You’ve sipped on warm karak chai while yapping with your friends. You’ve definitely devoured an Oman chips sandwich during your lunch break. And you’re no stranger to the pop-up food stalls serving the latest, funkiest foodie trends. From matcha in glass jars to chocolate-kunafa-pistachio everything, Dubai is bursting with things to try. But the city’s food culture is more than just trending Instagrammable bites. Some of the classic Emirati dishes are comforting, flavour-packed, and rich in heritage, leaving you craving more. So during this National Day weekend, here are a few you need to try!
Also Read: 6 FREE Ways To Celebrate UAE National Day Across Dubai
1. Al Majboos (Or Machboos)
UAE’s ultimate comfort dish that screams warmth and flavour. Machboos is a fragrant rice platter slow-cooked with tender chicken, lamb, or seafood, tomatoes and spices. What makes this dish uniquely Emirati is the seasoning – loomi (dried black lime) and spice blends, which add a tangy warmth that makes you crave for more. This hearty meal is often served during family gatherings and celebrations, and is a staple that never goes out of style.
- Where To Try: Al Fanar Restaurant, Arabian Tea House, Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant.
2. Harees
Made of just two main ingredients, wheat and meat, this simple dish is one of the most cherished Emirati dishes. The wheat is soaked and simmered until soft. It’s then mixed with chicken or lamb and slow-cooked until the dish becomes smooth and thick, almost porridge-like. Harees is traditionally prepared in clay pots and cooked for hours. While it’s a national day staple, it’s the type of dish families make in huge batches to share with neighbours.
- Where To Try: Al Fanar Restaurant & Café, Logma, Harees & Mahashi Restaurant, Al Mandi & Al Madhbi House
3. Luqaimat
Dipping into the sweet side of Dubai, we’ve got Luqaimat. These are deep-fried into golden, bite-sized dough balls that are crispy on the outside and soft inside. They are then drizzled with date syrup or honey and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Nowadays, you can even get them with pistachio, Nutella and lotus dressings for a richer taste.
- Where To Try: Loqa Desserts, Habib Bakery, Arabian Tea House, Global Village
4. Khameer
You might’ve nibbled on this dish at Arabic food joints. A perfect combination of soft and fluffy on the inside, golden and slightly crisp on the outside. This is a popular Emirati breakfast often paired with date syrup, honey, or soft cheese. Alternatively, Khameer also enjoyed alongside meals, with salads and curries. This slightly sweet, spiced bread is either made fresh at home or bought from traditional bakeries.
- Where To Try: Al Mandi & Al Madhbi House, Al Fanar Restaurant & Café, Logma, Arabian Tea House,
5. Balaleet
Sweets for breakfast? The Emiratis had their priorities in order! While this may be an unusual combination, Balaleet is one of the most traditional Emirati breakfast dishes and a childhood favourite for many Emiratis. The base of the dish is thin vermicelli noodles sweetened with sugar, saffron, and cardamom. Topped with a savoury thin layer of an omelette, Balaleet is a must try during special occasions.
