Food is something that connects people worldwide and is an integral part of everyday culture. It acts as an impromptu icebreaker and helps people take a culinary trip to places they’ve never been to.
For instance, Dubai is a city where you can find food dishes from all around the world, and food lovers as well. This can be seen from the 741,500 searches for F&B in Dubai from January 2025 to July 2025.
So, you should definitely not miss checking out Dubai’s F&B scene when you go there. But as there are many dishes, which one should you start with? Well, you can start with dishes like a fajita sandwich, and progress to authentic Emirati dishes like Al Harees and more.
Continue reading to discover these dishes.
A List of Delicacies for Food Lovers to Try
If you are taking a trip to Dubai, it is essential that you treat your taste buds! Make sure to try the following food items:
1. Al Harees
Al Harees is a traditional Emirati favourite and is popular during Ramadan, Eid, and in weddings. However, you can find it throughout the year since it’s a beloved street food.
This dish is prepared from wheat, lamb, or chicken, and a pinch or slightly more salt for taste, and is served with bread. It also has spices as part of its ingredients, such as cumin, cinnamon, and cardamom. So, when you dig in, expect a mixture of spice and sweetness.
You can also have a dollop of butter or ghee added for extra richness.
2. Fajita Sandwich
The fajita sandwich will take you to Mexico with every bite. You can find this dish in several prominent restaurants located near the Dubai Marina and the Al Warqa City Mall, and other locations.
It is a sandwich prepared with chicken julienne strips, red chilli sauce, chilli flakes, garlic powder, green chilli, lime juice, and cumin powder, to name a few ingredients. So, when you dig in, expect a mixture of spice, savoury, Umami, and buttery flavours, depending on the type of bread.
3. Chicken Shawarma
Chicken Shawarma is a popular street food loved by many. It has many variants, like Turkish and Lebanese shawarmas, which you can have at the top Lebanese restaurants in Dubai. Its main element consists of chicken marinated with a spicy mix, which is grilled evenly on both sides to tenderise the meat.
Once the chicken is ready, it is placed within a Kuboos bread, and cabbage, pickles, sliced onions with sumac and tahini sauce are added. Some shops also offer garlic mayonnaise or normal mayonnaise, depending on what you prefer.
So, when you dig in, expect a mix of slightly sour, smoky, and rich flavours.
4. Luqaimat
Luqaimat is a traditional Middle Eastern dish, which essentially consists of fried dough fritters that are dunked into sweet sugar syrup. The dish’s name translates to ‘little bites’, and it is traditionally served with date or honey maple syrup during Iftar celebrations.
The ultimate result is an explosion of sweetness that leaves you wanting more. However, if you’re visiting Dubai after or before Ramadan, then worry not. This dish forms a staple part of family weekends and weddings as well.
So, if you’re invited to a family home, then you will be served this as dessert.
5. Wagyu Katso-Sando Sandwich
Like the fajita sandwich that will take you to Mexico, the Wagyu Katso-Sando Sandwich will take you to Japan. This sandwich involves sliced deep-fried Wagyu beef that is tossed in sweet chilli sauce and served between two milk bread pieces smeared with honey mustard mayo.
Before serving, the chef will apply some tonkatsu sauce on both sides of the bread. So, when you dig in, expect a rich, sweet, and tangy taste, which is appreciated by food lovers across Dubai.
6. Baba Ghanoush
Baba Ghanoush is a popular Lebanese dish that you can sample at the top Lebanese restaurants in Dubai. It is essentially a dip that has roasted eggplants, various spices, pomegranate molasses, walnuts, parsley, and tomatoes.
Some restaurants and street food shops add garlic, olive oil, and tahini sauce along with lime juice for extra flavour. This dip is served with pita bread and is best as an appetizer to whet your appetite.
In case you’re having a kebab, this dip is served as a side.
7. Asian Style Grilled Tiger Prawns
If you’re an Asian looking for a taste of home in Dubai, then opt for this dish. It comprises evenly cooked prawns served with green chilli dressing. The prawns are marinated in sweet soy sauce and browned butter or soy sauce and sugar, depending on the restaurant.
So, when you dig into the dish, you can expect a mixture of rich, nutty, and sweet flavours. You should ask for bread when you have this dish, since it will help you enjoy the mixture of flavours better.
8. Grilled Lamb Chops
You can end your culinary journey in Dubai with the grilled lamb chops. This is a popular Lebanese dish and involves grilled chops marinated with garlic, lemon juice, salt, oregano, and black and white pepper.
It is served with sides like herb-roasted potatoes, pita bread, salads, and roasted vegetables, making it a filling dish. When you dig into it, you can expect a mixture of rich, earthy, and smoky flavours, which will tickle your taste buds.
The Last Word
There are many other dishes that you can sample apart from the fajita sandwich, like Turkish tawook, Al Machboos, Khabees, and Khuzi. These dishes will take you on a deeper journey into Middle Eastern cuisine.
If you’re looking for something more global, then you can try dishes like Japanese sushi, Brazilian Barbecue, and even Thai food. Dubai has something for everyone.
Ready for a Memorable Culinary Experience?
Visit Dubai today to sample culinary masterpieces from around the world today!
Qseo 
HoneyLinkers