BUR DUBAI. This unique restaurant, ornately decorated to resemble the types of eateries you'd expect to find in Southern India, offers diners a refined dining experience complete with live Indian folk music and entertainment and servers donned in authentic costume. House specialties include mixed grilles, lamb kebabs and goat korma ­ much of it bearing the unmistakable flavors of curry, mustard seed and red chilies. An impressive wine list is also available.

DEIRA. A true dining treasure, this Dubai eatery has garnered praise in local circles for years thanks to its superb service and fine Indian cuisine. A delightful barrage of aromas awaits you at Ashiana, where each of the exotic korma, curry and tandoori dishes tantalizes your senses with a telltale Eastern blend of rich herbs and spices. The enchanting atmosphere and professional staff only add to the fine dining experience, and live Indian folk music, which has long been a staple here, helps set the scene. The best tables offer clear views of the Creek, and tend to be favorites with those seeking a more intimate setting.

BUR DUBAI. This casual eatery serves the traditional spicy fare without mounting an attack on your wallet. Quintessential Northern Indian decor is enhanced by the mystical sounds of Indian folk music. But Kwality is more than just the sum of its atmosphere, as the skilled chefs prepare some of the city's finest ­ and spiciest ­ lamb and chicken sagwala, curry, tandoori and seafood.