papad

iZ: An Indian Restaurant in Grand Hyatt

grand hyatt dubai

IZ (pronounced as ee-zee) is an award-winning high-end Indian restaurant within the Grand Hyatt hotel that serves tandoori cuisine prepared and served at live cooking stations. They have a good selection of seafood, meat and vegetarian Indian food options. Their signature dishes include salmon tikka and murgh makhani.

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Parking is a breeze.

The property is very impressive. I have passed by this hotel countless times but never really realized how much work went into making the surrounding area lush with trees. Here’s a look at the parking lot:

parking grand hyatt

But since there is free valet service for guests, you need not worry about parking at all. I was telling Masood I could really get used to valet services. No more driving around the block for hours looking for a parking space and then walking back to the restaurant in 40°C weather.

The restaurant is located just beyond the rainforest, right after you cross the bridge.

grand hyatt rainforest

Yep, and I thought the staff who was giving us directions was kidding! There is indeed a tiny rainforest within the hotel where different types of fish were idly swimming about in lakes with the soothing sound of a waterfall in the background.

rainforest in dubai

While the serving is quite small, the food is delicious and flavorful.

papad
Complimentary papad & fresh vegetables with 6 different types of dips/pickles.

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charminar kabab
Charminar Kabab – lamb rump, figs, malt vinegar, yoghurt, red chili, turmeric & garam masala. I don’t really like red meat, but Masood said this was good. AED 50
salmon tikka
Salmon Tikka – Atlantic salmon, cream, coriander, garlic, yoghurt. This was good. AED 50
tandoori jhinga
Tandoori Jhinga – Prawns, garlic, chili, lemon, carom seeds, mace, ginger. I loved this! Why, oh, why are there only 2 prawns? AED 60
tandoori broccoli
Tandoori Broccoli – Cream, cheese, yoghurt, white pepper. This was so good I want to recreate this at home! AED 20
paneer tikka
Paneer Tikka – Homemade cottage cheese, fenugreek, carom seeds, cream. This is the softest, most delicate paneer I have ever had in Dubai. AED 30
scallops
Alaskan Scallops – Cardamom, cream, black pepper. I’m not a fan of scallops but my colleague says they’re good. AED 50
dal mkhani
Dal Makhani – Slow-cooked black lentils, tomato, garlic. I highly recommend this; so delicious and creamy! AED 45
zeera pulao
Zeera Pulao – Cumin flavored basmati rice. The perfect partner for the creamy dal makhani. AED 40
murgh makhani
Murgh Makhani – Tandoor cooked chicken, cashew nuts, fenugreek, creamy tomato sauce. One of the tastiest murgh makhani I have had in a long time. AED 60
ras malai
Ras Malai – Dumplings made from cottage or riccotta cheese soaked in sweetened, thickened milk delicately flavored with cardamom. AED 40

After years of trying out different Indian restaurants here in Dubai, I have observed that most of the high-end places serve gravy that is too rich and sweet. Whatever I order, the gravy would almost always, quite frustratingly, taste the same.

iZ is an exception, however. Each curry has its distinct flavor. Each tandoori dish brings out the subtle hints of spices in which it was marinated in. I was told the chefs were from Delhi and Punjab. I must say those gentlemen are doing a great job. The staff were all very courteous, attentive, knowledgeable, and prompt.

The hotel lobby is gorgeous.

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I would highly recommend iZ restaurant. Making reservations is encouraged, and if you have any dietary restrictions, they might be happy to oblige. I’m saying this because during lunch when I asked a staff whether they have sugar-free dessert, he told me that had I informed them whilst making the reservation, they would have come up with something.

Hours:
Open 7 days a week
Lunch: 12:30pm to 3:00pm
Dinner: 7:00pm to 11:30pm (until 12:00am on Thursdays and Fridays)
Reservations:
Call +971 4 317 2222
Location:
Grand Hyatt, Oud Mehta, Dubai

8 comments

    1. Iram, the indoor rainforest really caught me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting it to be so lush and gorgeous! One moment I was outside in the hot desert weather, the next moment I hear waterfalls and was walking in a jungle 😀

  1. Loved reading your review, the pictures look great! You know my love for Indian food, I got hungry looking at the dishes lol. It is a bit of a let down when the dish isn’t as generous as it should be, I wouldn’t have been satisfied with just two prawns either 🙂

  2. I agree with thing being too sweet in more high end Indian Restaurants. Wish I could come back to Dubai soon, I’d definitely make Mr. T go to all your recommendations! The lush rain forest sounds amazing!

  3. I have yet to try Salmon tikka! just the thought and I am drooling..

    I too pass by the hotel so many time but never braved to enter. Once I called for staycation but staff said they onyl do booking for 3 days at least yay…… so yes have heard their fascinating rainforest too from other hotel reviews.

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