Dubai food guide
Dubai Food Guide: 12 Dishes + Where to Eat Them
Dubai’s food culture spans Emirati traditions + global haute cuisine + budget Indian + Lebanese. Here are 12 must-try experiences across price points.
Emirati machboos
Spiced rice with lamb or chicken. Al Fanar Restaurant (multiple locations) for traditional Emirati.
Price: 60-150 AED
Shawarma + falafel (Lebanese style)
Operation Falafel + Allo Beirut chains. Quick + cheap.
Price: 20-45 AED
Karak chai
Strong sweet milky tea with cardamom. Cafeterias + food trucks across Dubai.
Price: 5-12 AED
Mandi (Yemeni-style)
Slow-cooked rice + lamb. Bin Jasim restaurants serve traditional Yemeni mandi.
Price: 50-120 AED
Indian thali
South Indian or North Indian thali plates. Indego by Vineet (Grosvenor House) for upscale; Saravana Bhavan for vegetarian.
Price: 45-180 AED
Iranian / Persian platters
Slow-cooked stews + grilled meats + saffron rice. Pars Iranian Kitchen.
Price: 80-180 AED
Sushi + Japanese at Zuma
Iconic Dubai high-end restaurant. Iizakaya-style sharing.
Price: 350-700 AED per person
Lebanese mezze
Reem Al Bawadi or Awtar. 15+ small dishes shared.
Price: 60-150 AED spread
Camel meat or camel milk
Trying for the novelty. Local Mall of the Emirates has camel-milk products.
Price: 30-100 AED
Date desserts
Stuffed dates + date sweets + date-based mocktails. Bateel chain.
Price: 20-80 AED
Brunch at Atlantis or Burj Al Arab
Friday brunch is a Dubai institution. Free-flow champagne + multi-cuisine.
Price: 450-1,200 AED per person
Pierchic (overwater fine dining)
Pierchic on Madinat Jumeirah waterfront. Iconic Dubai dining setting.
Price: 500-1,200 AED per person