iZ: An Indian Restaurant in Grand Hyatt

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.

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:

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.

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.

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

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.

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.