The street food scene in the UAE emanates the culture and tradition of the country’s heritage. With the combination of Arabic cuisine, regional delicacies, and international trends, the UAE street food is mesmerizing for tourists and beneficial for domestic people as well. While walking in Dubai’s energetic markets or visiting food stalls in Abu Dhabi, UAE’s street food venues have one thing in common: quick bites packed with flavor.
Let’s take a closer look at the popular street food from the UAE that captures both locals and tourists’ taste:
- Shawarma: The King of Stands
Definitely the most famous street food in the UAE, shawarma has faultlessly claimed its spot. This delicious Middle Eastern wrap consists of spiced and marinated ( commonly chicken, lamb or beef) meat that gets cooked on the vertical rotisserie grill, giving it that perfect flaky outer crust while remaining soft on the inside. The meat is then cut into shreds and stuffed into a flatbread along with fresh cut vegetables, pickles, and sauce mixes of delicious garlic mayo sauce, tahini, or spicy chili sauce.
Where to find it: The Shawarma stalls and vending trucks can be found on every busy street or even in the malls. The most famous places in the northern part of the country serve the Shawarma with french fries on the side, and others serve it in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in a plate with rice.
Why it’s loved: Shawarma is much more than a snack, it’s a whole meal full of protein and boundless flavor. It is served swiftly, can be made to a person’s varied taste, and best of all it is very tasty.
- Falafel: Deep fried, crunchy ball with fresh touched Vegan-friendly Snack.
Falafel is the best meat substitute that is commonly chosen. Deep fried balls of a mixture of ground chickpeas, fava beans with garlic and spices such as cumin and coriander make a delish blend of a crunchy golden shell on the outside, and a herby soft pillowy interior which can be enjoyed in a pita sandwich or flatbread with tahini drizzle and fresh salad mix.
Where to find it: Falafel is a very common dish served in streetfood stalls, especially those located on the middle east or levantine sides. A known region in Dubai Al Dhiyafa Road and in Abu Dhabi at the Food courts.
Why it is Loved: Falafel is a considerably favored option among locals and tourists alike because falafel is filling and satisfying. Additionally, the food can be consumed as a snack or wrapped up in a sandwich for a more substantiative meal, making it versatile as well.
- Samosa: The Superb Snack
Samosas have their origin from the Indian Subcontinent, but now have evolved into a notable street food in the UAE. Filled with seasoned potatoes, peas, meat, or even lentils, these deep fried pastries are protected with a crispy cover. Golden-brown in appearance, samosas are best enjoyed with mint chutney and tamarind sauce in order to enhance their flavor.
Where To Find It: You can find samosas with many street vendors, especially during the month of Ramadan, where it is an important part of the Iftar spread. Food stalls in marketplaces, malls, and busy street corners also sell them samosas.
Why It Is Loved: For a quick snack or even an appetizer, samosas are ideal because of their spicy warm filling and a crunchy and flaky outside cover. Also, they are quick to eat, portable, and very flavorful giving even more reason as to why people adore them.
- Manakish: The Lebanese Topped Flatbread Wonder
As a light meal or snack in the Emirates, manakish is a flatbread that is baked to order and served with various toppings. Aside from cheese and minced meat, za’atar, which is a blend of thyme, sesame seeds, and sumac, is the most popular choice. The warm, fragrant bread is soft, and the crispy edge compliments the texture beautifully.
Where to find it: You can buy manakish in numerous food trucks, bakeries, or Levantine cafes across the UAE. Vendors serving manakish can be found in Al Karama region of Dubai and Al Mina region of Abu Dhabi as well.
Why it’s loved: The combination of freshly baked flatbread and flavorful toppings makes manakish a go-to street food option. It serves perfectly for breakfast, lunch, or a light snack, any time of the day.
- Kebabs: Burst of Barbecued Shish Delight
Kebabs are a classic street food in the UAE. Skewers usually made of stir-fried slices of seasoned lamb, chicken, beef, and even fish, are barbecued to serve the meats packed with flavors. Some of the spices blends include cumin, paprika, garlic, and coriander. The meat is customarily enjoyed wrapped in flatbread accompanied with grilled veggies, salad, and even rice.
Where to find it: You can likely find kebab sellers in food bazaars, near the beach, or in busy park areas. Deira and Bur Dubai are fantastic places to find kebab stalls in Dubai.
Why it’s loved: Kebab is loved due to it being appetizing and fulfilling at the same, it’s juicy and smoky grilled meat mixed with fresh toppings and served with bread is truly a killer dish. It is a fairly unhealthy and inexpensive meal best eaten on the go, and is usually enjoyed outdoors.
- Luqaimat: Sweet Dumplings for a Quick Dessert
Having a sweet tooth isn’t a problem, such as in the case of luqaimat that is offered as a dessert. After deep frying, these small balls of dough are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are usually served with warm dumplings or extra honey and date syrup poured over them. Sometimes, sesame seeds are sprinkled on top. The balance between syrup and warm dumplings make this treat an appealing snack or dessert.
Where to find it: Luqaimat can be found at food stalls, closed during the rest of the year but opened during the Ramadan. Traditional markets such as Souq Al Bahar in Dubai is also another place to find it along with some local food festivals.
Why it’s loved: The luscious syrup together with the crispy fried bowl of Luqaimat makes the perfect dessert to fulfill any sugar craving. Its small serving size makes it easier to enjoy without the guilt, making it the perfect snack on the go.
- Karak Chai: A Spiced Tea for the Soul
No street food experience in the UAE is complete without a cup of karak chai, a local classic spiced tea. The aromatic black tea is brewed with cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and sweetened condensed milk, making it creamy and rich. Usually served in small cups, a good serving of karak chai can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
Where to find it: Karak chai is sold by street vendors in food trucks and roadside stalls, especially in Al Karama and Al Satwa areas of Dubai. The best part is sipping this comforting drink while taking a stroll in the city.
Why it’s loved: The creamy taste and the spices makes it a warming and filling drink for many. This isn’t only an essential part of street culture in the UAE, but also a great way to cool off or refresh during the day.
- Shawarma Fries: The Ultimate Street Food Blend
Shawarma fries offer something totally new and mouthwatering. Beef or chicken shawarma are sliced into thin pieces, and then frizzled shawarma is sprinkled on a mound of french fries along with garlic sauce, tahini, pickles, and cheese. That’s basically classic street food served in a new way, blending two cuisines into one fabulous dish that can be eaten at any time.
When to and where to find it: Shawarma fries are widely available from almost every fast food restaurant and food trucks in the UAE. Most people buy it from the food courts in the malls or on the streets of Dubai Marina.
Reasons why it’s loved: This dish is filled with comfort. French fries along with shawarma meat and creamy sauce poured on top is bound to hit the right spots craving for something delicious. Everyone looking for a quick, cheap and tasty bite should try shawarma fries.
Conclusion: Taste of UAE with Every Bite Street Food In The UAE
UAE street food represents its rich culture by blending traditional Arabic dishes with tastes from all over the world. It is common for a person to relish in the wide diversity of street foods in the UAE while having a shawarma on a lunch break, sipping on a hot cup of karak chai, or enjoying a piece of crispy falafel. The next time you’re in the UAE, don’t pass up the chance of visiting the busy food markets and trucks which are replete with delectable quick meals.