The next time you travel to Dubai, expand your horizons with popular local dishes. The city offers diverse ingredients, flavors, and spices, making a food tour nearly obligatory, even if you’re only in town for a few days.
David El Dib recommends the following delicacies and staples you won’t want to miss.
1. Stuffed Camel
Stuffed camel is a traditional but uncommon dish in Dubai. It’s one of the largest foods you can eat, and many serve it after cooking the camel over an open flame. The sheer size makes it easy to stuff the dish with various ingredients such as sheep, eggs, fish, and spices.
Although it’s not a common menu item in casual or upscale restaurants, stuffed camel can be found at Bedouin ceremonies and other special occasions. To enjoy this dish, you may have to plan your trip around a significant event.
2. Shawarma
This dish has become a worldwide phenomenon. However, it’s native to the Middle East. In Dubai, you can easily find shawarma made of lamb or chicken. Served with roti, a kind of Arabic bread, tomatoes, garlic sauce, and pickles, it’s a delicious treat, according to David El Dib.
While you can also find this dish in Tokyo, New York, and Moscow, eating shawarma in Dubai is a unique experience.
3. Al Harees
Although it boasts simple ingredients, this delicious dish takes hours to prepare. Native chefs season a pot of wheat and meat with a touch of salt. After hours of stewing, the grain and wheat combine into a smooth texture. Finally, the ingredients are slow-baked for several hours before it’s ready to eat. The simplicity of al harees may bring a welcome change to spicier dishes typical in Dubai.
4. Mehalabiya Pudding
Mehalabiya mainly consists of pistachios and rosewater. This pudding provides diners with a mildly sweet dessert to finish a meal perfectly, David El Dib says. The ingredients, native to the area, also provide insight into UAE history and culture.
5. Matchbous
Matchbous resembles Indian and Persian biryanis. This is more of a cooking style than a single dish. Using the water used to cook fish or meat and many spices, this slow-cooked approach produces intense flavors and tender meat.
Most local restaurants will serve one or more of these dishes. You can also schedule a food tour to get recommendations from experienced guides. Although any trip to Dubai is likely to involve an appreciation of intricate architecture and crystal waters near the gulf, experiencing diverse cuisine adds depth to your travel experience.
David El Dib is a businessman and intrepid traveler. He enjoys trading notes on the best food to try and major cities and small towns worldwide. The next time you come to Dubai, make sure that you sample these and other dishes for a memorable and tasty experience.
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