Emeriti cuisine blends Iranian, Lebanese, and even Indian savors, with abundant meat-based and vegetarian dishes to relish. Crammed with top of herbs, Dubai’s cuisines are both flavorsome and healthy.
Notable dishes like falafel and hummus are world-known, but we’ve compiled a few authentic regional dishes that are possibly less popular to most visitors. This list of the best foods in Dubai to dine is likely to be a fantastic curtain-raiser to authentic Arabic cuisine.
10 Best Foods in Dubai To Savour Your Taste Buds
1. Harees
Harees is among the most popular foods in Dubai. It can frequently be discovered on multiple an Emirati dinner table, as well as on the menus in a few of Dubai’s most pleasing restaurants.
Its preparation demands a fantastic deal of skill and time, so it’s generally offered at certain weddings, occasions, and banquets.
The ingredients for harees are minced meat (occasionally chicken), crushed wheat, as well as ground cumin, onions, a great part of water, and salt. Emirati harees are deemed among Dubai’s best-known classic dishes. Deeply rooted in Emirati culinary heritage, harees recipes are cherished and handed down from one generation to the next.
2. Majboos
Majboos is a favorite among visitors to Dubai and holds a special place in Emirati cuisine, with family recipes often passed down through generations.
The dish features basmati rice paired with different types of meat, though chicken is commonly used in Emirati versions. It’s known for its rich blend of Arabian spices and a variety of vegetables. Whether for family gatherings or Iftar during Ramadan, chicken or meat majboos is a staple on the table.
3. Luqaymat
Luqaymat is a cherished part of Dubai’s traditional cuisine and is commonly prepared for cultural celebrations throughout the Emirates. These sweet pastries are a staple in both homes and restaurants, particularly during festive occasions.
Shaped into small, golden balls that are light and melt in your mouth, luqaymat is made with a mix of flour, sesame seeds, turmeric, milk, sugar, salt, and a touch of yeast. The dough is kneaded, allowed to rest, then deep-fried, and topped with sweet syrup.
Thought to have originated in the Arab world—where they’re also called halwa al-luqaymat or ’awama—similar pastries exist in Greece, known as loukoumades. The syrup used to coat luqaymat, called sharbat, has its roots in Türkiye.
4. Madrouba
Madrouba is among the most popular foods in Dubai, and it is also popular in Bahrain and Oman. The most well-known version features chicken, though it’s also made with fish, lamb, or crushed grains. Key ingredients include rice, garlic, onions, tomatoes, yogurt, and various seasonings, with a moderate amount of butter added for richness.
The name ‘madrouba,’ which means ‘beaten’ in Arabic, comes from the final step in the cooking process where everything is mashed together into a smooth, creamy consistency. Its soft texture makes it easy to digest, making it a suitable dish for people of all ages.
5. Thareed
Emirati thareed (also known as fareed) with meat is a signature dish of Gulf cuisine and is especially common in Dubai. It consists of pieces of bread and vegetables soaked in a flavorful meat broth. Often served during special occasions, the dish is packed with vitamins and protein.
Prepared with meat, the broth is enriched with whole wheat bread and assorted vegetables, making it a hearty and nourishing meal. Known for being a great source of energy, thareed is also praised for its health benefits, largely due to its high vegetable protein content.
6. Meat Biryani
Biryani is a widely enjoyed dish across the Gulf region, and Dubai is no different. With its roots in Indian cuisine, biryani first spread to East Asia before gaining popularity in the Arab world, where it’s loved for its rich, savory flavor. The dish is known for its use of aromatic and flavorful Indian spices.
There are many types of biryani, such as Iranian, katchi, Sri Lankan, and Southeast Asian versions. Typically prepared with basmati rice and a blend of spices, biryani is often served with chicken or other meats.
7. Chicken Saloona
Even with the growing influence of Western cuisine in the Emirates, saloona remains a beloved staple in Emirati households and is proudly served on many dinner tables. When visiting Dubai, be sure to try Dubai’s traditional cuisine, celebrated for its straightforward preparation, rich flavor, and satisfying taste.
Chicken saloona is made with pieces of chicken, turmeric, olive oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, onion, chili, spices, and served alongside white rice. It’s packed with protein and vitamins and is a go-to dish during special occasions, cherished by both locals and tourists alike.
8. Oozie
Oozie is one of the Gulf region’s most iconic dishes, often served at weddings, festive celebrations, and especially during Ramadan when families gather for Iftar.
This dish features spiced rice, which can be stuffed into light pastry parcels or served alongside chicken. It is sometimes accompanied by salad and yogurt, and is often topped with roasted or fried nuts for added texture and flavor.
9. Jasheed
Jasheed is a well-known Gulf specialty, especially in coastal areas where seafood plays a central role in the diet.
Traditionally made with small sharks—or other types of fish if needed—jasheed is served with white rice (aysh) and clarified butter. The fish is first boiled with spices until the skin loosens, then cleaned and cooked again with a mix of bazaar spices, cinnamon, ginger, dried lemon, cardamom, chopped onions, and garlic. After shredding the fish and combining it with chopped chili and the spice blend, it’s simmered until fully cooked and ready to be served.
10. Tahta Malih
Tahta malih is a classic dish from Dubai that continues to be enjoyed today, maintaining its traditional flavor. It’s made using malih—preserved and salted fish—which was historically essential when fresh food was scarce.
Certain fish varieties, such as mackerel, tuna, herring, and queenfish, are ideal for salting and preservation. The most common type in Dubai is made with yellowfin tuna. Due to its high salt content, it’s advised that those with high blood pressure consume it in moderation.
