Diwali at Aara: our Diwali menu

Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November, and at Aara in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter we are marking it with two Diwali set menus: Veg Specials and Non-Veg Specials. Both open with masala chai and veg pakoras, run from a choice of starter through to dessert, and come with kachumber salad and house chutneys for the table. The menus are served from 1 to 22 November 2026, dine-in only.

This post walks through both menus, the Diwali specials on the non-veg menu, and how to book. The full menu, with every course, is on our Diwali page.

The two Diwali menus

Each menu is priced per person. You choose one starter, and dessert is kulfi, or Apricot Delight at a supplement. Here are both menus exactly as our kitchen has set them:

Aara's Fusion: choose one — each diner picks a single dish from that course, just as with the starter.

The Diwali specials

Three dishes on the Non-Veg Specials menu are marked as Diwali specials: Chicken Lollipop Biryani, Lamb Kheema Biryani, and Bagara Rice with Andhra Chicken Ghee Roast. They sit alongside Bagara Rice with Telangana Mutton Curry in the menu's Aara's Fusion course.

Some of the Diwali dishes also appear on our everyday menu. Bagara rice and Telangana mutton curry are both marked as chef's specialities there. You can see them, with prices, on the full menu.

Starters to choose from

On the Veg Specials menu you pick one of Street Style Sauté (paneer), Veg Manchurian or Soya Chaap. On the Non-Veg Specials menu the choice is Cracked Pepper Fry (mutton or prawn), Veg Manchurian or Apollo Fish.

On our everyday menu, cracked pepper fry is described as "slow-cooked and tossed with freshly cracked black pepper, onions, curry leaves and aromatic south indian spices", and Apollo fish as "crispy, tender fish pieces tossed with a delicious blend of spices, fresh chillies, curry leaves and a tangy, flavourful dressing".

Vegetarian at Diwali

The Veg Specials menu is our vegetarian Diwali option. Dishes marked V are vegetarian. Its Aara's Fusion course brings together chana masala with poori, bagara rice with paneer tikka masala, and a veg dum biryani.

From our everyday menu: chana masala is "tender chickpeas cooked with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic and fragrant spices for a rich and hearty curry", and paneer tikka masala is "paneer marinated in aromatic spices, grilled to perfection, and simmered in a rich, creamy tomato-based masala".

Dessert

Both menus finish with kulfi, or Apricot Delight (+£2). On our everyday menu, Apricot Delight is "a rich, creamy layered dessert served with dried apricot compote with custard, cream and homemade cake, an adaptation of the traditional qubani ka meetha".

How to book

Book a table online, or call us on 0121 389 9882. The Diwali set menus are served dine-in only — table booking is the way to get one, and they are not available for collection on order.aaraindian.com. Walk-ins are welcome, and groups larger than 4 should pre-book. There is no cut-off time.

Allergens and dietary needs

If you have an allergy or intolerance, please speak to a member of staff before ordering. We cannot guarantee any dish is completely free of allergen traces. We use halal meat in our meat dishes.

Finding us

Aara is at 108-109 Icknield Street, Birmingham B18 6RZ, in the Jewellery Quarter. Parking: 3 free car parking spaces in front of the restaurant; Free parking on the left side of Pope Street, 24/7; Ample free parking on Carver Street and Pope Street after 6pm Mon–Sat, and all day Sunday.

Diwali around Birmingham

For other Diwali celebrations and events across the city, see Visit Birmingham's What's On guide.