Famous Food in Dubai: 5 Dishes to Try

What to eat in Dubai, and what each dish is.

Quick answer

The food to try in Dubai includes Al Harees, Shawarma, Machboos (Lamb Rice) and 2 more.

Best time to visit Dubai: November – March.

Al Harees

A slow-cooked porridge of wheat and meat, simmered for hours until it becomes a silky, deeply savoury paste — a Ramadan and celebration staple in Emirati homes that most tourists never taste. Try it at a local Emirati restaurant during the visit.

Shawarma

Dubai's street food king — spiced chicken or lamb shaved from a rotating spit, stuffed into bread with garlic sauce, pickles and chilli. The shawarma at Al Mallah in Satwa has been Dubai's benchmark for decades at a fraction of any restaurant price.

Machboos (Lamb Rice)

The Gulf's answer to biryani — spiced basmati cooked with slow-braised lamb or chicken, dried lemon (loomi) and rose water, then topped with crispy onions and toasted nuts. Rich, fragrant and deeply comforting.

Luqaimat (Honey Dumplings)

Tiny deep-fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup and sesame seeds — Dubai's beloved street dessert, especially during Ramadan. Crispy outside, airy within, eaten hot from the fryer with strong karak chai.

Camel Burger & Modern Emirati

Dubai's contemporary dining scene has embraced camel meat in burgers, sliders and slow-braised dishes — lean, slightly gamey and genuinely good. The city's new wave of Emirati restaurants are worth seeking out for a taste of actual local culture.

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Dubai food questions

What is the most famous food in Dubai?

Al Harees is the dish most travellers start with. A slow-cooked porridge of wheat and meat, simmered for hours until it becomes a silky, deeply savoury paste — a Ramadan and celebration staple in Emirati homes that most tourists never taste.

What should I eat in Dubai?

Try Al Harees, Shawarma, Machboos (Lamb Rice), Luqaimat (Honey Dumplings), Camel Burger & Modern Emirati.

Is it easy to find vegetarian food in Dubai?

Tell us about dietary needs when you book. Trripah plans meals and restaurant stops around vegetarian, Jain and other requirements.

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