Vegetarian Choice
A fully vegetarian menu includes South Indian favourites alongside North Indian and Chinese options.
Ananda Bhavan Restaurant
Jumeirah Lake Towers
Ananda Bhavan is a pure vegetarian Indian restaurant in Jumeirah Lake Towers, with South Indian, North Indian and Chinese dishes across breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. Reviews make breakfast a strong draw, especially for Pongal, idli and filter coffee.
Reputation Score
3.5
★★★★☆
270 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Pongal Favourite
One reviewer rated the Pongal highly and described the idli as tasting like it was made at home.
Filter Coffee
Filter coffee is a recurring highlight, including one review that praised its sugar and coffee balance.
Good Value
Several customers describe the food as economical or pocket-friendly, including a reviewer comparing it favourably with nearby Indian restaurants.
Jain Food
Jain food is available, which gives diners with specific vegetarian preferences an additional option.
RTA Parking
One reviewer says RTA parking is available in the cluster, useful when visiting the small JLT restaurant.
Homely Setting
The small, unfussy restaurant has been described as homely, with outdoor seating and staff willing to suggest dishes.
What to Eat at Ananda Bhavan Restaurant How we choose these items We use AI to find praise and criticism of specific foods and drinks in a selection of Google reviews. For Ananda Bhavan Restaurant, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. The score is positive reviews minus negative reviews. For example, two positive reviews and one negative review give +1. Each review counts once per item; neutral comments do not change the score. A zero score is not a positive recommendation. “Only neutral feedback” means there are no positive or negative votes. “Mixed feedback” means equal numbers of positive and negative votes. The quotes are examples of what people said, not every comment we counted. We use different reviews where we can. We normally show up to 10 foods and 5 drinks with non-negative scores. Items with the same score stay together. If a tied group would go past the limit, that group and the lower non-negative scores go into Honorable mentions. If an overflowing positive top tie would leave the list empty, we show up to 10 items from that tie and keep the rest in Honorable mentions. Foods and drinks with a negative score are under What to Avoid. Use this as a guide to what reviewers liked, not a guarantee that you will like it too.
Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of Ananda Bhavan Restaurant, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 3
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Dosas Net +5
“Serving a mix of North Indian, South Indian, and Chinese cuisine has proven to be no obstacle for Ananda Bhavan, which has maintained its standard of serving high quality dosas. Each dosa in the menu has its own delectable flavour, and coupled with sambar and chutney, the meals are irresistible”
Positive 6Negative 1
Review excerpts
“Serving a mix of North Indian, South Indian, and Chinese cuisine has proven to be no obstacle for Ananda Bhavan, which has maintained its standard of serving high quality dosas. Each dosa in the menu has its own delectable flavour, and coupled with sambar and chutney, the meals are irresistible”August 2021
“Dosa was ok. Idli and vada was good.”December 2020
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Idli Net +2
“One must try atleast one time for dosa / idly / curd rice and tamarind rice .”
Positive 3Negative 1
Review excerpts
“One must try atleast one time for dosa / idly / curd rice and tamarind rice .”July 2021
“Let me come to other dishes.. idli love it before a Pongal and wow idli as mom's make.”March 2022
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Pongal Net +2
“Been to many restaurants that can serve me the best Pongal in Dubai. I'm saying all big names and all small ones. Didn't leave one option left in search of my Pongal. I found it here. Just conveyed the same today to the owner and staff today eating the last Pongal of the day and there comes a customer in asking for Pongal and all eyes turn to me. I said make your Pongal service 24 hrs a day.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Been to many restaurants that can serve me the best Pongal in Dubai. I'm saying all big names and all small ones. Didn't leave one option left in search of my Pongal. I found it here. Just conveyed the same today to the owner and staff today eating the last Pongal of the day and there comes a customer in asking for Pongal and all eyes turn to me. I said make your Pongal service 24 hrs a day.”March 2022
“Pongal, Sambar with 3 different chutneys and hot coffee is the best.”May 2021
Honorable mentions (18)
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Vada Net +1
“Other than that idly and vada is a must try breakfast.”
Positive 2Negative 1
Review excerpts
“Other than that idly and vada is a must try breakfast.”May 2021
“Not the best for breakfast.. white chutney tasted like water.. as if they added water to increase the quantity.. only saving grace was Vada.. rest is not something you would expect from a restaurant.. I make better dosa and idli at home…”April 2022
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Chili idli Net +1
“My Favorite was the chili idli.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My Favorite was the chili idli.”November 2021
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Curd rice Net +1
“One must try atleast one time for dosa / idly / curd rice and tamarind rice .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“One must try atleast one time for dosa / idly / curd rice and tamarind rice .”July 2021
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Dosa combo Net +1
“Dosa combo was the best. Their delivery is also pretty fast and price is reasonable.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Dosa combo was the best. Their delivery is also pretty fast and price is reasonable.”September 2021
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Gobi 65 Net +1
“If you wish to devour on some spicy Gobi 65 or good looking Dosa's without hurting your pocket, Ananda Bhavan is the place to try!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“If you wish to devour on some spicy Gobi 65 or good looking Dosa's without hurting your pocket, Ananda Bhavan is the place to try!”September 2021
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Malabari paratha Net +1
“Recommended dosa and malabari paratha here.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Recommended dosa and malabari paratha here.”August 2021
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Mashroom soup Net +1
“This restaurant serves the best and affordable food. I just loved gobi and paneer manchurian and don’t forget to try mashroom soup here.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“This restaurant serves the best and affordable food. I just loved gobi and paneer manchurian and don’t forget to try mashroom soup here.”September 2021
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Mysore dosa Net +1
“Visited Ananda Bhavan today for breakfast and after longgggg had really tasty breakfast, the Mysore dosa is on my favorite list now 😍😍😍😍 you got a daily customer from today..........”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Visited Ananda Bhavan today for breakfast and after longgggg had really tasty breakfast, the Mysore dosa is on my favorite list now 😍😍😍😍 you got a daily customer from today..........”September 2022
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North indian thali Net +1
“Good food, spl for pure veggies. I ordered north indian thali, but it did not have any connection with north, rather i felt it to be south indian. However food was good to eat and enough to kill the tummy rats.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Good food, spl for pure veggies. I ordered north indian thali, but it did not have any connection with north, rather i felt it to be south indian. However food was good to eat and enough to kill the tummy rats.”April 2019
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Paneer manchurian Net +1
“This restaurant serves the best and affordable food. I just loved gobi and paneer manchurian and don’t forget to try mashroom soup here.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“This restaurant serves the best and affordable food. I just loved gobi and paneer manchurian and don’t forget to try mashroom soup here.”September 2021
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Payasam Net +1
“Payasam at its best.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Payasam at its best.”March 2022
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Pudina chutney Net +1
“Chutney.. I'm not a fan of pudina chutney as I'm for coconut chutney and I'm telling you try the pudina chutney as well. Right spices right salt and stuff.. wow.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Chutney.. I'm not a fan of pudina chutney as I'm for coconut chutney and I'm telling you try the pudina chutney as well. Right spices right salt and stuff.. wow.”March 2022
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Rasam Net +1
“For those looking at lunch option try their special meals.. I love the rasam when it drips down my lips.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For those looking at lunch option try their special meals.. I love the rasam when it drips down my lips.”March 2022
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Roti Net +1
“It is a bit costlier but who prefer roti, must visit here. You could have tawaa roti here.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It is a bit costlier but who prefer roti, must visit here. You could have tawaa roti here.”March 2021
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Saambhar Net +1
“The chutney & Saambhar served together complimented the meals beautifully.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The chutney & Saambhar served together complimented the meals beautifully.”November 2021
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Tamarind rice Net +1
“One must try atleast one time for dosa / idly / curd rice and tamarind rice .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“One must try atleast one time for dosa / idly / curd rice and tamarind rice .”July 2021
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Tawaa roti Net +1
“It is a bit costlier but who prefer roti, must visit here. You could have tawaa roti here.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It is a bit costlier but who prefer roti, must visit here. You could have tawaa roti here.”March 2021
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Lemon rice Net 0
Mixed feedback
“For a change, it is a good place. 100% Vegetarian dishes. Lemon rice os my favorite.”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“For a change, it is a good place. 100% Vegetarian dishes. Lemon rice os my favorite.”September 2022
Drinks 4
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Filter coffee Net +6
“The food is good and the filter coffee is excellent. The pricing is moderate and Service is good.”
Positive 6Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food is good and the filter coffee is excellent. The pricing is moderate and Service is good.”December 2017
“But Place is small and Try their Filter coffee too good.”May 2017
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Hot coffee Net +1
“Pongal, Sambar with 3 different chutneys and hot coffee is the best.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Pongal, Sambar with 3 different chutneys and hot coffee is the best.”May 2021
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Masala tea Net +1
“My fave was the Tamarind rice and masala tea. Recommended and definitely will come back.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My fave was the Tamarind rice and masala tea. Recommended and definitely will come back.”December 2021
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Sweet lemon lassi Net +1
“Ending with sweet lemon lassi & rich filter coffee were an ideal end to the meal.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Ending with sweet lemon lassi & rich filter coffee were an ideal end to the meal.”November 2021
What to Avoid (9)
Food 9
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Masala dosa Net −1
“Wish I could give 0 stars... Ordered for a simple masala dosa-sambhar was dal only boiled, coconut chutney made out of dessicated coconut and the red chutney had no taste and too much turmeric. Horrible experience! Also, looks so unhygienic when we went to pay the bill inside.”
Positive 1Negative 2
Critical review excerpts
“Wish I could give 0 stars... Ordered for a simple masala dosa-sambhar was dal only boiled, coconut chutney made out of dessicated coconut and the red chutney had no taste and too much turmeric. Horrible experience! Also, looks so unhygienic when we went to pay the bill inside.”November 2023
“22/10/ Sunday morning went for breakfast. Ordered masala dosa . No salt in the chutneys , masala and dosa also very bad taste. Try to talk to chef not available and asked for manager not available .very bad taste .”October 2023
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Aalo paratha Net −1
“No star for this place 😪 waiters or cashier I don't know taking order very polite like he's don't know what happened and what he's mind goin on last time I am visit to order panner paratha he's give me after 20 minutes burnt paratha unfortunately today also I am going to eat aalo paratha 25 minutes and paratha was very hard nad inside stuffed empty 😢....waiter think all about last day what happen I think that's why he's doing that all.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“No star for this place 😪 waiters or cashier I don't know taking order very polite like he's don't know what happened and what he's mind goin on last time I am visit to order panner paratha he's give me after 20 minutes burnt paratha unfortunately today also I am going to eat aalo paratha 25 minutes and paratha was very hard nad inside stuffed empty 😢....waiter think all about last day what happen I think that's why he's doing that all.”May 2023
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Bhindi masala Net −1
“I placed an order bhindi masala, mixed veg, gobi pepper dry as starter, and curd rice. Gobi was not dry, it was mixed with water. Bhindi and mixed veg were full of oil (oil was leaking all over the parcel) and the bhindi was 100 years old, I couldn't chew it due to its hardness.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I placed an order bhindi masala, mixed veg, gobi pepper dry as starter, and curd rice. Gobi was not dry, it was mixed with water. Bhindi and mixed veg were full of oil (oil was leaking all over the parcel) and the bhindi was 100 years old, I couldn't chew it due to its hardness.”July 2023
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Dosa Net −1
“Not the best for breakfast.. white chutney tasted like water.. as if they added water to increase the quantity.. only saving grace was Vada.. rest is not something you would expect from a restaurant.. I make better dosa and idli at home…”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Not the best for breakfast.. white chutney tasted like water.. as if they added water to increase the quantity.. only saving grace was Vada.. rest is not something you would expect from a restaurant.. I make better dosa and idli at home…”April 2022
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Gobi pepper dry Net −1
“I placed an order bhindi masala, mixed veg, gobi pepper dry as starter, and curd rice. Gobi was not dry, it was mixed with water.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I placed an order bhindi masala, mixed veg, gobi pepper dry as starter, and curd rice. Gobi was not dry, it was mixed with water.”July 2023
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Mixed veg Net −1
“I placed an order bhindi masala, mixed veg, gobi pepper dry as starter, and curd rice. Gobi was not dry, it was mixed with water. Bhindi and mixed veg were full of oil (oil was leaking all over the parcel) and the bhindi was 100 years old, I couldn't chew it due to its hardness.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I placed an order bhindi masala, mixed veg, gobi pepper dry as starter, and curd rice. Gobi was not dry, it was mixed with water. Bhindi and mixed veg were full of oil (oil was leaking all over the parcel) and the bhindi was 100 years old, I couldn't chew it due to its hardness.”July 2023
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Panner paratha Net −1
“No star for this place 😪 waiters or cashier I don't know taking order very polite like he's don't know what happened and what he's mind goin on last time I am visit to order panner paratha he's give me after 20 minutes burnt paratha unfortunately today also I am going to eat aalo paratha 25 minutes and paratha was very hard nad inside stuffed empty 😢....waiter think all about last day what happen I think that's why he's doing that all.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“No star for this place 😪 waiters or cashier I don't know taking order very polite like he's don't know what happened and what he's mind goin on last time I am visit to order panner paratha he's give me after 20 minutes burnt paratha unfortunately today also I am going to eat aalo paratha 25 minutes and paratha was very hard nad inside stuffed empty 😢....waiter think all about last day what happen I think that's why he's doing that all.”May 2023
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Plain dry dosa Net −1
“I ordered ghee roast and they delivered plain dry dosa. Worst dosa i have ever tasted. I felt like having 10 days old dosa. Its was that dry.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I ordered ghee roast and they delivered plain dry dosa. Worst dosa i have ever tasted. I felt like having 10 days old dosa. Its was that dry.”March 2023
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Podi fried idli Net −1
“Had lemon rice and podi fried idli. Lemon rice were okay, the lentils were semi raw which kind of gave a jaw pain. The idli was served cold.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Had lemon rice and podi fried idli. Lemon rice were okay, the lentils were semi raw which kind of gave a jaw pain. The idli was served cold.”December 2017
Tips for a Better Visit
Try Pongal. If you like South Indian breakfast, consider ordering Pongal; one regular called it the restaurant's standout dish.
Order Coffee. Finish breakfast with filter coffee, which multiple reviewers specifically recommend and one called excellent.
Prefer Takeaway. For a quicker, lower-risk visit, consider takeaway: one customer recommended takeaway over eating in.
Check Delivery. If ordering online, confirm the status early; reviews report long delays, missing dishes and cancelled orders.
Use Parking. Drivers can look for RTA parking in the JLT cluster, which a reviewer found available near the restaurant.
Choose South Indian. South Indian dishes are the safer starting point; one reviewer specifically found the Chinese food less successful.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Opp to JLT Metro Station, Lake Terrace Tower - PL-11 - Cluster D
Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Common Concerns
Unreliable Delivery
Delivery complaints include orders taking 90 minutes, arriving incomplete, being cancelled, or never arriving.
Inconsistent Food
Food quality varies sharply: reviews mention cold dosa, watery chutney, over-oiled vegetables and hard bhindi.
Cleanliness Concerns
Some diners reported flies, mosquitoes, leaking roofs and an unhygienic impression inside the restaurant.
Small Seating
The restaurant is repeatedly described as small, and one customer suggested increasing its seating capacity.
Slow Service
Dine-in service can be slow; one customer waited more than 15 minutes just for ready-made food and hot sambar.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
25 aed
masala dosa, coffee and single idli vada
“had a masala dosa, coffee and single idli vada which cost 25 aed”Google review · December 2020
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Ananda Bhavan is a small pure vegetarian restaurant in Jumeirah Lake Towers, serving South Indian, North Indian and Chinese food. Breakfast is the clearest reason to consider it: reviewers mention Pongal, idli, vada, dosa and filter coffee, with one regular comparing the idli to home cooking and calling the Pongal exceptional. Mysore dosa, lemon rice and tamarind rice also receive positive mentions.
Prices are repeatedly described as economical, and Jain food is available. A reviewer reported paying 25 AED for a masala dosa, coffee and a single idli vada, though that older visit is not a current price list. RTA parking is reported in the cluster, while the compact setting has some outside seating and a homely, no-fuss feel.
The experience is uneven. Some customers praise the taste, friendly service and value, but others report cold or dry dosas, watery chutney, oily vegetables and hard bhindi. Cleanliness concerns include flies, mosquitoes and leaking roofs.
Delivery is the biggest practical caution: reviews describe waits of up to 90 minutes, missing items, cancellations and difficulty getting updates. For a first visit, South Indian breakfast or takeaway looks less complicated than relying on delivery, and filter coffee is a sensible finish.