Traditional food in Dubai: Emirati dishes and Old Dubai street food
Updated 2026-11-04
Short answer: traditional food in Dubai means two things. First, Emirati home cooking: machboos, harees, luqaimat and gahwa with dates. Second, the street food that traders from the Levant, Iran and South Asia brought to the Creek, which is what most people in Old Dubai eat every day: shawarma, falafel, karak tea and kunafa.
Emirati dishes to know
- Machboos: spiced rice cooked with chicken, lamb or fish, often flavoured with loomi (dried lime). The best-known Emirati main dish.
- Harees: wheat and meat slow-cooked until smooth, traditionally served during Ramadan and at celebrations.
- Thareed: a stew of meat and vegetables poured over thin bread.
- Balaleet: sweet saffron vermicelli topped with a thin omelette, often eaten at breakfast.
- Chebab: Emirati pancakes flavoured with saffron and cardamom, served with date syrup.
- Luqaimat: small fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup, the classic Emirati sweet.
- Gahwa and dates: light Arabic coffee with cardamom, poured in small cups and served with dates as a welcome.
These dishes are part of the story of Dubai's food. They are not set tastings on our tour: Emirati home cooking is mostly found in homes, at Ramadan tables and in specialist Emirati restaurants.
Old Dubai street food: what our tour tastes
- Shawarma: shaved hot off the spit.
- Falafel and hummus: Levantine classics.
- Indian street snacks: guests often mention pani puri.
- Karak: sweet spiced milk tea (ask for less sugar).
- Kunafa: warm cheese and crisp pastry to finish.
Tastings change with what is fresh and available on the day. If there is a dish you want to try, tell us before the tour and your guide will try to work it in. For a stop-by-stop route, read our Old Dubai street food guide.
Where to find traditional food in Old Dubai
Look in Bur Dubai, around the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and the Textile Souk, and in Deira, around the Spice and Gold Souks. A wooden abra across Dubai Creek links the two. In the Spice Souk you can see saffron, cardamom and loomi, the dried lime used in machboos.
Taste it with a local food guide
| Option | Price per private group (up to 6) | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting point: Arabian Tea House, Al Fahidi (ends at Al Ras Metro Station, Deira) | USD 199 | About 3 hours |
| With hotel transfers (pickup and drop-off) | USD 299 | About 3 hours plus transfers |
Included: a local food guide, food and drink tastings and the abra ride. Not included: anything you buy in the souks. Vegetarian-friendly on request. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. See prices, what's included and guest reviews, or book in the booking box. Exploring the heritage lanes on foot instead? Try our sister Old Dubai walking tour.
Frequently asked questions
What is traditional food in Dubai?
Emirati dishes such as machboos (spiced rice), harees, luqaimat and gahwa (Arabic coffee) with dates, alongside the street food of Dubai's trading communities: shawarma, falafel and hummus, South Asian snacks, karak tea and kunafa.
Which Emirati dish should I try first?
Machboos, spiced rice cooked with chicken, lamb or fish, is the best-known Emirati main dish and a good first choice. For something sweet, try luqaimat.
What will we taste on the Dubai food tour?
Tastings include shawarma, falafel with hummus, Indian street snacks, local tea such as karak and a traditional dessert such as warm kunafa. Tastings change with what is fresh on the day.
Is Emirati machboos on the tour?
Not as a set stop. The tour focuses on Old Dubai street food. Tell us before the tour if there is a dish you want to try and your guide will try to work it in.
How much is the food tour?
USD 199 per private group of up to 6 from Arabian Tea House in Al Fahidi, or USD 299 with hotel transfers. About 3 hours, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Can vegetarians join?
Yes. Tell us your dietary needs when you book so tastings can be planned around them.
Eat Old Dubai with a local food guide
Our private Old Dubai Street Food and Walking Tour takes about 3 hours: USD 199 per private group of up to 6 from Arabian Tea House in Al Fahidi, or USD 299 with hotel transfers. Tastings and the abra ride are included.
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