Dubai is a dream destination for foodies, and suffice it to say, you may feel that every meal is like a mini world tour! Of course, it always helps to be prepared before you introduce your taste buds to the eclectic dishes that await.

Where You Stay is Key
Before delving fork-first into the local food scene, choose your accommodation wisely. Staying along Sheikh Zayed Road puts you close to the top dining spots, including those in the downtown area. Go with a property like DAMAC Maison Aykon City with apartment-style living, complete with a kitchen for foodie experiments and an on-site restaurant to enjoy fine dining in Dubai Canal views. Of course, also ideal is 24-hour room service for those sudden cravings day or night!

Emirati Dishes You Shouldn’t Miss
Start with some of the top dishes in Dubai. Machboos delivers fragrant rice with slow-cooked meat or fish and dried lime and spices, while Ghuzi, which features tender roasted lamb on spiced rice with nuts and raisins, is delicious to say the least. Add manakish, which is a flatbread topped with various ingredients like akkawi cheese, minced lamb, or veggies and slow-cooked al harees to discover some traditional flavours.

International Cuisine Offering Global Flavours
The great thing about Dubai is that it’s a cosmopolitan and multicultural destination, which means that you can actually savour authentic culinary creations from around the world. One day you are enjoying Indian biryani, the next it’s Lebanese tabbouleh, Italian wood-fired pizza, or Japanese sushi and sashimi. Dining here feels like collecting passport stamps… minus the jet lag and airport queues, of course!

All-time Street Food and Dessert Faves

Image by Mariya Muschard from Pixabay

Another highlight for foodies is the street food in Dubai. Shawarma is a perennial favourite, and it’s juicy and very irresistible, while crispy falafel makes the perfect anytime snack, especially for vegetarians. Save room for dessert, too; knafeh brings cheesy sweetness, and luqaimat, drizzled with date syrup, are addictive in a good way. Be prepared, though, because one bite is never enough!