7+ Dubai Famous Food Every Indian Must Try

We all know Dubai is famous for its stunning architecture, skyscrapers, skylines, hotels, festivals and abundant wealth. Dubai is also known for its diverse food culture. It offers a fusion of various cuisines from around the world. You can find a combination of Lebanese, Iranian, and Arabic food. Its delicious taste makes you crave more.

With a tempting aroma and an extensive choice of foods, the city’s culinary environment is a feast for your senses. Traditional Dubai foods like Arabic coffee, camel burgers, breads and pastries have started to gain popularity again.

Dubai cuisine has plenty of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. This diverse food option ensures you that every meal is an adventure. Whether you like to enjoy street food or want to dine at a restaurant, Dubai provides you with the blend of its culture on your plate. If you plan to visit Dubai, you should never miss the opportunity to try its delicious local food. Let’s explore some of Dubai famous foods below.

Culinary Delights of Dubai

Dubai’s cuisine is famous for its rich taste and wealthy lifestyles. You can enjoy the fusion of traditional Middle Eastern flavours with global influences. The city boasts a variety of dishes from shawarma to its world-class desserts. There are also many pure veg restaurants in Dubai.

Dubai’s National Dish: Machboos

Machboos is one of Dubai famous foods. This traditional delicacy is made from meat along with rice and onion. Lemon, salt and spices add a delicious flavour to this Machboos. For its rich taste and mesmerising aroma, it is called Dubai’s national treasure. Machboos is usually served on a big plate with salad and raita. Most of you can taste and eat from a single place. If you taste it for the first time, you will never miss it when you have a chance to eat in Dubai.

Famous Street Food Delights

You should also try famous street food in Dubai. For some reason, street foods have a larger fan following than the ones served in Restaurants. Here is a list of Dubai street food you can try out on your trip.

• Falafel: It is a vegetarian staple which looks like a fried ball. It is usually made from ground chickpeas or fava beans. You can try this with pita bread, banana gemus or Hummus. It is one of Dubai famous foods on the streets, which the locals love.
• Shawarma: Shawarma is an Arabic dish served in a pita wrap with overflowing meat like chicken, lamb, or beef. You can enjoy the yoghurt dip and the Tabasco sauce over the meat. This yummy street food is completed by crunchy tabouleh or fattoush salad.
• Luqaimat: It is one of the famous snacks in Dubai. This Dubai famous sweet dumpling is especially popular during Ramadan. This mouth-watering dish is made from Cardamom, flour, saffron, sugar, butter, and milk.
• Kebabs: You can add this mouth-watering dish to your Dubai culinary experience. The dish tastes like heaven when it is served with Basmatice rice. Your trip will be incomplete if you don’t taste this traditional and Dubai famous food.
• Samosas: These crispy pastries can be found on the streets and in restaurants. They are filled with vegetables or meat and make a good snack.
• kunafa: It is the best food in Dubai. Kunafa is made with cheese and a crispy dough. Never forget to miss this pastry.

Vegetarian Gems

If you are a veggie-lover, Dubai offers a variety of vegetarian dishes with organic, healthy, and aromatic flavours.

• Tabbouleh: It is a refreshing Middle Eastern salad made with chopped parsley, bulgur wheat, tomatoes, onion, mint, and lemon dressing. This delicious salad is famous for its flavours and healthy nutrients.
• Baba Ganoush: You can consider baba ganoush as the best starter in Dubai’s cuisine. It is a creamy roasted eggplant dip flavoured with onions, tomatoes, and olive oil.
• Fattoush: It is one of the must-try dishes in Dubai. It is made from Levantine bread and adds a healthy taste to your menu. Many restaurants in Dubai offer a variety of vegetarian curries and lentil dishes showcasing its rich flavours.

Indulge in Seafood

With its extensive coastal line, Dubai offers plenty of seafood restaurants and seaside shackles. Seafood in Dubai is a culinary treasure made from the Arabian Gulf. You will love the taste of Dubai famous food like Machboos,  perfectly grilled fish and prawn curries.

A Touch of Sweetness

• Umm Ali is a famous dessert in Dubai. It is made with layers of pastry, nuts, raisins, and milk. This dessert has a famous tale behind it. It is named after Aybak’s first wife, Om Ali.
• Baklava: This dish represents Dubai food culture. It is a sweet pastry made with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey.
• Date Cakes: As we all know, in the olden days, people mentioned Emirates dates. Dubai is the source of this sweet nutrition. You must taste these traditional sticky and moist date cakes.

Unveiling Dubai’s Food Culture

History and Influences:

• Dubai grew from a small fishing village to a global metropolis. Its food culture reflects its diverse population. As Dubai started growing in its trading port, the cuisine was also enriched by Arabic, Indian, and Persian influences. Each has an indelible mark on the city’s culinary landscape.
• Dubai’s varied cuisine heavily incorporates ingredients from other cuisines, such as cumin, saffron, and cardamom from Arabic cuisine, turmeric, coriander, and garam masala from Indian cuisine, and dried lime, dill, and parsley from Persian cuisine.
• Traditional cooking methods like slow-cooked meats, grilling, and baking in clay ovens are still available in Dubai. It makes Dubai famous food more delicious.

Dining Etiquette:

People in Dubai always prefer eating with their hands rather than using cutleries. They like to eat with their right hands, and low tables and floor cushions are widely used in Dubai for dining. Dubai’s dining etiquette involves communal eating with dishes served on shared plates. Additionally, showing respect and gratitude for meals is a highly valued part of Dubai culture.

Source: Dining Etiquette

Food and Festivities:

Food plays a major role in the festivals and celebrations of Dubai. Especially during Ramadan, dishes like lamb ouzi, harees, and various sweets like kunafa and baklava are often used to break the fast. Eid al-Fitr, the festival that marks the last day of Ramadan with delicious dishes like biryani, kebabs, baklava, and more.

Cost Considerations - Budgeting for Your Culinary Journey

• Dubai Food Prices: Generally, the cost of a meal in Dubai is between AED 40 and AED 80 at any Dubai restaurant. You can also buy more affordable foods, such as Lebanese, Thai, and Mexican dishes. If you go to a royal restaurant, the food ranges from AED 100 to AED 200 for the same food. The average cost of cuisines in Dubai, such as Indian food, is 250 AED; for Mexican food, it is around or under AED 286; and for Chinese food, it is about AED 198. Italian food is expensive compared to Indian and Chinese cuisine.
• Street Food vs. Restaurants: Street food in Dubai offers more affordable meals than royal restaurants. You can experience the taste of Dubai famous food like shawarma, falafel, and manakish, which are available at reasonable prices in street foods. Street food not only provides you with a taste of authentic cuisine but also provides you with budget-friendly cuisine in Dubai.
• Tipping: It is not mandatory in Dubai but is appreciated for good service. For exceptional service, you can offer them with a minimal tip. In street food stalls, tipping can be a nice gesture for excellent service.

Source: Food prices in Dubai

Key Takeaways

Dubai’s food culture is a combination of Lebanese, Iranian, and Arabic food. You can make every meal an unforgettable experience with foods like Machboos, falafel, and shawarma. Desserts like Umm Ali and Baklava bring a sweet touch. Vegetarian options like Tabbouleh and Baba Ganoush offer refreshing tastes. Don’t miss out on the mouth-watering flavours of Dubai famous foods. Experience a culinary journey now!