Gomantak Restaurant — Restaurant in Dubai

Having long harbored a craving for authentic Goan and Maharashtrian seafood, I recently found myself at Gomantak restaurant in Karama, Dubai, a welcome discovery given the scarcity of such establishments in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

For someone who hasn't encountered a Goan restaurant in my usual haunts, this was more than just a meal; it was a journey back to the vibrant flavors of India's western coast.

Our lunch order was a delightful exploration of their seafood offerings:

'Surmai Rava Fry Thali' (AED 34): This was the dish that initially drew me in, and it did not disappoint. The Kingfish (Surmai) was perfectly coated in the classic semolina (rava) crust, achieving that ideal balance of crispy exterior and tender, flaky interior. The thali format, complete with accompanying rice, curries, and sol kadhi, provided a complete and satisfying Goan meal experience. The subtle spices and freshness of the fish truly shone through.

‘Bombil Rava Fry' (AED 29): The Bombay Duck (Bombil) Rava Fry was another highlight. These delicate fish were expertly fried, offering a wonderfully crispy texture that contrasted beautifully with their soft flesh. It's a true coastal delicacy, and Gomantak executed it flawlessly.

‘Surmai Tawa Fry Thali' (AED 34): Opting for a different preparation, the Surmai Tawa Fry Thali offered a distinct flavor profile. The Kingfish, shallow-fried on a tawa, had a slightly spicier and more robust marinade, showcasing a different facet of Maharashtrian seafood preparation. It was equally delicious and provided a good contrast to the rava fry.

‘Prawn Masala Thali' (AED 36): For those who prefer prawns, the Prawn Masala Thali was a fantastic choice. The prawns were succulent and generously coated in a rich, aromatic masala, striking a perfect balance of spices without overwhelming the natural sweetness of the seafood. Like the other thalis, it was a comprehensive and fulfilling meal.

Overall Impression:

My visit to Gomantak was an absolute triumph. Each dish was a testament to the authentic flavors of Goan and Maharashtrian seafood cuisine.

As someone who frequents Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, I genuinely lamented the absence of a similar establishment in those regions. Gomantak filled a significant void in my culinary explorations, delivering a much-needed fix for my seafood cravings. It's a place I would highly recommend to anyone seeking genuine coastal Indian flavors in Dubai. I only wish I could easily access such culinary delights...

I have been reading the reviews on Google and it seems that most people have given this restaurant a good review. This is all good from the perspective of a non-Goan who is planning to try Goan cuisine. However, as a Goan myself, I have grown up eating authentic seafood and Goan dishes that stand out for their savory preparations. I visited this restaurant 2 weeks ago with a few of my Goan friends, as we had heard about this new place serving authentic Goan food, which was exciting as there are only a handful of good Goan cuisine restaurants in Dubai.

The waiter greeted us and we decided to order their thali, which was priced pretty high. Nevertheless, as far as good food is concerned, the price does not matter. Thali I was served was very disappointing. The Kingfish was bland and tasteless and didn't resemble the Goan preparation. Even the sides, particularly the "kismoor," were unappetizing. The world-famous Goan curry that was served was diluted and unsatisfactory, which was a real disappointment.

The Chef who works in the restaurant there is from North India. There was nothing authentic about the restaurant, no Goan ambiance. It is concerning that you have advertised and marketed your restaurant as serving authentic Goan cuisine, yet you are serving something else entirely. This is an even worse offense when you consider that non-Goans who want to try out Goan food are being fooled and exposed to such nonsense. And the prices that you are charging for this seriously do not justify your food on a goan Stand point clearing a money-making scam here.

I have some advice for non-Goans who want to try our cuisine. Please refrain from eating at this particular restaurant as they do not serve authentic Goan food. I don't want you to have a negative experience when it comes to our cuisine. Instead, I recommend visiting Eriks which is a wonderful choice based on my experience. It's located in the same area and serves delicious...

Everything about this place is outstanding from the location (in the heart of Karama) to the ambience, service, quality and quantity of food, freshness, and of course value for money.

This IS one of the best Goan restaurants in the whole of Dubai! We ordered surmai tawa fry, pithale bhakri thali, bangda (fish) masala thali, and prawns (sukhe) thali.

Everything was freshly prepared (as it took some time till the food got ready!) , was served in decent sized portions, and was definitely value for money.

The surmai tawa fry was especially delicious! The fish and prawn thali came with grated pieces of fried fish, fish gravy, and then a good quantity of fish in fish thali, and prawns in prawn thali.

The veg thali came with curd, sweet kheer made with sweet potato dessert , rice, Jwari Bhakhari (type of roti), the main dish which was pithale bhakri (served in good quantity) and another curry/dal. All three thalis came with a cup of sol kadhi. Everything was delicious!

The only (minute) issue was that we had ordered rice bhakri as the bread choice but without asking they switched it to jwari bhakhari instead. When we raised our concern they said that the rice bhakri will take time to prepare so instead they switched it to jwari bhakhari.

To compensate, they also gave us complimentary additional tawa roti (3-4).

When we asked if the non veg thalis come with the same sweet dish that was given with the veg thali, the server replied that there is no sweet dish in the non veg thalis, but then to our surprise after we had finished eating brought us an even larger portion of the same sweet dish served with the veg thali! Service was outstanding. 👍 Good music.

Normally our go to restaurant for Goan is Erics (In Karama and Sheikh Zayed Road),

but we especially loved our experience at Gomantak and wouldn't hesitate at all to return or recommend to you all - It's a must visit Goan gem in the heart...