Emirati Food
Dishes to know
| Dish | What it is | When it is eaten |
|---|---|---|
| Harees | Wheat and meat slow-cooked into a thick porridge | Ramadan and weddings |
| Machboos | Spiced rice with meat, chicken or fish, flavoured with loomi (dried lime) | Every day, and at feasts and official events |
| Thareed | Lamb or chicken stew poured over rigag flatbread | Weddings, Eid and iftar |
| Balaleet | Sweet vermicelli topped with an omelette | Breakfast |
| Luqaimat | Fried dough balls with date syrup and sesame | Served warm, especially in Ramadan |
| Chebab | Emirati pancakes with date molasses | As a sweet |
Source: Dubai Culture: Discover our heritage, traditional food; Visit Abu Dhabi: Emirati dishes and where to try them; Visit Abu Dhabi: Emirati food and coffee culture3,2,1
Flavours
The flavour comes from cardamom, saffron, turmeric, cinnamon and dried lime, and most dishes have no chilli at all. The traditional menu is heavy on meat and fish, but balaleet and vegetable sides suit vegetarians, and most restaurants also serve mezze.2
Coffee and dates
Gahwa, spiced Arabic coffee served with dates, starts every meal and every welcome. UNESCO lists Arabic coffee as a symbol of generosity, and the date palm for the knowledge and traditions around it.1,4
At the table
- Eat and take food with your right hand.
- If you are about to eat, offer food to those around you, even if they decline.
- With a host, accept food and refreshments before talking business.
Source: UAE Government Portal: Social responsibility and etiquette (archived copy of 13 July 2026; the page has since been removed)5
In Ramadan
Harees and luqaimat are at their most popular in Ramadan, when families and restaurants build iftar menus around them. In Dubai restaurants operate as normal for those not fasting.2,6
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national dish of the UAE?
There is no single official dish, but harees, machboos, luqaimat and chebab are the core of Emirati cooking. Harees is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
Is Emirati food spicy?
It is spiced, not hot: cardamom, saffron, turmeric, cinnamon and dried lime, with little or no chilli.
The dishes, one by one
Main dishes
Harees
Wheat and meat, slow-cooked; on UNESCO's list.
2023 Added to UNESCO's list
Read moreMachboos
Spiced rice with meat or fish and dried lime.
Read moreThareed
Stew poured over regag; for Eid and iftar.
Read moreMadrouba
Rice and chicken, cooked long and beaten smooth.
Read moreSaloona
Tomato stew with meat or fish, served with rice.
Read more
Breads and breakfast
Balaleet
Sweet vermicelli with an omelette, for breakfast.
Read moreChebab
Emirati pancakes with cheese and date syrup.
Read moreKhameer
A soft yeast bread, plain or with za'atar.
Read moreRegag
Paper-thin bread, plain or with egg and cheese.
Read moreMohalla
Saffron bread with honey or date syrup.
Read more
Sweets and dates
Sources
- Visit Abu Dhabi: Emirati food and coffee culture
- Visit Abu Dhabi: Emirati dishes and where to try them
- Dubai Culture: Discover our heritage, traditional food
- UNESCO: United Arab Emirates, elements on the Intangible Cultural Heritage lists
- UAE Government Portal: Social responsibility and etiquette (archived copy of 13 July 2026; the page has since been removed)
- Dubai.ae: The Holy Month of Ramadan
Facts checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information.