Traditional Emirati Dishes to Try in Dubai

Dubai is famous for its global restaurants, but its own cuisine is often overlooked. Emirati food reflects centuries of desert life, pearl diving and trade across the Gulf, India, Persia and East Africa: warm spices, slow-cooked grains, fresh fish, dates and generous hospitality. Here are the dishes to seek out.

Main dishes

1. Machboos

The UAE’s signature rice dish: spiced rice cooked with chicken, lamb or fish, flavoured with loomi (dried black lime), saffron and a spice mix called bzar. It’s the dish most families serve to guests.

2. Harees

Wheat and meat, usually lamb or chicken, slow-cooked for hours and beaten into a smooth, porridge-like dish, finished with ghee. It’s especially popular during Ramadan, Eid and weddings.

3. Thareed

Layers of thin bread soaked in a rich meat and vegetable stew. Often called the “bread of Ramadan”, it’s a staple at iftar.

4. Madrouba

A comforting, creamy dish of rice or flour cooked with chicken or salted fish and spices until soft and thick.

5. Samak mashwi

Grilled fish, often hamour (grouper) or kingfish, marinated in spices and grilled over charcoal. Coastal cooking at its simplest.

6. Jasheed

Minced shark or fish cooked with onions and spices and served with rice. A traditional coastal dish with a distinctive flavour.

Breads and breakfast

7. Khameer

A soft, slightly sweet bread flavoured with dates, saffron or fennel. Eaten at breakfast with cheese, honey or date syrup.

8. Chebab

Emirati pancakes flavoured with cardamom and saffron, served with date syrup and cheese. A classic breakfast.

9. Balaleet

An unusual, delicious combination of sweet vermicelli with saffron and cardamom, topped with a thin omelette.

10. Regag

Paper-thin, crispy flatbread cooked on a hot plate, often filled with egg, cheese and a drizzle of date syrup.

Sweets and desserts

11. Luqaimat

Crispy, golden dumplings drizzled with date syrup (dibs) and sesame seeds. Irresistible, and everywhere during Ramadan. You can also make luqaimat at home.

12. Khanfaroosh

Saffron and cardamom-scented fried cakes, traditionally served at celebrations.

13. Asida

A smooth, sweet dough-like pudding flavoured with saffron and cardamom.

Drinks

14. Gahwa (Arabic coffee)

Lightly roasted coffee with cardamom, poured from a dallah into small cups and served with dates. It’s a symbol of Emirati hospitality: shake your cup gently from side to side when you’ve had enough.

15. Karak chai

Strong, spiced milky tea brought by the region’s South Asian communities, and now an everyday Dubai ritual (more on karak).

Where to try Emirati food

• Heritage areas such as Al Fahidi and around the Creek, where several restaurants specialise in Emirati cooking.
• Cultural centres that host meals with explanations of Emirati customs.
• Ramadan iftars, when hotels, restaurants and community tents serve traditional dishes.
• Home-style cafés and bakeries for breakfast breads and luqaimat.

Dining etiquette

• Eat and pass food with your right hand.
• Accept coffee when offered; it’s polite to take at least one cup.
• During Ramadan, be respectful of those fasting during daylight hours. Rules on eating in public have relaxed in recent years, but discretion is appreciated.

Timing a visit? Our sister site’s month-by-month UAE travel guide covers seasons, Ramadan and festivals.

Frequently asked questions

What is the national dish of the UAE?

Machboos is widely considered the national dish: spiced rice with meat or fish.

Is Emirati food spicy?

It’s fragrant rather than hot, using spices like cardamom, saffron, cinnamon and dried lime rather than lots of chilli.

What should I order at my first Emirati meal?

Try machboos, a bowl of harees, luqaimat for dessert and finish with gahwa and dates.