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Dubai’s local food and drink cluster highlights Emirati cuisine and street snacks . It features traditional dishes like Machboos (spiced rice with meat) and Luqaimat (sweet dumplings).
- Local Foods: Traditional Emirati dishes like Machboos (spiced rice with meat) and Luqaimat (sweet dumplings) are featured in this cluster.
- Local Beverages: Arabic coffee (gahwa) and Karak chai (spiced milk tea) are popular local drinks, often brewed with cardamom, saffron or mint.
- Street foods: Popular quick eats like shawarma (spit-roasted meat wraps) and falafel (crispy chickpea balls) are widely available in Dubai.

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Dubai’s local cuisine offers a window into Emirati heritage through its traditional dishes. These foods have been enjoyed for generations and are essential for visitors seeking an authentic taste of the UAE.

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All Experiences

A traditional Emirati porridge made from coarsely ground wheat slowly cooked with meat and ghee. Often served during Ramadan and at weddings, it represents hospitality in Emirati culture. In 2023, the preparation of harees was inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, underscoring its cultural significance.

Harees

A spiced rice dish cooked with meat (often chicken or lamb) and a blend of local spices like cardamom and dried lime. Deeply rooted in Emirati culture and served on special occasions, Al Machboos is widely regarded as the UAE’s national dish and showcases the region’s aromatic flavors.

Al Machboos

Thin, crispy regag bread is layered with a hearty stew of meat and vegetables in this traditional Emirati dish. Often enjoyed during Ramadan for its nourishing qualities, thareed is sometimes nicknamed “Emirati lasagna” and reflects the resourceful Bedouin practice of using bread to soak up flavorful broths.

Thareed

A thick, savory porridge traditionally made with salted fish, flour, and spices. Madrooba (meaning “beaten” in Arabic) requires vigorous mixing to achieve its smooth texture. Often prepared during Ramadan, this hearty dish reflects the coastal heritage of Dubai and the inventive use of preserved fish in Emirati cooking.

Madrooba

A traditional breakfast dish known for its blend of sweet and savory flavors. Balaleet features sweetened vermicelli noodles flavored with cardamom and saffron, topped with a thin egg omelet. This unique Emirati dish is especially popular during Eid and offers insight into local tastes by pairing sugar and spice in one recipe.

Balaleet

Bite-sized sweet dumplings made from fried dough, traditionally drizzled with date syrup or honey and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Luqaimat are a cherished Emirati dessert, often prepared during Ramadan and festive occasions. Their light, crispy texture and sweetness make them a staple symbol of hospitality in Dubai’s food culture.

Luqaimat

A grand Emirati dish of whole roasted lamb served over spiced rice with nuts and raisins. Often reserved for weddings and major celebrations, khuzi (also spelled ghuzi) is sometimes called the national dish of the UAE. It exemplifies Emirati hospitality with its generous portions and rich blend of festive flavors.

Khuzi

A hearty Emirati stew, typically tomato-based and seasoned with spices like turmeric, cumin, and bezar (a local spice mix). Margoogat is commonly made with chicken or lamb and vegetables, and often enjoyed at Iftar during Ramadan. This comforting dish showcases the warm, spiced flavors of Dubai’s home-style cooking.

Margoogat

Soft Emirati pancakes traditionally flavored with cardamom and saffron. Chebab are often served for breakfast with sides like date syrup or cheese. This simple yet fragrant dish highlights local ingredients and is a morning staple in Dubai, offering visitors a sweet start with a touch of Emirati tradition.

Chebab

A local variation of the samosa: a fried pastry pocket filled with spiced ingredients such as meat, vegetables, or cheese. Samboosas are a popular appetizer and street snack in Dubai, especially during Ramadan evenings. This Indian-influenced bite has been adopted into Emirati cuisine and is now a common household and café treat.

Samboosa

Local Foods

Dubai’s street eats reflect its diverse population and love for bold flavors. From Middle Eastern staples to South Asian-inspired snacks, these casual foods let visitors experience the city’s multicultural food scene without breaking the bank.

F & B

Local F & B

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Thinly sliced marinated meat (commonly chicken or lamb) roasted on a vertical rotisserie and wrapped in Arabic bread with garlic sauce and pickles. Shawarma is Dubai’s most ubiquitous street food, found at countless stalls and eateries. It’s a quick, affordable meal that has become an everyday favorite for its savory flavor.

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Shawarma

Crispy deep-fried balls of ground chickpeas or fava beans mixed with herbs and spices. A staple Middle Eastern snack, falafel is often served in pita bread or on its own with tahini sauce. In Dubai, this vegetarian street food is widely available and loved for its crunchy texture and hearty, spiced taste.

Falafel

An aromatic rice dish layered and cooked with spiced meat (like chicken or mutton) or vegetables. Brought to Dubai by South Asian communities, biryani in the city comes in various styles (Hyderabadi, Pakistani, etc.) and has become a local favorite. Its rich blend of spices and tender meat make it a ubiquitous comfort food in Dubai’s culinary scene.

Biryani

A popular street-food wrap where spiced meat or kebabs (and sometimes egg or cheese) are rolled inside a flaky paratha bread. Introduced by the South Asian diaspora, paratha rolls have become a late-night favorite in Dubai. They offer a fusion of Indian-Pakistani flavors in a handy format, often paired with a cup of karak chai.

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Paratha Roll

A sweet cheese pastry soaked in sugar syrup, originally from the Levant but very popular in Dubai. Knafeh is made with shredded phyllo dough or semolina, layered with gooey cheese, and topped with crushed pistachios. Often served hot, it’s a favorite street-side dessert in areas like Deira, bringing a taste of Levantine indulgence to the city.

Knafeh

A classic Persian dish of grilled meat kebabs served with chelo (buttered saffron rice). Thanks to Dubai’s Iranian community, authentic chelo kebab can be found in the city. Tender skewered meats (like kubideh minced lamb) accompanied by rice and grilled tomatoes offer a glimpse into Iranian cuisine that has been embraced in Dubai’s food scene.

Chelo Kebab

A popular Levantine flatbread topped with ingredients like za’atar (thyme spice mix), cheese, or ground meat. Similar to a personal pizza, manakish is a go-to street food and breakfast item in Dubai, reflecting the city’s Lebanese influence. Baked fresh in ovens, its crisp base and flavorful toppings make it a satisfying snack any time of day.

Manakish

A modern Dubai twist where a lean camel meat patty is served in a burger bun, often with Arabian spices. First introduced by a local restaurant, the camel burger has become a novelty street food item for visitors. It offers a unique way to sample camel meat (which is lower in fat than beef) in a familiar fast-food form.

Camel Burger

A creamy dip made from pureed chickpeas, tahini (sesame paste), lemon juice, and garlic. Hummus is a cornerstone of Middle Eastern cuisine and is widely found in Dubai, from humble falafel stands to upscale restaurants. Served with fresh pita bread, it’s a healthy, filling snack that highlights the region’s emphasis on simple, wholesome ingredients.

Hummus

Street Foods

Dubai’s drink culture mixes age-old tradition with modern refreshment. From the aromatic rituals of Arabic coffee to cooling fruit blends for the desert climate, these beverages highlight the city’s hospitality and flavors.

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Traditional Arabic coffee brewed with cardamom (and often saffron) that is a symbol of hospitality in the UAE. Served from a dallah (coffee pot) into small cups, gahwa is commonly offered to guests. This bitter, aromatic coffee is an integral part of Emirati culture, even recognized by UNESCO for its cultural significance.

Arabic Coffee (Gahwa)

A strong, sweet tea boiled with milk and often cardamom, originating from South Asia but now a daily favorite in Dubai. Karak (meaning “strong”) chai is served in small cups from roadside cafes across the city. Affordable and energizing, this spiced tea has become a cross-cultural staple of Dubai’s beverage scene.

Karak Chai

A popular Middle Eastern cold drink made from grape molasses or date syrup blended with rose water. Jellab is dark and sweet, typically served over ice and adorned with floating pine nuts and raisins. Often enjoyed in the evenings or during Ramadan, it offers a fragrant, refreshing taste of regional tradition.

Jellab

A chilled yogurt-based drink (similar to salty buttermilk) that is very popular in the UAE. Tangy and lightly salted, laban is valued for its cooling and hydrating properties in Dubai’s hot climate. It is widely available in supermarkets and restaurants, often enjoyed alongside meals or as a standalone refresher.

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Laban

The traditional milk of the region’s Bedouins, known for its slightly saltier taste and high nutrient content. In modern Dubai, camel milk has been reinvented as a gourmet experience. You can find camel milk lattes, ice creams, and chocolates. Trying camel milk offers visitors a connection to local heritage with a contemporary twist.

Camel Milk

A standout refresher in Dubai is the mint lemonade, a zesty blend of lemon juice, fresh mint, sugar, and ice. This bright green drink, known as limonana in the region, is available at virtually every cafe and juice stall. It’s the perfect thirst-quencher on a hot day, embodying Dubai’s love for fresh, tangy flavors.

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Fresh Juices (Mint Lemonade)

Local Beverages

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Dubai : Local F & B