12 Traditional Dubai Foods & Where To Eat Them

Are you looking for the traditional foods in Dubai and the best places to try them? If so, you're in the right place!

Located in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is not just tall skyscrapers, glittering gold souks, happening nightlife, and fun boat rides across the Dubai Creek. The “City of Gold” also has a thriving food scene!

Dubai’s gastronomy is a delicious mix of authentic Emirati dishes and influences from neighboring countries owing to the city’s long trading history and strong expat communities.

If you’re traveling to Dubai, you'll surely want to try quintessential Dubai foods like regag bread, luqaimat, and chicken majboos. But don’t miss out on some of the dishes of Middle Eastern cuisine like falafel, sambusa, and karak chai that originated elsewhere yet have a distinct Dubai flavor.

one of the most traditional Dubai foods, dates. — Whether made into syrup, served with coffee, or eaten as a snack, dates are one of the most essential Dubai foods.

Must-Try Traditional Dubai Foods

To make sure we got this list right, we partnered with Dubai expert Soumya from Middle East Journeys. She was able to give us invaluable insights into many of the customs and traditions relating to Dubai’s best foods and local cuisine.

From unique breads and sweet hot dumplings to slow-cooked meats and date-filled pastries, here is the list of Dubai’s most iconic foods and the best places to eat them.

1. Emirati Regag Bread

Emirati regal bread — Regag bread looks like a crepe.

Made from a simple batter of wheat flour, water, and salt, the thin and crispy crepe-like regag bread is a staple in many Emirati households. It is often served at breakfast or as an accompaniment to savory dishes such as kebabs.

You can enjoy regag bread with a variety of toppings, from eggs to cheese or honey. Or, you can have a regag on its own with a piping hot cup of karak chai (milk tea).

Where's the best place to try Emirati regag bread? One of Soumya’s favorite places to indulge in the Emirati regag is the Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant in Old Dubai, where you can also see the traditional regag being prepared in the courtyard kitchen.

Another great option, Walid Mohammad Bakhit Bakery in Jumeirah 1, is a local hole in the wall that has been selling authentic regag for the past 40 years!

2. Chicken Majboos

Chicken machboos — One of the traditional Dubai foods considered a national dish, chicken majboos

The traditional Dubai food known as chicken majboos (also spelled machboos) is a festive dish made from slow-cooked tender chicken pieces blended with spices, including saffron, cardamom, and cinnamon, served over a bed of fragrant basmati rice.

Unlike in the famous Indian food biryani, the rice and chicken in majboos are cooked separately and then served together. The combination is such a famous Dubai food, many consider it a national dish.

Majboos, also known as kabsa in some countries, is a traditional Middle Eastern dish, and every country that makes it has its own version. The dish is often reserved for celebrations and special occasions, bringing families together around a single plate.

One of the best places to try chicken majboos and other traditional food in Dubai is the Arabian Tea House Restaurant in the Al Fahidi neighborhood of Dubai.

3. Luqaimat

Luqaimat, a Dubai dessert drizzled with sweet syrup and sesame seeds

If you’re looking for a tasty treat when visiting Dubai, try the UAE’s sweet, golden dumplings, luqaimat. They are a popular Middle Eastern dessert, and locals love to eat them during the holy month of Ramadan.

Luqaimat are made from a simple dough of flour, butter, and sugar, then deep-fried until they are a crisp golden brown. Afterwards, they are soaked (or sometimes drizzled) with sweet date syrup or honey and can be garnished with sesame seeds.

I love the delightful crunch of luqaimat that contrasts beautifully with the sweet, sticky syrup. If you’ve visited Athens, Greece, you’ll recognize the similarities the Dubai deep-fried balls share with the Greek street food loukoumades.

You will find luqaimat at virtually every restaurant and street food vendor in Dubai. However, the top 2 places to try this delectable Dubai dessert are Logma and Al Fanar Restaurant.

4. Khuzi

Khuzi, a traditional Dubai dish with lamb and rice — Khuzi, a traditional Dubai dish featuring lamb and rice

One of the most traditional Emirati foods, khuzi (sometimes called ghuzi) is not just a staple of Dubai cuisine—as with machboos, many consider it a national dish of the UAE.

Of course, there are different variations of this flavorful dish, but at the center is slow-cooked lamb.

The lamb is marinated in a rich blend of spices such as saffron, cinnamon, and nutmeg and cooked for hours until tender. The fall-apart meat is then served on a bed of rice infused with ghee and spices. Topped with a medley of toasted nuts and sweet raisins, it’s one of the best culinary experiences in Dubai!

5. Mamoul

Mamoul is a delicate shortbread pastry filled with dates, nuts, or figs. Its soft, crumbly texture and rich filling make it a must-have during festive occasions and celebrations.

Your taste buds will particularly love a piece of mamoul with a cup of qahwa (Arabic coffee) or karak chai.

A beloved dessert in Dubai and across the Middle East, mamouls are intricately designed using molds of different shapes and sizes. That’s why these tiny desserts are one of the best souvenirs to bring home from Dubai.

The city goes mamoul-crazy during Ramadan and Eid when many new and innovative versions start hitting the stalls. If you’re a mamoul fan, you will love your time in Dubai, especially during the festive month in which these two celebrations occur.

Boxes of mamouls are available everywhere in Dubai, from boutique restaurants and confectionery stores to large supermarkets. The best mamoul places at which to get these these jewels of traditional Emirati cuisine in Dubai are Feras Aldiyafa Sweets, Three by Eva, and Wafi Gourmet.

6. Emirati Chebab

Chebab served with honey — One of the traditional Emerati breakfast foods, chebab served with honey

Even though the name chebab may remind you of kebabs, this traditional emirati food is actually a fluffy, spiced, yeast pancake that’s a breakfast favorite among Dubai locals.

Chebab pancakes are usually infused with saffron and cardamom, which adds some really great flavor.

One of the lesser-known foods of Dubai, chebabs are usually eaten with sugar, honey, and even Nutella. You can also have them with a dollop of cream cheese or date syrup if you prefer.

Bait Al Kanafa serves some of the best chebabs in Dubai.

7. Sambusa

Vegetarian sambas — Sambusas, the Middle Eastern version of Indian samosas

Sambusas are crispy pastries filled with various ingredients, such as spiced meat, vegetables, or lentils. Typically enjoyed as an appetizer or a snack, sambusas are a staple at Iftar tables during Ramadan.

Sambusas are very similar to the more famous Indian samosa, which is believed to have originated in the Middle East. However, sambusas are smaller in size and usually include non-vegetarian fillings.

Sambusa is one of those dishes that has evolved considerably in Dubai, owing to its large expat population. Each country that makes sambusa has its own version, and many have created new innovative ones, thus offering thousand of different kinds to choose from.

For authentic Emirati sambusa, head to Logma Dubai Mall, which serves a wide range of snacks, including cheese sambusa and minced beef and chicken sambusa. For a more Indian taste, try the samosas at Project Chaiwala and Farzi Café.

8. Harees

Harees is a traditional Emirati dish that combines wheat and meat (chicken or lamb) slow-cooked to perfection until it reaches a porridge-like consistency.

It is usually made in large quantities because the cooking process and cleaning is time consuming. The preparation and consumption of harees is steeped in tradition—so much so that the custom is listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Although harees is a popular breakfast dish, locals also eat it for dinner, but spoons are not used at either meal. The thick porridge is eaten with the thumb and forefinger.

During Ramadan, family members and friends get together to share harees from the same plate. People love inviting friends because serving harees is seen as a sign of generosity and hospitality.

The best places to try harees in Dubai are Harees Al Fareej Restaurant and Al Jawareh Restaurant.

9. Falafel

falafel among other traditional foods of Dubai — Falafel are always a good idea in the Middle East.

You can never go wrong with a falafel, the most popular street food in Middle Eastern countries.

Falafels are patties made from ground chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans) or fava beans that are deep-fried in olive oil. Although falafels are believed to have originated in Egypt (there's still some debate on that), these crunchy patties have become a staple across the Middle East and an integral part of Dubai’s street food scene.

Falafels are served on their own or in warm pita bread or a wrap alongside tahini, pickles, and fresh vegetables.

Soumya recommends falafel wrap with eggs—it’s one of the most satisfyingly filling Dubai dishes.

Falafel sandwiches can be eaten at any time of the day, be it breakfast, lunch, dinner, or anywhere in between. They are a delicious snack and easy to eat on the go.

For the best falafels in Dubai, head to the 40-year-old Al Mallah Cafeteria or the very Syrian Aroos Damascus. The popular chain Operation Falafel also dishes out some of Dubai's tastiest falafels with lots of fries and pickles on the side.

10. Camel Meat

Camel burger — One of the best ways to try camel meat is in a camel burger.

If you're looking to eat something new and exotic in Dubai, try camel meat, a popular choice on the Arabian Peninsula.

Camel meat is an integral part of traditional Arab cuisine and a delicacy in the Gulf Region. It is usually eaten when important guests are visiting or festivals are being celebrated.

Camel meat is rich and flavorful. It can be added to traditional dishes like stews, or it can be grilled with aromatic spices and served with rice. Camel meat burgers, camel milk cookies, and camel milk cappuccino are pretty common, too.

The best place to try camel meat in Dubai is the Local House Restaurant, which was also the first eatery to introduce camel burgers in the UAE.

11. Qahwa and Dates

Qahwa, or Arabic coffee, is an aromatic coffee, often flavored with cardamom and saffron. Coffee is always accompanied by dates in this part of the world, making qahwa and dates a unique combination to try during your visit.

A core part of Emirati hospitality and culture, qahwa is usually brewed in traditional Arabic coffee pots called dallah and served in small cups called finjan (which are great souvenirs, by the way).

The ritual of serving qahwa with dates is a symbol of warmth and welcome in Emirati homes. You can experience this timeless tradition in local restaurants such as Arabian Tea House and Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant in the Old Town of Dubai.

For a more immersive experience, head to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU), where you can connect with local culture alongside a cup of qahwa and fresh dates.

12. Karak Chai

Karak chai is a strong, sweet tea brewed with spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, or star anise—among others—and served with milk. Although it has its roots in India, karak chai is drunk widely in the UAE and has become a beloved beverage in Dubai. It is available in cafes, restaurants, street stalls, and almost any other food place you can think of.

You can have a cup of karak tea anytime during the day, though it is best enjoyed in the mornings with some warm Emirati regag bread.

Dubai's best karak chai spots include Chai and Co., Arabian Tea House, Project Chaiwala, Filli Café, and Real Karak Café.

For more Middle Eastern foodie travel posts, read:
Street Food in Cairo
Street Food in Istanbul
Street Food in Jerusalem
Street Food in Tel Aviv