The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country of contrasts, where the desert meets ultramodern megacities, and traditional Bedouin cuisine meets haute cuisine. Here, food is more than just a part of everyday life; it is a ritual that expresses generosity and respect for guests, as well as a love for life.
Local markets are brimming with fresh fruit and spices, while supermarkets boast an array of international products and restaurants offer everything from homemade falafel to Michelin-starred dishes. So, let's take a look at what the UAE's gastronomic map looks like.
Food in UAE shops: from local to global brands
The UAE offers a wide range of products, including fresh fruit and vegetables from local farms and delicacies from Europe, Asia, and the USA. Supermarkets offer almost everything, including halal meat, organic yoghurt, gluten-free bread and vegan snacks. Popular grocery chains include:
- Carrefour — an affordable, versatile supermarket
- Spinneys and Waitrose are popular with lovers of European quality.
- Lulu Hypermarket has a good selection of Middle Eastern and Indian products, and
- Choithrams is popular with expats.
Imported goods, especially those from Europe and Japan, tend to be more expensive, but local vegetables, fruits, and seafood are reasonably priced. Emiratis value quality and freshness, and farmers' markets and organic shops are becoming increasingly popular.
Traditional UAE cuisine: Bedouin heritage and Eastern influences
Emirati cuisine has been shaped by a nomadic lifestyle, Arab traditions, and Indian, Iranian, and Lebanese cultures. It is simple, hearty and aromatic, yet incredibly diverse. The main ingredients are rice, meat, fish, spices, dates and dairy products. The top 10 most popular Emirati dishes that are definitely worth trying include:
- Machboos: a dish made with rice, chicken or lamb, and seasoned with spices and dried lemons.
- Harees: stewed wheat with meat, traditionally prepared during Ramadan and at weddings.
- Shawarma: although originally from the Levant, it has become part of everyday life in the UAE.
- Luqaimat: deep-fried dough balls served with date syrup and sesame seeds.
- Falafel: crispy balls made from chickpeas that are especially popular as street food.
- Kebabs are grilled meat served with flatbread and salads.
- Fattoush is a salad containing fried bread, greens, and a sour, spicy dressing.
- Biryani is a popular Indian-style rice dish with chicken or seafood.
- Baba ghanoush is a paste made from baked aubergine with tahini and garlic.
- Arabic coffee (gahwa), made with cardamom, saffron and dates, is a symbol of Arab hospitality.
Coffee and sweets are an important part of Arab culture
In the United Arab Emirates, coffee is not just a drink; it is an integral part of hospitality. Arabic coffee (gahwa) is served in small, handle-less cups and is often accompanied by dates. The taste may seem unusual; it is not as strong as espresso, but rich and spicy with cardamom, saffron and cloves.
Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy Turkish delight, halva, baklava and date desserts. In Emirati patisseries, these treats are often handmade according to traditional recipes, but with a modern twist.
Where to eat in the UAE: street food, restaurants, and Michelin-starred cuisine
The Emirates is a true gastronomic paradise. You can buy a shawarma for a few dollars, enjoy a meal in a cosy Lebanese café, or book a table at a restaurant with a view of the Burj Khalifa. Budget cafés are often run by immigrants from India, Pakistan and Egypt. They serve delicious, hearty meals for 10–20 dirhams. Street food courts are especially popular in Sharjah and Old Dubai.
Mid-range restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, including Italian and Japanese. The average bill is 80–150 dirhams per person. Dubai and Abu Dhabi's haute cuisine scene includes dozens of Michelin-starred restaurants, signature dishes, fusion menus and dinners with panoramic views. You can find establishments here run by world-famous chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, Heinz Beck and Massimo Bottura.
But what do the locals eat?
Residents of the UAE, including native Emiratis and expats, appreciate hearty, flavourful, fresh food. In their daily lives, they increasingly opt for home-cooked meals, simple snacks, seafood and light salads.
Popular items include grapefruit, watermelon, persimmons, dates, local honey and goat's cheese. Breakfast typically consists of flatbread with hummus or za'atar, eggs and yoghurt, while dinner is usually hot meat dishes served with rice or flatbread.
Many families prefer to order food from restaurants or use delivery apps, particularly in large cities. The UAE is not just about ultra-modern cities and luxurious beaches. It is also a country of amazing flavours, aromas and culinary traditions. Ancient desert recipes coexist with the latest gastronomic trends from around the world. A trip to the Emirates is not just about shopping and sightseeing; it's also an exciting introduction to a variety of cuisines, cultures and flavours. You might even discover your new favourite dish here!
