Pure vegetarian
A fully vegetarian kitchen suits diners avoiding non-vegetarian food, including families seeking a dedicated veg restaurant.
Bombay Basera
Al Raffa
Bombay Basera is a pure-vegetarian Indian restaurant in Al Raffa, with a broad menu spanning North and South Indian cooking. Reviews make the veg thali and street-food favourites such as pani puri stand out, while Jain food and takeaway add useful flexibility for families and travellers.
Reputation Score
4.4
★★★★☆
918 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Veg thali
The veg thali is repeatedly described as tasty and satisfying, making it a straightforward meal choice.
Jain options
Jain food is available alongside the regular vegetarian menu, which is useful for diners with specific dietary preferences.
Street food
Pani puri and papdi chaat receive particularly enthusiastic mentions, including a birthday visit made special with pani puri.
Reasonable value
Several diners describe the food as economical or reasonably priced, with decent portions and a broad choice.
Quick service
Some visits had quick service, including lunch with pav bhaji, sweet lassi and buttermilk.
Takeaway
Takeaway is available, giving nearby residents and hotel guests an alternative to dining in.
What to Eat at Bombay Basera 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 Bombay Basera, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. We still have more reviews to analyze, so the scores may change. 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.
These items at Bombay Basera got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 2
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Pav bhaji Net +4
“We went in for lunch and ordered pav bhaji and it was yum. Also we went in for Sweet Lassi and Buttermilk.”
Positive 4Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We went in for lunch and ordered pav bhaji and it was yum. Also we went in for Sweet Lassi and Buttermilk.”January 2026
“Great panipuri, pav bhaji, sweet corn vegitable soup, chilli toast, bhel puri... ambience is pleasant. Notify about your preference of spices.”November 2019
-
Pani puri Net +3
“I eat veg sizzler, tom yum soup and pani puri itwas very tasty.”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I eat veg sizzler, tom yum soup and pani puri itwas very tasty.”April 2026
“The pani puri and papdi chat was awesome. Raju bhai from lucknow made my moms birthday special 😊”October 2025
Honorable mentions (22)
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Bhav paji Net +1
“I loved the food here n specially bhav paji😋😋😋I wud recommend all to try their thali,pav bhaji n paratha's”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I loved the food here n specially bhav paji😋😋😋I wud recommend all to try their thali,pav bhaji n paratha's”June 2020
-
Bhel puri Net +1
“Great panipuri, pav bhaji, sweet corn vegitable soup, chilli toast, bhel puri... ambience is pleasant. Notify about your preference of spices.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Great panipuri, pav bhaji, sweet corn vegitable soup, chilli toast, bhel puri... ambience is pleasant. Notify about your preference of spices.”November 2019
-
Chilli toast Net +1
“Great panipuri, pav bhaji, sweet corn vegitable soup, chilli toast, bhel puri... ambience is pleasant. Notify about your preference of spices.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Great panipuri, pav bhaji, sweet corn vegitable soup, chilli toast, bhel puri... ambience is pleasant. Notify about your preference of spices.”November 2019
-
Garlic cheese naan Net +1
“The food is great and decently priced too. The staff is warm and welcoming. We had garlic cheese Naan with Paneer Makhani, paani puri, pasta, some mock tails and few other starters.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food is great and decently priced too. The staff is warm and welcoming. We had garlic cheese Naan with Paneer Makhani, paani puri, pasta, some mock tails and few other starters.”March 2025
-
Garlic naan Net +1
“We ordered paneer bhuna, paneer lasooni, garlic naan, stuffed kulcha, mint rice.All of them were well prepared, the one which was exceptional was Paneer lasooni. Food here didn't disappoint us at all.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered paneer bhuna, paneer lasooni, garlic naan, stuffed kulcha, mint rice.All of them were well prepared, the one which was exceptional was Paneer lasooni. Food here didn't disappoint us at all.”October 2020
-
Gulab jamum Net +1
“They also have amazing desserts like gulab jamum and ras malai..must try”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“They also have amazing desserts like gulab jamum and ras malai..must try”March 2020
-
Mint rice Net +1
“We ordered paneer bhuna, paneer lasooni, garlic naan, stuffed kulcha, mint rice.All of them were well prepared, the one which was exceptional was Paneer lasooni. Food here didn't disappoint us at all.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered paneer bhuna, paneer lasooni, garlic naan, stuffed kulcha, mint rice.All of them were well prepared, the one which was exceptional was Paneer lasooni. Food here didn't disappoint us at all.”October 2020
-
Paneer angara Net +1
“The Paneer Angara was rich and aromatic, the Veg Manchow Soup comforting with just the right spice, and the Veg Biryani wonderfully fragrant and satisfying.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Paneer Angara was rich and aromatic, the Veg Manchow Soup comforting with just the right spice, and the Veg Biryani wonderfully fragrant and satisfying.”December 2025
-
Paneer bhuna Net +1
“We ordered paneer bhuna, paneer lasooni, garlic naan, stuffed kulcha, mint rice.All of them were well prepared, the one which was exceptional was Paneer lasooni. Food here didn't disappoint us at all.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered paneer bhuna, paneer lasooni, garlic naan, stuffed kulcha, mint rice.All of them were well prepared, the one which was exceptional was Paneer lasooni. Food here didn't disappoint us at all.”October 2020
-
Paneer lababdar Net +1
“Excellent vegetarian Indian restaurant, The friendly staff recommended us excellent and tasty dishes. I loved the Paneer Lababdar and spicy vegs, I would come back to Dubai just for them 😅 Good service on table as well as for takeaway!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Excellent vegetarian Indian restaurant, The friendly staff recommended us excellent and tasty dishes. I loved the Paneer Lababdar and spicy vegs, I would come back to Dubai just for them 😅 Good service on table as well as for takeaway!”July 2022
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Paneer lasooni Net +1
“We ordered paneer bhuna, paneer lasooni, garlic naan, stuffed kulcha, mint rice.All of them were well prepared, the one which was exceptional was Paneer lasooni. Food here didn't disappoint us at all.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered paneer bhuna, paneer lasooni, garlic naan, stuffed kulcha, mint rice.All of them were well prepared, the one which was exceptional was Paneer lasooni. Food here didn't disappoint us at all.”October 2020
-
Paneer makhani Net +1
“The food is great and decently priced too. The staff is warm and welcoming. We had garlic cheese Naan with Paneer Makhani, paani puri, pasta, some mock tails and few other starters.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food is great and decently priced too. The staff is warm and welcoming. We had garlic cheese Naan with Paneer Makhani, paani puri, pasta, some mock tails and few other starters.”March 2025
-
Papdi chat Net +1
“The pani puri and papdi chat was awesome. Raju bhai from lucknow made my moms birthday special 😊”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The pani puri and papdi chat was awesome. Raju bhai from lucknow made my moms birthday special 😊”October 2025
-
Ras malai Net +1
“They also have amazing desserts like gulab jamum and ras malai..must try”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“They also have amazing desserts like gulab jamum and ras malai..must try”March 2020
-
Samosa Net +1
“Samosa was 🔥, tea was 🥱. Opposites don’t always attract.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Samosa was 🔥, tea was 🥱. Opposites don’t always attract.”July 2025
-
Sev puri Net +1
“They are famous for their sev puri and chaat”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“They are famous for their sev puri and chaat”March 2020
-
Stuffed kulcha Net +1
“We ordered paneer bhuna, paneer lasooni, garlic naan, stuffed kulcha, mint rice.All of them were well prepared, the one which was exceptional was Paneer lasooni. Food here didn't disappoint us at all.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered paneer bhuna, paneer lasooni, garlic naan, stuffed kulcha, mint rice.All of them were well prepared, the one which was exceptional was Paneer lasooni. Food here didn't disappoint us at all.”October 2020
-
Sweet corn vegitable soup Net +1
“Great panipuri, pav bhaji, sweet corn vegitable soup, chilli toast, bhel puri... ambience is pleasant. Notify about your preference of spices.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Great panipuri, pav bhaji, sweet corn vegitable soup, chilli toast, bhel puri... ambience is pleasant. Notify about your preference of spices.”November 2019
-
Tom yum soup Net +1
“I eat veg sizzler, tom yum soup and pani puri itwas very tasty.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I eat veg sizzler, tom yum soup and pani puri itwas very tasty.”April 2026
-
Veg biryani Net +1
“The Paneer Angara was rich and aromatic, the Veg Manchow Soup comforting with just the right spice, and the Veg Biryani wonderfully fragrant and satisfying.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Paneer Angara was rich and aromatic, the Veg Manchow Soup comforting with just the right spice, and the Veg Biryani wonderfully fragrant and satisfying.”December 2025
-
Veg manchow soup Net +1
“The Paneer Angara was rich and aromatic, the Veg Manchow Soup comforting with just the right spice, and the Veg Biryani wonderfully fragrant and satisfying.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Paneer Angara was rich and aromatic, the Veg Manchow Soup comforting with just the right spice, and the Veg Biryani wonderfully fragrant and satisfying.”December 2025
-
Veg sizzler Net +1
“I eat veg sizzler, tom yum soup and pani puri itwas very tasty.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I eat veg sizzler, tom yum soup and pani puri itwas very tasty.”April 2026
What to Avoid (8)
Food 7
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Analogue panner Net −1
“they dont serve authentic panner rather serve you analogue panner which is made of vegetables oils and other stuffs. Really bad and they are deceiving the customers.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“they dont serve authentic panner rather serve you analogue panner which is made of vegetables oils and other stuffs. Really bad and they are deceiving the customers.”July 2026
-
Buttermilk Net −1
“Food was good in taste and staff is friendly and the service was good. The buttermilk was salty and they immediately changed it. The ambience is good to visit with friends and family.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Food was good in taste and staff is friendly and the service was good. The buttermilk was salty and they immediately changed it. The ambience is good to visit with friends and family.”August 2021
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Cheese pav bhaji Net −1
“We ordered a spring dosa, cheese pav bhaji, and watermelon juice, but none of them quite hit the mark.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We ordered a spring dosa, cheese pav bhaji, and watermelon juice, but none of them quite hit the mark.”May 2026
-
Paneer tikka Net −1
“I ordered Paneer tikka, it felt like boiled paneer tikka, if u dont have good chef or dont know the receipe, stop selling those items....only sale south indian food coz you dont know what is north indian food and taste”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I ordered Paneer tikka, it felt like boiled paneer tikka, if u dont have good chef or dont know the receipe, stop selling those items....only sale south indian food coz you dont know what is north indian food and taste”January 2026
-
Pasta Net −1
“There were stones in pasta, first we ignored however again it's the same. So we informed the attendant. However, he started arguing with us that it is from Roti or Oregano, etc. We have just highlighted and were not expecting arguments from both staff.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“There were stones in pasta, first we ignored however again it's the same. So we informed the attendant. However, he started arguing with us that it is from Roti or Oregano, etc. We have just highlighted and were not expecting arguments from both staff.”May 2025
-
Sizzler Net −1
“Finger licking food. Everything right from Punjabi to South Indian to Chinese to Italian to Pav Bhaji, each and everything was lip smacking EXCEPT the sizzler, it was okayish. But other things compensated for it.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Finger licking food. Everything right from Punjabi to South Indian to Chinese to Italian to Pav Bhaji, each and everything was lip smacking EXCEPT the sizzler, it was okayish. But other things compensated for it.”February 2025
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Spring dosa Net −1
“We ordered a spring dosa, cheese pav bhaji, and watermelon juice, but none of them quite hit the mark.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We ordered a spring dosa, cheese pav bhaji, and watermelon juice, but none of them quite hit the mark.”May 2026
Drinks 1
-
Watermelon juice Net −1
“We ordered a spring dosa, cheese pav bhaji, and watermelon juice, but none of them quite hit the mark.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We ordered a spring dosa, cheese pav bhaji, and watermelon juice, but none of them quite hit the mark.”May 2026
Tips for a Better Visit
Ask about spice. Tell the staff your spice preference when ordering; one review specifically advises diners to do this.
Plan time. Allow extra time if you are ordering a thali or visiting at a busy period, since one review described service as slow.
Try street food. For a first order, consider the pani puri or papdi chaat, which received a particularly strong mention.
Check thali details. If ordering the unlimited thali, ask what is included: one review says the sweet is limited and buttermilk is not provided.
Use parking. Parking was reported as easily available, which may make a dine-in visit simpler if you are driving.
Ask directions. The exact spot can be difficult to find, so ask locally or call the restaurant before setting out.
Plan the visit
Practical details
39 Al Rolla Rd
Al Raffa, Dubai
| Mon | 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Tue | 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Wed | 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Thu | 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Fri | 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Sat | 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Sun | 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
Common Concerns
Paneer concern
One reviewer alleged that some paneer dishes used an analogue product rather than authentic paneer; other reviews praise paneer dishes, so experiences differ.
Slow service
A number of reviews mention slow service, including one that specifically flagged the thali service as slow.
Staff behaviour
Some diners reported rude or argumentative interactions, including a complaint about the counter ordering experience.
Cleanliness concern
One diner found a cockroach on a sofa and felt the waiter's response was too casual.
Food complaint
A diner reported finding stones in pasta and said staff argued about where they came from.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Bombay Basera is a pure-vegetarian Indian restaurant in Al Raffa with enough range for different kinds of diners. You can come for a veg thali, North Indian dishes, South Indian food, or familiar street-food plates such as pani puri and pav bhaji. Jain food is also available, and takeaway makes it practical for nearby residents and hotel guests.
The strongest pattern in the reviews is value: diners describe the food as economical, portions as decent, and the menu as broad without making the meal feel expensive. Paneer lasooni, stuffed kulcha, garlic naan, and chaat all receive positive mentions, while the thali is a recurring favourite. The setting has been described as cosy, family-friendly and not too crowded on at least one visit, with parking reported as easily available.
Service is less consistent than the food. Some guests experienced quick, polite attention, but others reported slow service or rude and argumentative staff. There is also a cleanliness complaint involving a cockroach on a sofa, plus a report of stones in pasta.
Paneer feedback is mixed too, so ask about the preparation if that is the main reason you are visiting. For thali, confirm what is included, since one review says the sweet is limited and buttermilk is not provided.