Planning a trip to Dubai and wondering what to add to your platter? With a fusion of Iranian, Lebanese and Arabic food, the Dubai cuisine will surely make you crave for more. You just can’t leave without tasting those Luscious flavours of Dubai cuisines ranging from delicious bread and pastries to Arabic coffee and camel burgers. I’ve listed some of the best dishes and drinks you should try in Dubai. The taste and the aroma of the cuisines will give you a gastronomical delight in this Middle Eastern foodie oasis.
1. Camel Meat
Traditionally, Camel meat was eaten by locals in Dubai. As a novice traveller, it can be your first experience to try Camel meat. Though you must be wondering whether it tastes good – it’s where the real fun begins, as a traveller, we travel to discover distinctiveness around the world. There is no better way than experiencing a destination through their significant foods. Give it a try without any hesitation, who knows it could be the most delicious meal that you will ever have in your life? Dubai chefs have been playing around with their culinary skills to lure people by cooking all kinds of meaty dishes using Camel meat which varies from camel sliders to camel biryani, burgers and stews. So, if you are here make sure to try sautéed camel meat with hummus in posh Emirati eateries. It’s certainly one of the most delicious meat dishes out there – not to mention among the priciest.
2. Al Harees
Al Harees is another popular traditional dish that you can try in Dubai. This dish is mostly served during special occasions like Ramadan, Eid or weddings. The combination of wheat, juicy meat, and a pinch of salt will surely leave you craving for another bowl. You can try Al Harees with ‘Samen’ an Arabian butter, a drizzle of powdered cinnamon or with sugar for your sweet tooth. Dubai is a land of decadent spices and Al Harees is a perfect example of a dish with a blend of fresh spices that brings a surprising change for your palette.
3. Camel Milk Icecream
There is no much difference in taste when you compare Camel milk with regular cow’s milk. They are identical in taste. However, Camel milk is slightly saltier than cow’s milk and it has more protein, low cholesterol, and high in vitamin C and iron. Now don’t fancy drinking a whole glass of Camel milk! Instead of milk, you can try Camel milk ice cream. You can find Camel milk ice cream in Arab cafés across the city inspired by a range of Arabian flavours, including pistachio, date, saffron, cardamom, chocolate, caramel and raspberry vanilla.
4. Matchbous
Matchbous is a traditional meaty dish with zesty flavours, which will top any list of famous foods to try in Dubai. This hearty lamb dish gives a unique taste along with fresh spices. The Lamb is marinated for hours with ‘Loomi’ before it’s cooked into a stew with tomatoes and rice. Loomi, seems like a pickle though it’s a special taste enhancer for the dish made out of dried, ripe limes and saltwater. Matchbous comes with a blend of tastes along with Cloves, cardamom, cassia bark, turmeric, and baharat. These spices give an impressive and satisfying depth to the whole dish. If you want to taste this dish more like a local, make sure to pair it with a salad and yoghurt raita.
5. Luqaimat
Luqaimat is a delicious sweet dumpling with a similar taste and texture of a doughnut. This mouth-watering dessert is more popular on special occasions like Ramadan. These deep-fried dumplings are made out of milk, butter, flour, sugar, saffron and cardamom. It’s one of the desserts that are widely available in cafés around Dubai, which is served with sweet date syrup and topped with sesame seeds. When it comes to these hot dumplings you will not run out of flavours. You can taste a range of variation from Nutella to crushed pistachios, salted caramel to pecans, and white chocolate with berry jam. The more you eat, the more you fall in love with Luqaimat.
6. Kousa Mahshi
Kousa mahshi is a classic dish made out of zucchinis with an exotic filling of rice and minced meat. Authentically, it was eaten as a main course by Emiratis. It’s one of the signature dishes in Dubai that you must try. The traditional choice of meat is lamb, though Kousa mahshi is also available with beef. The rice-and-meat filling is flavoured with butter, fried onions, pine nuts, and herbs and spices such as coriander, parsley, cumin, and black pepper which will make you revisit Dubai just to try this dish. This lip-smacking flavour of Kousa mahshi is perfect to taste with a sparkling glass of Lebanese wine.
7. Arabic coffee with dates
The traditional Arabic coffee is known as ‘ghahwa’ in Arabic is a social ritual in Dubai. This Arabic coffee made with lightly roasted beans, cardamom and saffron, served with sweet dates. This classic and distinctive fruit holds an important place in Arabian heritage. In Dubai, dates are available in different varieties, each having its distinct colour and flavours. From chocolate-dipped dates to stuffed almonds and candied orange peel, Dubai has an amazing selection of dates. You can also try other date products like date juice, date jams and even balsamic vinegar made out from fresh dates.
Are you drooling already? Try this delicious delicacies in real by booking your Dubai holiday with Travel Center and indulge your taste buds in some of the country’s best cuisines.
