Diwali falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026, and the festival of lights is built around a family meal: rice, curries, something from the tandoor and plenty of sweets. Desi Dhaba on North Mary Avenue in Sunnyvale cooks Indian food with tandoor-baked breads and hand-ground spices, according to its website, and its blog describes its kitchen as halal. This guide plans a Diwali family dinner from the menu, from tandoori starters and Lamb Biryani to Gulab Jamun.
Diwali 2026 at a glance
- Diwali is on Sunday, 8 November 2026.
- A classic Diwali dinner has a tandoori starter, a biryani, a curry with bread and a sweet to finish.
- Desi Dhaba’s menu covers all of these, with plenty of vegetarian dishes for mixed families.
- For an office or a large gathering, the restaurant also has a Diwali catering guide.
Start with the tandoor
Tandoori dishes are easy to share and they set the tone for a festive meal. Desi Dhaba’s Tandoori Special section includes Chicken Tikka Kabab 6 pc, Lamb Seekh Kabab, Tandoori Paneer 8 pc and Tandoori Mix Grill. Tandoori chicken is sold by the piece, in 4, 6, 8, 12 or 16 pieces, which makes it simple to size the order to your family.
Order the Tandoori Mix Grill if:
- You want a little of several tandoori items on one platter.
- You are feeding a group with different favorites.
- You want a starter that also works as a main.
Make Lamb Biryani the centerpiece
Biryani is the dish most families put in the middle of the Diwali table: fragrant rice layered with meat and spices, served in one big dish for everyone to share. Desi Dhaba’s guide to biryani explains the dish in detail. For a festive meal, Lamb Biryani is the richest choice on the menu.
Order Lamb Biryani if:
- You want one dish that anchors the whole meal.
- You prefer lamb for a special occasion.
- You are serving it with raita and a curry on the side.
The menu also lists Chicken Biryani, Goat Biryani, Shrimp Biryani and Mix Vegetable Biryani, and a Combo Deal (Chicken Seekh Kabab, Lamb Biryani, Can of Soda).
Add a curry and bread
| Curry | Good for |
|---|---|
| Butter Chicken | A mild, creamy curry that suits kids and adults |
| Goat Curry | A traditional festive curry |
| Lamb Korma | A rich, gentle lamb curry |
| Paneer Tikka Masala | A vegetarian favorite |
| Dal Makhani | A slow, creamy lentil dish for the vegetarian side of the table |
Pair the curries with Garlic Naan, Butter Naan or Lacha Paratha, and add Raita (8 oz) as a cool side next to the biryani.
A vegetarian Diwali
Many families keep Diwali vegetarian. Desi Dhaba’s menu has a long Vegetarian Entrée section, so a full meat-free dinner is easy: Tandoori Paneer 8 pc to start, Mix Vegetable Biryani in the center, Shahi Paneer or Malai Kofta with naan, and Chana Masala on the side.
How much to order
A Diwali spread looks generous, but biryani and naan are filling, so it is easy to over-order. A simple plan:
- One biryani for every three or four guests, with a second variety if you have vegetarians.
- One curry for every three or four guests, plus naan or paratha for everyone.
- Tandoori chicken by the piece: the 8, 12 and 16 piece orders make sizing easy for bigger families.
- A bowl of raita and a sweet for every guest.
Finish with sweets
No Diwali is complete without something sweet, and sharing sweets is one of the festival’s traditions.
- Gulab Jamun: soft milk dumplings in syrup, the classic Diwali sweet.
- Gajar Halwa: a warm carrot pudding.
- Kheer: a creamy rice pudding.
- Chai or Mango Lassi to drink.
Sample Diwali orders
| Family | What to order |
|---|---|
| Family of four | Chicken Tikka Kabab 6 pc, Lamb Biryani, Butter Chicken, Garlic Naan, Raita (8 oz), Gulab Jamun |
| Bigger gathering | Tandoori Mix Grill, Lamb Biryani, Goat Biryani, Goat Curry, Dal Makhani, Lacha Paratha, Gajar Halwa |
| Vegetarian | Tandoori Paneer 8 pc, Mix Vegetable Biryani, Shahi Paneer, Chana Masala, Butter Naan, Kheer |
Halal and ordering direct
Desi Dhaba explains its approach to halal food in its post on what halal means at Desi Dhaba. Order through the restaurant’s own ordering page: ordering direct means the restaurant receives the full order, with no third-party app taking a commission, and direct orders earn points in the reward program. For a large group, the catering page is the place to start.
Desi Dhaba is at 415 N Mary Ave #101, Sunnyvale, CA 94085.
FAQ
Q: When is Diwali in 2026?
A: Diwali falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026.
Q: What should I order for a Diwali dinner at Desi Dhaba?
A: A tandoori starter such as Chicken Tikka Kabab 6 pc, Lamb Biryani as the centerpiece, a curry like Butter Chicken with Garlic Naan, and Gulab Jamun for dessert.
Q: Is Desi Dhaba halal?
A: Desi Dhaba describes its food as halal on its own blog, which has a post explaining its halal commitment.
Q: Can I have a vegetarian Diwali dinner from Desi Dhaba?
A: Yes. Try Tandoori Paneer 8 pc, Mix Vegetable Biryani, Shahi Paneer or Malai Kofta, Chana Masala and naan, with Kheer for dessert.
Q: Does Desi Dhaba cater Diwali gatherings?
A: Yes. Desi Dhaba has a catering page and a Diwali catering guide for offices and family gatherings.
Light up the dinner table
Tandoori to start, Lamb Biryani in the middle and Gulab Jamun to finish: order your Diwali dinner straight from the restaurant.
Order direct from Desi Dhaba for pickup or delivery · For larger groups, see the catering page.