Food · United Arab Emirates
What to eat in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates's food, destination by destination.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: imran shahabuddin, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Start with Shawarma, Machboos and Harees. Spiced chicken or lamb carved from a rotating spit and wrapped in thin flatbread with garlic sauce, pickles and fries — the city's favourite quick meal.
Key facts
- Dishes in this guide
- 8
- Destinations
- 3
Dishes to try in United Arab Emirates
Try in Dubai
Shawarma
Spiced chicken or lamb carved from a rotating spit and wrapped in thin flatbread with garlic sauce, pickles and fries — the city's favourite quick meal.
Where: Cafeterias in Deira, Bur Dubai, Satwa and Karama, many open late.
Try in Dubai
Machboos
The Emirati national dish: rice slow-cooked with chicken, lamb or fish, dried limes (loomi) and a warm spice blend called bezar.
Where: Emirati restaurants in Al Fahidi and Al Seef, and cultural meals at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre.
Try in Dubai
Harees
Wheat and meat slow-cooked and beaten into a smooth porridge, seasoned simply with salt and ghee — a dish for Ramadan and celebrations.
Where: Emirati restaurants, especially during Ramadan.
Try in Abu Dhabi
Thareed
Layers of thin regag bread soaked in a spiced meat and vegetable stew, often eaten to break the fast in Ramadan.
Where: Emirati restaurants and home-style kitchens; most common on Ramadan menus.
Try in Abu Dhabi
Grilled Gulf fish
Local hammour (grouper) and kingfish are grilled whole or fried with a dry spice rub and served with rice and salad.
Where: The cooking counters by the Mina Zayed fish market and seafood restaurants on the Corniche and the Breakwater.
Try in Ras Al Khaimah
Samak mashwi
Grilled fish such as hamour (grouper), kingfish or safi, marinated in spices and lime and served with rice and salad. Fishing was the coast's livelihood before oil.
Where: Seafood restaurants along the Corniche and in the city's older districts.
Try in Ras Al Khaimah
Saloona
A tomato-based stew of meat, chicken or fish with vegetables and spices, eaten with rice or bread in Emirati homes.
Where: Emirati restaurants and home-style cafeterias in the city.
Try in Ras Al Khaimah · Vegetarian
Khameer bread
A soft, slightly sweet bread flavoured with dates or fennel and cardamom, often eaten with cheese or honey.
Where: Emirati bakeries and breakfast cafés.
Food scene by destination
| Destination | Food experience | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Cultural meal at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre | Alcohol is served only in licensed venues, mostly hotel restaurants and bars. |
| Abu Dhabi | Ramadan iftar | Alcohol is served mainly in licensed hotel restaurants and bars; most independent restaurants and mall cafés are alcohol-free. |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Emirati breakfast | Alcohol is served in licensed hotel restaurants and bars, mainly in the resorts; local restaurants do not serve it. |
Food experiences
- Dubai — Cultural meal at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre: The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding in Al Fahidi hosts breakfasts and lunches of Emirati dishes with an open question-and-answer session on local culture and religion.
- Abu Dhabi — Ramadan iftar: During Ramadan, hotels and restaurants serve lavish iftar buffets at sunset with dates, lentil soup, harees, machboos and luqaimat.
- Ras Al Khaimah — Emirati breakfast: Order balaleet, chebab, khameer and karak chai at an Emirati café for a taste of home-style cooking rarely found in resort restaurants.
Questions travellers ask
+What food is United Arab Emirates famous for?
Shawarma, Machboos, Harees, Thareed and Grilled Gulf fish.