Indigo at Beach Rotana: Tandoor Heat, Himalayan Roots and a Garden-Sea Terrace

Indian cooking with the kitchen in full view

Indigo has always benefited from being more specific than the phrase ‘hotel Indian restaurant’ suggests. Beach Rotana centres the experience on a show kitchen and traditional tandoori ovens, so fire, marinades and last-minute finishing are visible parts of the meal rather than backstage processes. The current identity is also closely tied to chef Rajendra Singh, who grew up near the Himalayas in Uttarakhand and describes his cooking as a creative reworking of tradition. That gives the restaurant a useful balance: recognisable Indian dishes remain on the table, but the presentation and seasoning aim for the refinement expected of a long-established five-star address. Private and semi-private areas make the room suitable for business dinners and family occasions, while the outdoor terrace softens the formality with garden, sea and skyline views.

A thali that doubles as a map

The daily thali programme is one of the most practical ways to understand the kitchen. Served from 1pm to 5pm, it moves between vegetarian and meat-led combinations rather than offering a token fixed lunch. The Dehraduni thali references the chef’s northern roots with matar paneer, dal fry, aloo jeera and hara saag; the Punjabi Tadka version brings lamb curry, butter chicken, fish curry and dal makhani; and the Maharaja Bhoj adds prawn moilee and rasmalai. Lassi, naan, cumin-ghee rice, salad, raita and papadum complete the sets. It is generous without being shapeless, and it shows why Indigo remains useful for diners who want classical flavours with enough polish for a hotel setting.

Best when the weather allows the terrace

Indigo is open for lunch and dinner, with the current direct restaurant number +971 2 697 9186. Current business listings show daily service beginning at 1pm and running into the evening, while the hotel’s thali offer specifically confirms 1pm to 5pm for lunch. For Simply Abu Dhabi, the terrace is the detail that changes the experience: in cooler months it turns what could be a dark, formal Indian dinner into something more relaxed, with the Beach Rotana gardens and water beyond. Order one or two dishes from the tandoor first, then move into a slow curry, dal and bread. The result is a restaurant that still understands the pleasure of traditional Indian abundance but delivers it with precision.

Practical details

Location: Beach Rotana, 10th Street, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Cuisine: Indian; tandoori, regional curries and thali
Telephone: +971 2 697 9186
Service: Lunch and dinner; daily thali special 1pm-5pm
Outdoor dining: Garden, sea and skyline terrace
Editorial status: Open
EMAIL: res.beach@rotana.com