Dubai is significantly easier for Jain food requirements compared to Thailand or Vietnam. The large Indian expatriate community means a better understanding of strict dietary needs, and several restaurants specialise in sattvic food without onion, garlic, or root vegetables.
After years of organising corporate tours for Jain groups from Gujarat and Maharashtra, I’ve learned which Dubai restaurants truly understand Jain requirements versus those that just claim to be “vegetarian friendly.”
This guide provides verified Jain-friendly restaurants across Dubai that can accommodate corporate groups, with detailed information on what makes them suitable for strict Jain dietary requirements.
What Makes Food Jain:
Why This Matters for Corporate Groups: Many Dubai restaurants claim to be “pure vegetarian” but still use onion and garlic extensively. For Jain corporate groups, finding restaurants that understand and respect these requirements is crucial for successful tours.
Understanding Kitchen Types for Jain Food
⭐⭐⭐ Pure Jain Sattvic Kitchen (BEST):
⭐⭐ Jain Food Available on Request:
⭐ Claims Jain Options (Verify Carefully):
Location: Karama area, opposite Bur Juman Centre Mall (behind Avenues)
Group Capacity: 60-80 pax
Cuisine: North Indian, South Indian, Sattvic Jain food
Price Range: AED 25-50 per person
Kitchen Status: ⭐⭐⭐ Pure Sattvic Jain Kitchen (No onion, no garlic anywhere)
Why It Works for Jain Groups: ISKCON-affiliated restaurant ensures completely sattvic food. Absolutely no onion or garlic is used in any preparation. Being temple-associated guarantees the highest Jain dietary standards.
Group Facilities:
Special for Corporate Tours: The most reliable Jain option in Dubai. Many Gujarati and Jain business communities regularly dine here, which speaks to its authenticity.
Contact for Verification:
Verification Status: Website active – group booking details to be confirmed
Location: 17a Street, 8, Oud Metha, Dubai (close to Lamcy Plaza Mall)
Group Capacity: 50-70 pax
Cuisine: North Indian, Gujarati, Jain Thali speciality
Price Range: AED 30-60 per person
Kitchen Status: ⭐⭐⭐ Pure Sattvic Kitchen (No onion, no garlic)
Why It Works for Jain Groups: Dedicated Jain restaurant that does not use onion or garlic in any preparations. Known for authentic Jain thalis and Gujarati-style cooking, perfect for western Indian corporate groups.
Group Facilities:
Special Note: Frequently recommended by TripAdvisor for Jain food seekers in Dubai. Established reputation in the Jain community.
Contact for Verification:
Verification Status: Location confirmed – contact details to be verified
Location: Al Karama, Dubai (Single location)
Group Capacity: 60-80 pax (to be verified)
Cuisine: Gujarati, Rajasthani Thali (Unlimited)
Price Range: AED 45-75 per person
Kitchen Status: ⭐⭐ Jain Food Available on Request (Must specify in advance)
Why It Works for Jain Groups: Popular unlimited thali restaurant specialising in Gujarati and Rajasthani cuisine. While their regular menu includes onion/garlic, they can prepare Jain food upon advance request and understand Jain dietary requirements.
Group Facilities:
IMPORTANT FOR JAIN GROUPS: Must specify “strict Jain – no onion, no garlic, no root vegetables” when booking. Confirm they’ll prepare in separate vessels if needed. Best to visit or call in advance to verify their Jain preparation process.
Contact for Verification:
Verification Status: Single Karama location confirmed – Jain preparation verification needed
Locations: Several locations across Dubai (Al Karama, Bur Dubai, etc.)
Group Capacity: 40-80 pax (varies by location)
Cuisine: South Indian Pure Vegetarian
Price Range: AED 30-55 per person
Kitchen Status: ⭐⭐ Can Prepare Jain Food on Request (Verification needed)
Why It Works for Groups: International pure vegetarian chain with multiple Dubai outlets. While their standard South Indian menu includes onion/garlic, they can prepare Jain food upon request at some locations.
Group Facilities:
Important Note for Jain Groups: Verify individually with each location about Jain preparation capabilities. Some Saravana Bhavan locations are better equipped than others for strict Jain requirements.
Contact for Verification:
Verification Status: Brand confirmed – individual location Jain capabilities to be verified
Location: Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi
Group Capacity: 40-50 pax (small groups)
Cuisine: Pure South Indian Vegetarian, Brahmin-style
Price Range: AED 20-60 per person
Kitchen Status: ⭐⭐⭐ Pure Vegetarian (Jain food on request – verification needed)
Why It Works for Groups: Pure vegetarian South Indian cafe popular with the vegetarian community. Recent reviews from May 2025 confirm authentic South Indian taste. Very budget-friendly option for Abu Dhabi.
Group Facilities:
Special Note: Primarily South Indian vegetarian (which typically uses onion/garlic). Must verify if they can prepare Jain food without onion and garlic for your group. The “Brahmins” in the name suggests sattvic inclination, but confirmation is needed.
Best For:
Contact for Verification:
Verification Status: Restaurant active (May 2025 reviews) – Jain preparation capability to be confirmed
Location: Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai
Group Capacity: 30-40 pax (private dining possible)
Cuisine: Fine Dining Vegetarian Indian (Michelin Star)
Price Range: AED 250-500+ per person
Kitchen Status: ⭐⭐ Can Accommodate Jain Requirements (Advance notice essential)
Why It Works for VIP Jain Groups: Dubai’s first and only Michelin-starred vegetarian restaurant. While not exclusively Jain, they can accommodate strict Jain requirements for high-end corporate dinners.
Group Facilities:
Important for Jain Groups: This is NOT a Jain restaurant but a vegetarian fine dining establishment. Must communicate Jain requirements (no onion, no garlic, no root vegetables) well in advance when booking for corporate events.
Best For:
Contact for Verification:
Verification Status: Michelin Star confirmed – Jain accommodation verification needed
Location: Pyramids at Wafi Mall, Umm Hurair, Dubai
Group Capacity: 80-120 pax
Cuisine: Contemporary North-West Indian (Both Veg & Non-Veg)
Price Range: AED 80-150 per person
Kitchen Status: ⭐ Mixed Kitchen (Jain options on request – verification essential)
Why It Works for Groups: Award-winning restaurant by legendary singer Asha Bhosle with 13 locations worldwide. The Wafi Mall location is highly rated (4.6/5 on TripAdvisor with 1,386 reviews). Upscale ambience suitable for corporate entertainment.
Group Facilities:
CRITICAL FOR JAIN GROUPS: This is NOT a Jain restaurant. It’s a mixed kitchen serving both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. The standard vegetarian menu uses onion and garlic. Must request Jain preparation (no onion, no garlic, and no root vegetables) well in advance and get written confirmation.
Best For:
Contact for Verification:
Verification Status: Restaurant active (Aug 2025 reviews) – Jain preparation capability MUST be verified
Location: Dubai (exact location to be verified)
Group Capacity: To be verified
Cuisine: Pure Vegetarian Indian
Price Range: To be verified
Kitchen Status: ⭐⭐⭐ Pure Vegetarian (Jain capability to be confirmed)
Why It Works for Groups: Pure vegetarian restaurant with active Instagram presence (@kanhas_veg with 1,131 followers and 317 posts). Being a dedicated vegetarian establishment suggests no cross-contamination with non-veg.
Important Note: While this is confirmed as a pure vegetarian restaurant, Jain food capability (no onion, no garlic) needs verification. Pure vegetarian doesn’t automatically mean Jain-friendly as many veg restaurants use onion and garlic.
Contact for Verification:
Verification Status: Instagram active – full restaurant details and Jain capability to be verified
For groups exceeding 80 pax or requiring guaranteed Jain food security:
Recommended Hotels with Jain Catering Experience:
Important for Hotel Catering: Always provide written Jain dietary requirements, including:
Critical Questions to Ask Before Booking
Jain Food Verification
✓ “Do you use onions in any dishes?”
✓ “Is garlic used in your kitchen?”
✓ “Do you cook with potato, carrot, or any root vegetables?”
✓ “Can you prepare completely sattvic/Jain food?”
✓ “Do you understand what Jain dietary requirements mean?”
✓ “Will Jain food be prepared in separate vessels?”
Group Logistics
✓ Maximum capacity for single seating
✓ Advance notice required (typically 3-7 days for Jain preparation)
✓ Deposit or advance payment requirements
✓ Menu customisation possibilities for Jain groups
✓ Pricing structure for group bookings
Common Jain Food Items Available in Dubai
Breakfast Options:
Main Course Options:
Snacks:
3-4 Weeks Before:
1-2 Weeks Before:
Day Of:
Dubai vs Thailand for Jain Food: Key Differences
Advantages: ✅ Better understanding of Jain requirements
✅ More dedicated Jain restaurants
✅ Large Gujarati community ensures authenticity
✅ Easier communication (English widely spoken)
✅ No “hidden” non-veg ingredients like fish sauce
Challenges: ⚠️ Higher costs than Thailand
⚠️ Fewer budget Jain options
⚠️ Still need verification (not all “veg” means Jain)
⚠️ Limited options outside Dubai/Abu Dhabi main cities
Emergency Contacts and Resources
If Restaurant Plans Fall Through:
Pricing Expectations (2025 Estimates)
Restaurant Group Dining:
Hotel Catering:
Additional Costs:
Is Jain food readily available in Dubai compared to other countries?
Yes, Dubai has significantly better Jain food availability than most international destinations due to its large Gujarati and Jain expatriate community. Restaurants like Govindas and Sai Dham specifically cater to Jain dietary requirements.
How far in advance should we book Jain food for corporate groups?
For Jain-specific requirements, book at least 2-3 weeks in advance for groups of 30+ pax. Even restaurants claiming Jain options need advance notice to ensure proper preparation without onion, garlic, or root vegetables.
Can regular vegetarian restaurants in Dubai prepare Jain food?
Some can, but verification is essential. Many vegetarian restaurants use onion and garlic extensively. Always specify “strict Jain – no onion, no garlic, no root vegetables” and get written confirmation of their preparation methods.
What’s the most reliable Jain restaurant for corporate groups in Dubai?
Govindas in Karama is the most reliable due to ISKCON affiliation ensuring pure sattvic standards. Sai Dham in Oud Metha is a close second, specifically designed for Jain dietary requirements.
Are there Jain catering services for large corporate events in Dubai?
Yes, several Indian caterers in Dubai understand Jain requirements. For groups exceeding 100 pax, hotel catering (like Taj Dubai or Jumeirah properties) with detailed Jain specifications often provides more security than restaurant dining.
How do we verify a restaurant truly understands Jain requirements?
Ask specific questions: “Do you use onion?” “Is garlic in your kitchen?” “Do you cook with potatoes?” Request to see their Jain menu. If they immediately understand and can list prohibited items, they likely have genuine Jain experience.
Related Resources:
Restaurant information verified as of September 2025. We strongly recommend calling ahead to confirm Jain food preparation methods, as ingredients and practices may change. Always specify “strict Jain – no onion, no garlic, no root vegetables” when booking. For critical corporate events, consider visiting restaurants in advance or requesting sample meals.
MastYatri.com provides this information for corporate travel planning purposes. We encourage direct verification with each establishment before making group bookings.
Eccentric Blogger, Traveler and Consultant.
