Dubai's Favorite Street Food- People's Preferred Dishes From The Region

Street Food is the lifeline of a city. Without street food, a city lacks taste whether from a tourist point of view or the individuals living there. The foundation of any strong culinary heritage is FOOD. Often during our solo trips, we prefer eating the local served food and often end-up dining with strangers which gives us an opportunity to strike up a conversation and get to know the local flavours.

People often remember a place because of the mouth-watering street food they had or travel to a place just to get the taste of the local cuisines. Street foods are known to make cities and countries popular around the world with their trademark dishes. Likewise, we have brought you the best street foods that are loved by the tourists and people of Dubai. Get ready to drool on these " 12 Middle Eastern Cuisines" right from the heart of UAE.

1. Tabbouleh

Lebanese from the origin, Tabbouleh is a Salad that has made its way into the Middle East Cuisine World. This Levantine Vegetarian Salad is made with fresh and finely chopped Parsley leaves along with mint leaves which is used as a base and cooked in Olive Oil and Bulgur Wheat. Tabbouleh flavors can be made tangy by totalling it with chopped tomatoes, diced cucumber, lemon juice and minced onions. For best arrangement, plate it with sliced chicken, avocados, olives while spreading feta cheese over the top.

Best Place To Eat in Dubai: Zaroob

2. Shawarma

This delicious Middle Eastern treat is either made with chicken, lamb, turkey, or beef. Shawarma is usually cooked slowly for hours before it is served. Beef or chicken which is marinated for 1-2 days are known to make the best Shawarmas. Such is the smell of this Traditional Arab street food that is now made in every nook and corner of the world. A thoroughly-cooked Shawarma accompanies well with salads, falafel and flatbreads like Pita or Lavash.

Best Place To Eat in Dubai: Al Mallah, Al Nafoorah, Amaseena, Aroos Damascus

3. Al Machboos

The most popular and widely-liked Traditional cuisine of the country, Al-Machboos is a simple rish dish made with variety of meats. Prepared with traditional Souk spices gives this dish trademark Emirati flavour maintaining its sanctity. For a more strong flavour, add dehydrated limes.

Best Place To Eat in Dubai: Al Fanar Restaurant

4. Khuzi

UAE’s National Dish, Khuzi offers the true taste of Dubai. This mouth-watering dish is made up of whole roasted lamb or mutton served on a rice bed with added vegatables and garnished with herbs and saffron. Head out to eat this complete full of flavours dish when in Dubai.

Best Place To Eat in Dubai: Seven Sands, Asselah

5. Oman Chips Roll

Popular among the local Emiratis, Oman Chip Roll is a go-to street food that is served in every nook and corner of Dubai. It is a simple roll with layers of cheese spread over it and stuffed with crushed Oman Chips and hot sauce. You can customize it by adding chicken and potatoes depending on your taste buds.

Best Place To Eat in Dubai: Local Restaurants

6. Shish Tawook Sandwich

A favourite among the local street-food joints in Dubai. Shish Tawook Sandwich is the recipe of marinade and Middle Eastern spices like 7 spice, paparika, cinnamon, oregano and ginger. It starts with Chicken marinated in a mixture of yogurt, lemon juice, garlic and tomato paste with the above mentioned spices. Then, Pin the chicken on the skewer and grill for about 10-12 minutes. Then take the chicken and sandwich it inside the bread of your choice with lettuce and spiced up with garlic sauce. Enjoy this delicacy at this popular street food joint.

Best Place To Eat in Dubai: Burj Al Hamam, Al Hallab

7. Mandi

Originated from the old towns of Yemen, Mandi is a popular Arabic dish that has its own history and cultual significance. Mandi migh look similar to biryani but it's cooking process in entirely different. It is a layered dish of rich meat and rice where rice and meat are cooked separately with original blend of spices and herbs. The meat is cooked inside a undeground pit (also known as Tandoor) covered with clay, whereas, the rice is prepared in a pot. Mandi is a popular Arabic staple and is loved by tourists and expats during festivals like Ramadan and Eid. Checkout the best Mandi restaurants in Dubai .

Best Place To Eat in Dubai: Zam Zam Mandi, Madfoon Al Khaimah

8. Manousheh

The “Arab Breakfast Pizza” that offers the best of Arab spices, the meat, and aromatic herbs. This go-to dish can be eaten like a roll or opened like a Pizza depending on the time you have to eat it. The authenticity of Manousheh can be learned from the fact that it contains Za’tar (a rare spice made in the Middle East) with heavy amount on cheese poured on the flatbread, shredded meat and finally finished off with several toppings. Undoubtedly, one of the best street-food in Dubai.

Best Place To Eat in Dubai: Al Reef Lebanese Bakery, Zaroob, Manoushe Street, Al Safadi, Cedar Tree

9. Al Harees

Yes, you heard it right, this dish is a one-pot culinary marvel consisting of a mixture of coarse wheat and meat. The wheat and salt mixture is boiled for several hours. The boiled mixture is then mixed with chunks of chicken, lamb, mutton and the pot is boiled again for several hours. For a flavourful taste, Cinnamon, cardamom and cumin are added and served with chopped onions on top. It is also a popular festival and occasional dish.

Best Place To Eat in Dubai: Khaneen Restaurant, Aseelah, Al Barza Restaurant & Cafe

10. Samboosa

The Indian dish with an Arab Twist is what Samboosa is. The fact that Dubai is home to a large population of Indians calls for some enticing Indian treats in the region. This thin triangle-shaped pastry is stuffed with minced meat or veggies along with regional exotic spices for an Arab taste.

Best Place To Eat in Dubai: Farzi Cafe, Spinzer, Logma

11. Karak

The local drink also known as the “National Drink Of UAE”. Karak is a cup of delightful cardamom, fresh aromatic spices, herbs and is made with thick evaporated milk. This strong, creamy drink can be found anywhere from the highway stalls to 5-star eateries.

Best Place To Eat in Dubai: Karak House, Filli Cafe

12. Kellaj

The exotic taste of Dubai can be found in none other than Kellaj. It is basically a bread which is charcoaled on a grill and filled with Haloumi cheese. Voted as the top-picked dish to eat in Dubai, Kellaj can be accompanied with sweet syrup (powdered sugar) and Pistachios as toppings. This quick-bite dish can be eaten any time of the day, is full-filling, yummy and an ideal snack for satisfying the hunger.

Best Place To Eat in Dubai: Karam Beirut

13. Madrouba

Madrouba’s literal translation means beaten rice. It comes in both Vegetarian & Non-vegetarian variants. Madrouba is made by cooking rice for long period of time and finally mashing or beating it to get a smooth pulp. This recipe is completed by adding chicken and all the exotic spices found in a Middle East cuisine. For best taste, it is usually topped with flavoured ghee and fried onions.

Best Place To Eat in Dubai: Al Dawaar, Akiba Dori