One of the best things when traveling to a new destination is tasting all the delicious traditional food. It’s an adventure for your palate as well as for your eyes. If you are planning a trip to Dubai anytime soon, we strongly suggest tasting some of their most popular dishes.
The most populous city in the United Arab Emirates has a lot to offer when it comes to cuisine since it combines regional flavors and different elements from the neighboring countries. The best part of Dubai cuisine is the fact that both meat lovers and vegetarians alike can find something to their liking.
The local food scene in Dubai is definitely something you need to experience. In this list, we’ve gathered some of the best dishes you absolutely must try when you visit this multicultural city.
Balaleet
Experiencing local foods means you need to prepare your palate for different combinations of flavors that you might find unusual. Balaleet is a breakfast dish popular in the United Arab Emirates. It features contrasting flavors so it’s both sweet and salty. Balaleet is made with traditional pasta or vermicelli (similar to spaghetti) which is sweetened with cardamom, rose water, and saffron. The dish is then topped with an omellete.
Tabbouleh
You have doubtlessly heard of this famous dish popular throughout the Arab world. Tabbouleh is the perfect dish for vegetarians as well as for all those who prefer a light meal. This traditional salad is usually made with bulgur, tomatoes, onions, parsley, and mint and it is seasoned with lemon juice. Most restaurants in Dubai serve tabbouleh so you can try it anywhere in the city.
Falafel
If you visit any Dubai food photographer blog, you’ll likely find photos of this popular local food. Falafel is typically made of beans or chickpeas (depending on the restaurant) and typically served with lettuce and tomatoes on a flatbread. This famed traditional dish is served not only in Dubai but throughout the Middle East. It is tasty and a great choice for vegetarians as well..
Shawarma
Those who are eager to try something genuinely authentic should opt for shawarma. Shawarma is popular street food and it is basically spicy meat wrapped in a flatbread along with some lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers. It’s a delicious and very affordable dish so it’s perfect for those traveling on a tight budget but who still want to enjoy amazing food.
Khuzi
When exploring Dubai cuisine, don’t forget to try khuzi, one of the most popular local dishes. If you enjoy roasted lamb and rice, then you will love this flavorful dish. It is sometimes served with a side of vegetables. Trust us, your palate will be grateful!
Al Harees
It’s impossible to leave out al harees out of this list, the traditional Emirati dish made of wheat. Wheat and salt are boiled together until the mixture reaches the desired consistency. When it’s ready, chunks of meat are added and the mixture is then cooked together for a while. Al harees can be made with chicken, lamb or mutton, depending on the taste.
Shish Tawook
No food enthusiast would be able to resist this simple and yet so satisfying local dish. It can be found in most restaurants in Dubai so you can basically try it anywhere. Street food in Dubai is unthinkable without shish tawook which can be served on a plate or as a sandwich.
Thereed
Nothing represents the traditional Emirati cuisine better than this hearty stew. Stews are actually an essential element of Emirati cuisine. Thereed is a type of slow-cooked stew made of meat (chicken, lamb or goat) and vegetables including potatoes, tomatoes, and pumpkin. When it’s cooked, thereed is usually served with traditional flatbread.
Luqaimat
Every food avdenture should end with a dessert! After all the savory, spicy, flavorful meals, it’s time to treat yourself with something a bit sweet such as luqaimat. It’s a popular treat in Dubai which is actually deep-fried dough covered with honey or date syrup. These tasty dumplings have a very specific flavor and are both sweet and salty at the same time.