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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 30 May, 2023
Expert travel writer: Nicola Chilton

Emirati food is similar to other Arabic cuisines, with cardamom, saffron, turmeric, thyme and cinnamon as central flavours, but with the city home to almost 200 nationalities, you’ll find a restaurant or café serving dishes from almost anywhere in the world.

In recent years, Dubai has become a serious gastro-hub, with dozens of international celebrity chefs setting up outposts within the city’s top hotels. However, for those looking for more affordable eats, there are excellent and more authentic Indian, Pakistani, Persian and Lebanese restaurants and cafes.

What to try

Harees is a classic Emirati dish to look out for, with small pieces of meat combined with cracked wheat and spices to form a kind of thick porridge. Shawarma chicken wraps are a delicious, omnipresent snack.

For the ultimate sweet treat, Loqaimat are deep-fried dough balls, best-served piping hot with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and a generous pour of date syrup.

Al Karama district
Experience

Al Karama district

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Al Karama is home to a large proportion of Dubai’s South Asian population, and some of the city’s best food. Head here for a food safari through flavours from Kerala, Hyderabadi biryanis, Indian street foods, and much more.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Al Labeeb Grocery
Experience

Al Labeeb Grocery

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

A hole-in-the-wall on Jumeirah Beach Road, this is the spot to try regag bread, a type of local crepe cooked on a hot skillet. Go for the cream cheese, Chips Oman and chilli sauce version for the real deal.

Best for ages: 10+ | Free

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Arabian Teahouse
Experience

Arabian Teahouse

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

A delightful former trader’s house in Al Fahidi where you could spend hours sitting in the atmospheric courtyard beneath the shady tree, sipping a mint lemonade or sweet karak tea.

Best for ages: 10+ | Free

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Balqees Honey
Experience

Balqees Honey

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Balqees stocks honey from many diverse locations, but their selection of Yemeni honey, renowned as being some of the best in the world, as well as Emirati honey, is worth saving space in your suitcase for.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: -

Getting there & doing it

There are a number of good food tours operating around the city, some with themes (see our Viator recommendations). Local operator Nara offer a 4-hour upscale version, including a stop at the Arabaian Teahouse and the Mizrim Chocolate Factory.

Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings ( Small-Group)

Dubai Aladdin Tour: Souks, Creek, Old Dubai and Tastings ( Small-Group)

Dubai

Join me on one of the most beautiful areas in Dubai and create memories you cannot forget during this Fun tour which is mix of Street Food, ...

$32 | Rating 4.91 / 5 [1485 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Original Street Food Tour of Dubai

Original Street Food Tour of Dubai

Dubai

This Original Dubai Street food tour will make you feel the diversity of Dubai. have a taste of Dubai food which locals enjoy everyday.

$114 | Rating 4.63 / 5 [11 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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The 10 Tastings of Dubai With Locals: Private Food Tour

The 10 Tastings of Dubai With Locals: Private Food Tour

Dubai

Eat your way through Dubai's culinary scene on a private food tour. Go on a delicious journey as you try 10 of the best food items beloved b...

€144 | Rating 4.58 / 5 [112 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Middle Eastern Food & Culture Walk in Old Dubai

Middle Eastern Food & Culture Walk in Old Dubai

Dubai

Join a friendly resident food-lover and certified guide who will take you through our favorite Middle Eastern restaurants and shops in the b...

A402 | Rating 4.90 / 5 [151 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Hotel Dubrovnik Palace

Dubrovnik, Dalamatia, Croatia[0.5 miles]

A stylish beachfront hotel that offers the perfect escape from the busy city, with a private beach, four restaurants and glorious sea views.

Official star rating:

Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[0.5 miles]

A luxury hotel overlooking a magnificent cove with its own a pebble beach, a fine dining restaurant and excellent spa, an easy 15-minute walk from Dubrovnik’s old town. 

Official star rating:

Bokun Guesthouse

Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[0.9 miles]

Homely B&B, in a peaceful walled garden (with a pool) where breakfast is served, near Dubrovnik’s Gruž port.

Official star rating:

Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[0.9 miles]

Dignified 19th-century hotel, next to the old town’s main entrance, with a garden restaurant and spa with indoor pool.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Dubai

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

A desert city playground with a unique combination of Arabian culture, mega-malls and audacious architecture in a setting of year-round sun, sand and sea. Great family hotels and a ridiculous number of family attractions too.

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Walk Dubrovnik’s City Walls

Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[1.4 miles]

A 2km walk along these 13th-century walls is a feast of dazzling views over Dubrovnik’s old town rooftops and the Adriatic.

Best for ages: 6+ | Free | 1 hour

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Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

Dubai’s best beaches

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)[0 miles]

Escape the sweltering heat and spend some time at Dubai’s beautiful golden beaches. Choose from hip beach clubs or family-friendly public stretches of sand.

Best for ages: 4+ | Free

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Dubai’s best shopping

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)[0 miles]

From traditional souks to mega-malls, Dubai’s world-class shopping options span everything from dates to Bedouin jewellery to high-end fashion.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Lovrijenac Fort guards the northern harbour entrance. Dubrovnik. UNESCO World Heritage Site
Experience

Fort Lovrijenac

Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[1.1 miles]

Often referred to as Dubrovnik’s ‘Gibraltar’, the St Lawrence Fortress sits on an outcrop of rock just outside the City Walls, and took 600 years to complete. Originally built to protect against the Venetian fleet, its walls are between 4 and 12 metres thick.

Best for ages: 13+ | £6

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Aerial panoramic view of the old town of Dubrovnik with famous Cable Car on Srd mountain on a sunny day with blue sky and clouds in summer, Dalmatia, Croatia
Experience

Cable car to Mount Srd

Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[1.1 miles]

Rising 415m above the city, topped with a historic fortress and accessible by cable car, Mount Srd offers spectacular views across Dubrovnik and beyond – on a clear day, the vista stretches for up to 60kms. The lower station is just ‘above’ the Old Town on Ulica Petra Kresimira IV, and it’s 3 and a half minutes to the top.

Best for ages: 4+ | £17 | 3.5 minutes

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