Amala

Name: Amala
Address: Right wing of the lobby, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, AE
Telephone: +97144530444

Palm Jumeirah

Restaurant 04 453 0444

Amala is an Indian restaurant at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on Palm Jumeirah, known for richly presented regional dishes, polished hospitality and an ornate Indian-inspired setting. Reviews highlight the tasting menu and slow-cooked Lamb Changezi Raan, while outdoor seating adds another appealing way to dine.

Reputation Score

4.5

★★★★★

335 ratings

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The Good Stuff

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Regional flavours

The menu draws from across India, with reviewers praising complex, well-prepared dishes rather than an oversized menu.

Signature lamb

The Lamb Changezi Raan is a slow-cooked lamb leg that one diner found exceptionally soft, rich and flavourful.

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What to Eat at Amala

Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of Amala, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.

Food 5

Butter chicken Net +5

“Starters were great and butter chicken from the mains.”
Dal makhani Net +3

“Hotel is fantastic, restaurant located at the lobby level and its Amazing indian taste , dal makhani is amazing, lamb beriany also crezy, thank you chef for the food, service very polite and helpful. Desert kolfi is cool, The picture can tell everything 🤣🤣😍, Bravoo team”
Lamb biryani Net +3

“The food is delicious, featuring fresh ingredients, with the butter chicken and lamb biryani standing out as exceptional.”
Lamb chops Net +3

“For starters, we had - Tamarind Chicken, Grilled Tiger Prawns, Lamb Chops, Methi Brocoli & Kachi Kairi Salad & everything was withspicesyummmmmmm 💯💯”
Gulab jaman dessert Net +2

“The gunpowder chicken was ok, dum biryani was delicious, gulab jaman dessert was perfect to finish the dinner.”

Honorable mentions (34)

Achari chicken biryani Net +1

“The Gunpowder Murgh, Amala Gosht Curry, and Achari Chicken Biryani were all absolutely amazing , rich in flavor and beautifully prepared.”
Amala gosht curry Net +1

“The Gunpowder Murgh, Amala Gosht Curry, and Achari Chicken Biryani were all absolutely amazing , rich in flavor and beautifully prepared.”
Charcoaled tandoori chicken on the bone Net +1

“The charcoaled tandoori chicken on the bone, and the "Amala Dhal" (black dhal) is outstanding.”
Cheesecake Net +1

“From the butter chicken and naan to the biryani and cheesecake, everything was a 10/10.”
Chicekn pepper fry Net +1

“Our mains were Murgh khatta meet, Chicekn pepper fry (on our request chef made this), dal makhani, Ennai Kathirikai (eggplant preparation) All of these delicacies to were a perfect recommendations for the evening.”
Chicken biryani Net +1

“Delicious food and meat cooked to perfection!!! I love this restaurant and the staff were very attentive. Recommended: Lamb chops, chicken biryani, Pani Puri chat, broccoli, Hari kebabs.”
Chocolate fondant masala ice cream dessert Net +1

“The chocolate fondant masala ice cream dessert is outstanding. One of the few places in Dubai that offer a smart sample of cuisines from across the sub continent.”
Dahi puri Net +1

“We got to try some of the best dishes and also their New Menu & everything was spot on taste 👌🏻 That started with Amuse Bouche- Dahi Puri ❤️”
Dum biryani Net +1

“The gunpowder chicken was ok, dum biryani was delicious, gulab jaman dessert was perfect to finish the dinner.”
Ennai kathirikai Net +1

“Our mains were Murgh khatta meet, Chicekn pepper fry (on our request chef made this), dal makhani, Ennai Kathirikai (eggplant preparation) All of these delicacies to were a perfect recommendations for the evening.”
Gajar halwa on orange tart Net +1

“The best part was sweet ending - Mango Kulfi, Gajar Halwa on Orange Tart & Gulab Jamun & everything was so innovative & not very sweet so it was mouth refreshing too 😋 😀”
Grilled tiger prawns Net +1

“For starters, we had - Tamarind Chicken, Grilled Tiger Prawns, Lamb Chops, Methi Brocoli & Kachi Kairi Salad & everything was withspicesyummmmmmm 💯💯”
Gunpowder chicken Net +1

“We indulged in tandoori jhinga, lamb chops, gunpowder chicken and malai brocoli as starters which were above our expectations. 🦐🍖🧆”
Gunpowder murgh Net +1

“The Gunpowder Murgh, Amala Gosht Curry, and Achari Chicken Biryani were all absolutely amazing , rich in flavor and beautifully prepared.”
Kachi kairi salad Net +1

“For starters, we had - Tamarind Chicken, Grilled Tiger Prawns, Lamb Chops, Methi Brocoli & Kachi Kairi Salad & everything was withspicesyummmmmmm 💯💯”
Lamb changezi raan Net +1

“The Lamb Changezi Raan — a slow-cooked lamb leg — was cooked to absolute perfection: incredibly soft, rich, and flavourful.”
Lamb curry Net +1

“Main Course- Lamb Curry, Paneer Lababdar, Dal Makhni, Lamb Biryani & everything was Lip Smaaaaackiiing 😋😋”
Malai brocoli Net +1

“We indulged in tandoori jhinga, lamb chops, gunpowder chicken and malai brocoli as starters which were above our expectations. 🦐🍖🧆”
Mango kulfi Net +1

“The best part was sweet ending - Mango Kulfi, Gajar Halwa on Orange Tart & Gulab Jamun & everything was so innovative & not very sweet so it was mouth refreshing too 😋 😀”
Methi brocoli Net +1

“For starters, we had - Tamarind Chicken, Grilled Tiger Prawns, Lamb Chops, Methi Brocoli & Kachi Kairi Salad & everything was withspicesyummmmmmm 💯💯”
Murgh khatta meet Net +1

“Our mains were Murgh khatta meet, Chicekn pepper fry (on our request chef made this), dal makhani, Ennai Kathirikai (eggplant preparation) All of these delicacies to were a perfect recommendations for the evening.”
Murgh makhni Net +1

“The Murgh Makhni was also perfect, along with many other delicious dishes.”
Mutton biryani Net +1

“Best Indian cuisine and best chicken and mutton biryani and sheekh kabab and delicious butter chicken in Dubai and I think the whole of UAE and their customer service and hospitality is impeccable.”
Mutton curry Net +1

“Their mutton curry was my crush...”
Paneer lababdar Net +1

“Main Course- Lamb Curry, Paneer Lababdar, Dal Makhni, Lamb Biryani & everything was Lip Smaaaaackiiing 😋😋”
Pani puri chat Net +1

“Delicious food and meat cooked to perfection!!! I love this restaurant and the staff were very attentive. Recommended: Lamb chops, chicken biryani, Pani Puri chat, broccoli, Hari kebabs.”
Rasamalai Net +1

“Rasmali was great.”
Shahanshahi thaali Net +1

“I visited Amala restaurant to experience Shahanshahi thaali. It was amazing experience. Some excellent food options in thaali to name are, grill fish, chicken Tikka in starter, Rogan Josh, Madras prawn curry, daal tadka, daal makhni, raita, chicken biryani in main course and rasmalai, firni in dessert.”
Sheekh kabab Net +1

“Best Indian cuisine and best chicken and mutton biryani and sheekh kabab and delicious butter chicken in Dubai and I think the whole of UAE and their customer service and hospitality is impeccable.”
Tamarind chicken Net +1

“For starters, we had - Tamarind Chicken, Grilled Tiger Prawns, Lamb Chops, Methi Brocoli & Kachi Kairi Salad & everything was withspicesyummmmmmm 💯💯”
Tandoori jhinga Net +1

“We indulged in tandoori jhinga, lamb chops, gunpowder chicken and malai brocoli as starters which were above our expectations. 🦐🍖🧆”
Tasting menu Net +1

“I highly recommend the tasting menu — it gives you the chance to try a variety of their standout dishes in generous portions, and the value is excellent.”
Giant thali Net 0

Only neutral feedback

“Went for their masterpiece - Giant thali. You need to book this a day before & pay 50%, then you get to see this. Looks great as it is served. However, I felt that the non-veg thali had more veg dishes than non- veg. More than 50% of the dishes were vegetarian. This was the big minus. The food in general was OK. Desert servings for 4 persons was very less. There were 2 rasamalai for 4 persons. Anyways you can go there if you like the presentation more than the food. Don’t forget the advance booking.”
Non-veg thali Net 0

Only neutral feedback

“However, I felt that the non-veg thali had more veg dishes than non- veg. More than 50% of the dishes were vegetarian. This was the big minus. The food in general was OK.”

Drinks 1

Passion fruit drink with ginger Net +1

“Passion fruit drink with Ginger was complimenting the whole lunch of mine.”

What to Avoid (1)

Food 1

Lamb rogan josh Net −1

“We had a Daal, lamb rogan josh and garlic naan. We didn’t have started, however the restaurant did serve poppadom’s and a selection of chutneys before the food came out, as is customary in most Indian restaurants. In our opinion, we felt that the food was disappointing. The daal for us, tasted like it had too much masala, and the lamb did not taste as if it had been marinated for a substantial enough time.”

Tips for a Better Visit

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Book ahead. Reserve early, especially for the giant thali: one review says it requires booking a day ahead and a 50% payment.

Confirm booking. Recheck the reservation date with the restaurant, as one guest’s booking had been entered for a different date.

Plan the visit

Practical details

Right wing of the lobby, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

04 453 0444

Get directions

Common Concerns

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Booking confusion

One diner arrived to find the booking recorded for the wrong date, so confirm your reservation details before visiting.

Inconsistent flavour

A few reviews found the food mediocre, overly masala-heavy or lacking the authentic Indian taste they expected.

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The Bottom Line

Amala is an Indian restaurant at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on Palm Jumeirah, with a formal hotel setting, Indian-inspired interiors and outdoor seating. It suits a leisurely dinner or celebration more than a quick meal. The tasting menu is a useful starting point: a reviewer said it covers several standout dishes in generous portions, including butter chicken, naan, biryani and cheesecake.

There is plenty of choice beyond the set menus. Reviewers mention the slow-cooked Lamb Changezi Raan, Murgh Makhni, lamb biryani, dal makhani and Shahanshahi thaali. The thalis are presentation-led and can be substantial, although one non-vegetarian giant thali contained more vegetarian than meat dishes and only two rasmalai for four people.

The service is often warm and attentive, with staff explaining dishes, accommodating preferences and adding complimentary birthday or anniversary cakes. Dietary requirements can be carefully noted, but communication is not flawless: one guest was promised several onion-and-garlic-free options and received only two. Confirm special requests and your booking date in advance.

Allow time for dinner, as some guests experienced a longer wait between ordering and serving. Bread timing has also drawn criticism, so ask for it when needed. Reviews range from outstanding to disappointed, particularly on authenticity and value, making dish guidance worthwhile.