Onam is a traditional festival celebrated widely across the globe by Keralites. As Dubai is home to a huge expat community including a large number of Keralites, the festival is commemorated with full zeal and zest across the Emirate. The highlight of this unique celebration is the delicious feast commonly known as Sadhya.
This royal meal has more than 20 scrumptious vegetarian dishes served exquisitely over raw banana leaves. Keralites around Dubai come together and share the grand spread of food with friends and family.
While this meal is commonly expected to be made and served in homes, a lot of expats who live far away from families turn to restaurants and cafes to celebrate the festival and indulge in the goodness of the Onam Sadhya.
A lot of eateries serve Onam Sadhya in Dubai, not only on the occasion of Onam but on regular days too. In this article, we have jotted down some of the best restaurants that serve affordable Sadhya meals in the Emirates.
If you are looking around for eateries to try out this traditional Keralite meal, then you are in for a treat. Read on to find all the deets and cherish the wholesomeness of Onam without breaking the bank.
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Top Restaurants Serving Onam Sadhya in Dubai
Onam, otherwise known as Thiruvonam, is celebrated by Keralites to mark the return of the mythical King Mahabali. The people believe the spirit visits the kingdom to bless the land and its people. The festival lasts for 10 days, with the last day being the most sacred one known as Thiruvonam. The celebrations are characterized by various rituals, cultural events, feasting, and decorations.
Sadhya is a popular vegetarian meal served during the Onam festivities which is loved by people of all ages. Traditionally, it comprises 26 items but in modern times, the items have been reduced to a few including Dal, Sambar, Rice, Avial, Rasam, Erissery, Pachadi, Pulisseri, Injipuli, Thoran, Achaar, Pappad, Sharkara upperi, Kaaya Varuthathu, Banana, and Payasam.
All the dishes are made of vegetarian ingredients, which makes Sadhya a purely veg feast. Sadhya is not only served during Onam but is a commonly served meal during other festivities including weddings and private parties.
If your mouth is watering thinking of all the scrumptious food mentioned above, then read on to find out where you can devour some delicious Sadhya in Dubai.
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Adaminte ChayaKada
Adaminte ChayaKada has turned into a popular food joint for putting a modern spin on classic Kerala cuisine. The venue is usually jam-packed over the weekends with foodies munching down on the tantalizing Keralite food.
They cook up a special Onam feast and is one of the most popular places where you can try authentic Sadhya in Dubai. Adaminte usually serves more than 35 dishes as part of the feast with an assortment of Payasam (dessert).
The restaurant serves this grand feast on Onam day and the day after, from noon to 3 PM. And get this, the whole spread is just AED 32! Can you believe it? Plus, if you’re not up for dining in, they’ve got a takeaway option too. So you can enjoy all those delicious flavors in the comfort of your own home. Sounds like a plan, right?
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Appam House
If you’re living on the outskirts of the city, you’ve gotta check out Appam House in Dubai Silicon Oasis for your Onam Sadhya fix. They’ve got all the classics – Sharkera Upperi, Pappadam, Olan, and many more. You name it, they have it.
You and your loved ones can have a blast while digging into that banana leaf feast, that too without breaking the bank. The meal is priced around AED 32 per person, which sounds like a steal deal to be honest. Plus, if you’ve got a big group or you’d rather enjoy the feast at home, you can call ahead for bulk orders and deliveries.
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Mami’s Illam Kitchen
Do you know of that cozy little spot tucked away in Discovery Gardens, Mami’s Illam? It’s like a South Indian food haven, and people are crazy about their vegetarian delights. The place is all about tradition, from the decor to the flavors.
And guess what? They’ve been dishing out some seriously scrumptious Sadhyas for the past few years. Here we’re talking about a feast with 30 different dishes, including those heavenly payasams, all bursting with flavours.
Their Onam Sadhya is priced at just AED 33, which sounds like an incredible bargain. Whether you want to sit down and dine in or grab it to go, they’ve got you covered. This one is a go-to place for many who prefer a homely taste of Sadhya in Dubai.
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Dhe Puttu
Dhe Puttu in Karama is another crowd-pleaser when it comes to delicious and budget-friendly Sadhya in Dubai. The venue serves over 20 types of Puttu, a staple food in Keralite cuisine. Their unique serving style and assortment of dishes on the menu have helped them earn massive popularity among the masses.
They cook up traditional Onam Sadhya every year with a variety of Puttu in a plethora of flavors. Their Sadhya feast comprises more than 20 items spread over pretty banana leaves. We vouch you would be licking on the fingers by the time you finish off your meal.
As for the price, you can spend around AED 33 for a hearty meal enough to satisfy two people. You can either dine in or takeaway as per your choice.
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Manchatti Restaurant
Experience home-like Keralite food at none other than the Manchatti Restaurant in Karama. The venue is particularly popular among Keralities but is equally famous among vegetarians from all walks of life.
They cook authentic Keralite dishes which have people, even celebrities raving about their food. Many of the items on the menu are served in traditional Indian clay pots and the overall ambience takes you back to your home.
If you are craving for a home-like Sadhya in Dubai, then this is the place to be at. The Sadhya meal can be ordered for just AED 27 if you choose to dine in and would cost around AED 29 for takeaway. Their Sadhya, like many other restaurants, comprises over 20 sweet and savory items.
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Thakkaram Restaurant
Thakkaram can be the ultimate spot for getting your fix of authentic Kerala cuisine. Located in Garhoud, this place is a gem when it comes to serving up those classic Indian flavors.
The food there seems to be out of this world! Not only is it super affordable, but the taste will leave you craving for more. And guess what? They’re pulling out all the stops for Onam.
For just AED 33, you can treat yourself to a full-blown Sadhya feast! Here we are talking about 25 different curries and sides, all perfectly complementing your rice and that heavenly payasam. It’s like a culinary journey through Kerala right here in Dubai. If you are on the hunt for delicious yet affordable Sadhya in Dubai, we promise, you don’t want to miss out on this one!
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Calicut Paragon
You probably have noticed the crazy crowd at Calicut Paragon every Friday, right? This place has earned its stripes for dishing out the most authentic Kerala grub in town. And when it comes to Onam, they’re like the Sadhya specialists.
They’ve got all the classics – Olan, Kaalan, Sambhar, and more. You name it, they have it. And guess what? You can devour the Sadhya feast right there in the restaurant for just AED 35
Oh, and here’s the best part – you’ve got options. They’ve got outlets in both Karama and Al Nahda, so you can pick the one that’s closer to you. Plus, if you’re looking for more traditional Sadhya goodness, their sister restaurant, Salkara Restaurants, has got you covered too. It’s like a Sadhya bonanza all over Dubai!
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Tamarind Terrace
The next one that made it to our list of best restaurants serving Sadhya in Dubai, is the popular eatery Tamarind Terrace. Located in Karama, this food joint goes up and beyond to serve the most authentic Kerala cuisine to its guests. Their prices are insanely affordable given the diversity of the menu and portion size.
Whether you crave fluffy scrumptious appams or delicious hearty curries, they have got it all. Their grand Sadhya feast comprises more than 29 items priced at only AED 33. If you prefer taking out, then be ready to shell out some extra bucks and buy your meal for AED 35 instead.
Important Note: The prices mentioned in the article are subject to change at any time without prior announcement. The vendors hold all the rights to make changes in the menu and pricing, thus, it’s recommended to visit the official websites for the latest updates.