Dubai is a multi cultural city hence it has dishes from all over the world. It is well known place as a foodies paradise. The city has so many options to eat that one can eat out every single day without repeat for 365 days of the year.

Read more about how to spend a week in Dubai

Dubai has all kinds of multi cuisine eating options available from small cafeterias to Fancy dining options with a view. Meals here start from as low as 5 Dirhams which is less than 2$ USD.

Arabic / Middle eastern food is a specialty cuisine, which is relished by all expatriates living in U.A.E. Tourists visiting U.A.E. enjoy the local cuisine as well.

There are some must try food choices which are widely available all over the U.A.E. I have listed seven of all time favorite pocket friendly treats that you can try while on a visit to U.A.E. Here’s a list of 7 free things that you can do in UAE

SHAWARMA SANDWICH

It is a preparation where grilled meat cooked on a vertical spit. It is served as pita bread wrap with toppings like vegetables, tahini, hummus and pickles.

Shawarma is an all time favorite snack for all age groups.

• Cuisine – Arabic / Middle eastern
• Food type – Non – Vegetarian                                          
• Availability – Most of Arabic restaurants and cafeterias
• Price – AED 6 to AED 10

FALAFEL WRAP

It is a vegetarian choice of pita bread wrap with vegetables, tahini, hummus and pickles. Where meat is replaced by falafel balls. It is a good snacking option for vegans as well. You can easily spot cafeterias serving Falafel while exploring UAE attractions.

• Cuisine – Arabic / Middle eastern
• Food type – Vegetarian / Vegan
• Availability – Most of Arabic restaurants & cafeterias
• Price – AED 6 to AED 10

FATTOUSH

A crunchy vegetarian salad made from toasted or fried pieces of pita bread. It is a combination of feta cheese, olives and vegetables, such as radishes, cucumbers, lettuce  and tomatoes. Drizzled with a tangy dressing made of Sumac and pomegranate molasses adds a lot of flavor to this salad. 

• Cuisine – Arabic / Middle eastern
• Food type – Vegetarian / Vegan
• Availability – Most of Arabic restaurants & cafeterias
• Price – AED 10 to AED 20

MANAKISH

It is also known as manaeesh or manakeesh. It is a Flatbread served with different toppings like cheese, Zaater, olive oil, meat, vegetables with labaneh. This dish can be served sliced like a pizza or folded like a wrap with vegetables inside depending on the size you order.

• Cuisine – Arabic / Lebanese
• Food type – Vegetarian and Non – Vegetarian
• Availability – All Arabic restaurants and bakeries
• Price – AED 5 to AED 15

BALALAET

A breakfast or all day dish which is also called Balalaet. It’s one of the most preferred Emirati breakfasts in U.A.E. Balaleet is prepared by cooking sweet and salted vermicelli flavored with cardamom, saffron and cinnamon. Based on the preference it is topped with egg which can be removed for vegetarians or vegans.

• Cuisine – Emirati
• Food type – Vegetarian but contains egg
• Availability – Emirati restaurants and eateries
• Price – AED 15 to AED 20

LUQAIMAT

It is the most famous Emirati dessert (relished by all nationalities living in U.A.E.) made of deep fried dumplings. This dish is always available during any kinds of festivities in U.A.E. to mark the tradition.

Luqaimat is to be served hot while poured with honey or date syrup. Some of the vendors sprinkle it with sesame seeds to add more crunch to it.

• Cuisine – Emirati
• Food type – Vegetarian but contains egg
• Availability – Emirati restaurants and cafes
• Price – AED 15 to AED 25

KUNAFA

A traditional Middle Eastern dessert also known as Kanafeh. This dessert has layers of cheese coated with roasted semolina. Which is roasted in butter with saffron and sugar syrup until it is crispy.

It gives you a perfect sweet and salted flavor with semolina crunch and mouth melting cheese. Kunafa is served topped with pistachios and cardamom which makes this desert more flavorful.

• Cuisine – Middle eastern
• Food type – Vegetarian
• Availability – Arabic restaurants, eateries and sweet shops
• Price – AED 15 to AED 20

All these dishes are widely available in U.A.E even in the malls. Make sure you try some of the above cuisines while visiting Dubai and let me know which one you liked the best.

You might also like to read about top 20 things to do in Dubai for first timers.

Please share this post with any foodie who is planning to visit Dubai and explore middle eastern cuisine.

Happy travelling!