We’re NOT left wanting for food options in the capital but what do you know about the native cuisine of the UAE?
We live in a modern society where food can be ordered at the touch of a button, bringing flavours of Italy, India and almost every cuisine imaginable to your doorstep in an instant.
While the UAE is undoubtedly a cosmopolitan society made up of a rich tapestry of cultures, nationalities and traditions, the national cuisine isn’t the easiest to get your hands on.
So what exactly is Emirati food and where can you try it for yourself?
A bit of background
Emirati cuisine has changed over time and many people could be forgiven for confusing Levantine food such as hummus, tabbouleh and falafel as national dishes due to their popularity here – but they are not.
Traditional foods were based around grains, dairy and some meat including chicken, fowl and goats. Camel meat was also eaten but was usually reserved for special occasions since the animals were valuable for their milk and transportation.
And considering the UAE has a rich maritime history, it should come as no surprise that the sea was also a main food source, with fish like hammour and shaari eshkeli becoming regular ingredients in Emirati cooking over the years.
Giving dishes flavour, leaves from local flora like the ghaf, an indigenous flowering tree in the pea family, were used to season dishes. It wasn’t until international trade roots were established that spices, rice and other ingredients became staples in cooking.
Over the years, recipes began to change and the food of the UAE took on a distinct identity with unique characteristics influenced by travellers and interactions with other nations.
Hungry? Let’s take a look at what you can expect from Emirati food…
On the menu
You know there’s more to Emirati food than Arabic coffee and dates, so let’s forget these staples for now. Here are our picks of dishes that you need to try.
Balaleet
Essentially a thin, spiced vermicelli dish served with an omelette, this sweet and sour breakfast dish is a popular meal in the UAE. Sometimes served with boiled beans, the dish can be found at various Arabic restaurants.
Chabab
The Emirati version of a pancake, the chebab is made with eggs, sugar, flour and spices, including cardamom. The pancake’s yellow tint comes from a dash of saffron and it’s all served with a side of sweet date syrup.
Saloona
A local form of stew, this hearty dish is perfect for sharing with friends and family. Made up of a mixture of seasonal vegetables and meat, chicken or fish, it’s often served and enjoyed with boiled rice.
Mhammar
This sweet and savoury dish celebrates the fruit of the sea. Made from locally caught fish including the likes of faskar and jesh umalhala, the seafood is served whole on top of caramelised onions and a sweet yellow rice.
Al harees
This one-pot dish is made from meat and wheat and is often served for special occasions, including weddings and Ramadan. Wheat is cooked in a pot with seasoning and then the meat is added and cooked over a long period until it eventually dissolves into the mixture. Once the desired consistency is reached, it’s topped with ghee and served.
Al machboos
This traditional dish can be made with meat, chicken or shrimp and is prepared by cooking the meat in water with spices, preserved lemon, onion and vegetables, including tomatoes, potatoes and peppers. Cooked rice and saffron is then added to the mixture in layers before being served.
Fantastic treats and where to find them
Meylas
With a permanent location in Al Muneera and a roaming food truck popping up at locations across the city, Meylas is a great place to try Emirati food. With the recipes being passed down from mothers and grandmothers over the years, the food is as authentic as you can get without visiting a family home. We love the semach mashway, a delicious grilled whole fish served with white rice and ghee. Al Muneera Beach Plaza, Al Raha Beach. Daily 9am-11pm. Contact: 02 444 8884, meylas.com
Al Fanar
A time capsule that takes you back to 1960s UAE, Al Fanar gives you the opportunity to step back in time and experience traditional Emirati food. With a wide range of dishes showcasing the best of local ingredients, you’ll get a real taste for the UAE. Got a sweet tooth? Try the legaimat, crispy deep-fried dough balls topped with sweet, sticky date syrup. Yas Mall, next to Ferrari World and Venetian Village, Khor Al Maqtaa. Daily 8.30am-10pm. Visit: alfanarrestaurant.com
Mezlai
Designed to give you the feeling of being seated in a large Bedouin tent, this extravagant Emirati restaurant in Emirates Palace gives you a much more opulent experience. With dishes inspired by a history with the sea, mountains and oases of the UAE, it takes on a refined approach to national favourites. Just don’t forget to try rgag, traditional Emirati bread, with your meal. Emirates Palace, Corniche West. Daily 1pm-10.30pm. Contact: 02 690 7999
Seven Spices
This casual yet inviting eatery is another must try for authentic Emirati food. Pull up a chair and enjoy the infamous Arabic hospitality while sampling the cuisine. Want to try something truly authentic? Order the harris alhawi, a stew of slow-cooked ground wheat and meat. Salam Street, Al Dhafrah. Daily 7am-midnight. Contact: 02 633 3390
Local favourites
Like in other cultures, one of the best places to get an authentic Emirati meal is in the family home. We speak to a few Emiratis to find out about their favourite dishes and the memories they associate with them.
Dr Marwan al Hashmi
“My favourite dish is fouga. It’s either chicken or prawns, but it’s simple to make. I love it because when I was living abroad it was a simple food I would make that would remind me of home and family get-togethers. I would even cook it to share with friends I made outside the UAE since it’s a dish best shared.”
Khalid Al Midwahi
“Whenever camel meat is on offer I make sure that I don’t pass up the opportunity. It’s usually only served on special occasions (such as weddings) so maybe it’s my favourite Emirati dish because I associate it with celebratory events. It definitely helps that it’s a tender and juicy meat, and it certainly doesn’t taste like chicken.”
Dr Shaikha Al Ali
“My favourite dish is khabeesa. It is an Emirati pudding made of semolina and cardamom. But I only love it when my mother makes it; it’s just not the same anywhere else. It’s my comfort food after a long day at work in the hospital.”
Mohammed Al Hashimi
“My favourite meal is harees, a meat and oat paste. It’s considered an acquired taste but I love it because it reminds me of my childhood when the whole family would gather to celebrate an occasion.”
