Ashiana

Ashiana is a beautiful and atmospheric restaurant, all gorgeous dark woodwork and gold-tinted lanterns. 12 Reviews

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Ashiana is a beautiful and atmospheric restaurant, all gorgeous dark woodwork and gold-tinted lanterns. The biggest disappointment is that the non-smoking section is separated from the live music stage by two lattice fences, with holes too small to see through. You may not mind missing out on the early stages of the evening, when the band performs tasteless soft-jazz fusion. But as their performance begins to seriously improve and become genuinely Indian, you’ll regret not being able to see a thing.

Crack poppadums and scoop up the chunky mango chutney before moving on to sip timater tulsi shorba, a simple tomato soup with crispy croutons and smooth spicy undertones. Although the sizzling, pipinghot nature of the tandoori ‘salad’ may come as a surprise, dazzlingly juicy slices of bell pepper, mushroom and onion full of natural flavour will impress. Be warned: the tandoori marinade is tear-inducingly spicy.

The murgh tikka makhani features chunks of smoked chicken in a creamy sauce lifted by the soft zing of saffron and fenugreek, while the macchi ka salan is a hammour curry cooked in a thick sauce of coconut milk and melon paste. The saffronsprinkled triangles of paratha are crisp yet light and un-oily.

Pick of the dessert platter is a triangular slab of kulfi made with apricots and figs. A single portion of gulab jamun, meanwhile, is melt-in-the-mouth light. The service is friendly and gregarious, if unnecessarily over-attentive.

By Time Out Dubai

• Previous reviews
  • 25 March,2012- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 27 March,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 06 April,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 17 March,2009- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 31 March,2008- reviewed by Becky Lucas
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 28 February,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 01 August,2005- reviewed by Matthew Lee
  • 01 January,2003- reviewed by Rob Orchard
  • 01 January,2002- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff

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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.

User reviews:

Posted by: Baba on 08 Jun ' 12 at 07:00

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: Newman on 07 Apr ' 11 at 22:10

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Finest modern fare I've tasted yet. Service impeccable - staff not afraid to make bold choices and suggestions. Live music truly delightful & elegant. I went for more simple dishes - the chaat starter was divine - the Dakhani Jheenga (Arabian sea prawns in tomato and coconut sauce flavoured with curry leaf) - and probably one of the best restaurant curries ever. The garlic naan was pedestrian in size but gargantuan in taste. I will try to stay at the Sheraton at Dubai Creek each time now as I vow to try every thing on the menu. One of my best culinary experiences ever - after visiting over 100 countries. Well done.

Posted by: Kevin on 08 Mar ' 11 at 07:00

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: Mike O on 21 May ' 10 at 13:33

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

This restaurant ticked all the boxes. Having dined at fine Indians in NY, London and Mumbai - i found Ashiana to rank amongst my better and more enjoyable dining experiences. i will return to Dubai next week, i will be staying at the sheraton because of the restaurant even tho the hotel is not exactly close where my meetings are held.

Posted by: Andrew on 04 Feb ' 10 at 11:59

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Excellent Restaurant where the food was simply delicious esp. the Starters.
Atmosphere was very modernized and yet traditional.
Live Musician who played the most amazhing songs for me and my partner!!

A definite clazzy hotel

Posted by: suvir on 04 Feb ' 10 at 07:50

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

What do look for in a restaurant especially Ashiana has it all good ambiance, great food, peaceful surrounding, amazing people who do not disturb you every single min, etc etc. The food is exquisite, service one of the best I have come across.
I would recommend this restaurant to people who want a real taste of India with a modern ting.

Posted by: Ahsen Ali on 22 Dec ' 09 at 08:14

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Good food, especially the chicken tikka, daal makhani and butter chicken. Kabaabs are also amazing. I love the pappad with sauce.

Music is a bit loud. The service is good. However, I will go again for the sake of food only.

Posted by: Samrat on 12 Sep ' 09 at 07:59

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

The staff was extremely cordial and knowledgeable. The Kababs are just awsome. Please try out the Dal Makhni, it is just wonderful. The music is decent and the singers will invite for requests. Overall pleasant experince.. worth a visit

Posted by: Rahul Datta on 25 Mar ' 09 at 10:04

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I love this restaurant. They do some of the best kababs in Dubai, and even the curries taste delicious .
Moreover the pricing is reasonable considering it is part of a 5-star hotel.

Posted by: karim andrews on 18 Mar ' 09 at 22:37

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Would like ti give it a miss...unless somebody has decided the venue and I have no choice

Posted by: ted patrick on 18 Mar ' 09 at 20:22

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

ratings should say it all.minus in all.

Posted by: krishnana on 17 Mar ' 09 at 19:45

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

its very gaudy ambience. and music is toooo loud for any conversation