Abu Dhabi’s culinary landscape reflects both its Emirati heritage and its position as an international crossroads. While the city offers every global cuisine imaginable, understanding traditional Emirati dishes and knowing where locals actually eat provides a deeper, more authentic experience during Abu Dhabi tour.
Essential Emirati Dishes to Try
Harees
Harees stands as one of the UAE’s most traditional dishes, though its simple appearance belies the labor involved in its preparation. This porridge-like dish combines wheat and meat (usually chicken or lamb) that are cooked together for hours until they break down into a smooth, creamy consistency.
The magic of harees lies in its seasoning—a delicate balance of salt and ghee, sometimes with a hint of cinnamon. Traditionally eaten during Ramadan and special occasions, harees represents Emirati comfort food at its finest.
Where to find excellent harees: Al Fanar Restaurant & Café offers consistently good harees year-round, though it’s especially prominent during Ramadan. Mezlai at Emirates Palace serves an upscale version that showcases the dish’s subtle complexity.
What makes good harees: The texture should be smooth and creamy, not lumpy. The wheat and meat should be completely integrated, and the ghee should add richness without making it greasy.
Machboos (Kabsa)
Often called the national dish of the UAE, machboos consists of spiced rice cooked with meat (chicken, lamb, or fish) in a single pot. The rice absorbs the meat’s flavors along with a complex spice blend including cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and dried limes (loomi).
The dish arrives golden-hued from turmeric and saffron, topped with the meat and garnished with fried onions, raisins, and nuts. Each family has their own machboos recipe, with variations in spice ratios and cooking techniques passed down through generations.
Local spots: Lebanese Flower and Al Dhafra Restaurant serve authentic versions popular with Emirati families. These neighborhood establishments offer the homestyle preparation that makes machboos special.
Eating machboos: Traditionally eaten with hands, though utensils are always available. Mix the rice, meat, and garnishes together to experience the full range of flavors.
Luqaimat
These small, crispy dumplings represent the UAE’s favorite dessert. Deep-fried until golden and crispy outside while remaining soft inside, luqaimat are drizzled with date syrup or honey and sometimes sprinkled with sesame seeds.
The contrast between the crispy exterior and tender interior, combined with the sweetness of date syrup, makes luqaimat addictive. They’re especially popular during Ramadan but available year-round at traditional restaurants and cafes.
Best places: Abu Dhabi Dates Market vendors often sell fresh luqaimat. For sit-down dining, Al Fanar and traditional coffee shops throughout the city prepare them fresh to order.
Al Harees vs Jareesh
While harees is porridge-smooth, jareesh (also spelled harees in some regions) maintains a coarser texture with visible wheat grains. Both dishes use similar ingredients but different preparation methods create distinct textures and eating experiences.
Jareesh typically includes more visible spices and sometimes vegetables, while harees pursues smoothness above all. Trying both helps understand the range of traditional Emirati grain-based dishes.
Balaleet
This unique dish bridges sweet and savory—vermicelli noodles cooked with sugar, cardamom, and saffron, topped with a thin omelet. Traditionally served for breakfast, balaleet exemplifies how Emirati cuisine balances contrasting flavors.
The sweetened noodles combined with the savory egg create an unusual but harmonious combination that surprises first-timers while remaining a beloved traditional breakfast.
Where to try it: Breakfast at Emirati restaurants like Al Fanar serves balaleet, though it’s more commonly enjoyed in home cooking. Some hotels with Emirati breakfast options include it in their morning buffets.
Stuffed Camel (Khuzi)
While full stuffed camel is reserved for major celebrations, khuzi—roasted lamb or goat served on rice—represents a more accessible version of this festive dish. The meat is slow-roasted until tender, served atop spiced rice with nuts and raisins.
Khuzi appears at weddings and large gatherings, symbolizing hospitality and celebration in Emirati culture. The presentation alone—whole roasted meat atop a mountain of rice—makes it memorable.
Tasting opportunities: Large Emirati restaurants sometimes offer khuzi, especially during Eid celebrations. Mezlai at Emirates Palace includes khuzi on their menu year-round.
Thareed
Considered by some as the Emirati ancestor of modern stews, thareed layers pieces of thin bread (similar to roti) with a vegetable and meat stew. The bread absorbs the flavorful broth, creating a dish that’s both hearty and comforting.
Dating back centuries, thareed represents one of the oldest dishes in Arabian cuisine. The layers of soaked bread, tender meat, and vegetables create textural complexity that rewards slow eating.
Local preference: Traditional Emirati homes often prepare thareed, making it less common in restaurants. Al Fanar and Mezlai both offer versions that showcase this historical dish.
Regional Specialties and Variations
Seafood Traditions
Abu Dhabi’s coastal location means seafood plays a major role in traditional cuisine:
Sayadieh: Fish and rice dish where the fish is cooked with caramelized onions and spices, then layered with rice that absorbs all the flavors. This coastal specialty showcases the Gulf’s fishing heritage.
Samak Mashwi: Simply grilled fish, often hamour (grouper), seasoned with traditional spices. The simplicity allows the fish quality to shine.
Where to find it: Fisherman’s Wharf at Al Dhafra and traditional seafood restaurants in older Abu Dhabi neighborhoods serve these preparations.
Camel Meat Dishes
Camel meat appears in various preparations:
Camel Burger: Modern take on traditional ingredients, increasingly popular in contemporary Emirati restaurants.
Camel Kofta: Grilled camel meat kebabs seasoned with traditional spices.
Camel Biryani: Aromatic rice dish using camel meat instead of chicken or lamb.
These dishes let you experience camel meat in familiar formats before potentially trying more traditional preparations.
Where Locals Actually Eat
Understanding where Emirati families dine helps discover authentic food beyond tourist-oriented venues.
Neighborhood Favorites
Al Dhafra Restaurant (Multiple locations): A local institution serving traditional Emirati and Khaleeji (Gulf) cuisine. During lunch hours, you’ll find Emirati families gathering for machboos and grilled meats. The informal atmosphere and generous portions reflect traditional hospitality.
Lebanese Flower (Al Nahyan area): Despite the name, this restaurant serves excellent Emirati dishes alongside Levantine cuisine. Locals appreciate the quality and the fact that it maintains traditional recipes without tourist premiums.
Al Arish Restaurant (Al Ain Road): Known for traditional atmosphere including majlis-style seating. The menu covers classic Emirati dishes, and the weekend family crowds attest to its local popularity.
Hidden Gems in Traditional Areas
Al Ain Street and Mussafah: These areas host smaller restaurants and cafeterias where Emirati workers lunch. The food is straightforward, authentic, and priced for daily eating rather than special occasions.
Fish Markets: The areas around fish markets feature small restaurants preparing the day’s catch. Morning visits let you select fresh fish that restaurants will grill or prepare to your specification.
Coffee Shops in Old Abu Dhabi: Traditional coffee houses in older neighborhoods serve Arabic coffee with dates, along with breakfast items like balaleet. These spots function as social gathering places for local men.
Emirati Restaurant Experiences
Al Fanar Restaurant & Café
This restaurant chain consciously recreates 1960s Abu Dhabi, with décor reflecting that era. While slightly more tourist-oriented than some options, Al Fanar maintains good food quality and offers nearly every traditional Emirati dish on one menu.
The nostalgic atmosphere and comprehensive menu make it useful for first-time exploration of Emirati cuisine. English-speaking staff can explain dishes and recommend based on preferences.
Mezlai at Emirates Palace
The most upscale Emirati dining experience in Abu Dhabi, Mezlai elevates traditional dishes through refined technique and premium ingredients. The setting in Emirates Palace adds formality, with service that includes detailed dish explanations.
While expensive, Mezlai demonstrates how traditional Emirati cuisine translates into fine dining. The tasting menu provides a curated journey through regional specialties.
Li Beirut at Jumeirah Etihad Towers
While Lebanese, this restaurant offers an interesting perspective on how Levantine cuisine influences and intersects with Emirati food traditions. Many Emirati families frequent Lebanese restaurants, making them part of the local dining culture.
Understanding Emirati Food Culture
Hospitality and Generosity
Emirati food culture emphasizes abundance and generosity. Portion sizes at traditional restaurants typically exceed what one person can eat—sharing is expected and encouraged. When dining at Emirati establishments, ordering several dishes for the table aligns with local customs.
Coffee and Dates Ritual
Arabic coffee (gahwa) served with dates represents traditional Emirati hospitality. The coffee is lighter and more cardamom-forward than Turkish or Western coffee. Accepting coffee when offered shows respect for custom, though you’re not obligated to drink multiple servings.
Dining Times
Emirati families typically eat lunch as their main meal, especially on weekends (Friday-Saturday in UAE). Restaurants serving traditional food fill with local families around 1:00-3:00 PM on Fridays. Evening dining happens later, around 8:00-10:00 PM.
Ramadan Dining
During Ramadan, the food culture transforms. Iftar (breaking fast) buffets at hotels and restaurants showcase traditional dishes. This represents the best time to experience the full range of Emirati cuisine, as dishes served primarily during Ramadan become widely available.
Organized Food Experiences
Food Tours
Several companies offer Abu Dhabi food tours that combine tastings with cultural context:
Cultural Foundation Food Tours: Walking tours through older Abu Dhabi neighborhoods with stops at local eateries. These tours often include market visits and interactions with vendors.
Hotel-Organized Experiences: Some hotels arrange cultural dining experiences including traditional meals in Bedouin-style settings.
Private Tours: Local guides can customize food-focused itineraries visiting markets, specialty shops, and restaurants based on your interests.
Benefits of guided tours: Context about dishes, access to locations you might not discover independently, and explanations of customs and traditions surrounding food.
Complementary Middle Eastern Cuisines
While exploring Emirati food, you’ll encounter other Middle Eastern cuisines popular in Abu Dhabi:
Lebanese Cuisine
Hugely popular with locals and expats alike. Dishes like mezze, grilled meats, and fresh salads complement Emirati meals.
Local favorites: Automatic Restaurant, Al Safadi, and Li Beirut
Iranian Cuisine
The Iranian community in UAE has introduced their cuisine, with restaurants serving kebabs, stews, and rice dishes that share similarities with but differ from Emirati preparations.
Yemeni Cuisine
Yemeni restaurants serve mandi (similar to machboos but with different spicing) and other dishes that reflect historical trade connections between Yemen and the Emirates.
Markets and Food Shopping
Abu Dhabi Dates Market
Dates are central to Emirati culture and diet. The dates market showcases dozens of varieties, from the prized khalas to the chewy khudri. Vendors offer samples and explain differences between varieties.
Purchasing dates provides an authentic food souvenir and insight into an ingredient essential to Emirati cuisine.
Fish Market (Mina Port)
The fish market operates early morning with the day’s catch. Observing the trading and variety of Gulf fish provides context for seafood dishes you’ll encounter in restaurants.
Traditional Souqs
Older markets sell spices, dried limes, and other ingredients central to Emirati cooking. Even if you’re not cooking, seeing these ingredients helps you understand the dishes you taste.
Practical Dining Tips
Dress Code
Traditional Emirati restaurants maintain modest standards. Covering shoulders and knees shows respect, particularly in more traditional establishments.
Meal Costs
Traditional Emirati restaurants typically charge AED 40-80 per person for substantial meals. Upscale venues like Mezlai run AED 200-400+ per person. Neighborhood cafeterias offer filling meals for AED 25-40.
Language
Most restaurant staff speak English, though traditional establishments may have Arabic-only menus. Photos on menus are common, and staff are generally helpful in explaining dishes.
Timing Your Visit
For the most authentic experience, visit during local meal times when Emirati families dine. Friday lunch at traditional restaurants provides glimpses of local dining culture.
Booking
Upscale restaurants like Mezlai require reservations, especially for dinner. Casual traditional spots generally don’t take reservations—arrive and find a table.
Beyond Restaurants: Complete Food Experience
Cooking Classes
Some tour companies and cultural centers offer Emirati cooking classes. Learning to prepare harees or machboos provides deeper appreciation for the techniques and traditions behind these dishes.
Home Dining Experiences
Platforms connecting travelers with local hosts sometimes include Emirati families offering home meals. These intimate experiences showcase home cooking and hospitality in personal settings.
Heritage Village
While primarily a cultural attraction, Heritage Village sometimes hosts cooking demonstrations showing traditional preparation methods for various dishes.
Creating Your Abu Dhabi Food Itinerary
Day 1 – Introduction:
- Morning: Visit dates market, sample varieties
- Lunch: Al Fanar for comprehensive introduction to multiple dishes
- Evening: Arabic coffee and dates at traditional coffee shop
Day 2 – Local Favorites:
- Lunch: Al Dhafra Restaurant when locals are dining (1:00-2:00 PM)
- Afternoon: Explore traditional souq, observe spices and ingredients
- Dinner: Lebanese Flower for authentic neighborhood dining
3rd Day – Elevated Experience:
- Morning: Fish market visit
- Lunch: Seafood at coastal restaurant
- Dinner: Mezlai for refined traditional cuisine
4th Day – Deeper Exploration:
- Food tour visiting multiple neighborhoods
- Market stops and street food tastings
- Evening: Syrian or Yemeni restaurant to understand regional influences
This progression moves from introduction to deeper understanding while exposing you to different price points and dining styles.