Onam 2026 UAE guide: Best places for sadhya and celebration in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah
Thiruvonam falls on 26 August and the UAE has restaurants, events and takeaways ready
Dubai: Thiruvonam, the most important day of Kerala's harvest festival, falls on 26 August this year, and the UAE's Malayali community is not holding back. Restaurants are running banana leaf spreads with up to 33 dishes, Sharjah is hosting the biggest community gathering in the GCC, and more than 2,500 tonnes of fresh produce and Onam essentials have been flown in from Kerala to Gulf markets by air through special arrangements by Lulu Group alone.
Whether you want a full sit-down sadhya, a takeaway box at home or a full day of music, comedy and cultural performances, here is where to go.
What is the sadhya?
Onam Sadhya, also known as Onasadya, is the traditional vegetarian feast associated with the festival. The meal is served on a banana leaf and brings together a wide variety of curries, vegetables, pickles, savouries and desserts. Classics include sambar, avial, olan, erissery, kalan, thoran and rasam, finished with payasam. Eaten by hand, it is the kind of meal that halts conversation and demands seconds. Most restaurants require a reservation, so do not leave it to the last minute.
Where to eat in Dubai
Prices for these ahead may be subject to changes and I recommend you check before booking
Bombay Brasserie at Taj Dubai
When: 20 to 26 August, lunch 12.30pm to 3pm, dinner 6pm to 11pm
Price: Dh195
Dress up for this one. The spread includes inji puli, sharkara upperi, rasam, palakkadan matta rice and erissery, with Kerala-themed background music doing the rest of the mood work.
Calicut Paragon (Al Nahda and Karama)
When: 26 August only, 11.30am to 8.30pm, walk-ins only
Price: Dh52
One of the most trusted names in the city for Kerala food. The 24-dish sadhya is served on a banana leaf and takes no reservations, so arrive early.
Indian Coffee House, Rolla Street, Bur Dubai
When: Mini sadhya on 23, 24, 25 and 28 August; grand sadhya on 26 and 27 August
Price: Mini sadhya Dh37 dine-in, Dh39 takeaway; grand sadhya Dh44 dine-in, Dh47 takeaway
Two options, both available to eat in or take home. The mini version is good for a lighter meal; the grand one is what you want if you have been waiting all year.
Jamavar at Address Residences Opera District, Downtown Dubai
When: 15 to 30 August, lunch and dinner
Price: Dh195 vegetarian, Dh215 non-vegetarian
For the second year running, Jamavar is serving Leelamma's Onam sadhya, a 21-dish tribute to the Nair family matriarch and the founding family of the restaurant. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are available, and it is one of the more elegant settings in the city for the occasion.
Kovalam Restaurant, President Hotel, Al Karama
When: 26 August, noon to 4pm
Price: Dh69 including one beverage
Traditional is the word at Kovalam. Classic flavours, no frills, and the kind of sadhya that has people coming back to the same table year after year.
Punjab Grill, Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel
When: 21 to 26 August, noon to 3pm, pre-booking required
Price: Dh99 per person
Thirty-three dishes on a lush green leaf. You will be spoilt for choice and probably need a lie-down afterwards. Book ahead.
Papillon Restaurant & Bar, San Marino Hotel, Deira
When: 26 and 28 August, noon to 4pm
Price: Dh39 dine-in, Dh45 takeaway
The 30-part sadhya is also available on Noon and Keeta for delivery, making it one of the most accessible options if you want the feast without leaving home.
Rasam, Discovery Gardens
When: Until 31 August
Price: From Dh65
More than 30 traditional dishes and a menu described as authentic and well curated. The extended run through the end of August makes it a solid choice if Thiruvonam itself does not work for your schedule.
Shamiana at Taj Jumeirah Lake Towers
When: 22 to 27 August, 12.30pm to 3pm
Price: Dh175 per person
One of the prettier settings for a sadhya in the city. Everything from avial to paal payasam is on the leaf, with non-vegetarian add-ons including fish fry available if you want them.
Suja's Kitchen (Al Quoz, Arjan, DSO, Oud Metha, Qusais, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi)
When: 20 to 30 August
Price: Dh52
Home-style cooking in a box with 26 dishes. If you have been craving something that tastes like it was made with care rather than scale, this is your option.
Tharavad Restaurant, Qusais
When: 24 to 26 August, noon to 3.30pm
Price: Dh45 dine-in
Twenty-eight dishes if you eat in, 26 if you take it away. Homely is the vibe and it delivers on that promise.
Malabar Tiffin House, Karama
When: 26, 29 and 30 August
Over 25 traditional dishes, seasonal vegetables and payasam, served across three dates for those who cannot make it on Thiruvonam itself.
AARAAMAM Restaurant (Karama and Bur Dubai)
Price: From Dh35
Homestyle Kerala flavours with unlimited payasam refills. One of the more generous options on this list.
Want to celebrate at home?
The Kitchen by Lulu, all UAE stores
When: 26 to 30 August
Price: Dh38.90
Prepared by well-known chef Pazhayidom Mohanan Namboothiri, the 24-item sadhya in a box comes complete with a banana leaf. Dishes include palakkadan matta rice, sambar, kichadi, pachadi, thoran, kaalan, olan avial, rasam and payasam. Available online and at all Lulu stores across the UAE.
Events across the UAE
BurJuman Mall, Dubai (until 29 August, free)
The Onam Bazaar is running through the month with festive fashion, accessories, decor and traditional food. A Pookalam Competition offers prizes, and live performances of Thiruvathira, Mohiniyattam and Chendamelam are scheduled on select dates.
Madras Beats at Sports Bay Karama, Dubai (28 August, from Dh65)
Chenda Melam by Team Indri, a live concert by Madras Beats, DJ sets by Jijesh Menon and an authentic Onam Sadhya on the evening. Traditional attire encouraged.
Onam in the Dark 2.0, Abu Dhabi (29 August, from Dh50)
South Indian beats, three DJ sets and appearances by Maveli and Pulikkali at Scorpio Sting Restaurant, World Trade Centre Level 5. Dress in mundu, kasavu or classic Kerala colours. Free parking available and free entry for ladies until 12 am then Dh50.
Onamamangam Season 5, Sharjah Expo Centre (6 September, from Dh65)
The UAE's biggest Onam celebration seats more than 8,000 guests for a grand royal sadhya, with Mollywood star Kunchacko Boban as chief guest. Live music from Shweta Mohan backed by Bennet and the Band, Vedan on stage, violinist Sabareesh Prabhakar in a Chenda and Violin fusion, and comedian Sudheer Paravoor performing as K7 Maman. Sadhya sessions run from 11am to 3pm. Tickets from Dh65 at Platinumlist. Children under four enter free.
How to dress for it
For traditional Onam attire, head to Bur Dubai, Karama and Meena Bazaar for Kasavu sarees, mundus, jewellery and festive accessories. Lulu Hypermarket and Nesto also carry a convenient range of Kerala-style outfits and Onam essentials.
Some Malayali retailers this year are offering traditional Kerala outfits featuring UAE landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa and the Museum of the Future, blending Kerala heritage with affection for their adopted home.
In an interview with Gulf News Akshay Uthaman, a Dubai-based RJ, shared "We are very happy to see this trend emerging at a time when we are expressing our love and loyalty to the UAE."
