Dubai is multicultural and most of the population is jam-packed with expats and people from various countries with different nationalities. It is among the 10 most multicultural cities in the world, and one of the most dynamic and exciting modern cities.
There are over 200 nationalities that call Dubai home. Therefore you can imagine the variety of restaurants and food options this city has to offer. From luxurious top-notch restaurants to street foods at very affordable prices, Dubai provides whatever your heart desires.
As you know, food is music to the soul, so you can sooth your mind and well-being by indulging in a melting pot of varieties in this city.
Just name the cuisine you wish to have, be it American, Turkish, Thai, Indian, Lebanese, Central Asian, French, Italian, Arabic, Greek, Japanese… the list never ends and it is all right there in Dubai. One thing is guaranteed that you will be spoilt for choices.
Indian Cuisine
Indian food is known worldwide for its spicy and aromatic nature. Dubai’s population includes more than 2 million Indians. Consequently, there is a countless number of Indian restaurants serving the best Eastern flavours and tastes.
Many options reside in Dubai, across many areas. Some are fine dining, while others may be likened to street food stalls. Many Europeans come to Dubai as tourists and they particularly look for Indian restaurants near their hotels, prior to booking their trip.
One exceptionally great royal Indian dining experience would be Gazebo, which happens to have multiple locations across the city.
A particular delight when visiting Dubai, is the spice market. It is located in the traditional area of Dubai. The aroma of spices dashing through your nostrils will fill your heart with one of the best experiences to have in the Arabian Peninsula. Moreover, you can buy some for future memories, while using them for your aromatic cooking.
Chinese Cuisine
Chinese food is very popular in Dubai and is a favorite among the Chinese expats and other residents alike. The exceptional flavour of the asian cuisine is second to none. Due to the surge in demand for the Chinese delicacies, Dubai hosts some of the best authentic and delicious Chinese preparing restaurants in the region.
These Chinese diners vary in pricing options, where you can have a lot of affordable restaurants in many areas, while others are more on the high end. Some of the fine dining restaurants include Hakkasan, a Michelin Star Cantonese restaurant. Also Blue Jade in the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Dubai Marina and Royal China are great experiences to have while in Dubai. These places indeed serve royalty-like experiences and the tastes are very authentic and satisfactory.
American Cuisine
Land of burgers, barbecues, fast food varieties, buffalo wings, hot dogs and the list goes on and on. Who doesn’t like to indulge in greasy, delicious American food from time to time?
Many American restaurants have branches mainly in Dubai when it comes to the middle east region. This is due to the fact that many American expats reside in Dubai. Moreover, American foods are famous worldwide due to the American culture being spread around the globe.
Lebanese Cuisine
Do you want to have the authentic Lebanese food experience? Well a visit to Dubai can guarantee that. Many Lebanese people reside in the Gulf city for generations now and they have built successful chains that are very famous among all nationalities in Dubai.
Therefore, the Lebanese food is very popular in Dubai, among other Middle Eastern foods. The Lebanese cuisine is characterized by having a Levantine style of cooking which includes plentiful of vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, seafood and a lot of love and passion for cooking.
One chain that comes to mind is Al Safadi with strong presence in many branches around Dubai. It is characterized by fine dining features and has many Lebanese dishes that are fresh, tasty and healthy. At the same time, Shisha lovers have a dedicated section as well to enjoy their smoking.
Thai Cuisine
With Thai cuisine, you either love it or hate it, there is no ground here. However, that seems not to be the case in Dubai, were you see most people long for Thai food. This is probably traced back to the idea of tasting some of the best cooking techniques of Thai food in the city.
Many Thai food lovers flock to the East Asian restaurants to try the coconut based curries and the bursting flavour of the Pad Thai. Thai cuisine is very addictive and keeps you coming back for more, especially for spicy food lovers, who long for the all time favourite of Tom Yum soup. This soup is said to have healing effects for various illnesses, so give it a go!
Italian Cuisine
Fortunately, Dubai has an abundance of Italian restaurants. This cuisine leads the making of fresh doughs and healthy ingredients.
After all, who doesn’t like to indulge themselves with an amazing pasta or a flavoursome pizza! However, the Italian food is not as simple as eating a dish, it is rather indulging on a masterpiece bursting with colours, feelings and emotions.
Italian chefs in Dubai, and around the world for that matter, are very serious about their work. Hence, dishes are crafted from scratch to perfection. As these amazing creations are insanely tasty, no condiments, sauces or spices are needed to enjoy this scrumptious food.
Fitness oriented people always have Italian dishes in the back of their minds once they would like to shift from salads to a more carb-loaded meal, while not sacrificing their healthy arena.
Honorable Mentions
Some of the traditional foods that have strongholds in Dubai are the Emirati Biryanis and other Arabic foods from neighboring countries including the Jordanian Mansaf and the Yemeni Mandi.
Other honorable mentions for the healthy cuisines are the Australian and New Zealander. These places are very vibrant and the food options are loaded with nutrients that never compromise on the taste. One particular chain that comes to mind is The Coffee Club.
Recently, many South Americans are relocating to Dubai. These expats are bringing along their eating habits which happens to contain a lot of the ancient Mayan healthy food. Namely Acai, which is making some headlines in most social media feeds in the city.
Japanese food has a long history of presence in Dubai, and many top chefs cook their best Bentos and Sushi in the five star hotels of Dubai.
When speaking of food, the idea of health concerns and fitness schedule comes to mind. However, most of the residents and tourists of Dubai maintain proper dining and fitness routines and there are many restuarants serving wholesome and lean ingredients for aptitude-fit minded people.
On the other hand, as Dubai has many fitness centers, there is no need to worry about those extra carbs that will be shed away in one of these gyms.
To be always safe and healthy while abroad, always remember to get your travel insurance.
