Onam in Dubai comes with one of the most anticipated meals of the season, the traditional Onam Sadhya in Dubai. With Thiruvonam falling on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, restaurants across the city are preparing elaborate banana-leaf feasts, with everything from affordable neighbourhood meals to more polished fine-dining versions.
A traditional Sadhya brings together rice, vegetable preparations, curries, pickles, crunchy accompaniments, and sweet payasam. While every restaurant puts its own touch on the feast, the experience remains rooted in the flavours and traditions of Kerala. If you are planning to celebrate Onam over a meal this year, these are some of the Dubai restaurants to consider.
Calicut Paragon
Few names are as closely associated with Kerala cuisine in Dubai as Calicut Paragon. Its Grand Paragon Sadhya is a particularly popular choice during Onam, bringing together a generous selection of traditional dishes served on a banana leaf.
The feast features around 24 preparations, including familiar favourites such as avial, olan, thoran, kootu curry, moru and rasam. The meal also includes traditional accompaniments such as banana chips and pickles, followed by payasam for dessert.
With branches in both Al Karama and Al Nahda, it is a convenient option for anyone looking for a lively and traditional Onam celebration. It is also one of the places where planning matters, particularly if you want takeaway.
- When: Thiruvonam on August 26, with additional festive service depending on the branch
- Where: Al Karama and Al Nahda, Dubai
- Entry: AED 52 for dine-in and AED 55 for takeaway; takeaway pre-booking is recommended
Rasam
Rasam takes a slightly more contemporary approach to Kerala cuisine while keeping the flavours of the traditional Sadhya at its centre. Its Onam offering is particularly suited to families and groups who want a relaxed restaurant setting for their festive meal.
The Grand Onam Sadhya features around 31 dishes, including avial, kootu curry, moru curry, parippu and traditional accompaniments. The dessert selection includes varieties of payasam, giving diners plenty to work through before finishing the meal.
Unlike restaurants that concentrate their Sadhya service around a single day, Rasam’s festive offering runs for longer, making it useful for anyone unable to dine on August 26.
- When: Available until August 31
- Where: Chelsea Hotel Apartments, Discovery Gardens, Dubai
- Entry: Under AED 50 based on the listed festive offering; booking is recommended
Malabar Tiffin House
Malabar Tiffin House is another popular Karama option for a traditional Kerala feast. Its Onam Sadhya features 27 dishes, giving diners a generous selection of vegetable preparations, rice and festive accompaniments.
Expect classics including avial, olan, kootu curry, erisseri, kaalan, thoran, pachadi and inji puli. The meal also includes banana chips, sharkara varatti and kondattom mulaku, with both Palada Payasam and Parippu Payasam bringing the feast to a sweet finish.
One of the advantages here is the choice of dates. The Sadhya is not limited to Thiruvonam, making it easier to fit into a busy week.
- When: August 26, 28, 29 and 30, from 12 pm to 4 pm
- Where: Atiq Obaid Saeed Bel Helli Building, Al Karama, Dubai
- Entry: AED 44 for dine-in and AED 49 for takeaway; dine-in is walk-in only
Dhe Puttu
Dhe Puttu brings its own festive personality to the Onam table with the Dhe Pouttoanam celebration. The restaurant offers both a Mini Sadhya and a larger Grand Sadhya, giving diners the choice between a lighter meal and a more extensive traditional feast.
The Grand Sadhya includes 28 dishes, covering favourites such as avial, sambar, kootu curry, kaalan, pachadi, rasam, parippu and red rice. Multiple varieties of payasam round off the meal.
The Mini Sadhya is available on selected dates, while the Grand Sadhya is concentrated around Thiruvonam. Walk-ins are possible, although planning is recommended during the busy festive period.
- When: Mini Sadhya on August 23, 24, 25 and 28; Grand Sadhya on August 26 and 27
- Where: 6A Street, Al Karama, Dubai
- Entry: Mini Sadhya from AED 37 dine-in; Grand Sadhya from AED 44 dine-in
Jamavar Dubai
For those looking to celebrate Onam with a more luxurious dining experience, Jamavar Dubai offers Leelamma’s Onam Sadhya. The 21-dish feast takes inspiration from the Nair family’s culinary traditions and is served on a traditional banana leaf.
The restaurant offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian versions. Alongside classics such as avial, olan, erissery, sambar and Matta rice, the non-vegetarian menu includes seafood dishes, giving the traditional format a distinctive twist.
With its elegant interiors and Downtown location, Jamavar works particularly well for a special family meal or a more dressed-up Onam celebration.
- When: August 15 to 30, for lunch and dinner
- Where: Address Residences Opera District, Downtown Dubai
- Entry: AED 195 for vegetarian and AED 215 for non-vegetarian; reservations are recommended
Bombay Borough
Bombay Borough offers another contemporary interpretation of the traditional Sadhya, this time in the heart of DIFC. Its festive menu brings Kerala-inspired flavours into a more modern restaurant setting.
The spread features more than 27 selections, including avial, olan, sambar and erissery, alongside Palakkadan Matta rice and Kerala parottas. The restaurant also offers a non-vegetarian version, adding seafood or meat preparations to the traditional vegetable-led feast.
Its stylish interiors and DIFC location make it a convenient choice for a celebratory lunch, particularly for those working in the area.
- When: August 16 to 26, for lunch and dinner
- Where: Gate Village 3, DIFC, Dubai
- Entry: AED 175 for vegetarian and AED 195 for non-vegetarian, plus taxes
LuLu Hypermarket
If you would rather celebrate Onam at home, LuLu Hypermarket offers a convenient Sadhya in a Box. The meal contains 24 traditional items and even comes with a banana leaf, allowing families to recreate the traditional presentation without preparing the entire feast themselves.
The box includes staples such as Matta rice, sambar, rasam, parippu, avial, olan, thoran, kaalan, and erissery. Banana chips, pickles, and other accompaniments are included, while Palada Payasam and Parippu Pradhaman provide the sweet finish.
It is particularly useful for larger family gatherings or anyone who wants to celebrate Onam at home without spending hours preparing multiple dishes.
- When: Available for pickup or delivery from August 26 to 30
- Where: LuLu Hypermarket locations across the UAE
- Entry: AED 38.90 per box
How to Pick the Right Sadhya
Dubai has options for almost every kind of Onam celebration. Calicut Paragon, LIZ Restaurant, Malabar Tiffin House and Dhe Puttu offer a more casual Kerala dining experience, while Rasam sits somewhere between traditional and contemporary. For a more elevated celebration, Jamavar and Bombay Borough offer fine-dining interpretations of the feast.
If you are celebrating at home, LuLu’s Sadhya in a Box is one of the simplest options. Whichever restaurant you choose, it is worth checking the service arrangements before visiting, as some venues operate on a walk-in basis while others require reservations or takeaway pre-orders.
FAQs
When is Onam in 2026?
Thiruvonam, the main day of Onam celebrations, falls on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
What is included in an Onam Sadhya?
A traditional Sadhya generally includes rice, several vegetable preparations, curries, pickles, banana chips, papad and one or more varieties of payasam. The exact number and selection of dishes varies between restaurants.
Which restaurants offer non-vegetarian Sadhya?
Jamavar Dubai and Bombay Borough are among the restaurants in this list offering non-vegetarian versions alongside their vegetarian Sadhya.
Can I order an Onam Sadhya for home?
Yes. Several restaurants offer takeaway options, while LuLu Hypermarket’s Sadhya in a Box is specifically designed for home celebrations.
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