★ Michelin · Indian Fine Dining · Address Residences, Opera District
By Monty Khas, Anonymous Critic. Pays every bill.
When Jamavar opened in Mayfair, it brought the polish of India's grand palace hotels to London and won a Michelin star. In August 2024, the Nair family, the people behind India's Leela hotels, brought the concept to Dubai, opening at Address Residences in the Opera District. It took only a year for Michelin to award a star here too, and Jamavar Dubai kept it in 2026.
The room
Jamavar is built for occasions. Think chandeliers, a cocktail bar and a terrace. The Opera District location makes it a natural pre-theater pick, and there's a set lunch for those with a show to catch.
What to eat
Start with the Chandni Chowk ki aloo tikki, a tribute to Old Delhi's most famous food street: crisp potato patties layered with chutneys and yogurt. The malai stone bass tikka is gentle and creamy, and the bhatti ka octopus brings smoky char from the grill.
The showstopper is the Hyderabadi pathar gosht. Traditionally, meat is cooked on a hot stone; in Dubai, Jamavar makes it with A5 wagyu and serves it with a rich bone marrow salan. It's indulgent in every sense. Leela's lobster neeruli, named for the Leela family, is another signature, and the Sindhi methi gosht, goat cooked with fenugreek, is the one for curry lovers.
Don't overlook the Old Delhi butter chicken. It's the kind of classic that a kitchen at this level should nail, and Jamavar does.
Golden hour
Every afternoon from 4 to 7 p.m., Jamavar serves a golden hour menu of small plates and snacks: chakna, kathal (jackfruit) bhel, Malabar prawns, ajwaini paneer tikka, chicken 65, lamb seekh kebabs and an excellent samosa papdi chaat. It's a relaxed, more affordable way to try the kitchen.
Before you go
Jamavar is open daily from lunch until late. Reservations are recommended for dinner, especially on weekends and show nights.
Why it matters
Jamavar proves that the grand style of Indian dining, with its silver-service glamour and royal recipes, still has plenty of life in it. It's polished, generous and consistently delicious, and it's one of the best places in Dubai to celebrate.
The Quick Fix
What to order: Chandni Chowk ki aloo tikki; malai stone bass tikka; Hyderabadi pathar gosht (A5 wagyu, bone marrow salan); Leela's lobster neeruli; bhatti ka octopus; Sindhi methi gosht; Old Delhi butter chicken; samosa papdi chaat at golden hour
Pricing: Upscale. The golden hour small plates are the gentler way in.
Best for: Special occasions, pre-theater dinners, date nights, business entertaining and anyone who wants classic Indian luxury
How it compares: More classic and glamorous than Trèsind Studio; the best butter chicken among Dubai's starred kitchens; easier to book than either of the city's other starred Indian tables
See where Jamavar ranks: The Best Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi Restaurants in Dubai: Our Top 10 for 2026
The food was always this good. We're just paying attention.