Dubai brings together cuisines from all over the world. As a result, Emirati and Arabic dishes sometimes get hidden behind food from other countries. But if you visit Dubai, I really hope you'll experience the food culture that is unique to this country.
In this article, we introduce Emirati and Arabic dishes you should try at least once when you come to Dubai. Note that "Emirati" in this article refers to people who hold the nationality of the UAE (United Arab Emirates). Emiratis are a part of the Arab people, and "Arab" is a collective term for people who share a common language and cultural background, centered mainly on the Middle East and North Africa.
Arabic cuisine tends not to be as spicy as Indian or Korean food, and is characterized by the use of spices for aroma. Meanwhile, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese and Afghan cuisines are also very popular in the UAE. Start with Emirati dishes, then enjoy some representative Arabic dishes and desserts.
Rgaag
Rgaag is a traditional Emirati breakfast — a very thin, crispy bread. It is commonly eaten fresh off the griddle with cheese and eggs, and the cheese-and-egg combination in particular is loved by many. In the UAE, some people pair spiced chips known as "Oman Chips" with the cheese, adding a slightly toasty flavor — but if you don't like spicy food, it's safer to skip the chili sauce. Light and easy to eat, it's a perfect dish for the morning.
Balaleet
Balaleet is a slightly unusual Emirati breakfast that lets you enjoy sweet and savory at the same time. The classic version is thin noodles sweetened with sugar, served topped with an omelet. There is no spicy heat, making it an easy dish for anyone to enjoy. It's recommended for a light breakfast or when you want to try something different from the usual.
Muhalla
Muhalla is a breakfast made with thin, light bread, eaten warm with sugar, honey, date syrup, or cheese. The sweetness is modest, making it just right for people who don't want anything heavy in the morning or who only want something a little sweet.
Samosa (Beef)
Beef samosa is an appetizer made by wrapping seasoned minced beef in dough and frying or baking it. Crispy on the outside and juicy inside, it is often served before the main course and is indispensable in an Arabic meal.
Samosa (Cheese)
Cheese samosa is a lighter appetizer than the beef version, letting you enjoy the richness of cheese. It is characterized by the combination of a crunchy texture and melting cheese, with no spiciness, making it easy for anyone to enjoy.
Hummus
Hummus is an Arabic staple made by blending chickpeas into a paste with tahini, lemon and olive oil. Because it is very creamy and mild, it's easy to enjoy even for those who don't like spices. It is commonly eaten with pita bread (Arabic bread), and you can also dip raw vegetables such as cucumber and lettuce into it. It's great as an appetizer, of course, and also goes well with shawarma and grilled dishes.
Baba Ghanoush
Baba Ghanoush is an Arabic appetizer made with grilled eggplant, characterized by a subtly smoky aroma. It has a different flavor from hummus and a refreshing taste, making it well suited to those looking for a lighter appetizer. Like hummus, it is commonly eaten with Arabic bread (pita) and can also be enjoyed with raw vegetables.
Machbous
Machbous is a signature Emirati main dish, cooked with meat, chicken or fish together with basmati rice. The spices are mild but the aroma is rich, and you can enjoy the fluffy, separate texture of the long-grain rice. It's recommended when you want a hearty lunch or dinner.
Laban / Arian
Laban is something like a drinking yogurt, often drunk together with greasy or spiced dishes. It refreshes the palate and eases the heaviness after a meal.
Lemonade with Mint
Mint lemonade is an especially popular drink in hot Dubai. The tartness of lemon combined with the coolness of mint is often drunk with fish dishes, refreshing the whole meal.
Karak Chai
Karak Chai is a rich milk tea with cardamom and saffron added, an essential part of daily life in Dubai. It is often drunk after meals or in the evening, letting you enjoy a relaxed moment.
Black Tea
Black tea is often drunk after meals. It not only aids digestion but also settles the appetite and clears the mind after a heavy meal. Saffron or mint is sometimes added, but in most cases it is enjoyed simply, plain and straight.
Falafel
Falafel is a deep-fried food made from chickpeas or fava beans, crispy on the outside and soft inside. It is enjoyed as breakfast, a snack or in sandwiches, and is also popular with vegetarians.
Kofta & Shish Tawook
Kofta is grilled seasoned minced meat, while Shish Tawook is skewered chicken marinated in spices. Both are fragrant and easy to enjoy. They are often ordered as a main dish, but can also be eaten casually as sandwiches. They are commonly wrapped in Arabic bread like pita and served with tahini sauce — tender and very easy to eat, which is part of their appeal.
Shawarma (Arabic Style)
Arabic-style shawarma, unlike the Indian style, is characterized by a relatively light seasoning. Chicken shawarma is on the lighter side, wrapped with garlic sauce and vegetables. Beef or lamb shawarma uses tahini sauce for a richer flavor.
Luqaimat
Luqaimat are small fried dumplings drizzled with date syrup or honey. Crispy on the outside and fluffy inside, they are enjoyed as a light dessert after a meal.
Umm Ali
Umm Ali is a dessert made with layered dough like croissant or puff pastry, combined with warm milk and nuts. With a good balance of lightness and richness, it's perfect when you want a warm dessert after a meal.
Kunafa
While Dubai-style chocolate kunafa (kunafa combined with pistachio and chocolate) is gaining popularity, we mustn't forget the original kunafa either. Kunafa is a traditional dessert that has shared a long history with the Arab people — loved across generations and still a special presence that lives deep in many people's hearts.
Kunafa is a quintessential Arabic dessert and comes in many varieties, such as thin types and crispy types. Many use cheese or cream, and it is characterized by a crispy outside and a gooey inside. It's enjoyed not only as an after-meal dessert but also often with tea — a classic sweet you should taste at least once when you come to Dubai.
The appeal of Dubai isn't just its skyscrapers and shopping. Being able to feel the history of this land and the lives of its people through food is one of its great charms too. Emirati and Arabic dishes may look simple, but they all have a gentle, somehow comforting flavor.
If you ever get the chance to visit Dubai, please try not only the famous restaurants but also the local dishes. Your travel memories are sure to become deeper and warmer.
As a Dubai-based real estate company, we share not only property information but also information that helps you picture life in this city more concretely. We believe that living and investing are not just about contracts and numbers — it's also important to know what kind of daily life you, and the people who live there, will lead. We hope this article serves as an opportunity to feel local life a little closer through Dubai's food culture.