Food & Drink

The Emirati cuisine is surprisingly unknown — even in the UAE, there are significantly more Indian and Lebanese restaurants than Emirati ones. Yet the cuisine is fascinating: a mix of Bedouin simplicity, Persian influences, and the spices of the Indian Ocean.

Traditional Dishes

• Machboos (Majboos): The national dish — spiced rice with lamb, chicken, or fish, similar to Indian Biryani, but with its own spice blends (Bezar) and dried limes (Loomi). Hearty and aromatic.
• Al Harees: Wheat and meat (usually lamb), cooked for hours into a creamy paste. Sounds simple, but tastes heavenly — especially popular during Ramadan.
• Luqaimat: Small, fried dough balls, drizzled with date syrup (Dibs). The ultimate Emirati dessert — sweet, sticky, irresistible. At street food stalls from 10 AED (2.50 EUR).
• Balaleet: Sweet breakfast dish made from vermicelli with cardamom, saffron, and rose water, served with an omelet on top. The combination of sweet and savory is unusual but fantastic.
• Karak Chai: THE national drink of the UAE — strong black tea with milk, cardamom, and lots of sugar. Available on every corner, from 2 AED (0.50 EUR). The cafeterias in Deira and Karama serve the best.
• Arabic Coffee (Gahwa): Light, cardamom-spiced coffee, served in small cups (Finjan) with dates. Part of every Emirati hospitality — refusing the first cup is impolite.

Where to Eat Emirati?

• Al Fanar Restaurant (Dubai Festival City): Authentic Emirati cuisine in a restored souk setting. Machboos, Luqaimat, Harees — all excellent. Main courses 60–120 AED (15–30 EUR).
• Arabian Tea House (Bastakiya): In the historic district, under Bougainvillea. Emirati and Arabic cuisine, excellent Karak Chai.
• Logma (Dubai Mall/various locations): Modern Emirati fast-casual — Machboos bowls, Luqaimat, Regag (Emirati crêpes). From 40 AED (10 EUR).

The best (and cheapest) food in the UAE is not found in luxury restaurants, but in the cafeterias — that's what the simple snack bars and small restaurants run by Indian, Pakistani, Lebanese, and Iranian operators are called. In Deira, Bur Dubai, Karama, and Satwa, you can eat fantastically for 15–40 AED (4–10 EUR).

Must-Eat Street Food

• Shawarma: The ubiquitous — marinated chicken or lamb from the spit, wrapped in flatbread with garlic sauce, pickles, and fries. From 8 AED (2 EUR). The best: Ashwaq Cafeteria (Deira), Al Mallah (Satwa).
• Mandi: Yemeni rice with lamb or chicken, cooked in an earth oven (Tandoor). Tender, smoky, aromatic. From 30 AED (7.50 EUR). Top: Maraheb Yemen Restaurant (Al Quoz).
• Falafel & Hummus: Lebanese classics, on every corner. Falafel sandwich from 5 AED (1.25 EUR). Recommendation: Operation Falafel (multiple locations).
• Manakish: Lebanese flatbread pizza with Zaatar (thyme-sesame mix), cheese, or meat. The ultimate Arabic breakfast. From 8 AED (2 EUR).
• Samosa & Pakora: Indian fried snacks, perfect for in-between. 1–3 AED per piece.
• Iranian Kebab: Juicy meat skewers (Koobideh) with saffron rice and grilled tomatoes. From 25 AED (6 EUR). Top: Special Ostadi (Deira).

Budget Hotspots

• Karama: Dubai's "Little India" — dozens of Indian restaurants with Thalis (platter meals) from 15 AED (3.75 EUR)
• Satwa: The Lebanese quarter — Shawarma, Manakish, Falafel. Al Mallah is iconic.
• Deira: Around the Gold Souk: Iranian, Afghan, and Pakistani cuisine at bargain prices
• Global Village (Nov–Apr): Over 90 country pavilions with street food from around the world. Entrance 25 AED (6 EUR).

In recent years, Dubai has developed into the fine dining capital of the Middle East — and increasingly on the world stage. Celebrity chefs from around the world have opened branches here, and the local culinary scene has grown explosively.

Michelin-Starred Restaurants & Celebrity Chefs

• Tresind Studio: 2 Michelin stars, modern Indian cuisine. Tasting menu from 900 AED (225 EUR). One of the best Indian tables worldwide.
• Ossiano (Atlantis, The Palm): Underwater restaurant with views into the Ambassador Lagoon Aquarium. Finest seafood. 1 Michelin star. Menu from 700 AED (175 EUR).
• Nobu Dubai (Atlantis): The famous Japanese-Peruvian mix by Nobu Matsuhisa. Sushi, Black Cod Miso, Yellowtail Sashimi. From 400 AED (100 EUR) per person.
• Zuma (DIFC): Japanese Izakaya cuisine at the highest level. Friday brunch is legendary (and expensive: from 600 AED/150 EUR with alcohol).
• La Petite Maison (DIFC): French Riviera cuisine. Niçoise salad, Truffle Pizza, Côte de Boeuf. From 350 AED (87 EUR) per person.

Unique Experiences

• Dinner in the Sky: Dine at a crane 50 m high, under the open sky, with the Dubai skyline as a backdrop. From 699 AED (175 EUR). Marina.
• Pierchic: At the end of a 300 m long pier over the sea — seafood with a view of the Burj Al Arab. From 400 AED (100 EUR).
• At.mosphere (Burj Khalifa, Level 122): The highest restaurant in the world (at its opening). Breakfast from 350 AED (87 EUR), dinner from 600 AED (150 EUR).

Brunch Culture

The Friday brunch is an institution in Dubai — and in the UAE, it's a completely different category than in Europe. A typical "Friday Brunch" in a 5-star hotel is a 3–4-hour all-you-can-eat-and-drink event with champagne, international buffets, live music, and a party atmosphere. Prices: 300–800 AED (75–200 EUR) per person. The brunch culture is the social highlight of the expat week.