Cuisine in UAE

Discover signature dishes and food culture of this country

Asia / Western Asia/Middle East

Signature dishes

Machboos (Makboos)

Traditional rice dish cooking spiced rice and lamb together

  • Region: Abu Dhabi
  • Main ingredients: Rice, Lamb, Turmeric, Cardamom

Harees

Breaking-fast dish slowly simmering crushed wheat and meat

  • Region: Nationwide
  • Main ingredients: Wheat, Chicken or lamb, Ghee

Madrouba

Beef bone soup simmered with date syrup

  • Region: Dubai
  • Main ingredients: Beef bones, Date syrup, Spices

Luqaimat

Small fried donuts coated in syrup

  • Region: Nationwide
  • Main ingredients: Wheat flour, Yeast, Saffron, Date honey

Shawarma

Street food staple wrapping thinly sliced roast meat in Arabic bread

  • Region: Urban areas
  • Main ingredients: Chicken, Garlic sauce, Flatbread

Falafel

Chickpea croquettes. Light meal also popular with vegetarians

  • Region: Nationwide
  • Main ingredients: Chickpeas, Parsley, Cumin

Barata

Breakfast pie-like thin-baked bread wrapping honey or cheese

  • Region: Dubai
  • Main ingredients: Wheat flour, Ghee, Honey, Cheese

Camel Milk Ice Cream

Creamy ice cream made from nutritious camel milk

  • Region: Al Ain
  • Main ingredients: Camel milk, Sugar, Vanilla

Saloona

Home-style tomato-based stew. Served with rice

  • Region: Nationwide
  • Main ingredients: Lamb, Tomato, Zucchini

Dates

Desert staple fruit. Versatile use as fresh, paste, syrup

  • Region: Liwa Oasis
  • Main ingredients: Dates

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