Rang Mahal - Indian Cuisine @ JW Marriott Marquis Dubai

It was only appropriate to dine in the newly reopened Rang Mahal on Diwali. By chance – honestly, as we had to reschedule the initially booking. I’ll put my hands up here – I am no expert when it comes to indian cuisine. So please take note of this, when you are reading this review – particularly if you are Indian yourself or have eaten a lot of the delicious food I am going to attempt to describe…..

Where is Rang Mahal?

The restaurants sits on the fourth floor of the JW Marriott Marquis – a hotel we have come to be very familiar with since its opening, though this will be our very first time stepping in.

How is the restaurant like?

As you walk into the main restaurant space, you will be wowed by the gigantic columns that take up a large part of the restaurant space. This would typically be an architect’s and interior designer’s, not to mention the client’s absolute nightmare – but the restaurant has made use it very well, making it a feature element. I am however very curious what is the actual structural size of these columns within. Okay…let’s get back to topic….

The main theme is red and dark dark brown. It’s very regal and formal, as my husband and I looked at each other thinking the very same thing – we’re glad we didn’t bring our (3, very young) kids along.

The team had given us a spot at the corner, looking out to the Dubai Canal. With the full-height glass facade it is a beautiful spot, and very romantic indeed. It’s like a private space, but you are still within the main restaurant.

Let’s talk about the food and drinks.

The menu is extensive – and each section is very clearly separated into Vegetarian and Non-vegetarian options.

We started with peppered lamb chops (115 AED), which came exquisitely presented. You could almost taste the flavours just by looking at it – it was tandoori marinade, chana masala with mint chutney the side – we loved very bit of it, and wanted more. We trusted the team’s recommendation and tried the Mangalorean Ghee Roast Prawns (85AED) – served with roti chips. With all the spices – we were both thinking it would have been good to have some rice with it.

Of all curries, my husband wanted the Traditional Butter Chicken (100AED), simply because we haven’t had one for the longest time. Please don’t laugh at us for our choices – I did warn you we are no Indian cuisine expert. And c’mon, you can’t go wrong with a butter chicken, can you? Chicken tikka, served in creamy tomato fondue curry. We decided to try something different and had saffron rice (20 AED) instead of the standard – loved the fragrant and the combination of that with the curry. And of course, lots of freshly based Garlic Naan as well… (15 AED)

For drinks, you got to try their own Kingfisher beer. Here’s their very own Jatin pouring an ice-cold Kingfisher (48aed) very steadily into a glass for my husband.

Can’t go to an Indian restaurant, and not try their cocktails, right? There is a lot on their list – with very interesting names like ‘The Bengal Tiger’ and Prana – Not Seen Just Felt. There’s also one called NRI – Not Really Indian – ha ha ha. Good to see a restaurant being innovative and having fun with their cocktails.

I loved both of my choices – the Valley of Flavours – a vodka based cocktail with lemongrass, passion fruit, pineapple juice and almond syrup. As well as the Rang Mahal’s Nightingale. Their cocktails are around 60-80 AED, with one special drink at 110 AED called the Punjabi Gladiator. Please go and try that and come back and tell me how it was.

For more, have a look at Rang Mahal’s food menu here, and drinks menu here.

Overall Thoughts

Go for a date at Rang Mahal if you feel like a best of Northern and Southern indian cuisine. I love that they open at 6pm, which is perfect for those who prefer an early dinner. Whilst they do accept families, I did feel that the venue is very romantic and more suited for a date, or least well-behaved older children. And if you do go for a date with your other half – get the same spot that we did, right at the very corner. It’s special 😉