Forget the glittering facades and celebrity chef labels. For those who know, the true soul of Indian dining in the UAE isn’t found in Dubai’s high-rises—it’s simmering in the aromatic kitchens of Sharjah.
Here, authenticity isn’t a trend; it’s a tradition passed down through generations of chefs who prioritize the depth of a masala over the dazzle of a chandelier.

Sharjah’s Indian restaurant scene in 2026 is a rich tapestry. It’s where royal Mughlai recipes cooked over slow fires meet cutting-edge culinary science. It’s where an unlimited vegetarian thali offers a humble feast for the soul, and where the city’s bustling side streets hide street-food legends serving memories on a paper plate.
This is not just a list of restaurants. It’s a curated journey through the flavours that have made Sharjah the UAE’s undisputed haven for genuine, heartfelt, and spectacularly delicious Indian food.
- The Fine Dining Elite: Where Tradition Meets Innovation
These establishments have redefined Indian fine dining in Sharjah, earning accolades for their craftsmanship, ambiance, and unwavering commitment to quality.
Black Salt | Muwaileh Commercial
The Vibe: Sleek, contemporary, and intellectually thrilling. A 2026 Gault&Millau Selected Restaurant, Black Salt is where Indian cuisine undergoes a magnificent transformation. Think of it as a culinary laboratory where classic flavours are deconstructed and reimagined with breathtaking precision—all without the stratospheric price tag.

Must-Order Experience:
- The Molecular Butter Chicken: A signature dish that has achieved cult status. Expect the familiar, creamy tomato gravy transformed into ethereal spheres or foams, served with impossibly tender chicken. It’s a conversation starter that actually delivers on taste.
- Perfectly Charbroiled Kebabs: Their kebabs are a masterclass in the grill—succulent, smoky, and perfectly seasoned.
- Signature Chocolate Desserts: End your meal with an Indian-inspired chocolate creation, often infused with spices like cardamom or saffron.
Why It’s a Must-Visit: It proves that innovation, when rooted in deep understanding, can elevate heritage to an art form.
India Palace | Al Hira Beach & Zero 6 Mall
The Vibe: Regal, warm, and deeply nostalgic. The flagship of royal Mughlai cuisine in Sharjah, India Palace makes you feel like a guest of honour. Their stunning new Al Hira Beach location adds a magical waterfront backdrop to the already majestic dining experience.

Must-Order Experience:
- The Hyderabadi Dum Biryani: Fragrant, long-grain basmati rice layered with marinated meat and cooked dum style (sealed in a pot). The moment the lid is opened at your table is pure theatre.
- “Banarsi” Seekh Kababs: Minced meat kebabs from Banaras, delicately spiced and grilled to juicy perfection.
- Pro-Tip: At the beachfront branch, time your booking for sunset. The view of the golden hour over the water paired with this regal feast is unforgettable.
Ushna | Al Majaz Waterfront
The Vibe: Sophisticated, romantic, and iconic. A pillar of Sharjah’s fine-dining scene since 2005, Ushna offers a serene, elegant space with breathtaking views of the Khalid Lagoon and the Al Majaz Fountain show.

Must-Order Experience:
- Tangdi Kabab: Succulent, yogurt-marinated chicken drumsticks, grilled in the tandoor until charred and smoky.
- Paneer Lababdar: Cubes of soft cottage cheese in a luxuriously creamy, tomato-based gravy that is the epitome of comfort.
- The Ushna Experience: This is the spot for anniversaries and celebrations. The service is impeccable, and the ambiance is second to none in Sharjah.
- The Masters of the Dum: Biryani & Slow-Cooked Glory
This is where Sharjah’s culinary heart beats the strongest—in the patient, slow-cooked dishes that define North Indian cuisine.

Gazebo | Multiple Locations
The Legacy: The undisputed “King of Biryani” in the UAE. Gazebo is credited with bringing the authentic Dum Pukht style—where ingredients are slow-cooked in a sealed handi over a low flame—to the masses. It’s a benchmark.

Sacred Order:
- The Dum Pukht Biryani (Mutton or Chicken): This is non-negotiable. Each grain of rice is separate, perfumed with saffron and spices, and the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender.
- Murgh Makhani (Butter Chicken): Their version is a classic—rich, silky, and perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy.

Katis | Al Qasba
The Vibe: Lively, fusion-focused, and always buzzing. Famous for seamlessly blending North Indian and Chinese flavours (Indo-Chinese), Katis is a favourite for its robust flavours and vibrant setting near the canal.
Must-Order:
- Handi Dum Biryani: Their signature biryani, cooked and served in a traditional clay pot (handi).
- Kati Rolls: Flaky parathas wrapped around spicy grilled meat and veggies—the perfect handheld feast.

- The Vegetarian Havens: A Symphony of Flavours on a Thali
Sharjah hosts some of the most authentic vegetarian experiences outside of India itself, where plant-based dining is a celebration, not a compromise.

Rajasthan Al Malaki | Industrial Area
The Vibe: A true hidden gem. Unassuming from the outside, it transports you to the royal kitchens of Rajasthan inside. The focus is on an immersive, communal dining experience.

The Unmissable Experience:
- The Authentic Rajasthani Thali: A grand, circular platter arriving with a constellation of small bowl

Expect dal baati churma, ker sangri, gatte ki sabzi, an array of curries, pickles, sweets, and unlimited fresh rotis. It’s a cultural and culinary journey.
Kamat | King Faisal Street
The Vibe: Bustling, massive, and incredibly diverse. Kamat is a vegetarian empire, offering a staggering menu that traverses the entire Indian subcontinent under one roof.

Must-Order:
- Crispy Masala Dosa: A foot-long, paper-thin fermented crepe served with coconut chutney and sambar.
- North Indian Curries: Their paneer and vegetable dishes are rich, flavourful, and made with high-quality ingredients.
Rasoi Ghar | (Dubai-Sharjah Border)
The Pilgrimage: While technically on the border, no list is complete without it. This legendary spot is a weekly ritual for countless Sharjah families.
The Draw:
- The Unlimited Daily-Thali: For one fixed price, an endless procession of homemade vegetarian dishes, dals, breads, rice, and desserts arrives at your table. The menu changes daily, and the value is unmatched.

- The Soul of the Street: Legendary Cheap Eats
The real pulse of Indian food lives in the vibrant, chaotic, and utterly delicious street food scenes of areas like Rolla and Abu Shagara.
- For Mumbai’s Soul: Bombay Food Factory (Abu Shagara) is your spot. Their Vada Pav (spicy potato fritter in a bun) and Pav Bhaji (buttery vegetable mash) are direct tickets to the bustling streets of Bombay.
- For the Puri Challenge: Geetar (Rolla) is a budget-friendly institution. Their legendary “Unlimited Pani Puri” deal—where you can keep eating those crisp, hollow puris filled with tangy, spicy water until you wave the white flag—is a rite of passage.
- For Sweet Endings & Chaats: Mithaas (Abu Shagara) is the final stop. Load up on colourful, syrup-soaked Indian sweets (mithai) like gulab jamun and jalebi, or savour fresh, crispy chaat like bhel puri and dahi puri.

Welcome to the real soul of Indian street food.
The Sharjah Secret: Your Dining Code
- Embrace the Thali: When in doubt, order a thali. It’s the best way to taste a variety of authentic dishes.

- Ask About the “Dum”: Any dish marked Dum Pukht or Handi is likely slow-cooked and special.

- Venture into Rolla: The heart of old Sharjah holds countless, unmarked gems. Follow the crowds and the aromas.

- Save Room for Chai: End your meal at a local cafeteria with a steaming cup of Karak Chai. It’s the perfect, fragrant full stop to an Indian feast.

Sharjah doesn’t just serve Indian food; it preserves its history, celebrates its diversity, and serves it all with a generosity of spirit that feels like a welcome embrace.

This is where you come not just to eat, but to understand. Your table—from the street stall to the starched linen—is waiting.

