More than a restaurant, The Dhaba is an embodiment of Punjabi spirit—simple, robust, and deeply rooted in tradition.
What began as an academic project has evolved into a cornerstone of fine dining along the light rail route. The Dhaba is a multi-award winning, casual-elegant restaurant that transcends the typical dining experience.
We are a proud subsidiary of India Plaza, Arizona’s largest South Asian Shopping Center since 2003. As an active community partner, we are a member of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce and Local First Arizona, dedicated to building bridges through the universal language of food.
"Highways dotted with stops for truck drivers, casual seating on cots, and food prepared in clay ovens."
This is the soul of the 'Dhaba'. In India and Pakistan, these roadside stops defined a culture centered on robust, simple, and diverse food. Our restaurant is the embodiment of this spirit—offering complex flavors and authenticity that has become the envy of the nation.
Real Punjabi cuisine is not monolithic. It has been influenced by the diverse culinary cultures of Persia, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. Punjab provided a conduit to caravans from Bukhara, Kabul, and Kashmir.
The wonderful frontier foods intertwined with the rich stream of Hindu, Sikh, Pathan, Muslim, and Kashmiri migrants have enriched the cuisine we serve today. It is simple. It is rich. It is robust.
The Dhaba prides itself on supporting local farmers and recruiting locally. However, to maintain the integrity of our flavors, we look East.
All spices are imported directly from India and Pakistan and blended in-house to ensure original, unadulterated taste.
Central to our kitchen is the Tandoor. Our breads and meats are charred to perfection in authentic clay ovens.
We believe good food is for everyone. The Dhaba offers extensive Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, and Halal choices.