If you’ve visited Dubai or Abu Dhabi before, you’ve probably seen all kinds of global cuisines. However, hidden beneath the glitz is a deep and delicious local food culture that tells the story of the UAE’s history and people.
As someone who’s fallen in love with Emirati cuisine, I want to share what makes it so special. From fragrant rice dishes and fresh seafood to sweet, golden desserts. Whether you’re a traveller, foodie, or simply curious about traditional UAE food, this guide will take you on a flavourful journey through the heart of Dubai food culture.
A Taste of UAE Heritage Through Its Food
Emirati cuisine is shaped by the country’s diverse environments — the desert, the coast, and the oases. It’s a blend of fishermen’s, Bedouin, and farmers’ diets. You’ll find ingredients like fresh fish, goat, chicken, camel milk, and dates, along with vegetables like cucumbers and tomatoes.
Spices such as saffron, cardamom, turmeric, and thyme are the heart of Emirati cooking. The food isn’t overly spicy, yet just aromatic, warm, and comforting.
A Brief History of Emirati Food
Before the UAE became a modern global hub, life here revolved around survival in harsh environments. Bedouins relied on dates, camel meat, and milk, while coastal families thrived on fish and seafood.
Trade routes with India and Persia brought new spices such as cardamom, saffron, turmeric that transformed simple ingredients into the rich Emirati dishes we enjoy today. Food here has always been more than nourishment; it’s about hospitality, generosity, and sharing.
1. Balaleet – The Sweet and Savoury Breakfast
Balaleet is one of my favourites. It’s a mix of sweet and salty, which is a thin vermicelli noodles flavoured with sugar, saffron, and cardamom, topped with a thin omelette. You can enjoy it warm for breakfast or cold as a dessert. During Ramadan and Eid, you’ll often find it on Emirati tables. It’s comforting, unique, and totally delicious.
2. Machboos – The Emirati Feast Dish
Machboos, also called Majboos or Kabsa, is the UAE’s answer to biryani, a flavorful rice dish cooked with chicken, lamb, goat, or even fish. What makes it special is loomi, a dried lime that adds a tangy twist, along with a long list of fragrant spices like saffron, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon.
Machboos is slow-cooked until the meat and rice are tender and full of flavour. When you taste it, you’ll understand why it’s often served at weddings, Eid, and family gatherings. It’s more than a meal, it’s a symbol of hospitality and love.
3. Al Jabab Bread – The Emirati Pancake
If you love pancakes, you’ll love Chabab (also called Al Jabab). It’s the Emirati version of a pancake, made with flour, eggs, butter, saffron, cardamom, and a hint of turmeric. Al Jabab bread is very soft, golden, and perfect when served with honey, date syrup, or cream cheese. Moreover, the bread is one of those simple pleasures that make breakfast extra special.
4. Arabic Coffee (Gahwa) – A Sip of Tradition
You can’t talk about Emirati culture without mentioning Arabic coffee, or Gahwa. It’s strong, bitter, and full of flavour. It is often brewed with cardamom and served in small cups with dates on the side. When someone offers you Gahwa, it’s a sign of welcome and respect. So, don’t say no, take a sip and enjoy the warmth of Emirati hospitality.
5. Thareed – The Comfort Stew
Thareed is a thick stew pure comfort food. It is made with meat (usually lamb or beef), potatoes, and vegetables, served over thin bread that soaks up all the flavour. It’s especially popular during Ramadan, when families gather for iftar. Every bite feels like a warm hug.
6. Khubz Regag – Crispy Bread Delight
If you prefer something crunchy, try Regag – a thin, crispy bread made with whole-wheat flour. It’s similar to Indian chapati but even thinner. You can eat it with savoury dishes like Thareed or roll it up with honey and cheese for a sweet treat.
7. Madrouba – The Hearty Mash
Madrouba is a thick, slowly cooked rice dish seasoned with plenty of spices and often served with fish or meat. It takes time and patience to make, but the result is worth it, a creamy, filling, and comforting. It’s often prepared for special occasions or during National Day celebrations.
8. Samak Mashwi – Grilled Fish from the Gulf
If you love seafood, you’ll fall in love with Samak Mashwi, or grilled fish. The UAE’s long coastline means plenty of fresh fish like hammour (grouper) and shari (emperor fish). They’re marinated with spices like garlic, coriander, and turmeric, then grilled to perfection. It’s simple, smoky, and packed with flavour.
9. Khamir Bread – Soft and Sweet
Khamir bread is fluffy, slightly sweet, and flavoured with cardamom and saffron. It’s often topped with sesame seeds and baked in a clay or coal oven. Some say it’s like an Emirati burger bun, which is perfect for breakfast with date syrup and cream cheese.
10. Luqaimat – The Sweet Favourite
And finally, Luqaimat! These little golden dough balls are everyone’s favourite dessert. They’re deep-fried, crispy on the outside, soft inside, and drenched in date syrup. Sometimes they’re flavoured with saffron or cardamom. You’ll find them at festivals, during Ramadan, or honestly, any time someone wants something sweet.
Experience Emirati Cuisine for Yourself
Emirati food is all about sharing, celebrating, and connecting. You’ll find cardamom, saffron, and thyme in many dishes, flavours that tell the story of the land and its people.
While some might confuse Emirati cuisine with Levantine food (like shawarma or falafel), Emirati dishes rely more on meat, rice, and rich spices. It’s hearty, flavorful, and made to bring people together.
So next time you’re in the UAE, don’t just stick to international restaurants. Try local Emirati dishes, sip the Gahwa, taste the Luqaimat, and enjoy a plate of Machboos. You won’t just be eating, you’ll be experiencing a piece of Emirati culture and hospitality.
