Looking for traditional Emirati food in Dubai? Whether it’s Machboos, a much-loved Emirati dish made of rice and meat or Al Jashid, a scrumptious fish dish cooked with spices, Dubai has pretty much all kinds of Emirati dishes you can imagine! For expats wanting to try Emirati dishes in Dubai, here are some of the most popular choices. Although similar to other Arab cuisines, there are some signature Emirati dishes that are symbolic of the country’s rich history and traditions. Take a look at the popular dishes and the best Emirati restaurants in Dubai where you can sample them!
Emirati Food in Dubai: Main Courses
There are many local restaurants in Dubai featuring many Emirati dishes that are made from staple ingredients such as fish, rice, and meat.
Balaleet
Want to start your day off with a nutritious and warm breakfast? Try out a sweet and salty breakfast dish, Balaleet. Made of vermicelli and eggs and spiced with saffron, cinnamon, and cardamom, this Emirati food in Dubai is sometimes served as a dessert while at other times it makes an appearance as an appetiser. If you want something sweet and salty to tickle your taste buds, Balaleet is the perfect Emirati food for you!
Where to find it
If you want to have this scrumptious dish, head out to Logma in Boxpark and Al Fanar in Dubai Festival City. Known for their exotic dishes, these Emirati restaurants in Dubai can serve you the best-tasting Balaleet.
Al Harees
Similar to the dish Haleem, Al Harees is a one-pot culinary wonder that you can find in Dubai. A simple and elegant dish made up of meat and wheat, Al Harees is usually served during Ramadan, Eid and weddings. An Emirati version of Armenian harissa, this rich and filling meal is more of a gelatinous dumpling rather than a porridge. If you love cooking, you can also make this dish at home. However, if you think cooking requires a lot of time and effort, you can visit popular food outlets that offer Al Harees.
Where to find it
Khaneen Restaurant in Al Safa and Al Fanar restaurant in Dubai Festival City are two of the best Emirati restaurants in Dubai known for this dish. With good ambience and service, these restaurants offer you the best dining experience.
Al Machboos
A famous rich dish, Al Machboos is another addition to the list of top-notch Emirati food in Dubai. Consisting of rice, meat, and onions, the dish is prepared by cooking meat and onions with salt, spices, and dried lemon called loomi. If you want to try a dish that has absorbed Indian and Persian influences, Al Machboos can be a perfect meal for you. You can pair it milky sweet tea or gahwa, a dark coffee.
Where to find it
If you are looking for a place where you can try this flavourful Emirati dish Al Machboos, head straight to Gulf Mandi, a popular eatery located on Al Khaleej Road or Barjeel Al Arab restaurant on Al Ghubaiba Road. Both of these Emirati restaurants in Dubai take pride in producing this light, fluffy rice dish enriched with flavours.
Thereed
If you are fond of tagines and stews then a traditional Emirati dish, Thereed would be a good treat for you. A combination of succulent meat and slow-roasted vegetables, such as pumpkin, marrow, tomatoes, and potatoes, Thereed is a rich and comforting dish for meat lovers. It is served with a thin flatbread called rigag that allows the flavours to sink in.
Where to find it
Hankering for a bowl of delicious and authentic Thereed? Visit Seven Sands, a fine dining restaurant in Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) that brings the essence of Middle Eastern cuisine in Dubai.
Desserts
For those who love decadent desserts, Dubai has a diverse selection of Emirati sweets and desserts. Take a look at some of the most traditional Emirati desserts in Dubai that you can try out.
Luqaimat
Luqaimat is a sweet, puffy dumpling made of cardamom, saffron, yeast and flour. Dipped in honey or a sweet, sticky date syrup called dibbs, these balls of delight are soft and airy on the inside and crunchy on the outside. If you want to indulge in sugary and salt-happy fare, Luqaimat can be the best epicurean feast for you!
Where to find it
Craving some delectable Luqaimat? Head straight to the two best concept restaurants in Dubai known for their sweet and savoury dishes, Arabian Tea House Restaurant and Cafe located in Bastakiya, and Milas Restaurant in The Dubai Mall.
Batheet
There’s something special and downright addictive about Batheet. Made from vermicelli noodles and eggs, this sweet and salty dish is a unique combination of crunchiness and fluffiness. You can have this dish for breakfast or can take it as a quick snack while watching a movie or playing chess with your friends.
Where to find it
Balateet is available at two exotic restaurants in Dubai: Arabian Tea House and Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe. The former is located in Bur Dubai while the latter is located near the rental apartments in Dubai Festival City.
Assidat al-Boubar
The mere mention of this tasty dessert Assidat Al Boubar, or Aseeda as its more commonly known, makes one feel delightful. A comfort food classic, Aseeda is a unique version of pumpkin pudding. Made with sugar, flour, cardamom, saffron, honey, and rose water, this dessert toes the line between mildly sweet and slightly savoury. You can top it up with a generous helping of nuts and ghee.
Where to find it
You can find this Emirati traditional food in Dubai in a fine dining restaurant called Seven Sands, which is located in Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR).
Khanfaroosh
Khanfaroosh is a quintessential Emirati cuisine in Dubai which is made with eggs, flour, milk, yeast, saffron and cardamom. The deliciously decadent fried dessert is served with a drizzle of sweet date sauce and is the pride of every Emirati grandmother’s dinner table.
Where to find it
If you are craving some delicious Khanfarooush with your next meal, head on down to Barza Restaurant & Cafe in Palm Jumeirah one of the best Emirati restaurants in Dubai that makes authentic mouthwatering Emirati Khanfaroosh.
And that brings an end to MyBayut’s guide to the best Emirati dishes in Dubai. There are many other Emirati dishes that the city can offer you apart from the ones mentioned above. Dubai offers Khameer, a delicious dough ball made from wheat and barley, Al Aqili, one-of-a-kind saffron and sesame-topped cake, and Ragina, a sweet candy mixed with cinnamon and cardamom.
All that talk about Emirati desserts making you crave something sweet? Take a look at some of the best Insta-worthy desserts in Dubai.
