Dubai food: 13 essential dishes to try

As a cosmopolitan city, Dubai boasts a bustling food scene that features both centuries-old Emirati recipes like khameer bread and novelty snacks like camel burgers. The city is home to world-famous restaurants like the local branch of Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen and authentic eateries specializing in Emirati delicacies such as the Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe.

Behind the shiny façade of its skyscrapers, Dubai hides its best-kept secret: an ancient cuisine that grew increasingly sophisticated as the city turned into the melting pot it is known as these days.

Among the multiple culinary traditions that have shaped the food of Dubai (and the UAE) in recent decades, you’ll find influences from neighboring Gulf states like Qatar and Bahrain, and Levantine nations like Lebanon and Syria. Then you have all the flavors and aromas brought over by the city’s thriving expat community, mostly from India and Pakistan.

So, to make the most of your stay and have the absolute best food in Dubai, find out what are some of the dishes you simply need to try—and of course, the best spots in town to grab them.

Khameer is an iconic flatbread from the Emirates. It looks like a burger bun, complete with sesame seeds sprinkled on top. Yet, it tastes nothing like a burger, thanks to the mix of seasonings and the use of dates as a sweetener. Try this dish at Aroos Damascus, which offers some of the tastiest Arabic food in Dubai.

As a historic port, Dubai has always been prized for its prime seafood. A unique fish recipe you can try is jasheed, which is made with minced shark that is pan-fried with a mix of seasonings (including dried lemons). If you head to Al Jalboot Restaurant, chances are you’ll be asking for more after your first serving of jasheed. Al Jalboot is located within the Al Souq Shopping Complex, home to a handful of restaurants specializing in seafood.

Luqaimat (similar to lokma, awameh, and loukoumades) is a popular dessert across the Middle East. The sweet dumplings are famous for being crunchy on the outside and soft and airy on the inside. They’re deep-fried, dipped in date syrup, then sprinkled with sesame seeds. Head to Milas Restaurant (at The Dubai Mall) or Siraj to try these sweet treats.

Emiratis like their coffee black and strong. Even if you don’t, you’ll love the entire experience. Arabic coffee is typically brewed in a metal pot called dallah and served in beautifully patterned cups. Most coffee shops in Dubai are quite similar to the ones you’ll find back home, so you should hit traditional restaurants like Khan Murjan (which is in the courtyard of a Syrian-style house) or Barjeel Al Arab Restaurant to have your cup of Arabic coffee the old-fashioned way.

The ultimate Dubai twist on the all-American favorite is without a doubt a crowd-pleaser. Known locally as “hump” burger, it was introduced about 10 years ago and has been making the rounds since. Because camel meat is naturally tough, burger joints like the Dubai branch of New York-based Bareburger marinate the meat really well to make it tender.

Machboos (also known as kabsa) is a dish you’ll find across the Arabian Peninsula. The rice dish is seasoned with spices like cardamom, saffron, and cinnamon and topped with your favorite meat (though it’s usually roast lamb or chicken). We guarantee you’ll have one of the best machboos at Al Bait Al Qadeem Restaurant and Cafe—whose name fittingly means “old house”—which specializes in traditional Emirati food.

Hump burgers aren’t the only camel treat you’ll find in Dubai. Camel milk chocolate is a homegrown product that used to be exclusively available in Dubai; bring some home for an unusual souvenir. Dairy farms right outside the city supply shops like Camel Cookies at The Dubai Mall and Al Nassma Chocolate Shop in the historic district of Al Ras with all the milk they need to produce their exclusive truffles and candies.

Since over 40% of the UAE’s population is Indian, many of the culinary specialties of the subcontinent can be found in Dubai. You can have masala chai, locally known as karak chai, at tearooms like Project Chaiwala and Karak House (right across the Burj Khalifa). In Dubai, the beverage is normally less spicy than the versions you find in India, but saffron and cardamom are common ingredients.

Regag is a crunchy Emirati crepe and a popular Dubai street food that you absolutely can’t miss. The paper-thin, unleavened bread of Persian origin was once one of the staples of the country’s cuisine. Today, it’s also popular in neighboring countries like Qatar. You can pick multiple fillings for your regag, including chips and cheese or Nutella for a sweet treat. Drop by the Al Labeeb Grocery in Jumeirah to have the best version of this snack in town.

Emiratis often break their fast during Ramadan with a plate of thareed, which is substantial yet light on the stomach. The meat stew, which originated in the Arabian Peninsula over 1,000 years ago, features potatoes and other vegetables. Aseelah at the Radisson Blu Hotel serves fantastic thareed, as well as machboos and luqaimat.

Until quite recently, you would only be able to try this porridge-like dish if you were invited to an Emirati home. Locals typically reserve harees for festive occasions, as preparation is extremely time-consuming. The dish is made with ground wheat, butter, and lamb; it’s popular across the Arab world. Nowadays, you can find harees at the Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe in the Al Fahidi historical neighborhood.

Khanfaroosh is not your regular doughnut; you’ll taste saffron and rose water when you bite into this dessert of Bahraini origin. Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe offers these tea cakes and other local delicacies like thareed in two locations: one at the Dubai Festival City Mall and another in the busy Al Seef entertainment district.

Last but not least, you shouldn’t miss Dubai’s most refreshing obsession: mint lemonade. This sweet and tangy concoction is the perfect beverage during a hot day in the Arabian Desert. The Jaffer Biman Ali Cafeteria, a 40-year-old stall in the Dubai Spice Souk, serves mint lemonade and other ice-cold refreshments. Join a private food tour of the Spice Souk to sample other local specialties.

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