Everything You Need To Know About Food In Dubai (2024)

Guest post bytravel bloggerRohit Agarwal ofTransindiatravels.com

If you’re planning a trip to Dubai, you need to make sure that you have a good grasp on Emirati cuisine.

The food that you will find in the region will be unlike any food you’ve ever had, so you need to prepare yourself for an experience.

Dubai is not short of great eateries; however, you should make sure that you find a place that suits you.

To help, here is everything you need to know about food in Dubai.

Tip: Looking to eat your way through Dubai like a local? Opt for a local-led food tour like an Authentic Emirati Cultural Meal and Talk in Old Dubai or aDubai Culture Tour: Deira Gold Souk and Bur Dubai Village.

There is not just one style of food in Dubai. Here you can get any style of food you desire. The main restaurants in the region take inspiration from Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine.

That means that you can try everything from Indian to North Korean food in the area. Make sure to research each restaurant before you book your table to find the best places.

Talk to the people in your hotel and see where they suggest. Dubai is a luxurious place, so everywhere you go will be high-class.

Have you ever thought of eating a camel? Well, now you can. In Dubai, camel is a common and popular dish.

Many Emirati dishes include camel as one of their main ingredients. You can try stuffed camel, which is a famous dish in the area.

A chef stuffs a whole camel with herbs and spices and then roasts the meat for a meal that’s rich and tender.

The fact that there are so many camels in the area means the meat is cheap to buy — which also means if you want to save money on food, you should eat loads of camel on your vacation.

If you visit Dubai, but don’t like spicy food, you may have a problem.

Many Asian and Middle Eastern dishes contain chilies and spice. Don’t worry, you will still find something to eat in the area.

Few people realize they can order takeout to their hotel rooms in Dubai.

That means that you can get pizza takeaway in Dubai with ease.

When walking around Dubai, consider trying the local street food.

As a rule, food in Dubai tends to be quite expensive.

The area is famous for its rich tastes and expensive lifestyle, and you’ll spend a small fortune if you eat in nice restaurants every single night.

Street food is an inexpensive and tasty option, and many people who live in the area eat street food every day.

The region is a hub for business.

That means that people are always busy.

Street food has become popular in the area because it is quick and easy to eat.

Who knew #Dubai was a such a #food focused destination? #travel Click To Tweet

When you are buying street food or food from a local restaurant, it is okay to haggle over the price of your dish.

Many Westerners don’t like haggling, as they think it makes them look cheap.

My tip:

If you want to save money on food in Dubai, get comfortable with it. When somebody brings you the bill, you can question it.

Ask if you can get a discount or whether they will accept a little less than the asking price.

Make sure that you’re not too pushy, though, as this could come across as rude.

Why should you visit #Dubai? The #food! #yum Click To Tweet

It’s a good idea to venture away from the hotel when traveling through Dubai.

Often hotel cuisine is different from the cuisine in the rest of the area.

The chefs at your hotel are likely used to cooking for Western tastes, meaning milder and less authentic cuisine.

Eating at your restaurant for a couple of nights is fine, but make sure that you try some local cuisine. There are many delicious Pakistani, Indian and Chinese restaurants in the city worth exploring.

If you want to have an authentic Emirati dish, you should try some Shawarma.

The meal is a type of spicy meat served in a wrap and is considered fast food in Dubai, so you must try it while you’re out and about.

If you’re not too keen on spicy food, you might find the dish a little too strong. Some extra mint sauce and salad will help to combat this.

As Dubai is a Muslim region, you will not find any pork dishes in the major restaurants.

Instead, lamb, camel, beef, and chicken are popular options.

Just know that local chefs tend to use lots of heavy spices when they cook meat, so be prepared and adaptable.

Dubai Packing Essentials

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Scarf Shawl

This stylish garment is great for throwing on in chilly restaurants. It also doubles as a travel blanket AND works for picnics.
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Frommer’s Dubai and Abu Dhabi day by day

With its many unique customs and laws, Dubai is definitely a city you’ll want a guidebook for. We recommend Frommer’s.
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Stylish Travel Bag

Dubai is a modest but stylish city, and this light-weight travel bag is perfect for roaming the streets or hanging on the beach.
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Vigilant Personal Alarm

This TSA-friendly gadget can be worn as a bracelet and blares like a fire truck if you pull the pin!
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Rohit Agarwal is the blogger at Transindiatravels.com. He is also a blogger for several travel and tourism related websites on the internet. His love for travel and fondness of different cuisines across the world makes him travel the most enchanting destinations.