The United Arab Emirates is known worldwide for its spectacular architecture, luxury shopping, and breathtaking desert landscapes. However, beyond these attractions lies a rich culinary heritage that tells the story of Bedouin traditions, coastal influences, and centuries of trade. When visiting Dubai for a desert safari, exploring the traditional food of UAE offers a deeper connection to the culture and history of this fascinating region.
The Essence of Emirati Cuisine
Traditional Emirati cuisine reflects the UAE’s geography and history—combining elements from the desert, mountains, and sea. This culinary tradition has been shaped by:
- Bedouin heritage with simple, hearty dishes that could be prepared with limited resources
- Coastal influences featuring abundant seafood
- Trade route connections bringing spices from India, herbs from Iran, and ingredients from across the Middle East
Emirati food is characterized by aromatic spices like saffron, cardamom, turmeric, and dried limes (loomi), with dates and meat (particularly lamb and camel) featuring prominently.
Must-Try Traditional Dishes of UAE
Main Dishes
1. Al Machboos (or Majboos)
This fragrant rice dish is considered the national dish of the UAE. Similar to biryani, Al Machboos features basmati rice cooked with meat (usually chicken, lamb, or fish), onions, and a mixture of spices including turmeric, cardamom, and dried lemon (loomi). The dish is slow-cooked to allow the flavors to meld together perfectly.
2. Al Harees
A celebratory dish often prepared during Ramadan and special occasions, Al Harees is a wholesome blend of wheat and meat (typically chicken or lamb). The ingredients are cooked together for hours until they form a smooth, porridge-like consistency. It’s typically topped with ghee and sometimes cinnamon before serving.
3. Thareed
This hearty stew combines tender meat (traditionally lamb) with vegetables like carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, and marrow. What makes Thereed special is the Emirati flatbread (rigag) placed at the bottom of the dish, which soaks up the flavorful broth. It’s a perfect representation of how traditional Bedouin cooking maximized limited ingredients.
4. Madrooba
This comforting dish consists of chicken or fish mashed with spices and cooked with salt-dried fish. The mixture is then combined with flour to create a thick porridge-like consistency. Madrooba exemplifies the coastal influence on UAE cuisine.
5. Jasheed
A specialty from the coastal communities, Jasheed is made from finely shredded fish (typically shark) mixed with spices and cooked with onions and rice. It showcases the importance of seafood in traditional Emirati coastal diets.
Seafood Specialties
6. Samak Mashwi
This simple yet delicious dish features whole fish (often grouper or snapper) marinated in a blend of spices, lemon, and salt, then grilled to perfection. The fish is typically served with rice and a spicy sauce.
7. Saloona
A traditional seafood stew that combines fish or shrimp with vegetables in a spiced tomato broth. This light yet flavorful dish reflects the coastal heritage of the Emirates.
Breads and Accompaniments
8. Khameer Bread
This sweet-savory bread is flavored with fennel seeds and date syrup, making it distinctive from other regional flatbreads. Traditionally baked in a special oven called a tannour, it’s often enjoyed for breakfast with cheese or dipped in honey.
9. Regag
An extremely thin crepe-like bread often eaten with a little sugar or filled with egg and honey for breakfast. When used in savory dishes like Thereed, it absorbs the flavors of the stew beautifully.
10. Balaleet
A unique breakfast dish that combines sweet vermicelli noodles flavored with saffron, cardamom, and rose water, topped with a savory omelet. This sweet-savory combination is beloved throughout the Emirates.
Desserts and Sweets
11. Luqaimat
These crispy, golden dumplings are a favorite Emirati dessert, especially during Ramadan. Deep-fried and soaked in date syrup or honey, sometimes sprinkled with sesame seeds, they’re irresistibly sweet and crunchy.
12. Batheetha
Made from ripe dates mixed with flour and ghee, then flavored with cardamom and other spices, Batheetha showcases the importance of dates in Emirati culture. It can be formed into balls or flattened into cookies.
13. Khabeesa
A sweet dish made from roasted flour, sugar, ghee, and aromatics like cardamom and saffron. Often served during celebrations, this dessert represents the festive spirit of Emirati cuisine.
14. Umm Ali
Though of Egyptian origin, this bread pudding has become a beloved dessert throughout the UAE. Made with pastry, milk, cream, nuts, and raisins, then baked until golden, it’s a rich and satisfying end to any meal.
15. Assidat Al-Boubar
This pumpkin pudding is fragrant with saffron and cardamom, sweetened with sugar, and topped with nuts. It represents the creative use of available ingredients in traditional cooking.
Where to Experience Traditional UAE Food in Dubai?
Local Restaurants
- Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe: One of the most authentic Emirati restaurants, designed to resemble a 1960s UAE neighborhood.
- Arabian Tea House: Set in a traditional wind-tower house in Al Fahidi Historical District, offering an atmospheric setting for traditional dishes.
- Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding: Offers cultural meals with explanations of customs and dishes in the historic Al Fahidi district.
Desert Safari Dining
When you join our evening desert safari experiences, you’ll have the opportunity to taste authentic Emirati dishes under the stars. Our desert camps feature traditional cooking methods and recipes, allowing you to experience the true flavors of Bedouin hospitality.
Food Festivals
- Dubai Food Festival: Held annually, this festival celebrates the emirate’s emerging culinary scene while also showcasing traditional foods.
- Al Dhafra Festival: Though primarily a cultural festival celebrating Bedouin traditions, it features excellent traditional food stalls.
The Cultural Significance of Emirati Food
Food in the UAE is more than just sustenance—it’s an expression of hospitality, a cornerstone of social gatherings, and a link to the nation’s heritage:
Coffee Ceremonies
No discussion of UAE food culture would be complete without mentioning the traditional Arabic coffee (gahwa) ceremony. Served in small cups without handles, the coffee is typically flavored with cardamom and sometimes saffron or rose water. It’s always accompanied by dates and is a symbol of welcome and hospitality.
Communal Dining
Traditionally, Emirati meals are shared from a central plate, with diners seated on cushions around a low table. This practice emphasizes community and connection—values that remain important in modern UAE culture.
Experiencing UAE’s Culinary Heritage
When visiting Dubai, make time to venture beyond international restaurants and fast-food chains to discover the rich flavors of authentic Emirati cuisine. Whether you’re sampling street food, dining in a traditional restaurant, or enjoying a meal under the stars at a Bedouin camp during a desert safari, the traditional food of the UAE offers a window into the soul of this fascinating country.
Many of our desert safari packages include traditional Emirati meals, allowing you to combine culinary exploration with adventure as you experience the best of Dubai’s natural landscapes and cultural heritage.
