9 places to celebrate the Hindu festival of spring in Dubai.
Known as the festival of colours, Holi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter, unshakable faith and purity of heart.
Bombay Brasserie
Celebrate Holi at Bombay Brasserie in Taj Dubai. Experience a brunch as vibrant as the festival itself, featuring spices and ingredients that uncover India’s rich culinary history. Indulge in the flavours of India with dishes such as Mutton Seekh Kathi Roll and Pahadi Murgh Tikka from the live stations. For the main course, enjoy family-style servings of Tandoori Roast Chicken, Chicken Biryani, Malvani fish curry and Dal Makhani. A special surprise from Chef Ajay Negi will be served to satisfy your sweet tooth. Saturday 4 March, from 1pm to 4pm. AED 195 (soft beverages), AED 345 (house beverages) and AED 499 (bubbles).
GO: Email fbreservations.dubai@tajhotels.com or call 04 438 3134 for reservations and more information.
Bombay Bungalow
Bombay Bungalow’s Holi feast will feature a variety of flavourful treats, including crunchy nimki and chakli, savoury bhajiya and vegetable seekh kebab with a Bombay Bungalow twist. Guests can also indulge in a range of delightful sweet treats, such as gujiya (a crispy sweet dumpling filled with nuts), imarti (a melt-in-your-mouth flower-shaped sweet) and shakarpare (flour cookies). Available from Wednesday 8 to Sunday 12 March, from 12pm to 11:30pm. AED 65 per person.
GO: Follow @bombaybungalow on Instagram for more information.
Colour Beach Party
Dubai’s most colourful celebration is back with the return of the Holi Colour Beach Party at La Mer North Beach. Expect 12 hours of non-stop music on the beach featuring an incredible line-up of DJs including world-renowned Bollywood DJ Aqeel, India’s top-ranked female DJ Paroma and Dubai’s high-energy DJs Shadow, Zubair, Karan and Ziya. There will also be a live performance by Punjabi singing sensation Kaka. Saturday 11 March. AED 100 for single admission and AED 150 for couples.
GO: Call 052 304 5456 for tickets and more information.
High Note
Head to High Note Pool & Sky Lounge at Aloft Mina for a Holi-inspired menu featuring live chaat counters serving savoury and sweet snacks, such as dahi puri, bhel poori and paapdi chaat. Guests can also savour a three-course menu featuring Indian delicacies such as kathi rolls, tawa parathas, chicken lollipops, chicken tikka, paneer tikka and hara bhara kabab. Available from Wednesday 8 March to Saturday 11 March, from 12pm to midnight.
GO: Call 058 591 8153 for reservations and more information.
Kinara by Vikas Khanna
The Festival of Colours is a joyous celebration that marks the arrival of spring in India. Kinara offers a special menu curated by chef Vikas Khanna to commemorate the occasion. The selection of dishes inspired by Holi provides a sensory experience that includes dishes such as Dahi Bhalla, Beetroot and Khoya Kebab, Chicken Bharta, Mattar Ki Kachori, Sunehri Paneer, and Lamb Chop Qorma. For those with a sweet tooth, Chef Vikas has prepared Thandai Pannacotta, a dessert bursting with the flavours of pistachio, saffron and rose. Available Monday 6 to Wednesday 8 March. AED 249 per person.
GO: Email restaurant.reservation@jaresorts.com or call 04 814 5604 for reservations and more information.
Pincode
With the arrival of spring comes the festival of Holi, where people toss bright-coloured powders and feast on delicious food. Chef Kunal Kapur’s newly launched Pan-Indian restaurant will celebrate the occasion with a special set menu. Enjoy pan-seared prawn with malai sauce, bread pakoda slider with spiced potato, tandoori paneer roulade, tandoori lamb chops, paneer kofta, chicken cheese kofta and dal makhani. Finish the meal with the Thandai Tres Leches with poached pear and mascarpone cream. Available Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 March. AED 119 per person (vegetarian) and AED 139 per person (non vegetarian).
GO: Call 04 566 1424 for reservations and more information.
Rang Mahal
Celebrate Holi within the world’s tallest five-star hotel, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai. The popular restaurant, Rang Mahal will commemorate the festival of colours with a six-course set menu featuring traditional delicacies from across India. Enjoy spiced lamb cutlets served with wild mushrooms Jeerakasalaand valley of vegetables (tempura vegetables served with cottage cheese masala and korma Sauce). To end the night on the sweetest note, diners can enjoy Cassata Kulfi. Available on Wednesday 8 March, from 6pm to midnight. AED 225 (soft beverages) or AED 345 (house beverages).
GO: Call 04 414 3000 for reservations and more information.
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm Dubai
Varq, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm Dubai’s renowned Indian restaurant, encourages guests to partake in the festivities of India’s most vibrant festival. Indulge in India’s delectable and diverse flavours amidst a modern ambience as you celebrate the festival of colours. Available Wednesday 8 March to Sunday 12 March, from 12pm to 3pm and 6pm to 11pm. AED 275 (set menu), AED 125 (three house beverages) and AED 75 (three soft beverages).
GO: Email varq.exoticadubai@tajhotels.com or call 04 275 4444 for reservations and more information.
The Saffron Boutique
The Saffron Boutique in Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate celebrates Holi with a colourful three-course set menu. Expect a range of appetisers such as Sarson Paneer Tikka, Aloo Mewa Tilnaaz, Cochin Roast Chicken, Lamb Boti Kebab and Amchoori Mangoes. The mains feature Peeli Sarson da Saag, Paneer Peppery Khurchan, Nali Rogan Josh and Chicken Curry Awadh Style, accompanied by steamed basmati rice and assorted bread. End your meal sweetly with Gulkand-infused Gulab Jamun, Kesari Ras Bahar, and Caramel Mawa Gujiyan in Dessert. Available Wednesday 8 to Saturday 11 March. AED 199 (soft beverages) and AED 299 (Holi-inspired cocktails).
GO: Call 04 444 5578 for reservations and more information.
Let the festivities begin.
