Food and Drink Guide to the UAE: What to Eat and Drink

The UAE's food scene goes far beyond hotel buffets. Traditional Emirati cooking draws on Bedouin, seafaring and trading-route influences, and the country's huge expatriate communities have made it one of the best places in the region for Indian, Pakistani, Lebanese, Iranian and Filipino food. Here's what to look for and how to eat like a local.

Emirati dishes to try

Emirati food is warmly spiced rather than fiery, built around rice, meat, fish and dates, and flavoured with saffron, cardamom, dried lime and rosewater.

• Machboos: spiced rice cooked with chicken, lamb or fish and dried black lime, often called the national dish.
• Harees: wheat and meat slow-cooked into a smooth, porridge-like dish, especially popular during Ramadan and at weddings.
• Thareed: a meat and vegetable stew poured over pieces of thin regag bread.
• Balaleet: sweet vermicelli with saffron and cardamom, topped with a thin omelette and eaten at breakfast.
• Chebab: small saffron pancakes served with date syrup and cheese.
• Luqaimat: crisp fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup and sesame seeds.

Look for Emirati restaurants in heritage districts, cultural centres that host traditional breakfasts and lunches, and food stalls at winter festivals.

Street food and everyday eats

Much of the UAE's best casual food comes from small cafeterias and grills, especially in older districts like Deira, Bur Dubai, Karama and central Sharjah.

• Shawarma: chicken or lamb rolled in thin bread with garlic sauce and pickles, the default quick meal.
• Manakish: Levantine flatbread topped with za'atar, cheese or minced meat, straight from the oven.
• Falafel and hummus: filling, inexpensive and on almost every corner.
• Biryani and parathas: South Asian cafeterias serve generous plates at modest prices.
• Camel milk and camel burgers: worth trying at specialist cafés if you're curious.

What to drink

• Karak chai: strong, sweet tea boiled with milk and cardamom, sold at cafeterias and roadside counters, sometimes brought straight to your car window.
• Gahwa: lightly roasted Arabic coffee spiced with cardamom, poured into small cups and served with dates as a sign of welcome.
• Fresh juices: mango, avocado and layered fruit "cocktails" are cafeteria favourites.
• Laban: a salty yogurt drink that's refreshing in the heat.

Alcohol is served mainly in licensed hotel bars, restaurants and clubs, and it's expensive. Sharjah is dry, so don't expect a glass of wine with dinner there. Being drunk in public is taken very seriously everywhere, and you should never drink and drive.

Where and how to eat

• Malls: food courts and restaurants at every price level, a lifesaver in the summer heat.
• Waterfronts: the promenades of Dubai Marina, JBR and the Abu Dhabi Corniche are lined with casual places.
• Weekend brunch: a long, all-inclusive meal in hotels and restaurants and a big part of expat social life; book ahead.
• Delivery: food delivery apps are hugely popular and handy on hot evenings.

Etiquette, tipping and dietary notes

• Eat and pass food with your right hand, especially at traditional shared meals.
• When offered gahwa, accept at least one cup, then gently shake the cup from side to side when you've had enough.
• Some restaurants add a service charge; where they don't, around 10 per cent is a common tip for good service. Rounding up for cafeteria staff and delivery riders is appreciated.
• Food is halal by default. Pork is sold separately in some supermarkets and served in certain hotel restaurants.
• Vegetarians eat very well thanks to South Asian and Levantine cooking. If you're vegan or have allergies, ask questions, as ghee, nuts and dairy are common.
• During Ramadan, many restaurants stay open in daylight hours, but avoid eating or drinking openly in public while people are fasting. Iftar, the meal that breaks the fast at sunset, is a wonderful time to try traditional dishes.

Stay connected in the United Arab Emirates

Eating well here is much easier with data in your pocket: you'll read reviews, translate Arabic menus at small cafeterias, order delivery and track down the karak stand everyone recommends. A HelloSIM eSIM keeps you online wherever the next meal takes you. It's data-only, installs at home before your trip and connects once you arrive.