Discover Dubai’s most famous food, from syrup-coated fried dough balls to hearty lamb stews. Food is one of Dubai’s highlights, blending global innovation with deeply rooted Emirati flavors. You’ll find everything from gold-glazed biryani and Michelin-starred menus to comforting local dishes like khoozi, mashboos, and marqooq. Don’t miss desserts like kunafa or luqaimat, or a breakfast of jebab pancakes with aromatic Arabic coffee. Whether you’re sampling Dubai’s famous cuisine at bustling street food stalls or dining at upscale waterfront restaurants, this must-try Dubai food guide will help you experience the city’s rich culture through its most exciting flavors.
Machboos is a dish of spiced lamb and rice topped with roasted almonds, offering a rich and delicious experience.
Machboos is a delicious and heavily spiced meat and rice dish, and is one of Dubai’s most famous dishes that you should try during your trip.This dish is usually prepared using lamb and basmati rice, where the meat is marinated in a rich mixture of spices, including cumin, cloves, bazaar (an Emirati spice mix), garlic, and chili peppers, and garnished with toasted almonds.
How to eat the best Machboos dish in Dubai?
Book a table at a local restaurant, such as Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant , to get acquainted with Emirati cuisine and have the opportunity to experience the most authentic flavors, including Machboos and many other delicious regional dishes.
2. Start your day with youth.
Jebab is a soft Emirati pancake seasoned with saffron, cardamom and turmeric, and is often served with sweet date syrup.
These melt-in-the-mouth Emirati pancakes are a traditional and beloved breakfast dish in Dubai. The jebabs are fermented using yeast, lightly seasoned with cardamom, saffron, and turmeric, and are typically served with date syrup, cheese, or eggs.
How to eat the best jebabs in Dubai?
You’ll find chebabs at most Arabic breakfast restaurants in Dubai, but if you’re taking a day trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, book a table at Luqaimat and Chebab — and it’s easy to guess what they have to offer.
3. Enjoy the delicious Marqouq dish
Marqouqat is a hearty stew made from lamb or chicken, garam masala and vegetables, and is characterized by a sweet, spicy and tangy flavor.
Explore Marqooq, a delicious stew typically made with chicken or lamb and seasoned with tomatoes, garam masala, spices, and vegetables. This creates a delightful blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. You can garnish Marqooq with yogurt or cucumber salad, which are often served as a side dish.
How do you eat the best Marqooq in Dubai?
Have lunch and learn about Dubai’s culture and history while enjoying a delicious meal of authentic Emirati dishes at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding .
4. Treat yourself to some dumplings if you have a sweet tooth.
Luqaimat are golden fried dough balls coated in date syrup and sesame seeds—crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
If you are a fan of sweets, Luqaimat is one of the best foods in Dubai.Savor these delicious fried dough balls, coated in date syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Enjoy their wonderful texture—light and fluffy on the inside, and deliciously crispy on the outside.
How to eat the best bites in Dubai?
Is there a better way to enjoy this delicious dish than by making it yourself? Immerse yourself in Dubai’s local culture by attending a cooking class and learning how to prepare authentic Emirati dishes that will impress your friends back home. If you prefer to leave the frying to someone else, you’ll find fresh, warm bites at the campsites after a desert safari.
5. He fell in love with falafel.
Falafel are crispy, spiced chickpea balls, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and full of strong flavor.
Falafel is a Middle Eastern dish, so this popular dish made from chickpeas and seasoned with spices is a must-try food in Dubai.These fried balls are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, a perfect combination of texture and flavor. Even if you’ve eaten falafel many times before, these might be the best falafel you’ve had so far in Dubai.
How to eat the best falafel in Dubai?
Join a food tour of Dubai to discover the best falafel in the city, as well as a whole range of other delicious regional dishes.
6. Eat a dish of khuzai
Khozi is a tender lamb dish served over spiced rice with nuts, raisins and vegetables, and it is a truly delicious national favorite.
Khozi, the national dish of the United Arab Emirates, is a dish for which Dubai is famous. Enjoy gently cooked lamb with a base of spiced rice, topped with raisins, vegetables, and roasted nuts, all seasoned with cardamom, cinnamon, saffron, and nutmeg. Savor the rich flavors and delicate texture that make Khozi one of Dubai’s most exotic and popular dishes.
How to get the best Khozi in Dubai?
With a generous portion of rice, laban (a cucumber yogurt sauce), and Arabic bread, every top Emirati restaurant in Dubai will claim that Jose is the best in town—a great reason to try them all and see who’s telling the truth.
7. Eat chips on the go
Ruqaq is an extremely thin and crispy Arabic bread, ideal for placing savory or sweet fillings on it, and is a popular street snack.
Al-Raqqaq is the most famous Arabic bread, and it is one of the best snacks if you want to experience street food in Dubai. It is a must-try food during your visit to Dubai.Cooked on a special pan over high heat, it is an extremely thin bread that forms an ideal base for a wide variety of foods, from kebabs to eggs, and even chocolate spread.
How do you eat the best chips in Dubai?
Embark on a guided walking tour of Dubai Creek and its markets to discover the best street food in the city, and find out where you can find the tastiest flakes in the city.
8. Let the kunafa melt in your mouth
Kunafa is a luxurious dessert made from flaky dough, syrup, melted cheese and pistachios—a sweet and delicious dessert.
If you haven’t tried kunafa before, you’re in for a treat. This delectable Dubai dessert is made from rolled pastry soaked in syrup, layered with melted cheese, and served with clotted cream, pistachios, or other nuts. Hot, sticky, and perfectly crispy, this popular and luxurious treat is a must-try in Dubai.
How to eat the best kunafa in Dubai?
You won’t have to look far for kunafa; there are even food vendors in Dubai Mall offering this delicious dessert — perfect for taking with you when you go out to watch the spectacular fountain show, which is one of the best activities suggested in Dubai at night.
9. Eat street samosas as a snack
Samosas are crispy, triangular-shaped pastries filled with spiced vegetables; they are a delicious and popular vegetarian street food.
Samosas are one of the best foods for vegetarians in Dubai, where a large part of the cuisine is based on meat.Like many popular dishes in Dubai today, these triangular-shaped pastries arrived in the UAE from India and were quickly adopted into the local cuisine.
How to eat the best samosas in Dubai?
Head to the historic Al Fahidi district, where you will find some of the best vegan street food carts in the city, and discover the best vegan food in Dubai.
10. Wake up to aromatic Arabic coffee and dates
Arabic coffee is an aromatic coffee spiced with cardamom, and is usually served with sweet dates, a traditional and delicious combination.
Enjoy a cup of Arabic coffee, which is typically smoother and sweeter than coffee found in the West, with hints of chocolate and sugar. Cardamom is added, giving it a rich, aromatic flavor, and it’s perfectly complemented by the sweet dates that are usually served with it.
How can you experience the best Arabic coffee and dates in Dubai?
Wake up to the aroma of coffee in the luxurious ambiance of a Bedouin tent at the Dubai Desert Camp . It’s the perfect way to wake up after an evening spent exploring the dunes, watching traditional dances, and gazing at the stars.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best Food in Dubai
What are some traditional dishes that you should try in Dubai?
Among the most popular foods to try in Dubai are delicious meat and rice dishes such as machboos, marqooq, and khoozi. Vegetarians can enjoy traditional Dubai dishes like regag and sambousa. Desserts such as luqaimat and kunafa are also very popular as snacks.
What are the best food tours in Dubai?
Dubai offers a wide variety of food tours to suit all tastes. Embark on a tasting tour of Dubai’s souks to explore the sights, sounds, and smells of these enchanting markets and discover the best street food in the city. Or, head straight for a fine dining tour if you’re looking to sample gourmet cuisine.
What are the best local food markets you can visit in Dubai?
Dubai boasts a fantastic array of local farmers’ markets where you can find high-quality, fresh produce. Head to Ripe Market in Al Sufouh, which features a wide variety of independent vendors and delicious food. For vegetables, the best places are Souk Fresh and Souk Al Khadra, while for a wide selection of fresh seafood, go straight to Jumeirah Fish Market in Umm Suqeim. For a fun dining experience, Time Out Market Dubai —located across the lake from The Dubai Mall—is a great place to eat, offering a huge selection of street food and dishes from around the world, as well as bars and views of the fountains.
What is the best time of year to visit Dubai for food lovers?
The Dubai Food Festival takes place over two to three weeks in April and May. A feast for the senses, this festival is one of Dubai’s most exciting events. Attracting nearly 100,000 food enthusiasts each year, the festival offers a full range of exquisite dining experiences.
How much of my budget should I allocate to food in Dubai?
As with most things in Dubai, there’s a significant price difference between fine dining and street food, so it really depends on your dietary preferences. The average traveler in Dubai spends at least $60 USD, or AED 220, per day on food, but if you prefer upscale restaurants, expect to spend considerably more.