Dubai offers a wide range of restaurants that serve an excellent cuisine satisfying leisure and business travelers. Dubai hotels offer a remarkably wide range of beverage and food outlets as they attract large number of local residents too. Their restaurants cover many coffee shops and specialty outlets and the standard of service is nothing less than excellent. Outside the restaurants, small eating places can be found in almost all parts of the city such as Satwa, Deira, Bur Dubai and Jumeirah. Dubai cuisine is also a cosmopolitan one just like the city’s culture. The city is vibrant and attracts visitors all over the year. Cuisine in Dubai is a perfect combination of the Middle East and gulf food habits. Though Arabian food is the primary cuisine of Dubai, a major position is also occupied by Lebanese, Moroccon and Iranian foods. The following are some of the specialties of the Dubai cuisine which can be tasted during travel to Dubai.
- Vine leaves stuffed with rice called Wara enab
- Stuffed courgettes known as Koussa mahshi
- A paste made from sesame seeds and chickpeas called Hoummus
- Tabbouleh or chopped parsley, mint and crushed wheat.
- A whole roast lamb on a bed of rice mixed with nuts known as Ghuzi
Local dishes which are famous in Dubai cuisines include:
- A rich delicacy of tender lamb and slow cooked wheat called Hareis
- A dish made of spiced lamb and rice known as Matchbous
- Another common delicacy is seafood combined with specially seasoned rice
- A pudding known as Mehalabiya is famous for its sprinkling of rosewater and pistachios
- Another popular Middle Eastern snack is shawarma which is made of grilled shavings of chicken or lamb, mixed with salad and rolled in Arabic bread. You can buy this item in majority of Dubai restaurants during your visit to Dubai.
International cuisine
The choice is wide as far as the international cuisine of Dubai is concerned and so are the standards. There are hotels that serve French, Italian, Swiss, Mediterranean, British and German cuisines. Asia also has a wide variety of fine Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Thai, and Korean restaurants.
Arabic Cuisine
Arabic cuisine is also widely available in Dubai and most of it is based on Lebanese cuisine. Common dishes are shawarmas , hummus (tahina dip and creamy chick pea), falafel (mashed chick peas and sesame seeds rolled into balls and deep fried) and tabbouleh (wheat mixed with mint and parsley). A good selection of fresh fruit juices are offered in the Arabic restaurants that accompany the meal.
Emirati Cuisine
The local Emirati food has ingredients that are imported from around Asia and the Middle East. The spices used in the cuisine include saffron, cinnamon and turmeric, along with many kinds of dry nuts such as pistachios, almonds and dried fruit. Dried limes are also commonly used in Emirati cuisine and give the dishes a tangy flavour, reflecting Persian influence.
Places to eat
Dubai also has many fine Thai, Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean restaurants, as well as numerous outlets featuring cuisine from the Asian subcontinent.
Many Mexican and American restaurants can be found in the city, while international fast food chains are represented by such names as Pizza Inn, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, Burger King, McDonald’s, Shakey’s Pizza, Hardees and Wimpy.