Ooh Mangalore Buns! Those delightfully sweet, fluffy pillows of banana-infused dough that transport you straight to the coastal kitchens of Karnataka. Or even better, your dear grandma’s kitchen. And if you’ve never really tried Mangalore bun, let me tell you what it is. It’s essentially what would happen if donuts and banana bread had a deep-fried baby. And Dubai? While it isn’t brimming with places that serve them, it sure has a mighty fine handful that do them so well that you might wanna ditch all other carbs and pledge eternal loyalty to these golden, puffy delights. Seriously, once you’ve tasted a proper Mangalore bun – warm, slightly sweet, and just the right amount of chewy – you’ll find yourself thinking about them at 3AM like an old crush. On that note, here’s a round-up of Dubai’s best Mangalore bun spots – from charming neighbourhood joints to underrated legends.
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Venus Restaurant
It would be a crime to not kickstart this list with the OG Mangalorean vegetarian restaurant in Dubai which serves, indeed, the best Mangalorean buns in town! The Mangalore buns at Venus are SO pillowy, they should come with a nap warning. Fluffy, golden, and ever-so-slightly sweet, these are the kind of buns that make even the most cynical food snob perk up and stare into the middle distance with joy. And the best part? Once you’ve demolished your buns (and you will), sip on their rose milk – it’s like a floral hug in a glass and leaves you feeling smugly nourished. At just AED 9.75 a pop, gorging on a Mangalore Bun is the ultimate way to feel like royalty on a weekday evening.
Location: Shop 4, Ground Floor, Al Sharooq Building, Opposite Karama Park, Al Karama, Dubai
Hari Prasad Pure Vegetarian Restaurant
Tucked away like a culinary secret waiting to be discovered, Hari Prasad is one of those spots that quietly knocks it out of the park. Their Mangalore buns? Absolute gold. Slightly sweet, marvellously chewy on the inside, and so beautifully browned on the outside, they could win beauty contests. And don’t even get me started on the taste – easily one of the best that you can get your hand on out here in Dubai! Honestly, if I had a dirham for every time I thought of these beauties, I’d own a yacht by now. You get two buns for AED 13, which, given the size and quality, is practically a gift. Add in their no-frills, homely vibe, and you’ve got a place that feels like a warm hug and a carb coma rolled into one.
Location: Ground Floor, Building 2, Zone 3, Discovery Gardens, Dubai
Kudla Restaurant
If Venus is the sweet old aunt of the bun world, Kudla is the cool coastal cousin who knows all the family secrets. Specialising in Mangalorean coastal fare, this place has buns, priced at AED 13, that are absolutely majestic. They run a cheeky little deal called “Bun-Tastic Thursdays” with 30% off the Mangalore buns. It’s all very “blink and you’ll miss it,” so plan accordingly.
Location: Al Nasr Building, Oud Metha Road, Dubai
Also read: Dubai Foodies, Don’t Miss These Delicious AED 10 (or Less!) Budget Eats!
Swadist Pure Veg Restaurant
This charming eatery (there, I said it) is easy to miss but impossible to forget. The Mangalore buns here have that irresistible just-barely-sweet thing going on – like banana bread that went to finishing school. Pair it with their spicy chutney, and boom, your taste buds are throwing a party. They come in at AED 10 for two (such a steal, yeah?), which is basically a ten-dirham ticket to joy. The place leans old-school, but in a way that feels reassuring, like dial-up internet that actually worked.
Location: Ground Floor, Al Amri Building, Al Karama, Dubai
MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Rooms)
You know how every family holiday has that one cousin who’s quietly brilliant? That’s MTR. A legacy spot from Bangalore, they’ve mastered the art of simple, honest food, and their Mangalore buns are no exception. Slightly crisp on the outside, spongey on the inside, and just sweet enough to make you smile widely. AED 12 gets you a solid portion, and the atmosphere is the kind that makes you want to slow down, talk to people, and maybe write a love letter to coconut oil.
Location: Bank Street Building, Al Tawhidi Building, Mankhool, Dubai
Now that your list is sorted, embark on a flavorful journey and discover your favorite Mangalore bun destination in the city!
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