Emirati Cuisine

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).