From fine dining in Downtown Dubai to hidden gems in the souks, the culinary landscape of the United Arab Emirates is as diverse as its population. While you can find every global cuisine here, visiting Dubai without tasting the local flavours would be a missed opportunity.
Whether you are looking for the best traditional food in Dubai, the refreshing kick of lemon mint, or simply want to know if you can drink alcohol, this guide covers it all.
Quick Guide: What to Eat & Drink in Dubai
| Category | Must-Try Item | Description |
| National Dish | Machbous (or Khuzi) | Spiced rice with meat, loomi (dried lime), and saffron. |
| National Drink | Arabic Coffee (Gahwa) | Spiced coffee served with dates to welcome guests. |
| Street Food | Shawarma | Grilled meat wrap with garlic sauce, popular across the Middle East. |
| Sweet Treat | Luqaimat | Crunchy deep-fried dumplings drizzled in date syrup. |
| Alcohol Rule | Licensed Venues | Alcohol is served in hotels and clubs; tourists can get a free license. |
What is the National Dish of Dubai?
Dubai's menus are bold, zesty, and above all memorable. With origins in traditional Arabic cuisine and European favourites, the range of tempting dishes in Dubai is a delicious mix of Lebanese, Iranian and Indian influences.
If you ask a local, "What is the national dish of Dubai?", the answer will likely be Machbous (also known as Kabsa) or Khuzi.
Machbous is the heart of Emirati cuisine. It is a fragrant, one-pot dish made with rice, onions, and meat (usually chicken, lamb, or fish), seasoned with traditional spices like cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and dried lemon (loomi). It shares similarities with Indian biryani but has a distinct Arabian flavour profile.
For special occasions and weddings, Khuzi often takes centre stage. It features whole roasted lamb served on a bed of spicy rice and topped with roasted nuts and raisins.
Where to try it: Head to the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood for authentic restaurants serving these staples in a traditional setting.
5 Popular Drinks in Dubai You Must Try
The heat of the desert makes staying hydrated essential, but Dubai drinks go far beyond water. Here are the top beverages to look out for:
1. Karak Tea Dubai (Karak Chai)
Unofficially, the city's favourite drink, karak chai, is a strong, spiced tea simmered with milk and sugar. Influenced by Indian flavours, you’ll find it everywhere from roadside cafeterias to luxury resorts. It’s sweet, comforting, and incredibly cheap (often just 1-2 AED).
2. Arabic Coffee (Gahwa)
The national drink of UAE hospitality, Arabic coffee (Gahwa), is served in small cups without handles. It is brewed with cardamom and saffron and is typically bitter, which is why it is always served with fresh dates to balance the flavour.
3. Lemon Mint Dubai (Limonana)
For a cooling hit during the summer, nothing beats a lemon mint juice. Made with fresh lemon juice, handfuls of mint leaves, and plenty of ice, this "Limonana" is a staple at almost every restaurant in Dubai.
4. Jallab Drink
A classic Middle East favourite, the Jallab drink is made from carob, dates, grape molasses, and rose water. It is usually served with crushed ice and topped with pine nuts and raisins - a perfect thirst quencher after a day at Jumeirah Beach.
5. Laban Drink
Laban drink is a chilled, salty yoghurt beverage. It is rich in probiotics and is the go-to drink for cooling down after eating spicy Dubai food. You can find it fresh in restaurants or bottled in grocery stores.
What to Eat in Dubai: Breakfast to Dessert
The Emirati Breakfast
Start your day like a local with a traditional Emirati breakfast. A key dish is Balaleet, a sweet-and-savoury combination of vermicelli noodles cooked with sugar, cardamom, and saffron, topped with a savoury omelette. It sounds unusual, but the flavours work perfectly together.
Street Food in Dubai
Dubai food prices can vary depending on where you eat, but street food remains affordable and delicious.
- Shawarma: The king of street food. Shavings of chicken or lamb are wrapped in soft bread with pickles, fries, and garlic sauce.
- Manakish: Often called "Arabic pizza," this dough is topped with thyme (zaatar), cheese, or ground meat and baked in a brick oven.
- Rigag: A wafer-thin, crispy bread often spread with cheese, honey, or egg, popular in the souks.
Read more: A Guide to Visiting the Souks of Dubai
Don't Miss Dessert: Luqaimat
No meal is complete without Luqaimat (dessert). These deep-fried dough balls are crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and soaked in sweet date syrup. They are best enjoyed fresh and hot, often sprinkled with sesame seeds.
Can You Drink in Dubai? (Alcohol & Rules)
A common question for travellers is: "Can you drink in Dubai?"
The answer is yes, but with specific rules.
- Where: Alcohol is served in licensed restaurants, bars, and clubs, which are mostly located within hotels (like those on The Palm or Downtown Dubai).
- Buying Alcohol: Tourists visiting Dubai can buy alcohol from shops like MMI or African + Eastern. You simply need to present your passport to get a free instant license.
- The Tax: While the 30% municipality tax on alcohol was reinstated in 2025 after a temporary suspension, many distributors and venues have absorbed the cost to keep prices competitive. Happy hours are still very common and offer great value.
Important: Drinking alcohol in public places (streets, public beaches) is strictly prohibited. Always respect local customs.
Read more: Local Customs in Dubai.
Best places to eat and drink in Dubai
You now know what to eat and drink in Dubai… but where should you wine and dine? With a huge variety of places to dine in this cosmopolitan city, we’ve selected a few of our favourites:
Reem Al Bawadi
Few places dish up a more authentic taste of Arabic cuisine than Reem Al Bawadi. Spread across five different Dubai locations, Reem Al Bawadi serves up Middle Eastern flavours with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Open from 6am until 2am in popular districts such as Dubai Marina and Sheikh Zayed Road, this classy restaurant lends itself to all manner of occasions. Enjoy an early morning coffee and breakfast or drop by for grilled kebabs, falafels or lamb chops in the evening. Cap your meal off with a selection of flavoured sheesha.
Hakkasan Dubai
Housed inside the majestic Atlantis, The Palm, Hakkasan Dubai is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious evening meal or Friday brunch.
Here you can indulge in a menu of seafood, poultry, meat and vegetable dishes. Our favourites are the wok-fried chilli mud crab, charcoal-grilled black cod and black truffle roasted duck.
Whether you’re marking a special occasion or you just want to sample local flavours in lavish surroundings, Hakkasan Dubai offers something for every palate. The restaurant’s dark oak floors add an extra layer of elegance to a venue which already oozes sophistication.
SAL
This restaurant can be found in the city’s most iconic hotel, the 5-star Burj Al Arab. The world’s tallest hotel houses 10 restaurants and bars, with SAL being the newest addition.
Expect southern Mediterranean cuisine with plenty of seafood on the menu including crab and sea bass as well as a ‘catch of the day’.
Dining packages are available that include access to the pool and beach which you can take advantage of all day.
Once you’ve eaten in the poolside restaurant, why not head up to the observation decks which are situated at the top of the building and offer an incredible bird’s-eye view of the Arabian Gulf.
Ready to taste the flavours of the UAE?
From the spices of the souks to world-class dining, Dubai is a feast for the senses. Plan your dream Dubai Holiday today!