14 Indian restaurants recognized by The MICHELIN Guide, ranging from casual to fine dining. Places like MICHELIN-selected Bombay Bungalow, Carnival by Trèsind and Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia offer classic Indian dishes with a modern twist, while Bib Gourmand restaurants Khadak and Revelry revisit Indian street food favorites with fun interpretations.
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Dubai is also home to three MICHELIN-Starred Indian restaurants. Trèsind Studio’s Three MICHELIN Star accolade is the first of its kind in this cuisine. This fine-dining restaurant, located in Palm Jumeirah’s St. Regis Gardens, offers an 18-course tasting menu celebrating four regions in India, with each dish elegantly presented and explained. Meanwhile One-MICHELIN-Star avatāra’s menu exclusively offers an expertly crafted vegetarian tasting menu with no use of garlic or onion. One-MICHELIN-Star Jamavar sticks to its roots with more classical interpretations of signature Indian dishes, such as bhatti ka octopus (octopus from the oven) and Sindhi methi gosht (goat curry), reflecting the kitchen’s craft.
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Regal Indian hospitality
Two of the biggest Indian hotel chains are Taj and Oberoi, both of which exude opulence in their design and service. In Dubai, the Taj Dubai’s iconic location is hard to miss. At the heart of Downtown Dubai with views of the Burj Khalifa, the palatial urban hotel is decked out in a contemporary take on classical Indian design. Additionally, the hotel’s spa, J Wellness Circle, boasts a myriad of treatments inspired by Ayurveda, an Indian holistic and therapeutic approach to wellness.
Celebrating light and harvests
During the later part of the year, there’s lots to celebrate. Onam Sadhya, the annual South Indian harvest festival, is widely observed across Dubai. For 10 days across August or September, Onam festivities consist of grand feasts (usually taking place on the last day) with up to 28 vegetarian dishes served on a banana leaf across many Indian homes and restaurants. Additionally, traditional floral arrangements, known as pookalam, are displayed in various outlets, most notably in the BurJuman mall in Bur Dubai which has hosted competitions for the best pookalam arrangements, as well as performances related to the occasion. More Onam-related celebrations can be enjoyed in Karama and Bur Dubai areas.At Trèsind Studio, the Sadya Celebration of Flavors course is a tribute to the occasion, with each component of the dish built at the table by different team members.
The Festival of Lights, known as Diwali, usually occurs in October or November and lasts for about five days. During this time, Dubai’s buildings shine even brighter with light decorations draped along balconies. Different Indian communities organize performances throughout Bur Dubai, Karama, Zabeel Park and Al Seef, while a nightly fireworks show can be enjoyed from Dubai Festival City.
Cricket Craze
While cricket is not officially considered the national sport of India, it’s definitely one of the more popular ones. Naturally, this is also the case for Dubai’s Indian community. The city hosts a range of international and local tournaments in Sports City. Major leagues such as DP World International League, Dubai 7s and International League T20 welcome national teams from all over the world to compete in the Dubai International Stadium, which can accommodate up to 30,000 guests.The vibrancy of Indian culture in Dubai is a testament to the city's diversity and inclusivity, enriching the cultural tapestry of this global metropolis. The Indian community's contributions, from culinary excellence to festive celebrations, continue to shape Dubai's unique identity, making it a city where traditions and modernity beautifully coexist.
Illustration image: Adam Mowaki (MO4)/Indya by Vineet
