Must-Try Food in Dubai
Food is one of the deepest and most rewarding ways to know a city. In Dubai, the culinary landscape is as diverse as its population a 200-nationality food universe where Emirati heritage dishes, Indian street food, Lebanese mezze, and global fine dining coexist in extraordinary harmony. Here is your food lover’s guide to the must-try dishes and experiences in Dubai:
Dubai’s food scene is a sensational journey through flavors, cultures, and traditions that reflect its status as a true global city. From savoring authentic Emirati food in Dubai like Al Harees, Al Machboos, and Luqaimat at traditional restaurants, to indulging in Indian street food in Dubai at the bustling lanes of Meena Bazaar, every bite tells a story. Food lovers searching for the best Arabic food in Dubai will be delighted by rich Lebanese mezze, smoky shawarma in Dubai, and freshly baked manakish that fill the air with irresistible aromas. Whether you’re exploring cheap eats in Dubai or hunting for the best local food in Dubai, the city’s vibrant food culture promises something extraordinary for every palate and budget.
Enquiry Form
For those seeking fine dining in Dubai, the city delivers some of the world’s most spectacular gastronomic experiences, from Michelin-starred restaurants in Dubai to rooftop dining with breathtaking skyline views. Foodies can explore the best food markets in Dubai like Ripe Market and Dubai Food Festival stalls, or dive into the best brunch in Dubai a beloved weekend tradition featuring lavish spreads across five-star hotels. The best restaurants in Dubai span every cuisine imaginable, from Japanese omakase and Persian kebabs to Levantine grills and seafood dining on the creek. Whether you’re a tourist searching for must-try dishes in Dubai or a resident craving new culinary adventure, Dubai’s food landscape never fails to surprise, delight, and leave you coming back for more.
Must-Try Emirati Dishes
Machbous (Kabsa): The national dish of the UAE. Fragrant spiced rice slow-cooked with lamb, chicken, or fish and seasoned with loomi (dried lime), saffron, cinnamon, and a complex Gulf spice blend. The lamb version is the most traditional. Try it at the Arabian Tea House or Local House Restaurant in Al Fahidi.
Al Harees: One of the oldest Emirati dishes wheat and meat (usually lamb) slow-cooked together in a clay pot for hours until they form a smooth, creamy, porridge-like consistency. Deeply comforting and nutritious. Traditionally served at Eid, weddings, and Ramadan. Best found at Emirati heritage restaurants.
Luqaimat: The most beloved Emirati sweet. Small golden dough balls deep-fried until crispy outside and soft inside, then drizzled generously with date syrup and sesame seeds. Best eaten fresh and hot from the fryer. Available at heritage cafes and from street carts across the city. AED 10–20 per portion.
Balaleet: A surprising Emirati breakfast dish sweet vermicelli noodles cooked with sugar, cardamom, saffron, and rose water, served alongside a thin savoury omelette. The sweet-savoury combination is distinctly Gulf and genuinely delicious.
Fresh Grilled Hammour: Hammour is the local Gulf fish (grouper) and the most beloved seafood of the region. Best enjoyed simply grilled with Arabic spices and served with rice and Arabic bread. Available at seafood restaurants in Deira and at the Waterfront Market.
Street Food & Quick Eats
Shawarma: The universal Dubai street food. Slow-roasted chicken or lamb shaved onto Arabic flatbread with garlic sauce, pickles, tomatoes, and onions. The best shawarma in Dubai is found at roadside stalls and small eateries in Deira, Satwa (Al Dhiyafah Road), and Karama. Cost: AED 5–15. Open until 3–4am at most places.
Falafel & Hummus: Crispy falafel balls in warm Arabic bread with tahini, pickles, and a handful of fresh herbs. Lebanese and Egyptian falafel shops operate throughout Deira and Bur Dubai. A complete meal for under AED 10.
Karak Chai :Dubai’s beloved spiced milk tea a heavily sweetened, deeply flavoured brew of tea, evaporated milk, cardamom, saffron, and ginger. Available from Karak tea stalls on almost every street corner. Cost: AED 2–4. Non-negotiable for any Dubai visitor.
Al Samboosa: Deep-fried triangular pastry parcels filled with spiced minced meat, vegetables, or cheese. The Emirati version of the samosa. Available at street stalls and heritage restaurants throughout the city. A great snack at AED 3–5 each.
Unique Dubai Food Experiences
Camel Milk Chocolate (Camelicious & Al Nassma): A truly Dubai-specific product. Camel milk is richer in vitamins and lower in fat than cow’s milk, and the chocolate made from it has a distinctive, slightly salty and uniquely Arabian flavour. Available at Dubai Airport, specialty stores throughout the city, and online. The perfect Dubai food souvenir.
Fresh Dates: The UAE produces some of the finest dates in the world Medjool, Ajwa, and Lulu varieties are particularly prized. Visit the Dates section of any souk or the specialty date shops in malls. The Bateel brand is globally recognised for premium stuffed dates.
Knafeh: The quintessential Arab dessert, warm shredded pastry (kataifi) layered with white cheese, soaked in sugar syrup, and topped with crushed pistachios. Best eaten fresh and hot from a traditional Arabic sweets shop. Look for Syrian and Lebanese sweets shops throughout Deira.
Friday Brunch: Not a single dish but a Dubai institution. Most major hotel restaurants offer a 3–4 hour unlimited food and beverage brunch every Friday. The Grand Brunch at Atlantis, Bubbalicious at Westin Mina Seyahi, and Friday brunch at Shangri-La are legendary. AED 250–500 per person.
Must-Try Food in Dubai
Frequently Asked Questions
Machbous (also called Kabsa) is the national dish of the UAE. It is a fragrant spiced rice dish slow-cooked with meat, fish, or chicken and seasoned with loomi, saffron, and a distinctive Gulf spice blend. The best version uses bone-in lamb.
Al Dhiyafah Road in Satwa, the Al Karama area, and the small eateries around Deira’s textile and spice souk area have the most celebrated shawarma in Dubai. Al Mallah restaurant on Al Dhiyafah Road is particularly legendary.
Very easily. Dubai’s enormous Indian, Lebanese, Mediterranean, and Southeast Asian restaurant communities ensure excellent vegetarian options at every price point. Falafel, hummus, fattoush, Indian thali, and countless other vegetarian options are available throughout the city.
The Bateel boutique stores in most major malls sell premium dates and date products. Camelicious products are available at their own outlets and most supermarkets. Dubai Airport is also an excellent last-stop for both products as a gift.
Yes. Dubai has excellent food safety standards and the street food scene is well-regulated. Shawarma stalls, falafel shops, and juice stalls in Deira and Bur Dubai are safe, popular, and genuinely outstanding quality.