Punjab Grill: Royal Indian Flavours beside the Grand Canal

Royal references, modern execution

Punjab Grill has always sold a more expansive idea of Indian food than the name alone suggests. The brand traces its visual emblem and culinary narrative to the royal state of Punjab and Maharaja Ranjit Singh, then uses that history as a starting point rather than a costume. In Abu Dhabi, the flagship restaurant sits at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, where the setting already gives the meal a sense of occasion. The current menu is led by executive chef Sandeep Ail and draws on royal court traditions from across the Indian subcontinent, balancing familiar kebabs and curries with regional dishes and more contemporary techniques. The result is fine dining, but not the kind that asks guests to forget the generosity that makes Indian hospitality so compelling.

A menu designed for breadth

Punjab Grill works best when the table explores beyond one signature dish. The official menu programme includes à la carte dining, seasonal lunches and weekend formats, reflecting a restaurant that wants to be used for business meals, family celebrations and longer dinners rather than only special occasions. The kitchen’s language of royal recipes is backed by a practical focus on flavour: spice, smoke, slow cooking and grilled meats remain central, while modern presentation adds polish without erasing the cuisine’s identity. The restaurant has been recognised by the MICHELIN Guide for four consecutive years and remains MICHELIN-selected in the 2026 Abu Dhabi guide. That continued selection matters more than a decorative badge; it confirms that the restaurant has retained relevance in a city where the Indian fine-dining field has become increasingly competitive.

Grand Canal dining with a sense of occasion

The physical setting is part of the proposition. Punjab Grill’s Abu Dhabi location includes an outdoor terrace overlooking the Grand Canal, while the interior uses rich materials, greenery and brass detailing to create a more intimate atmosphere than the scale of the Ritz-Carlton might suggest. Current opening hours are 12:30pm to midnight daily, and the direct Abu Dhabi contact is +971 50 668 3054. For Simply Abu Dhabi, the useful editorial angle is the meeting of two forms of grandeur: the resort architecture of the Grand Canal and an Indian restaurant that draws openly on royal culinary history. Go with enough people to share, let the grill and curry sections speak to each other, and save room for one of the richer finishing dishes.

Practical details

Location: The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Cuisine: Contemporary Indian fine dining
Telephone: +971 50 668 3054
Hours: Daily 12:30pm-midnight
Recognition: MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi 2026 – Selected
Editorial status: Open