Must-Try Foods in Dubai: Traditional & Modern Flavors
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Top Foods to Try in Dubai: Local Delicacies

Dubai’s food culture blends traditional and modern flavors. Dishes like shawarma, mandi, and luqaimat showcase Arabic influences. Travel insurance provides coverage for unexpected travel issues.

  • 21 Mar 2025
  • 3 min read
  • 97 views

Dubai is well-known for its opulent architecture and luxurious way of life. Its cuisine is also a major draw for tourists from around the globe. As a cultural hotspot, the city has come to represent various tastes. Dubai's unique culture, customs, and contemporary trends are all reflected in its cuisine.

Popular Food in Dubai

The top 10 popular foods in Dubai that you should try during your trip include:

 

Shawarma

The most famous street cuisine in Dubai is shawarma, which might be the city's primary snack. It is made by wrapping meat—either chicken, beef, or mutton—in pita bread or roti and cooking it over low heat. It tastes even better with the tahini, salad and sauce combined.

 

Hummus with Pita Bread

Arabic traditional dips include hummus made with chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic. It tastes very light and refreshing and is eaten with pita bread. In every restaurant in Dubai, hummus is offered as a side dish with various cuisines.

 

Mandi

The traditional Yemeni dish mandi is highly famous in Dubai as well. It is made with rice, meat (either chicken or mutton), and specific spices.

 

Luqaimat

It is a classic sweet delicacy from Dubai. It is circular flour-based fried balls topped with date syrup or honey. They are a fantastic choice as post-meal sweets.

 

Koshari

A mixed Egyptian meal called Koshari is made with pasta, rice, lentils and hot sauce. It fills you up and satisfies all of your appetites.

 

Umm Ali

The Arabic dessert Umm Ali is traditionally made with milk, bread, raisins, pistachios and almonds. It is cooked and then served as a dessert for special occasions or following a meal. It has a very sweet and mild flavour.

 

Machboos

Machboos is made with rice, meat, and spices. It is similar to biryani but has a distinct Arabic flavour from the herbs and spices used in it.

 

Falafel

The popular Middle Eastern meal falafel consists of little fried balls formed of spiced crushed chickpeas. It is a great vegetarian choice and served with salad or pita bread.

 

Knafeh

The Lebanese dessert knafeh is popular in Dubai as well. It consists of crispy filo dough which is then covered in sugar syrup. The taste of this delicacy is even more distinctive because it is made specifically with cheese.

 

Fatteh

A classic Lebanese dish called Fatteh is made with yoghurt, chickpeas, pita bread and seasonings. This recipe can be served for breakfast or lunch and is quite flavourful yet being light. Different varieties of Fatteh are available in restaurants in Dubai.

Conclusion

Your trip to Dubai may become more memorable if you enjoy the local cuisine. The city is the epitome of modernism, but its cuisine offers a distinctive fusion of modern and classic flavours. Don't forget to carry travel insurance online before you leave, as it will come in handy in case of emergencies during your trip.

 


Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It may contain outdated data and information regarding the Insurance industry and products. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.  

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