Beyond the celebrity chef hotspots and gold-dusted cappuccinos lies a city with one of the most diverse, authentic, and downright delicious food scenes on the planet. Dubai is a global crossroads, and nowhere is that more apparent than on its plates.
But for first-time visitors, it can be hard to know where to even begin. Tourists often stick to the safety of their hotel restaurants or the endless food courts in the malls, completely missing out on the culinary magic that truly defines this city—a magic shaped by the flavours of over 200 nationalities.
As a UAE resident who spends my weekends exploring the city’s food landscape, I want to give you my personal map to the best eats in Dubai. This guide will take you from life-changing street food that costs less than a cup of coffee to the best foodie neighborhoods for every budget. Forget the tourist traps; this is your guide to eating like a local.
Understanding Dubai’s Food Scene
The secret to Dubai’s incredible food scene is its diversity. The city is a melting pot of Emirati, Lebanese, Indian, Pakistani, Persian, Filipino, and Western cuisines, all coexisting and influencing one another. You’ll find two parallel food worlds here: the licensed, high-end restaurants of New Dubai serving alcohol and gourmet cuisine, and the unlicensed, authentic, and unbelievably affordable gems of Old Dubai. To truly experience Dubai, you must dive into both.
10 Must-Try Dishes & Drinks in Dubai (Beyond Hummus)
This is your foodie checklist. Don’t leave Dubai without trying at least a few of these.
- A Proper Shawarma: Forget the dry kebab meat you might know from elsewhere. A real Dubai shawarma features juicy, spit-roasted chicken marinated in spices, wrapped in a thin pita, and packed with garlic sauce (toum), pickles, and sometimes fries.1
- Where to try it: Al Mallah or Laffah are legendary spots on 2nd of December Street.
- Karak Chai: This is the unofficial national drink of the UAE. It’s a strong black tea brewed with milk, cardamom, and saffron, creating a wonderfully fragrant and comforting drink. A cup costs about 2-3 AED.
- Luqaimat: These sweet Emirati dumplings are the perfect dessert. They are crispy on the outside, soft and airy on the inside, and generously drizzled with sticky date syrup.
- Mandi: A traditional Yemeni dish that has been wholeheartedly adopted by the UAE. Chicken or lamb is slow-cooked to fall-off-the-bone perfection and served on a mountain of fragrant, flavourful rice. It’s often eaten while seated on the floor for a truly authentic experience.
- Where to try it: Bait Al Mandi or Al Jood Mandi.
- Al Machboos: This is the quintessential Emirati celebratory dish.2 Fragrant basmati rice and meat (chicken, lamb, or fish) are cooked together in a broth of aromatic spices, including dried lime (loomi), giving it a unique, tangy flavour.
- Manakish: Often called “Levantine pizza,” this is a simple yet perfect breakfast or snack.3 It’s a freshly baked flatbread topped with ingredients like salty za’atar (a thyme and sesame mix), akkawi cheese, or minced meat.4
- Kunafa: The ultimate Middle Eastern dessert. It’s a heavenly concoction of spun pastry and stringy, salty cheese, all baked until golden and soaked in a sweet sugar syrup.
- Where to try it: Feras Sweets is a local institution for a reason.
- Fresh Dates: A symbol of Arabian hospitality, dates are central to Emirati culture.5 You’ll find dozens of varieties, from the sweet, caramel-like Medjool to the firmer Khalas.
- Samboosa: The local version of the samosa. These small, crispy fried pastries are often filled with vegetables, meat, or salty cheese and are a staple snack.
- Lemon Mint Juice: In the desert heat, nothing is more refreshing. This blended drink of fresh lemon juice, mint leaves, sugar, and ice is a staple on every single menu in the city.
Where to Eat in Dubai: A Neighborhood Guide for Foodies
For Cheap & Authentic Eats: Old Dubai (Deira & Bur Dubai)
This is the treasure trove. To find the soul of Dubai’s food scene, you must come here.
- Al Rigga Road in Deira: A bustling street lined with fantastic, affordable restaurants serving every cuisine imaginable, from Filipino to Syrian.
- Meena Bazaar in Bur Dubai: Walk through this area and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to India. It’s the best place for incredible street food like vada pav, pani puri, and fresh fruit juices.
- 2nd of December Street (Satwa): The go-to spot for some of the city’s most legendary and delicious cheap eats, especially shawarma.6
For Mid-Range Global Cuisine: JLT & Barsha Heights
These residential neighborhoods are packed with independent, unlicensed, and exceptionally good restaurants that locals flock to.
- Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT): A fantastic, walkable area where you can find some of the city’s best casual eats, from authentic Vietnamese at Vietnamese Foodies to incredible sourdough pizza at Pitfire Pizza.
- Barsha Heights (Tecom): This area is a hub for hidden gems, especially for Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines.7
For Beachside Dining & Brunches: Dubai Marina & JBR
This is the classic, vibrant tourist hub, and it’s popular for a reason. The promenades of The Walk at JBR and the multi-story Pier 7 in the Marina are lined with restaurants offering stunning views and a lively atmosphere.8 This is also the heart of Dubai’s brunch culture.
For Fine Dining & Celebrity Chefs: DIFC & Downtown
If you’re looking to splurge, this is where you’ll find Dubai’s culinary heavyweights.
- Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC): After work hours, this business hub transforms into a fine-dining paradise, home to world-renowned names like Zuma, LPM, and Coya.
- Downtown Dubai: The area around the Burj Khalifa is home to many high-end restaurants in its surrounding hotels, as well as the sky-high dining experience at At.mosphere.9
Don’t Forget the Friday Brunch!
The Friday Brunch is a quintessential Dubai institution. It’s a multi-hour, all-you-can-eat-and-drink buffet experience that ranges from wild party brunches to lavish, family-friendly fine-dining affairs. It’s a fantastic way to experience the city’s social scene and sample a huge variety of food in one go.
Conclusion: Your Dubai Food Adventure Awaits
The best advice I can give you is to be adventurous. Step out of your hotel and follow your nose. Whether you spend 5 AED on a life-changing cup of karak chai from a streetside cafeteria or 500 AED on a Michelin-starred meal, Dubai’s food scene has an incredible story to tell. The only requirement is that you arrive hungry.
As a local foodie, I’m always looking for new recommendations! What is the best meal you’ve ever had in Dubai? Drop the name of the dish and the restaurant in the comments!
