Discover 10 unmissable cuisines in Dubai, from authentic flavours to global dining hotspots. Whether it’s a unique Lebanese restaurant in Dubai Marina or a lazy breakfast in Dubai, here is a guide for trying out the best food.
Dubai is not just about the glitz and glam. It’s a hub for food innovation and diversity, where 200 nationalities bring their flavours to the table.
The city offers a variety of food options with 13000 cafes and restaurants spread across the city, representing every culture. If you’re planning a trip to Dubai, your experience will be incomplete without getting a taste of the global fusion.
While exploring the city, try the 9 top cuisines that will make your trip more memorable.
9 Cuisines in Dubai That You Can’t Miss
Here are some must-try cuisines on your visit to Dubai.
1. Emirati Cuisine
Your Dubai trip will be incomplete without trying the local Emirati food. Here’s a list of items you have to try.
Majboos: Rice cooked with delicious meat and spices; you can get yourself some red meat or fish options as well.
Luqaimat: Dumplings dripping in sweet date syrup; one of the most appreciated dessert items.
Chebab: Pancakes, infused with spices; a cherished item for breakfast in Dubai.
Try out both high-end old restaurants like Al Fahidi and local cafes serving traditional spicy lunch meals and breakfast.
2. Lebanese Fine Dining and Street Food
Love for Lebanese cuisine in Dubai is undeniable. With an estimated Lebanese population of 80000 people in Dubai, the city became a hub for Lebanese food.
- Try out Allo Beirut street food for breakfast items like Sayadieh.
- Explore sumptuous breakfast platters at Lokmar Bahia and Manoushe Street.
- If you want to try Lebanese restaurants in Dubai Marina, visit places like Al Shorfa Restaurant and Amaseena to savour meals with the fitting ambience.
Whether it’s the mezze platters, fresh flatbreads, or shawarmas, don’t miss out on the light aromatic and sumptuous Lebanese food.
3. South Asian Flavours
With roughly 4.3 million Indian people, South Asian cuisine has become a go-to for Dubai locals and visitors. In the expatriate community with Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, South Asian cuisine is everywhere. Here is the star attraction items that you need to get:
- A combination of biriyani, kebabs, and butter chicken can deliver the ‘desi’ flavor you crave.
- The undeniably flavourful chaats, dosas and samosas can make you drool for more.
- You can get vegetarian options based on your dietary preferences.
If you get dosa for breakfast in Dubai, make sure you get the best biryani for dinner.
4. Persian Delicacies
The strength of the Persian community in Dubai eventually made their cuisine popular.
- Try the rich stews for breakfast in Dubai to get the aromatic experience.
- Choose rice items like sangak to satisfy your taste buds while adding healthy ingredients.
- Taste the best kebab delicacies on your trip.
The delicate balance of sweet, sour and earthy flavours makes it an adored cuisine.
5. Middle-Eastern Food
Overlapping with Lebanese restaurants in Dubai Marina, Syrian and Jordanian mouthwatering items are a must-try during your visit. Get a taste of classic items like fattoush and labneh.
Take part in meat grills with friends and experience the lusciousness. These unique food items are quite popular in Dubai, so try them while exploring the city.
6. East Asian Cuisine
You will find a wide range of restaurants in Dubai dedicated to East Asian cuisine. Check out the places offering Thai curries to get a beautiful, tangy flavour. Chinese dim sum and Japanese sushi can create a contrast between the city and your palette. Try these subtle flavours at any pan-Asian food hubs in places like Dubai Marina and Business Bay.
7. European Delicacies
Dubai presents you with classic European cuisine, starting from French delicacies to Italian dining. Café latte, cakes and croissants at French bakeries and cafes are perfect for breakfast in Dubai.
With a huge brunch culture in Dubai, you must get classic pastas and stroganoff at Italian cafes. Visit Downtown Dubai for the best European-style eateries.
8. Latin American Food
Dubai, being ranked 8th in a Google survey for being foodie capital, matches with their love for Latin American food among others. Tacos and churrasco are perfect filling food items for your breakfast in Dubai. You can also explore the Peruvian food items to experience a burst of new flavours in your mouth. A cultural fusion with Latin American food and Arab views will truly make your Dubai trip unforgettable.
9. Fusion and Modern Cuisine
Fusion food in Dubai might include Indian-Emirati style or a mix of Japanese and Peruvian style. You can try a mix of Asian and Emirati cuisine to surprise your taste buds. Check the food festivals and get introduced to modern fusion sandwiches.
With two types of cultural flavours, you get the best of both worlds.
| Cuisine | Best food items to try |
| Emirati | Chebab, Machboos and Luqaimat with regag bread |
| Lebanese | Hummus, manousheh, mezze and shawarma |
| South Asian | Dosa, curries, biriyani and naan breads |
| Persian or Iranian | Kebabs, stews and sangak bread |
| Mediterranean | Fresh salads, premium olive oils, sourdough, seafood. |
| East Asian | Stir fries, sushi, tempura, and dim sum |
| European | Pastries, steaks and unique breads |
| Latin American | Tacos, Ceviche, grilled sandwiches and chicken |
| Middle Eastern | Mandi, kabsa and meze |
| Fusion | Creative combos like salads with Indian tandoor masala. |
Table: Cuisines in Dubai
Your preferences are above all. Curate a personalized food tour and decide which ones you want to experience.
In Summation
Dubai is a food hub where Emirati, Asian, Lebanese and Latin American flavours meet. From a
From breakfasts in Dubai to fine dining, exploring these unmissable cuisines will make your trip memorable.
Planning a Food Trail on Your Visit to Dubai?
Check out 3 to 4 cuisines like Lebanese and South Asian, and select a food joint of your choice in Dubai!
