Pincode By Kunal Kapur: Dining in Abu Dhabi

Pincode by Kunal Kapur is the Al Maryah Island option we would compare for an Indian meal with a substantial vegetarian selection. It is on Level 3 of The Galleria and appears in the MICHELIN Guide. Choose it for the regional menu and a group meal rather than treating the chef’s name as a promise that he will be cooking at your table. This guide uses the Abu Dhabi menu, not the separate Dubai Hills branch’s prices.

The chef and concept

Kunal Kapur is the chef behind the Pincode concept. The menu uses Indian postcodes to introduce dishes associated with different places. That is a useful way to explore beyond one regional label: compare a chaat, a tandoor dish and a curry rather than assuming every Indian menu offers the same order.

The idea: dining by postcode

Use the postcode notes as a way into the menu, then choose the dish itself. For a first visit, we would start with one chaat and one main, adding another dish if the table wants more variety. Ask about preparation and heat level when it matters to your party; a postcode explains the menu’s theme, but the dish still has to fit what you want to eat.

The room

Michelin describes a panelled dining room and semi-private booths. A booth is the seating option we would ask about for a quieter group conversation, but a requested seat still needs confirmation. The mall location makes Pincode practical during an Al Maryah Island day; it does not require a separate journey to a distant resort. Choose the branch around your route and the table around the purpose of the meal.

What to order

The official Abu Dhabi menu has dedicated vegetarian small-plate and main sections. That makes it worth comparing for a mixed group rather than automatically treating meat-free diners as an afterthought. Pick the preparation you want from the choices below, and check dietary requirements with the team before sharing.

• Potato spiral chaat: a starter choice with curd and chutneys; useful when the table wants a chaat before the mains.
• Vegetarian small plates: compare the current menu’s paneer, vegetable and chaat sections rather than assuming every older chef’s-special dish remains available.
• Afghani or harissa paneer tikka: two paneer preparations listed in the Abu Dhabi menu; choose the flavour profile you want.
• Bhutte ke kebab and vegetable kothay momos: alternatives to another paneer starter when a sharing table wants more variety.
• Dal makhani: a main-section choice to compare with bread and the rest of your vegetarian order.
• Lamb choices: use the current menu’s named lamb preparations rather than assuming an older curry description applies.
• Chicken or seafood: choose from the actual Abu Dhabi main menu and ask about any preparation or heat level that matters to you.
• Rasmalai tiramisu: the menu’s Indian-Italian dessert option; compare it with ordinary rasmalai if you want a smaller finish.

Choose drinks from the current branch list rather than treating a named mocktail in older coverage as a compulsory order. Michelin lists the Abu Dhabi restaurant as serving no alcohol. If wine with dinner is central to the plan, that is a reason to select a different venue. For a food-led Indian meal, compare the actual dishes and drinks you want before setting the budget.

Prices and practicalities

The Abu Dhabi menu linked by the brand supplies the prices used below. Set-lunch and limited-event menus are separate offers, not the permanent price for every visit. Agree the selected service when booking. A menu example gives a useful starting budget without inventing an average bill or assuming every party orders the same dishes.

The Galleria lists Level 3, parking Section B and +971 2 234 0111. Its published hours differ from Michelin’s listing, so confirm the restaurant service for an early or late visit rather than treating mall hours as the kitchen’s last order. Both identify the same venue and contact. Use the direct number for the actual sitting you want.

Who it suits

Our pick is a mixed-group meal where the vegetarian section matters. Choose a chaat and a curry or dal first, then add the tandoor or other small plates the group wants. For a business meal, ask about a booth and the available service time. For a celebrity-chef event, look for a specific announcement; an ordinary reservation does not establish that Kunal Kapur will be present.

FAQs

Is Pincode by Kunal Kapur still open in Abu Dhabi?

The brand lists its Abu Dhabi branch at The Galleria and provides a reservations route. Choose that location when contacting the restaurant, and distinguish it from Dubai Hills Mall or its India branches.

Does Kunal Kapur cook at the restaurant himself?

Do not assume Kunal Kapur will be present during a normal visit. Contact the restaurant if you are interested in a chef-hosted event or appearance.

Is Pincode good for vegetarians?

Yes. The published Abu Dhabi menu has vegetarian small plates and mains, including paneer, dal and vegetable choices. Vegetarian is not automatically vegan: confirm the ingredients and preparation for your individual requirements.

What should I order if I’m going for the first time?

For a vegetarian first order, we would compare potato spiral chaat with dal makhani, then choose a paneer or vegetable dish if the table wants another plate. Add bread or rice to match the main you choose. That gives the table a starter, a main and a clear choice about extra plates.

Do I need to book in advance?

Use the brand’s reservation route or call the branch to check your date and party. Confirm the selected service and table needs before planning the rest of the evening. A group meal and a chef-hosted event have different arrangements.

Menu prices and a worked vegetarian order

Facts checked on 9 October 2026. The linked Abu Dhabi menu lists potato spiral chaat at AED 40, dal makhani at AED 68 and Afghani or harissa paneer tikka at AED 58. Those three have a base food total of AED 166 before bread, drinks and other additions. Adding the listed AED 40 rasmalai tiramisu gives AED 206. This is an example order, not a claim that it feeds a particular number of guests. Start with the plates you actually want, then agree the portions and extras.