Would you like to explore the gastronomy of the United Arab Emirates, but don't know what dishes to try? Emirati cuisine is a subtle blend of Arab, Persian, Indian and African influences, offering an explosion of flavors and spices that will delight lovers of culinary discovery.
Whether you're drawn to rich, spicy dishes, savory grills or traditional sweets, Emirati cuisine is packed with must -try delicacies during your stay. In this article, we present the local specialities, their history and where to taste them for an authentic taste experience. Get ready for an unforgettable culinary journey! 🍛✨
What you need to know about Emirati cuisine: a blend of spices, traditions and authentic flavours
Emirati cuisine is a true reflection of the history and cultural exchanges that have shaped the region. Strongly influenced by the Arabian Peninsula, India, Iran and the Middle East, it offers a rich and varied palette of flavors in which spices, meat and local produce play a central role.
Here are a few things you should know before sampling local specialities:
🔸 Rice, a staple food 🍚
In Emirati cuisine, rice is omnipresent and often accompanies meat, fish and vegetables. It is sometimes replaced by wheat, particularly in certain traditional dishes.
🔸 A festival of spices and aromas 🌿
Emirati dishes are known for their wealth of spices and aromatic herbs: cardamom, saffron, cinnamon, turmeric and cumin add depth and intensity to traditional dishes.
🔸 Most popular meats 🍖
Lamb and chicken are the most popular meats, reflecting the region's Bedouin and culinary traditions. However, seafood and fish also hold an important place in coastal recipes.
🔸 A typical flatbread 🫓
Flatbread is a staple of Emirati cuisine. It is often served as an accompaniment to main courses and used to enjoy sauces and stews.
🔸 Desserts rich in oriental flavors 🍯
Dates, honey, pistachios and almonds are key ingredients in Emirati sweets. Local pastries are often flavored with rosewater or orange blossom water, offering subtle, delicate flavors.
🔸 F ragrant traditional drinks ☕
Arabic coffee with cardamom, green tea and fresh fruit juices are iconic drinks, often served as a sign of hospitality.
Emirati cuisine is therefore a unique sensory experience, where lovers of spicy and tasty dishes will find what they're looking for. If you love discovery and intense flavors, let yourself be tempted by these local specialties that bear witness to the Emirates' culinary heritage! 🍽️✨
Emirati cuisine: traditional dishes rich in flavour
If you'd like to discover the culinary specialties of the United Arab Emirates, here's a glimpse of the emblematic dishes that will delight your taste buds. Between recipes handed down from generation to generation and influences from elsewhere, Emirati cuisine is an explosion of flavors not to be missed!
🥘 The must-try savoury dishes
🔸 Le Harees 🍛
A traditional dish based on cracked wheat and minced meat, long simmered until smooth. Seasoned with cumin and onions, it is often enjoyed during the month of Ramadan and on special occasions.
🔸 Le Machboos 🍗
One of the most popular dishes in the Emirates, similar to the Indian biryani. This spice-scented rice mixture, accompanied by meat (chicken, lamb or fish) and vegetables, is a staple of family meals.
🔸 Le Marouba 🍖
A simmered stew, usually prepared with chicken, but which can also be declined with fish or other meats. Its creamy texture and mild spices make it a comforting dish.
🔸 Le Tharid 🥖
Originally from Dubai, this dish consists of meat in sauce served on soaked wholemeal bread, accompanied by vegetables. Highly appreciated for its rich taste and soft texture, it is often eaten during Ramadan.
🔸 Chicken Saloona 🌶️
This must-try dish from Dubai is a spicy stew made with chicken, ginger, turmeric and vegetables. A must-have for those who love simmered dishes with deep flavors.
🔸 L'Ozhee 🍖
An exceptional dish served at weddings and major celebrations, prepared with slow-roasted lamb on a bed of spice-scented rice.
🍯 Emirati sweets to savor
🔹 Le Lokma 🍩
A popular dessert in the Emirates, these crispy little balls of dough are fried, then coated in honey and sprinkled with sesame, turmeric and spices.
Of course, this list is just a glimpse of the many Emirati specialties you can sample during your stay. Whether you're a fan of spicy, simmered or sweet dishes, Emirati cuisine will surprise you and take you on a journey through its aromas and ancestral traditions. 🍛✨
Emirati table traditions: rites and customs to know before enjoying a meal
In addition to its rich and tasty cuisine, the United Arab Emirates has culinary traditions rooted in the local culture. If you're lucky enough to share a meal with Emiratis, it's important to know and respect certain customs that reflect hospitality and a sense of sharing.
Eating in a group 
Meals are first and foremost a a moment of conviviality and sharinggenerally taken into account family or friends. Hospitality is an essential value in Emirati culture, and it is common practice to invite relatives or even strangers to join the feast.
Eating with your hands 
In the Emirati tradition, cutlery is not systematically used. It is common to eat with the hands, especially rice and meat, using three fingers of the right hand.
Dinner on the floor 
Traditionally, meals are sitting on the flooron a rug or cushion. This custom is inherited from the Bedouins, who valued comfort and closeness during meals.
Welcome coffee and dates 
Before starting the meal, it is customary to serve Arabic coffee (Gahwa) with dates. This tradition symbolizes hospitality and marks the start of a convivial moment.
Serving many dishes 
In Emirati culture, a generous meal a wide variety of dishes are often served, and it's frowned upon for a guest to leave still hungry. Abundance is a sign of prosperity and generosity.
Respect guests and hosts 
If you are invited to an Emirati home, it is customary to compliment dishes and don't refuse a dish without good reason. The host, for his part, must ensure that his guests are comfortable and well served.
Do not eat with the left hand 
In local culture, the right hand is used for eating and serving food, while the left hand is considered impure. Remember to use your right hand when eating with your hands.
An Emirati meal, a true cultural experience
Emirati cuisine is not just about the food, it's also a cultural and social experience. Respecting these traditions will help you better understand the importance of sharing and hospitality in Emirati culture.
If you are invited to a traditional meal, feel free to observe and follow the gestures of your hostswhile taking advantage of authentic flavours and generous dishes that make up the richness of this gastronomy. 
