Dubai · United Arab Emirates

The Dubai food cheat sheet

One page from Chef Amazing · November 2026

The dish to eat

Spiced rice cooked in the broth of chicken, lamb or prawns with loomi (dried black lime).

Best at Al Fanar, Dubai Festival City and Al Barsha. Get: Chicken or shrimp machboos and luqaimat for dessert

Sufret Maryamfamily-run · Jumeirah (Wasl 51)
Get: Labneh creme brulee, musakhan rolls, hummus bel lahme, kebbe with pomegranate molasses
Kinoyacounter · The Greens
Get: Sho ramen, burnt butter scallops, charcoal-grilled wagyu tsukune
Al Tawasolfor machboos · Deira
Get: Lamb machboos, eaten on floor cushions
Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understandingfor machboos · Al Fahidi historical district
Get: The cultural meal, with chicken machboos
Wise GuysNew York-style deli · DIFC
Get: Wise Guy pastrami sandwich

Covered / street market. Spices, saffron, dates, dried fruit

Get: Mutton karahi and fresh naan

Expect: Waits at dinner. Beat it: Go at lunch.

Tip: Leave 10-15% unless service is already on the bill.

Book: Book the hot restaurants and weekend brunches a week or more out; old-town cafeterias are walk-in.

When locals eat: Lunch 1-3pm, dinner from 8:30pm; Friday and Saturday brunch is the big meal.