Diwali is almost here, and we couldn’t be more excited! This year, the Festival of Lights begins on Friday, 6 November, and wraps up on Tuesday, 10 November, with Diwali itself landing on Sunday, 8 November. That’s five days of glowing diyas, delicious food, lively parties and so much more! For anyone who needs a quick refresher, Diwali celebrates the Goddess Lakshmi and the triumph of light over darkness, and it’s one of the biggest and most loved festivals in India. Millions of people around the world celebrate with their families, and the UAE is no exception! So come along with me, and I’ll show you the most delicious ways to celebrate in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
1. Mausam
Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain views, a feast that stretches all day, and no need to pick between veg and non-veg. Mausam’s “Flavors of India” menu takes you on a tasty tour of the country, from Purple Potato Chaat and Bikaneri Paneer Tikka to a rich Zafrani Murgh Korma. Gather the family and come hungry.
- Date and Time: 8 November | Throughout the day
- Offer: Diwali Set Menu (“Flavors of India”)
- Price: AED 189 per person
- Location: Mausam, Dubai Mall
- Reservation: Call +971 4 438 4001 or visit their website
2. Palm Kitchen
A one-night-only Diwali buffet on the Palm, and it’s family-friendly, with a lower price for kids aged 6 to 11. It’s a good pick if you want one big, relaxed celebration dinner on Diwali itself.
- Date and Time: 8 November | 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
- Offer: Diwali buffet
- Price: AED 235 per adult; AED 120 per child (aged 6–11)
- Location: Palm Kitchen, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Palm Jumeirah
- Reservation: Call 04 275 4444 or visit their website
3. Purani Dilli
“Utsav” is all about the atmosphere: colourful rangoli displays, a lavish buffet of Indian favourites, and live chaat and jalebi stations. It’s a lively evening out with friends or family.
- Date and Time: 8 November 2026 | 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM
- Offer: Utsav – Diwali Celebration (lavish buffet)
- Price: AED 129 per person
- Location: Purani Dilli, Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road
- Reservation: Call +971 56 414 2213 or visit their website
4. The Oasis Terrace and Garden
Dinner under the stars, with a lot going on around you. There’s an Indian festive buffet with live chaat and mithai counters, plus rangoli art, diya painting and a pop-up market for fashion, candles and jewellery. Kids get their own diya painting and colouring activities. The hotel is also serving Diwali-inspired dishes from 2 to 6 November.
- Date and Time: Saturday, 7 November 2026 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Offer: A Festival of Lights Under the Stars (Indian festive buffet)
- Price: AED 169 per person (includes soft beverages)
- Location: The Oasis Terrace and Garden, Mövenpick Hotel Apartments Downtown Dubai
- Reservation: Call 056 412 2362 or visit their website
5. Rohini Indian Restaurant & Bar
Six evenings of festive dining, seasonal drinks and a “Best Dressed” contest, so wear your finest. The Diwali set menu is a slow, generous feast. The veg menu starts with dahi vada and Sofiyani achari paneer tikka and builds to paneer tikka masala and 24-hour slow-cooked dal makhani. The non-veg menu brings murgh tikka, butter chicken and Kashmiri rogan josh. Both finish with rice kheer, gulab jamun and a saffron mascarpone malai ka motichur.
- Date and Time: 5–10 November 2026
- Offer: Diwali Set Menu and “Best Dressed” contest
- Price: AED 149 (vegetarian) / AED 189 (non-vegetarian) per person
- Location: Rohini Indian Restaurant & Bar, Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers
- Reservation: Call +971 52 392 5670 or visit their website
6. SoBo at Nonya
A Bollywood-style Diwali brunch that runs across three Saturdays, with festive décor and a menu with an Indian twist. Bring your own party mood.
- Date and Time: 31 October – 14 November (Saturdays) | 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- Offer: SoBo Diwali Brunch
- Price: From AED 299 (with soft beverages)
- Location: SoBo at Nonya, Taj JLT
- Reservation: Call 052 263 1565 or visit their website
7. Varq
Varq kicks off the festive season with a set menu, themed drinks, a complimentary welcome drink and entertainment. It runs well past Diwali itself, so you have plenty of dates to choose from.
- Date and Time: 30 October – 15 November
- Offer: Festive set menu with themed beverages
- Price: From AED 275 per person
- Location: Varq, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Palm Jumeirah
- Reservation: Call 04 275 4444 or visit their website
8. Jamavar Dubai
A Diwali tasting menu with classics like Nazakat ke Bhalle, Bhatti ka Paneer and Wild Mushroom Galouti. There are separate vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, and it’s available for both lunch and dinner.
- Date and Time: Until 11 November | Lunch and dinner
- Offer: Diwali tasting menu
- Price: AED 395 (vegetarian) / AED 425 (non-vegetarian) per person
- Location: Jamavar, Address Residences, Dubai Opera District, Downtown Dubai
- Reservation: Call 04 553 7852 or visit their website
9. Little Miss India
Four nights of Diwali on the Palm. Choose a Chef’s Diwali Special à la carte or go all in with the full chef’s tasting menu, and pair it with a Diwali-inspired cocktail.
- Date and Time: 5–8 November
- Offer: Chef’s Diwali tasting menu or à la carte special, plus Diwali-inspired cocktails
- Price: AED 395 per person for the tasting menu (food only)
- Location: Little Miss India, Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah
- Reservation: Call 04 457 3457 or visit their website
10. Gymkhana Dubai
A one-night Diwali tasting menu that pulls together some of Gymkhana’s best-loved dishes, for a special-occasion dinner in DIFC.
- Date and Time: 8 November
- Offer: Diwali tasting menu
- Price: AED 495 per person
- Location: Gymkhana Dubai, DIFC
- Reservation: Call 04 575 4974 or visit their website
11. Asha’s
Dessert fans, this one’s for you. Asha’s “Diwali Dil Se” is a limited-time Diwali menu with free henna on Chhoti Diwali and Diwali, and an unlimited dessert counter from 6 to 8 November.
- Date and Time: Until 10 November (unlimited dessert counter 6–8 November)
- Offer: Diwali Dil Se menu, free henna, unlimited dessert counter
- Location: Asha’s, Wafi, Dubai
- Reservation: Call 04 324 4100 or visit their website
12. Global Village
Global Village turns up the Diwali spirit in Season 31. There’s a Diwali Mela for festive accessories and décor, family activities, shopping and cultural performances at the India Pavilion. You can eat your way through Indian Chaat Bazaar and the Indian restaurants, then catch the Diwali drone show on 8 November.
- Date and Time: 6–10 November 2026 (drone show on 8 November)
- Offer: Diwali Celebrations, Mela and Indian cuisine
- Price: AED 25 for weekday entry; AED 30 for weekend entry
- Location: Wadi Al Safa 4, Dubai
- Reservation: Call 04 362 4114 or visit their website
13. Sevilla Restaurant
A festive evening for friends and family, with rich curries, aromatic biryanis, sizzling tandoori dishes, fresh Indian breads and traditional sweets. Kids get a discount too.
- Date and Time: Sunday, 8 November 2026 | 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
- Offer: Diwali Feast
- Price: AED 190 per person (50% off for children aged 5–12; free for under 5s)
- Location: Sevilla Restaurant, Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabir
- Reservation: WhatsApp +971 56 545 0274
14. Jannah Hotels & Resorts
Three days of Diwali snacking across two Abu Dhabi properties. Expect fresh pani puri, masala puri and chana chaat, plus spicy buttermilk or chaat sodas, then a traditional Indian buffet dinner on 10 November.
- Date and Time: 8–10 November 2026 (buffet dinner on 10 November)
- Offer: Diwali Chaat Offers and Traditional Indian Buffet Dinner
- Price: Chaat: AED 55 (one) / AED 75 (two); Buffet: AED 119 per adult, AED 60 per child
- Location: Jannah Burj Al Sarab Hotel and Jannah Executive Hotel Apartments, Abu Dhabi
- Reservation: Call Mogadore Lounge: +971 56 526 7736 / Olive Tree Restaurant: +971 50 115 0817 / Cocina Restaurant: +971 56 526 7736 or visit their website
