I can’t pick just one. So here are 12 famous foods in Dubai that you have to try!
Dubai might be best known for its towering skyscrapers and other megastructures, but I’m proud to say that its culinary prowess can stand side by side with the Burj Khalifa.
Behind the glitz lies a rich food culture rooted in Bedouin traditions, maritime history, and regional spices.
I still remember my first taste of luqaimat – crispy, golden dumplings drizzled with date syrup. Then, instantly I realized that Dubai’s soul lives in its kitchens as much as in its skyline.
So if you’re curious about Emirati cuisine, here are the most famous Dubai food that you absolutely need to try!
1. Machboos
Media Credit: @alfanarrestaurant
If you’re looking for a filling meal, machboos is a perfect dish to have. It’s a fragrant rice dish which is a staple in Emirati households and a must-try famous food in Dubai.
Typically served during lunch or family gatherings, it features long-grain rice cooked with slow-simmered meat (chicken, lamb, or fish), dried limes, and a mix of Gulf spices.
Its roots trace back to traditional Arabian Gulf cuisine, blending Indian and Persian influences. You’ll enjoy this dish as it’s hearty, comforting, and full of depth.
Where to try:
Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe, Al Barsha / Al Seef / Dubai Festival CityAl Khayma Heritage Restaurant, Al FahidiArabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe, Al Fahidi
Best paired with: Machboos is best eaten with a side of salad like fattoush, and laban, which is a sweet and tangy yogurt drink.
2. Harees
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Harees is a beloved Emirati dish often enjoyed during Ramadan or special occasions. It’s made by slow-cooking cracked wheat and tender meat, usually chicken or lamb, then beaten to a smooth, porridge-like consistency.
The result is a comforting, mildly seasoned dish with a creamy texture and subtle, savory flavor, perhaps one of the most underrated Emirati dishes, too.
With origins dating back to ancient Arab and Persian kitchens, harees reflect Dubai’s rich culinary heritage and tradition of sharing hearty, nourishing meals with family.
Where to try:
Al Bawareh, Al MamzarHarees Al Fareej, Q1 Mall, Al KhawaneejAl Qaiem Public Kitchen, Al Quoz
Best paired with: Harees is best paired with flatbread, dates, pickled vegetables, a fresh salad, or yogurt.
3. Khameer
Media Credit: @al_shandagha_restaurant
An Emirati breakfast favorite, khameer (“yeast”) is a traditional bread that’s soft, slightly sweet, and often spiced with saffron and cardamom.
You can enjoy it for breakfast or afternoon tea, served warm with dates, honey, or cheese. The dough is left to ferment giving it a light, fluffy texture.
Cooked on a griddle or in clay ovens, this age-old bread reflects Bedouin culinary roots. Its comforting flavor and versatility make it a must-try bite in Dubai!
Where to try:
Khalid Huriyah Public Kitchen, Q1 Mall, Al WarqaAl Shandagha Public Kitchen, Al HudaibaArabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe, Al Fahidi
Best paired with: Khameer is best eaten with dates, honey, cheese, butter or ghee, along with laban or karak tea.
4. Madrouba
Media Credit: @bait_al_kanafa_restaurant
Another comforting Emirati dish, madrouba is often enjoyed for lunch or dinner, especially during cooler months or Ramadan.
This creamy dish is made by slow-cooking rice with chicken, fish, or lamb, and then mashing it into a porridge-like consistency. It’s seasoned with turmeric, garlic, and dried limes for a warm, tangy flavor.
The name comes from the Arabic word for “beaten,” which reflects the dish’s unique texture. Originating from Qatari and Omani cuisine, madrouba is a soul-soothing staple in traditional Dubai households.
Where to try:
Bait al Kanafa Traditional Foods, DeiraAl Fanar Restaurant & Cafe, Al Barsha / Al Seef / Dubai Festival CityBin Eid Traditional Restaurant, Al Rashidya / Al Khaleej Road
Best paired with: Madrouba can be eaten on its own or paired with a flatbread and fresh salad on the side.
5. Chebab
Media Credit: @logma
Wondering if there’s an Emirati version of pancakes? Well, chebab is our version of everyone’s breakfast favorite.
It’s made with flour, eggs, saffron, cardamom, and sometimes yeast. The batter is cooked until golden and fluffy, bringing out that warm, aromatic flavor.
Chebab is typically served hot with date syrup and creamy cheese, offering a delectable balance of sweet and savory. This dish reflects Dubai’s heritage of simple, satisfying meals and continues to be a comforting favorite across generations.
Where to try:
Logma, Downtown DubaiAl Fanar Restaurant & Cafe, Al Barsha / Al Seef / Dubai Festival CityControl Restaurant, Jumeirah Street, Umm Suqeim
Best paired with: Chebab is best enjoyed with eggs, cheese, and Arabic coffee or karak tea.
6. Shawarma
Media Credit: @shawarmaalfarooj
No trip to Dubai is complete without grabbing a shawarma from a street-side stall. This Middle Eastern favorite is made by stacking marinated meat, usually chicken or beef, on a vertical spit, then roasting it slowly to juicy perfection.
It’s sliced thin and wrapped in soft flatbread with garlic sauce, pickles, and veggies. The flavor is bold, savory, and addictively satisfying.
Originally from the Levant, shawarma has become a go-to snack or late-night bite loved by locals and tourists alike.
Where to try:Shawarma Al Farooj, Al Bada’a street – Trade CentreRawabi Alsham, Al NahdaAshwaq Cafeteria, Al Ras Road, Deira
Best paired with: Shawarma is typically enjoyed on its own but it can also be eaten with a side of salad like fattoush or tabbouleh, hummus, and fries.
7. Luqaimat
Media Credit: @logma
When in Dubai, you definitely shouldn’t miss out on this treat! Luqaimat are little golden dumplings of joy which you’ll typically find on the dessert menu of restaurants.
Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these sweet bites are deep-fried and drizzled with date syrup or honey, and sometimes sprinkled with sesame seeds.
The dough is lightly spiced with saffron and cardamom, giving it a warm aromatic flavor. It has been a dessert staple in centuries-old Arab kitchens and are still widely enjoyed today – truly a must-try famous bite in Dubai!
Where to try:Loqa Desserts, Jumeira St, Umm SuqeimLuqaimat & Chebab, Al WarqaLogma, Downtown Dubai
Best paired with: Luqaimat is sometimes sprinkled with sesame seeds or topped with date syrup or honey. It’s also best enjoyed with Arabic coffee, quite similar to the beloved pairing of donuts and coffee.
8. Manakeesh
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Here’s an exciting dish for pizza lovers! Manakeesh is the Middle Eastern version of pizza and a popular grab-and-go bite in Dubai, especially for breakfast and lunch.
It’s made with soft, freshly baked flatbread topped with za’atar, which is a tangy thyme and sesame spice mix, cheese, or minced meat. The dough is traditionally baked in a stone oven, giving it a warm, chewy texture and irresistible aroma.
A popular Levantine pastry, locals love manakeesh as a tasty and versatile treat anytime of the day.
Where to try:Al Mallah, Al Dhiyafa Rd, Al HudaibaAllo Beirut, Hessa Street, Al BarshaMama’esh, Al Barsha South / Al Warqa / DFC / other locations
Best paired with: Manakeesh is typically enjoyed on its own with labneh, a creamy yogurt dip. It’s also great to have fresh salad or pickled vegetables on the side with fresh mint tea or chai.
9. Knafeh
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If you’ve heard or tasted the popular Dubai chocolate, then you might’ve seen the word “knafeh” in the packaging, and this dessert deserves to be in the spotlight, too!
Knafeh or kunafa is a show-stopping Middle Eastern treat that you have to try in Dubai. It’s made with shredded phyllo dough or semolina, layered with soft cheese or cream, then baked until golden and soaked in fragrant sugar syrup.
The result? A crunchy, gooey, sweet, and salty delight! Often topped with crushed pistachios, it’s typically enjoyed warm, especially after dinner or during celebrations.
Originating from the Levant, knafeh is pure indulgence and a delicious reminder of the region’s rich dessert heritage.
Where to try:Nablus, Al Seef Street, Al HamriyaIbsais Sweets, B2 MallFeras Sweets, Sheik Zayed Road
Best paired with: Knafeh is typically served with a drizzle of syrup and crushed pistachios on top. You can also enjoy it with ice cream and coffee.
10. Jasheed
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Jasheed is a traditional Emirati seafood dish that’s full of bold, comforting flavor. It’s made from finely shredded spiced fish, usually baby shark or kingfish, and cooked with aromatic spices like turmeric, cumin, dried lime, then served over rice.
You’ll often find it on the table for lunch or during family gatherings in coastal Emirati homes.
With humble roots in Dubai’s fishing heritage, jasheed is a must-try for seafood lovers and showcases the region’s deep connection to the sea and its bounty.
Where to try:Tent Jumeirah Restaurant, Al Seef / Umm Sequim 2 / Al QouzAl Khayma Heritage Restaurant, Al FahidiAl Banosh Seafood & Local Restaurant, Al Wasl
Best paired with: Jasheed is usually served with rice or bread with a slice of lemon for acidity.
11. Tahta Malih
Media Credit: @al.jalboot
Tahta Malih is a traditional Emirati dish made with sun dried salted fish, usually served with rice and sauteed onions. Its flavor is bold, salty, and deeply savory – definitely for those who love strong, umami-rich food.
The fish is soaked to reduce saltiness, then cooked with spices to bring out its depth. It’s a nostalgic taste of old Dubai and coastal Emirati life.
Where to try:Al Jalboot Restaurant, Al Souq Mall, Jumeirah Beach Road, Umm Suqeim 2Al Qbabh Seafood Restaurant, Al AwirAl Fanar Restaurant & Cafe, Al Barsha / Al Seef / Dubai Festival City
Best paired with: Tahta Malih is best enjoyed with a side of fresh salad or pickled vegetables for a refreshing contrast to the salty fish.
12. Balaleet
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Another breakfast favorite in Dubai, balaleet is a sweet and savory dish that might surprise you – in the best way!
It’s made with vermicelli noodles sweetened with sugar, rose water, and cardamom, then topped with a thin egg omelet. The result is a unique flavor combo – floral, lightly spiced sweetness balanced by the richness of the eggs.
Typically a staple during Eid mornings or weekend family breakfasts, it’s a comforting dish well-loved in Gulf cuisine and surely a must-try in Dubai! You’ll often find it in Emirati breakfast menus as well.
Where to try:Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe, Al Barsha / Al Seef / Dubai Festival CityLogma, Downtown DubaiArabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe, Al Fahidi
Best paired with: Balaleet is served hot for breakfast and some also have it cold for dessert with a drizzle of date syrup. It’s also great to have with other Emirati breakfast favorites like khameer and chebab along with Arabic coffee or mint tea.