Food from Dubai has a lot to offer. No matter if you are a vegetarian or meat lover. The traditional Emirati dishes are not only flavoursome but also healthy. The interesting thing about Dubai is that it imports the world's best food chains and chefs to entertain the tourist foodies.
Whether you are visiting Dubai for business or entertainment purposes, you need to recharge yourself with some mouth-watering food. We have gathered some of the best and popular foods for you to try in the area.
You can make reservations in certain restaurants before your trip to avoid waiting and crowd.
The top famous foods in Dubai are as follows:
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Stuffed Camel
This food is added to the Guinness book of world records as it is the largest food in the world. It is also considered celebratory and luxurious food.
The camel food is cooked on an open flame and then it is stuffed with different ingredients like sheep meat, fish, eggs, chicken, and different spices to add taste. Stuffed camel is a traditional Emirati food in Dubai so it’s a must-try. It is not available on random days and is only served on special days and occasions like weddings, festivals, Bedouin ceremonies, etc.
Shirin Polo
Shirin Polo is a traditional Persian dish that is loved by the people of Iran. It is a thick, crispy, and wonderful dish and quite popular for its sweet garnishing.
This recipe is prepared by using basmati rice along with carrots, currants, raisins, chicken, and different types of dry fruits. If you are looking for something different in Dubai then this recipe is a must-try. You will feel happy and contentment as this meal is fulfilling and tasty.
Al Harees
If you are more into Emirati food then Al Harees is a must-try. It is one of the most popular dishes with a highly exotic taste. This recipe is prepared using meat and wheat and a few other ingredients.
Meat along with wheat with a pinch of salt is cooked for several hours until the paste is smooth. It is further cooked overnight in a clay pot. Spices are added later on accordingly.
Al Harees is also available in few UAE restaurants but it is commonly served on Muslim festivals like Eid, Ramadan, and wedding ceremonies.
Falafel
Falafel is a traditional Middle East recipe that is made of fava beans and ground chickpeas. Its final touch provides it with a look of a deep-fried ball or patty. It is one of the most famous foods loved by the tourists of Dubai.
You can try it alone or with some kind of bread for the best dining experience. The falafel recipe is different as many restaurants cook it differently.
Before ordering, ask the waiter about what the recipe consists of. Because it may contain ingredients that you are allergic to. If you have no food allergies then go for it.
Luqaimat
Luqaimat is also one of the most famous dishes of traditional UAE cuisines and it also represents the various cultural events of UAE. This food looks like a pastry and it must-have recipe on different special occasions.
These delicious pastries are shaped into delicate golden balls that melt in your mouth completely. It is made of sesame seeds, turmeric, milk, flour, salt, and yeast. The mixture is kneaded and left to rest for a while to merge the ingredients. After that, it is fried in the oil and then further dipped into the syrup to add sweetness.
It is not only famous in Arab but also in Greek as they call it Louka. While in Turkey, they dip it into honey instead of sugar syrup.
Oozie
Oozie is the popular dish of the Gulf region and it features on special occasions like wedding parties and other festivals. It is a complimentary dish on the table in the Ramadan month at the iftar time.
This recipe is cooked with the meat and rice that are stuffed into delicate pastry packets. It can also be served along with chicken, salad, and yoghurt. Some people like to add dry fruits like nuts, raisins, etc for extraordinary taste.
Don’t forget to try this mouth-watering recipe on your Dubai food trip.
Tahta Malih
Tahta Malih is also the ancient and traditional dish of UAE and that is still popular. The chefs of the UAE have preserved its original flavours.
This recipe is made of preserved salted fish called ‘Malih’ and served in UAE with fresh fish and other foods. You can try this recipe to enjoy the exclusive and rich-flavoured taste.
If you are a hypertension patient then you should avoid this as it will be not suitable for you.
Meat Biryani
Biryani is not only famous in Asian countries like Pakistan and India but also in the Gulf region. This dish was popular in East Asia before but now many fancy restaurants in Dubai offer this dish.
The beef, mutton, or chicken is cooked first with onions, tomatoes, and multiple slices. After that, it is placed between the layers of plain basmati rice and cooked on steam for a few minutes.
Biryani has different varieties like Sindhi, Iraqi, and Sri Lankan. But the Indian and Pakistani recipe is the best of those.
8 Delicious foods to try in Dubai
Here we wrap up our list of top 8 must-try foods in Dubai:
- Stuffed Camel
- Shirin Polo
- Al Harees
- Falafel
- Luqaimat
- Oozie
- Tahta Malih
- Meat Biryani
