Emirati Street Food in Dubai: Discover the Best Hidden Local Eats
If you’re in the UAE and want to taste something more than just global fast food or luxury dining, it’s time to explore the roots of the region. Authentic Emirati cuisine rich in spice, heart, and heritage is best experienced in places where tradition meets taste, far from the regular tourist routes.
Whether you’re a food explorer, a cultural traveler, or a UAE local craving nostalgia, these six hidden culinary spots across Dubai serve up more than just food. They offer stories, atmosphere, and flavors of old and new Emirates. Let’s explore the gems where Emirati culture lives on through every bite.
1. Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant – Step Into Living Heritage
Location: Al Fahidi Historical District, Dubai
Timings: 8 AM – 11 PM
Must-Try: Lamb saloona, chicken machboos, harees, and crispy luqaimat
Vibe: Traditional Emirati home restored into a heritage restaurant with palm frond ceilings and lantern lighting
Extra Experience: Watch live traditional bread-making and coffee roasting in the open-air courtyard. Ideal for heritage photos and cultural immersion.
Why It’s Special: The staff wear traditional attire, and the background music is Emirati folk. Perfect for visitors wanting an authentic yet peaceful escape from modern Dubai.
2. Arabian Tea House – Old Dubai’s Favorite Breakfast Haven
Location: Al Fahidi Street, Bur Dubai
Timings: 7 AM – 10 PM
Must-Try: Emirati breakfast trays, balaleet (sweet vermicelli with egg), date cake, and Arabic coffee
Vibe: Serene white-and-blue garden-style courtyard with blooming bougainvillea
Extra Experience: Enjoy breakfast with the call to prayer echoing softly in the historic district. Popular among writers and artists for its calm vibe.
Why It’s Special: Located in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Dubai, it offers a quiet, soulful place for morning meals. Great for solo diners, couples, or friends catching up.
3. Local House – Home of the Camel Burger
Location: Al Bastakiya, Bur Dubai
Timings: 12 PM – 10:30 PM
Must-Try: Camel burger, camel steak, dates milkshake, camel milk ice cream
Vibe: Shaded tree courtyard with old-style stone walls and Emirati decor
Extra Experience: Indoor mini-museum of camel-themed artifacts; photo-worthy interiors that feel like a heritage movie set.
Why It’s Special: This is one of the very few places in Dubai where camel is served in gourmet form. If you’re a daring foodie, this is your must-visit.
4. SMAT Resto-Café – Where Tradition Meets Trend
Location: Dubai Design District (d3)
Timings: 9 AM – 10:30 PM
Must-Try: Regag (crispy bread), Emirati shakshuka, saffron pancakes with honey, gahwa
Vibe: Modern, minimalist interiors with quiet music and indoor-outdoor seating
Extra Experience: Located in a hub of art and design, it’s great for brunch before an art gallery walk.
Why It’s Special: SMAT’s approach fuses traditional ingredients with stylish presentation. A favorite for creative professionals and Instagram-loving diners.
5. Al Fanar Café – A Time Machine to 1960s Dubai
Location: Al Seef, Dubai Creek
Timings: 8:30 AM – 11 PM
Must-Try: Fish salona, beef stew, legemat with date syrup, saffron rice
Vibe: Decor modeled after mid-20th-century UAE homes, complete with vintage radios, traditional lamps, and family photos
Extra Experience: Dine near the waterfront at night while watching traditional dhows (boats) pass by. Creek view + cultural nostalgia = unforgettable.
Why It’s Special: The attention to detail in replicating vintage Emirati life is remarkable. Even the cutlery feels historic.
More Than Just Food
Each of these spots doesn’t just serve food—it serves experience, culture, and connection. Whether it’s watching bread being baked, eating under lantern-lit courtyards, or tasting camel steak in a centuries-old home, these are places where Dubai’s modern buzz slows down just enough for the past to speak.
From backpackers to culture tourists, locals to long-time expats, these hidden gems are for everyone craving genuine Emirati hospitality.
