Must-Try Traditional and Modern Dishes in Dubai’s Food Scene
Machboos
A beloved Emirati classic, Machboos is a fragrant rice dish slow-cooked with a blend of spices and tender meat. It’s hearty comfort food you can savour at Al Fanar Restaurant & Café.
alfanarrestaurant.com
Manakish
Often called the Middle Eastern pizza, Manakish starts with a soft flatbread and is topped with cheese, zaatar, or modern variations for every taste. Try it at Zaatar w Zeit.
zaatarwzeit.net
Shish Tawook
Tender chicken skewers marinated in fragrant spices and chargrilled to perfection, Shish Tawookpairs best with garlic paste. Try it at Al Hallab Restaurant and Sweets.
alhallabrestaurant.com
Shawarma
Dubai’s street food superstar, Shawarma features spiced chicken or beef wrapped in fresh bread with sauces and pickles. A must-try at Automatic Restaurant and Grill.
automaticrestaurant.com
Hummus
Creamy, nutty, and tangy, Hummus combines chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, garlic, and lemon for an irresistible dip. Sample an authentic version at Arz Lebanon.
arzlebanon.net
Luqaimat
Crispy-on-the-outside and soft-on-the-inside dumplings, Luqaimat are drizzled with date syrup and sesame seeds – or modern twists like Nutella and honey. Indulge at Logma.
logma.ae
Did You Know?
With global recognition from The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, Michelin Guide, and Gault&Millau, Dubai is cementing its place as one of the world’s top gastronomy hubs.
Kokoro
Dubai’s first Japanese hand-roll restaurant, Kokoro serves ultra-fresh sushi in quirky settings at Alserkal Avenue and Nad Al Sheba – complete with rubber duck décor.
eatkokoro.xyz
Insider Tips
1. Many restaurants in Dubai offer affordable set lunch menus, perfect for trying gourmet dishes at lower prices.
2. Don’t miss Dubai’s legendary brunches, where all-you-can-eat feasts start from just AED150 per person.