The United Arab Emirates is a modern Muslim country that caters to contemporary foods and traditional cuisines. It is truly a melting pot of Arab cuisine, carrying on a mixture of different foods and flavors acquired from Arabic influences including Egypt and Iran. Arabic food found in many restaurants is commonly served with many types of bread and a large platter of fresh salad and vegetables. Arabic mezze is one of the most adored cuisines in UAE, normally eaten with hand and the bread is use... More >>

The United Arab Emirates is a modern Muslim country that caters to contemporary foods and traditional cuisines. It is truly a melting pot of Arab cuisine, carrying on a mixture of different foods and flavors acquired from Arabic influences including Egypt and Iran. Arabic food found in many restaurants is commonly served with many types of bread and a large platter of fresh salad and vegetables. Arabic mezze is one of the most adored cuisines in UAE, normally eaten with hand and the bread is used to scoop up the food. Fresh oven-baked Arabic bread is served with curries to make the delicious mezze complete. Saffron, turmeric, thyme, and cardamom are spices used to flavor Emirati cookery. Arabic dishes in the UAE are mostly like stews, as every ingredient is often cooked in a single pot. Because of harsh desert conditions, traditional food of the UAE uses a lot of cereals, meat, dairy, and vegetables that are easily grown and are strongly present in the Emirati diet. Dates, which are famous due to the many palm trees in the UAE, are eaten fresh or served dried with Arabic dishes. Shawarma, a popular Middle Eastern snack in almost all restaurants in the UAE, is a sandwich of grilled shavings of chicken or lamb mixed with vegetable salad and rolled inside Arabic bread. Fresh fish from the Arabian Gulf are widely available in restaurants, including lobster, kingfish, crab, grouper, tuna, and shrimp, which can either be grilled, stuffed, or fried with spices according to your taste. Shisha or hookah pipes for smoking flavored tobacco are also offered in many restaurants for a refreshing Arabic experience. An infinite array of restaurants in the UAE will definitely cater to the curious appetite of visitors searching for the traditional Arabic food.

Cuisines in UAE are not confined to Arabic food—aside from finding exquisite arrangements of traditional local food, sophisticated restaurants of the UAE also offer a wide range of scrumptious international cuisines for the gastronomically adventurous. The diverse mix of nationalities from all around the world and the booming tourism industry in the UAE imply an offering of assorted eateries, restaurants, and cafes, especially throughout the popular vacation areas. The cosmopolitan nature of the UAE is clearly presented in the diversity of its cuisines; in fact, it is considered one of the best travel destinations offering its visitors the best food to please the taste buds, and this also is why trying out the various dishes offered in the UAE is one of the top priorities of travelers coming here. Lebanese cuisine is one of the most common foods served in restaurants, and tourists will definitely find some of the best Lebanese restaurants here. Iranian or Persian delicacies are also common and are known for the unique style and flavors of spicy rice dishes served with tomato, onion, lettuce, cabbage, yoghurt, and naan. For travelers unsure of trying Arab dishes but want to experience the taste of UAE, fusion food that mixes local Arabic flavors with American or European tastes is a good choice. The UAE is a country visited by a great deal of Western population and there is surely a huge demand for American and European cuisine. Visitors in the UAE can choose from a wide array of sophisticated Italian, French, Spanish, and many other Continental restaurants offering classic, authentic, traditional, and fusion cuisines that will suit one’s taste. International American fast-food chains, serving the popular hamburgers, pizzas, and chips for dine-in or take-away are also located in the larger cities of the UAE, while international theme restaurants are also well represented in the Emirates. Home delivery is generally quick and reliable, and usually doesn''t cost extra charges. Looking for traditional food delicacies from the Asian subcontinent will certainly be successful—Awadhi, Mughlai, Pashtuni, Punjabi, and Sindhi cuisines are some of the variants of Asian cuisine which have a great demand in the UAE. Set meals of Indian food served in restaurants are relatively cheap; prices are usually low, portions almost always generous, and quality of food excellent. Chinese culture has a ubiquitous presence in the UAE, especially in Dubai where there is an overwhelming number of Chinese restaurants serving sought-after traditional Chinese items such as stir-fried noodles, soups, congee, dumplings, and tofu. National cuisines are also well represented in the UAE, from the familiar French and Italian to the more exotic Argentinean, Polynesian, Moroccan, Korean, Pakistani and everything in between. Even vegetarians will find the selection of restaurants serving vegan food very satisfying. Native vegetable and bean dishes and pure vegetarian cuisine of fresh salads are readily available making eating a stress-free endeavour. Strict vegans, however, may have problems instructing precise demands, but many places already provide vegan dishes and are always willing to accommodate a paying customer. In toto, tourists from many parts of the world together with the multinational residents are assured that an intricate and creative food culture is present here at some of the finest restaurants in the entire Middle East.

Many restaurants in the UAE offer a relaxing atmosphere, a cozy ambiance, and elegant interiors combined with delicious, mouth-watering food. Hotels boast a remarkable variety of restaurants ranging from coffee shops to fine dining. For more adventurous eaters, a number of restaurants can also be located outside the hotel by exploring nearby areas to find a wide variety of restaurants. A lot of great restaurants are found in hotels particularly because these restaurants are the only ones that serve alcoholic beverages with meals. In general, alcohol is only offered in restaurants and bars associated in hotels, except in Sharjah and in some clubs and associations. If these restaurants do not meet your requirements, small ethnic cafés and corner stalls serve sharwarmas and other sandwiches that are relatively less expensive. Muslims do not eat pork but many restaurants provide alternatives such as veal rashers and beef sausages on their menus. If pork is available, it will clearly be written as such. Travelers should also always keep in mind the Islamic calendar to find out whether they will be visiting during the month of Ramadan. This is because eating or drinking anything in public is illegal and non-residents and non-Muslims that violate this rule may be arrested and given fines. Since Muslims fast during the day, restaurants are closed by law and open only after sun down. Tourists need not to worry about this, however, because large hotels usually have a restaurant open during the day offering meals to non-Muslims. The evening is a different story altogether as the festive atmosphere of iftar starts and residents gather for lavish meals. Many food establishments offer discounts for elegant iftar meals during the holy month of Ramadan, and evening meals served at this time of the year are truly exquisite.

Do not leave your appetite at home after visiting the UAE; with a wide choice of restaurants, determining where to eat may be a daunting task. Before going out to have you meal, weigh out your options and decide what type of cuisine you are in the mood for. The UAE offers cuisines that are rich in style, culture, and interest and your gastronomic experience here will surely leave memories that will last a lifetime. << Hide