Dubai is a city that will tantalise your taste buds with its diverse culinary scene. While fine dining experiences are abundant, it’s the vibrant street food culture that truly captures the essence of the destination. To help you get started, here are some of its most iconic street food dishes.

Shawarma

A quintessential Middle Eastern delight, shawarma is a must-try be it at street eateries or restaurants of properties like Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel. Tender, marinated meat – chicken, beef, lamb, or turkey – is slowly cooked on a vertical spit, producing juicy and flavourful shavings. Wrapped in warm pita bread with a medley of fresh vegetables, tangy pickles, and creamy garlic sauce, shawarma is a heavenly combo of tastes and textures!

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Kabsa

Indulge in the aromatic flavours of kabsa, a beloved rice dish popular across the Gulf region and easy to enjoy when dining at a restaurant in Downtown, Dubai. This fragrant creation combines long-grain rice with a variety of spices, creating a flavourful base for tender meat or seafood. Whether you prefer the rich taste of lamb, the succulent sweetness of shrimp, or the traditional choice of chicken, kabsa is a satisfying and hearty culinary creation perfect for sharing.

Samboosa

Satisfy your cravings with the crispy and delectable samboosa, popularly known as samosa in India and other South Asian nations. This triangular, deep-fried pastry comes with a variety of delicious fillings from savoury beef or other meats and vegetables to the indulgent combination of three cheeses! Some Dubai restaurants will offer vegetable samosas stuffed with green peas and potatoes, served with the perfect pairing of mint & tamarind chutney.

Falafel

No list of Dubai street food is complete without mentioning falafel, a popular choice for vegetarians and vegans alike. A plant-based culinary delight, it is the name given to deep-fried, crispy patties made from chickpeas and spices, that provide a flavour-filled experience. There are several ways to enjoy falafel as well; savour them with sauce, wrapped in fresh pita bread with a generous serving of hummus, tahini, and crisp vegetables or as part of a mezze platter.