Venus – Karama

Venus is a value for money, 100% vegetarian South Indian chain of restaurants. This flagship branch is one of the first restaurants to open in the Karama Park square in Karama and has since become something of a landmark. Located next door to Calicut Paragon, it’s laid out over two floors, the upstairs for families and ladies and downstairs for everyone else (including ladies who don’t mind eating with men). I switched to Venus when my regular South Indian breakfast haunt in Meena Bazaar, Emirates House, was closed down. And I’ve been coming here ever since. In fact, this is the restaurant I use to benchmark others against. I love the food here.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Venus boasts an extensive menu of which their thali is quite popular. But if anything, it is their South Indian breakfast which is most famous. If you have read any of my other reviews, you will know I stick to a tried and tested formula of starting with an idli-vada dip before moving on to a masala dosa and ending with a filter coffee. The idli/vadas at Venus are always fresh, the volume of business they do demands it. I find their idlis light and fluffy and their vadas crunchy on the outside and spongy on the inside – near perfect. Their sambar, although watery and almost entirely devoid of any veggies, is tart and tangy with just the right amount of pungency.

• 

• 

Their dosas have shrunk in size to almost half of what they used to be. But they’re the same delicious, perfectly browned, cylindrical, flexi-crisp masterpieces they’ve been serving since I first visited them years and years ago. And that applies to the potato masala as well. The coriander chutney is superb.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Service is fast and furious, especially at peak times. Don’t expect anything more than a subtle wobble of the head or an eyebrow salute as acknowledgement or greeting when you arrive. Expect to share a table with a total stranger when the restaurant fills up (which is quite often). Manage your expectations and you will love this place. In my mind Venus remains one of the best places in Dubai for a South Indian breakfast and is well worth a detour.  

Hey! Now read this –
Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on xerxes@dellara.com.