North Indian
Reviews highlight authentic North Indian cooking, including butter chicken, naan, tandoori chicken and mutton rogan josh.
KOSTURI MASALA RESTAURANT
Al Nahda
Kosturi Masala Restaurant in Al Nahda focuses on Indian comfort food, with reviews highlighting North Indian dishes, biryani and kebabs. It also draws families and groups for its iftar buffet, while breakfast and street-food favourites such as pani puri give you reasons to visit beyond dinner.
Reputation Score
4.7
★★★★★
189 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Iftar Buffet
The iftar buffet received strong praise for its flavour and value, with chicken kebab masala and butter naan singled out.
Biryani
Both biryani varieties were praised, and one delivery review said the biriyani arrived hot and tasted as good at home.
Family Dining
Reviews describe the restaurant as family-friendly and suitable for groups, including a successfully hosted gathering of around 30–40 people.
Vegetarian Options
Vegetarian diners found the buffet selection worthwhile, especially the fresh, tasty paneer.
Street Food
Pani puri and sev puri stand out in the reviews, with one customer calling them the best they had eaten in Dubai.
Clean Setting
Several reviews mention a pleasant ambience, while one specifically describes the restaurant as clean and quiet.
What to Eat at KOSTURI MASALA 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 KOSTURI MASALA 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.
These items at KOSTURI MASALA RESTAURANT got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 7
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Biryani Net +3
“Less options . biryani was good but mostly food is cold.”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Less options . biryani was good but mostly food is cold.”March 2026
“Both variety of Biriyani we tried were so good.”January 2026
-
Iftar buffet Net +3
“Iftar buffet was amazing.”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Iftar buffet was amazing.”March 2026
“Everything on their iftar buffet were amazing. New restaurant. AED 39 per person is quite surprising for the taste which most restaurants fail. Truly amazing food. Must try”February 2026
-
Butter chicken Net +2
“All food was good, we tried bbq, butter chicken, mutton Roghan josh and biryani”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“All food was good, we tried bbq, butter chicken, mutton Roghan josh and biryani”January 2026
“We ordered butter naan, butter chicken, paneer, and tandoori chicken starters; everything was fresh, well-cooked, and perfectly spiced. The butter chicken was rich and creamy, and the tandoori chicken was juicy and flavorful.”January 2026
-
Butter garlic naan Net +2
“We ordered Mutton Galoti, Chicken Mughlai , Butter Garlic Naan. Chicken Mughlai was very delicious and Butter Garlic naan was very soft and tasty.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered Mutton Galoti, Chicken Mughlai , Butter Garlic Naan. Chicken Mughlai was very delicious and Butter Garlic naan was very soft and tasty.”January 2026
“The Garlic Butter Naan was soft, fluffy, and packed with flavor. It paired perfectly with the rest of the dishes, and the garlic flavor was just the right amount of strong without being overwhelming.”January 2026
-
Chicken tikka Net +2
“And of course, the Chicken Tikka was everything you’d want — smoky, tender, and bursting with flavor. It had the perfect balance of spices that weren’t too heavy, yet still packed a punch with every bite.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“And of course, the Chicken Tikka was everything you’d want — smoky, tender, and bursting with flavor. It had the perfect balance of spices that weren’t too heavy, yet still packed a punch with every bite.”January 2026
“We had chicken tikka which was very juicy and delicious and mutton rogan josh which was finger licking good.”February 2026
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Mutton rogan josh Net +2
“We had chicken tikka which was very juicy and delicious and mutton rogan josh which was finger licking good.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had chicken tikka which was very juicy and delicious and mutton rogan josh which was finger licking good.”February 2026
“All food was good, we tried bbq, butter chicken, mutton Roghan josh and biryani”January 2026
-
Panner Net +2
“As being veg, items for buffet was wonderful, panner tasty and fresh. Staff very friendly ………”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“As being veg, items for buffet was wonderful, panner tasty and fresh. Staff very friendly ………”March 2026
“We ordered butter naan, butter chicken, paneer, and tandoori chicken starters; everything was fresh, well-cooked, and perfectly spiced.”January 2026
Honorable mentions (11)
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Butter naan Net +1
“We ordered butter naan, butter chicken, paneer, and tandoori chicken starters; everything was fresh, well-cooked, and perfectly spiced.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered butter naan, butter chicken, paneer, and tandoori chicken starters; everything was fresh, well-cooked, and perfectly spiced.”January 2026
-
Butter nan Net +1
“The staff was very attentive, iftar menu was lip smacking indian street food and chicken kabab masala with butter nan is a must try in main course menu , all other dishes in the buffet were amazing as well.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The staff was very attentive, iftar menu was lip smacking indian street food and chicken kabab masala with butter nan is a must try in main course menu , all other dishes in the buffet were amazing as well.”February 2026
-
Chicken kabab masala Net +1
“The staff was very attentive, iftar menu was lip smacking indian street food and chicken kabab masala with butter nan is a must try in main course menu , all other dishes in the buffet were amazing as well.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The staff was very attentive, iftar menu was lip smacking indian street food and chicken kabab masala with butter nan is a must try in main course menu , all other dishes in the buffet were amazing as well.”February 2026
-
Chicken mughlai Net +1
“We ordered Mutton Galoti, Chicken Mughlai , Butter Garlic Naan. Chicken Mughlai was very delicious and Butter Garlic naan was very soft and tasty.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered Mutton Galoti, Chicken Mughlai , Butter Garlic Naan. Chicken Mughlai was very delicious and Butter Garlic naan was very soft and tasty.”January 2026
-
Hariyali chicken kebab Net +1
“The Hariyali Chicken Kebab was hands down one of the best I’ve had. The marination was spot on, with fresh herbs and spices that gave it a zesty, refreshing kick. The chicken was tender and juicy — it was grilled to perfection.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Hariyali Chicken Kebab was hands down one of the best I’ve had. The marination was spot on, with fresh herbs and spices that gave it a zesty, refreshing kick. The chicken was tender and juicy — it was grilled to perfection.”January 2026
-
Malai broccoli Net +1
“The Malai Broccoli was a surprising delight! I’m not usually a fan of broccoli, but the creamy malai coating with subtle spices elevated the dish to a whole new level. If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, this is a must-try.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Malai Broccoli was a surprising delight! I’m not usually a fan of broccoli, but the creamy malai coating with subtle spices elevated the dish to a whole new level. If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, this is a must-try.”January 2026
-
Panipuri Net +1
“Best panipuri and sev Puri I've eaten in Dubai.”
Positive 1Negative 0Neutral 1
Review excerpts
“Best panipuri and sev Puri I've eaten in Dubai.”March 2026
-
Sev puri Net +1
“Best panipuri and sev Puri I've eaten in Dubai.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Best panipuri and sev Puri I've eaten in Dubai.”March 2026
-
Shawarma Net +1
“Sawarma is also good. Recommended, tasty and reasonable, good for family and groups.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Sawarma is also good. Recommended, tasty and reasonable, good for family and groups.”June 2026
-
Tandoori chicken Net +1
“Their tandoori chicken is finger licking good too.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their tandoori chicken is finger licking good too.”January 2026
-
Tandoori chicken starters Net +1
“We ordered butter naan, butter chicken, paneer, and tandoori chicken starters; everything was fresh, well-cooked, and perfectly spiced. The butter chicken was rich and creamy, and the tandoori chicken was juicy and flavorful.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered butter naan, butter chicken, paneer, and tandoori chicken starters; everything was fresh, well-cooked, and perfectly spiced. The butter chicken was rich and creamy, and the tandoori chicken was juicy and flavorful.”January 2026
Drinks 1
-
Karak chai Net +1
“Their karak Chai after iftar was very refreshing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their karak Chai after iftar was very refreshing.”February 2026
What to Avoid (2)
Food 1
-
Hakka noodles Net −1
“Kids food option not there no nuggest no french fries Only hakka noodles but that was spicy for kids.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Kids food option not there no nuggest no french fries Only hakka noodles but that was spicy for kids.”March 2026
Drinks 1
-
Tetra milk tea Net −1
“Even after saying two three times that we want fresh milk and shawarma. They served tetra milk tea with raw ginger. We complained to staff and they were clueless. We wasted our tea.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Even after saying two three times that we want fresh milk and shawarma. They served tetra milk tea with raw ginger. We complained to staff and they were clueless. We wasted our tea.”July 2026
Tips for a Better Visit
Try Kebab. On the iftar menu, consider the chicken kebab masala with butter naan; one review specifically singled it out.
Check Buffet. Ask about buffet replenishment at iftar, as one visit found chicken tikka and kebab trays empty and much of the food cold.
Plan For Kids. If dining with children, check options first: a reviewer found no nuggets or fries and only spicy hakka noodles.
Tea Clarification. When ordering tea, confirm the milk preference clearly before it is prepared, especially if fresh milk matters to you.
Vegetarian Buffet. Vegetarian diners can look to the buffet, where a reviewer found the paneer fresh and tasty.
Group Booking. For a large gathering, contact the restaurant ahead: one group of around 30–40 people reported that timing and presentation were well managed.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Ahli House - Shop #6 - Street No. 6
Al Nahda First - Al Nahda, Dubai
| Mon | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Tue | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Wed | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Thu | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Fri | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Sat | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Sun | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
Common Concerns
Buffet Gaps
One iftar visit found much of the food cold, with chicken tikka and kebab trays often empty.
Limited Choice
A review described the iftar buffet as small with fewer options, including no suitable mild kids’ dishes.
Tea Complaint
One repeat customer said tetra-milk tea was served instead of requested fresh milk tea and had raw ginger.
Rogan Josh Value
One delivery customer considered the mutton rogan josh overpriced for its portion and reported an incorrect roti order.
Service Delays
An early visit found service slow, although the reviewer hoped it would improve with time.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Kosturi Masala Restaurant in Al Nahda is an Indian dining spot that suits family meals, casual dinners and group occasions. The menu most clearly appeals to fans of North Indian food: reviews mention butter chicken, butter garlic naan, tandoori chicken, biryani and mutton rogan josh. Street-food lovers also have a reason to stop by, with pani puri and sev puri receiving unusually specific praise.
The iftar buffet was a major draw during Ramadan. Customers praised its taste and value, including a reported AED 39 per-person price, and one review recommended the chicken kebab masala with butter naan from the main course. Vegetarian diners found the buffet’s paneer fresh and tasty.
The restaurant has also handled a gathering of around 30–40 people, so it can work for larger family or staff occasions. There are a few things to check before ordering. One iftar visit found much of the food cold and chicken tikka and kebab trays empty, while another found the buffet limited and unsuitable for children wanting nuggets or fries.
A separate customer complained about tetra-milk tea being served instead of fresh milk tea, and one delivery review considered the rogan josh overpriced for its quantity. Service is often described as quick and friendly, but an early visit reported delays.
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