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.

JUMEIRAH. An ornate dining room featuring rich dark wood furniture, intricately designed pillars and molding, and elegant table settings, the Dusit Dubai's signature restaurant offers diners a chance to experience fine Royal Thai cuisine and hospitality in their most accommodating incarnations. Enjoy the chef's celebrated menu, which stands as the culmination of his more than three years of culinary "exploration" in places like Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Japan. Ask for a table near a window, and you can enjoy an enchanting view of the desert whilst you dine.

GARHOUD. Widely regarded as one of Dubai's finest Thai restaurants, the distinctive Blue Elephant features a tranquil waterfall, exotic flowers and greenery, and intricate stained wood accents, creating the illusion that you're not in Dubai but in some quaint Southeast Asian village. The cuisine matches the decor stroke for stroke. Royal Thai dishes include herbs, spices and produce imported from Thailand, and the aromas of basil, chilies and lemongrass flow through the air, enticing first time patrons to order some of the spicier items (marked on the menu with red elephants). Saturdays feature an unforgettable lunch buffet.

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.