Dubai is known for its rich heritage and eclectic culture, and its traditional food is a reflection of this. For many years, this country in the United Arab Emirates made a fortune with its pearling industry, sending divers into the dark depths of the ocean to retrieve oodles of pearls. The country later shifted from pearling into the oil business, inspiring a sudden and massive boom.
As a result, Dubai is now an incredibly wealthy country, catering to the rich and famous and simply oozing luxury.
But what about the cuisine? Whether you choose to dine in style at one of Dubai’s top-rated restaurants or opt for a more casual, traditional vibe, you’re sure to be blown away by the food. With so much variation on offer, there’s pretty much no way you won’t find something you’ll enjoy. And in my opinion, fast food in Dubai, although it’s pretty good, is just not even necessary because there are so many other delicious options to choose from!
Now, travelling to a new country means trying all the food, right? But sometimes, knowing what to try – or even what the dishes are – can be rather overwhelming. And the worst thing you could possibly do is allow this to stop you from trying their dishes. So, the question is, what is the most popular food in Dubai?
Luckily, we’re here to offer you a helping hand – that is, a guide to the best traditional food in Dubai that you simply have to try while you’re visiting. Not only are we going to tell you what to try, but we’re also going to explain exactly what these dishes are and why they’re so delicious. That way, you can decide for yourself whether or not it may be something that’ll tickle your fancy because let’s be honest, we all have different tastes when it comes to food.
So, without further ado, here’s our take on the best food in Dubai.
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Shawarma
Schwarmas truly are absolutely delicious. Best of all, they’re often served as street food in Dubai, which means you can easily grab one while you’re on the go and enjoy a delicious bite from absolutely anywhere you like.
If you haven’t yet tried one (where have you been?)Shawarma is a classic Middle Eastern dish that is made with marinated meat – normally a choice between chicken or beef – that is grilled on a spit. It’s shaved off and served in a pita, along with a variety of vegetables and sauces. They normally include hummus which just takes this dish to the next level, making it the top food in Dubai, in my opinion.
Of course, if you’re looking for vegan food in Dubai or even just a vegetarian option, there are often non-meat options too – in that case, you’ll be enjoying a vegetable-filled pita with hummus and other delicious sauces and additions. Yum!
Knafeh
Three words (two of which matter) – cheese and syrup. Need we say more? It may not be a combination that you’re used to, but there’s nobody in their right mind that would deny giving this a try.
Essentially, knafeh is a melted cheese pie served with oodles of sugar syrup and topped off with kataifi noodles or pulverised dough – the former adds a crunchy element, and so does the latter, but the dough adds a softer kind of crumb. They’re both delicious!
Top Tip: Try to find an establishment that makes it in front of you. Not everybody does this – mostly because they don’t have the facilities and to be honest, it’s a bit of a job – but if you do get lucky, seeing the freshness of the melted cheese will make this dessert taste just that much better!
Al Harees
Simple yet delicious, al harees is a typical food in Dubai that you simply can’t miss out on.
Al hares is a mixture of wheat, meat and just a pinch of salt – they’re added to a pot and cooked for hours until the meat is so soft that you honestly can’t tell the difference between the two main ingredients. At this point, the mixture is baked for a few more hours after which it’s ready to be enjoyed exactly as it is! It may sound unusually bland in the context of Dubai’s generally spicy food, but we promise you, it’s not – it’s certainly different to the usual palette, but it’s absolutely delicious.
Ghuzi
This dish is absolutely to die for, and if you don’t believe me, you better believe that it’s the national dish of the United Arab Emirates and it’s widely accepted as the most popular food in Dubai.
Ghuzi is a whole-roasted lamb dish that is generally served on kebab skewers, along with vegetables, hazelnuts and rice. Wholesome and delicious, ghuzi, often referred to as ouzi or khuzi, really is Dubai’s ultimate comfort food.
Esh Hasarya
If you have a sweet tooth, you definitely don’t want to miss out on esh hasarya. Its texture is often compared to that of cheesecake, and the fact that it’s topped with cream frosting just adds to the likeness.
But know that esh hasarya is traditionally a very rich and sweet dessert. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, but just bear in mind that if you’re going to order it after you’ve already enjoyed a filling meal, you may want to go halvies with a mate – if you can resist eating the whole thing!
Hummus
Okay, I’m sure you’re no stranger to hummus – I mean, who is? But when I say hummus in Dubai is better than most other places in the world, barring a few, I’m not kidding.
Making a good hummus is all about achieving the perfect balance of tahini and olive oil, and let’s just say that generally speaking, in Dubai, they get it right.
You can get hummus just about anywhere in the city, but my recommendation is to try it at the smaller, more traditional establishments – or better yet, order some street food that includes hummus. That way, you’re almost certain to get the freshest batch and the flavour is simply unbeatable – it’s not for no reason that hummus is pretty much the most famous food in Dubai.
Matchbous
We’re talking lamb again, but I’m not mad about it. Matchbous is a spiced lamb dish – made with a spice known as loomi. Loomi is made with saltwater and ripe, dried limes. After the lamb has been spiced with the loomi, it’s then cooked into a stew with tomatoes and rice
And that’s not all. What makes matchbous such a winner when it comes to delicious food in Dubai is its incredibly rich depth of flavour. In addition to the loomi, this dish is spiced with cloves, turmeric, cardamom, Baharat and cassia bark, giving it a rich and spicy flavour.
Kebabs
Another one that’s sure to be familiar, kebabs in Dubai are just better than most other places. Mostly because saying that you’re going out for kebabs in Dubai isn’t a sentence. Why? There are just so many types, and they differ based on the culture of the restaurant or chef.
Of course, the general idea of the kebab is pretty much the same all around – it’s skewered meat. What’s different, however, is that different cultures serve their kebabs with different sides, using different meats and using a different assortment of spices. A few of the most popular choices are Levantine, Iraqi, Turkish and Iranian, and if you have enough time, I’d say that you absolutely need to try each one!
Za’Atar and Cheese
Za’Atar can be served with virtually anything, but my go-to is always some kind of bread, because why wouldn’t you want bread? Za’Atar is a mixture of sour ground sumac berries, thyme, sesame seeds and salt, and if you combine this mixture with olive oil (because once again, why wouldn’t you?), you’re bound to have just found your new favourite guilty pleasure. I’d say it’s the most popular food in Dubai for snacking, and it’s not difficult to understand why.
Anda Parotta Roll
It’s simple, but man, it’s good. An anda parotta roll is a common food in Dubai that you can easily grab as a form of street food when you’re on the go. Essentially, it’s an omelette that is wrapped in parotta which is a kind of white flour flatbread. The flatbread is chewy and the omelette is oily, so if you’re looking for a good hangover breakfast, I’d say you just found it.
Karak Chai
It may not technically be a food, but karak chai still deserves a spot on this list. Karak chai is a type of hot tea that originates from India and Pakistan and is served all over Dubai. It’s made by boiling black tea leaves and adding an array of spices, including cinnamon, cardamom and cloves along with sugar and a dash of milk. The mixture is boiled for a fairly long time – longer than “ordinary” tea, so to speak – in order to really achieve a good depth of flavour.
If you have it at a restaurant, karak chai is normally served in dainty little glass cups, but if you try it at a street market or something similar, you’re likely to get it in a Styrofoam cup – it’s just as yummy!
Stuffed Camel
Last but not least, stuffed camel. Now, I’ve saved this one for the end of our list because to be honest, it really is something quite special. It’s certainly not difficult to come by good food in Dubai, but stuffed camel isn’t something you’re going to stumble across on any old day at any old restaurant.
Stuffed camel is a delicacy in Dubai and is traditionally served on very special occasions or at cultural events. So, what is it?
Well, you guessed it – it’s literally stuffed camel meat. And if that doesn’t sound enticing, hold on a second, because it’s actually quite extraordinary. The camel is stuffed with an array of ingredients, including things like chicken, eggs, sheep and fish, as well as an array of incredible spices. It’s cooked over a spit and actually holds the world record for being the biggest dish in the world. Of course, it’s not like the entire camel is being served to only one person, but still.
You’re not likely to have the opportunity to try this if you’re just visiting Dubai on holiday, but if you do find yourself part of a traditional ceremony, cultural event or special occasion, you may be lucky enough to be able to try stuffed camel.
Final Thoughts on the Best Food in Dubai
Now that you’ve got a decent idea of the tastiest food Dubai has to offer, as well as some general fun facts about food in Dubai, you should be ready to kick off your journey and explore the country. Every single item on this list is worth trying, and honestly, not to be dramatic or anything, but don’t leave until you have!
So explore the city, see all the interesting sights and enjoy the rich culture, and make sure you eat as much as you can while you’re there!
Sources
https://za.hotels.com/go/united-arab-emirates/best-dubai-foods-should-try
Penny is a sought-after wedding and party planner, known primarily for her exquisite culinary knowledge, sharp palette and inventive pairings of wine and drink.
She has traveled the world hunting for the best food and drink to share with her clients on their special day.