Little Miss India Celebrates the Flavours Connecting India and the UAE

| Dubai, UAE: This summer, Michelin Guide recognised Little Miss India at Fairmont The Palm invites guests to follow in the footsteps of its fictional hostess, Mohini Singh. The new chapter of Mohini’s Travel Diary explores the rich culinary connections between India and the United Arab Emirates.

MOHINI’S TRAVEL DIARY AT LITTLE MISS INDIA

This summer, Little Miss India invites guests to follow in the footsteps of its fictional hostess, Mohini Singh, through a new limited-time menu inspired by her travels.

Celebrating the culinary connections between India and the UAE, Mohini’s Travel Diary brings together dishes influenced by centuries of cultural exchange, local ingredients and shared traditions. Highlights include Karare Aloo Falafel Chaat, Limbu Rubiyan, Jaituni Malai Tangdi, Lamb Arayes Kulcha and Pistachio Kunafa Falooda, each inspired by flavours and stories discovered throughout Mohini’s journey.

Venue: Little Miss India, Fairmont The Palm
Date: July – September 2026
Price: À la carte menu, with dishes starting from AED 95

THE STORY

Known for transforming her travels into immersive dining experiences, Mohini’s latest journey is inspired by the ancient trade routes linking the Arabian Gulf to the Indian subcontinent. Along the way, she discovers bustling spice souks, coastal fishing communities, vibrant street-food traditions, and local ingredients that have shaped the region’s culinary identity for generations.

Co-created with Chef Mohammed Arif, the limited-time menu celebrates the ingredients, flavours and stories that continue to influence life across the UAE today. Bringing together Indian culinary traditions and regional influences, each dish offers a contemporary interpretation of the cultural exchange that has connected the two regions for centuries.

“The relationship between India and the UAE has always been reflected through food,” says Chef Mohammed Arif, Head Chef at Little Miss India. “Many of the ingredients, spices and cooking traditions we enjoy today have travelled between the two regions for generations. Through this menu, we wanted to celebrate those connections while telling a story that feels relevant to Dubai and the multicultural community that calls it home.”

The journey begins with Karare Aloo Falafel Chaat, where one of the Middle East’s most beloved snacks meets India’s iconic chaat culture. Crispy falafel is paired with yoghurt, tamarind, mint chutney, pomegranate and sev, creating a playful tribute to the street food traditions enjoyed across both regions.

Guests can then discover Limbu Rubiyan, inspired by the enduring connection between Gulf seafood and Indian spice traditions. Fresh prawns are marinated with lime, mint, coriander and aromatic spices before being cooked in the tandoor, celebrating centuries of trade and culinary exchange across the Arabian Gulf.

Another highlight, Jaituni Malai Tangdi, draws inspiration from flavours widely enjoyed throughout the Middle East. Marinated with olives, yoghurt, cream and saffron before being cooked in the tandoor, the dish combines local influences with classic Indian techniques.

At the heart of the menu sits Gosht Dum Biryani, a celebration of the shared love for slow-cooked lamb and fragrant rice dishes found across both cultures. Inspired by traditional Emirati gatherings and India’s renowned biryani traditions, the dish brings together aromatic spices, saffron and centuries of culinary heritage in every bite.

Elsewhere, Lamb Arayes Kulcha reimagines one of the region’s most popular street food dishes through the lens of Indian cuisine, while Zaatar Cheese Naan combines one of the Middle East’s most recognisable flavour profiles with one of India’s most beloved breads.

To conclude the journey, guests can indulge in Pistachio Kunafa Falooda, a dessert that brings together two iconic sweets loved across the UAE. Combining pistachio kulfi, saffron vermicelli, basil seeds and crispy kunafa, the dish celebrates the cultural influences that have helped shape the country’s diverse food landscape.

Beyond the food, Mohini’s journey continues through a thoughtfully curated cocktail and mocktail menu inspired by the ingredients and flavours she discovers along the way. Featuring regional favourites such as dates, saffron, rose and pomegranate alongside Indian spices and botanicals, the beverage programme mirrors the cultural exchange at the heart of the menu, transforming every sip into part of the story.

Mohini’s Travel Diary offers diners an opportunity to experience the stories behind the ingredients that unite communities across the UAE. Designed for residents and visitors spending the summer in Dubai, the experience invites guests to travel through flavour, history and culture without ever leaving the city.