What to try: cuisine of the United Arab Emirates. Arabic cuisine What is eaten in the Arab Emirates

In Dubai, you can find the cuisine of any nation. We talk about food prices in Dubai in 2019. What to try from local cuisine and street food in the UAE? Prices for groceries in stores. Features of food in Ramadan and alcohol prohibitions. Tips on how to save.

Personal experience of editing the site. We spent 4 full days in Dubai and spent 300 dirhams ($80) on food for two. That is $10 per day per person. Very little! We tried new dishes of the Middle Eastern cuisine, ate delicious Indian and Bangladeshi food, had a couple of bites of shawarma (well, as without it in the East!) And once bought ready-made food in the supermarket. All were satisfied.

Exchange rate: 1 UAE dirham (AED) ≈ 18 RUB.

Today, only 10% of Arabs live in the Emirates. The rest of the population are visitors from India, Malaysia, Pakistan and other countries. Dubai is called the gastronomic capital of the world. The resort has many restaurants and cafes serving dishes from all over the world.

Emirati cuisine has absorbed the traditions of the Middle Eastern, Bedouin, Persian and Asian cuisine. If you want to taste national food, look for establishments with the inscription emirate cuisine. Tourists like the Emirati restaurants Al Fanar and Seven Sands.

fried fish with spices;
al-madruba - boiled heavily salted fish;
bricks- pies stuffed with fish, shrimp and meat;
ferid- meat stew with potatoes and vegetables;
geese- lamb meat with nuts and raisins;
biryani- rice with chicken or lamb;
balalite- a popular breakfast dish of salty-sweet noodles with scrambled eggs;
heris- boiled wheat with meat;
chebab- unleavened pancakes with sweet syrup or cheese.
desserts with dates;
pistachio baklava.

Chebab and balalit (Photo © wikimedia.ru / Wikiemirati)

Prices for food in cafes and restaurants in Dubai - 2019

The United Arab Emirates is a self-sufficient and wealthy state, so food prices in the UAE in 2019 are quite high. Let's see how much it costs to eat in Dubai.

There are several types of cafes and restaurants in the resort town. The most affordable prices are in establishments that are designed for poor tourists and expats. There are such in the areas of Bur Dubai and Deira. You can have breakfast there for 15-25 AED per person. The menu includes a couple of fried eggs, sausages, some beans, bread, jam, butter and a cup of coffee. Lunch or dinner for two in a non-touristic cafe costs only 40-50 AED for two. For example, a hearty shawarma can be bought for 12-15 AED.

How much does a meal cost in regular restaurants in Dubai in 2019? Lunch and dinner are not cheap - the average check per person, excluding drinks, is about 80-150 AED. For this money, they will bring you an appetizer, main course, dessert and coffee. The bill in prestigious restaurants starts from 250 AED and goes over 1000 AED.

Chebab for breakfast Photo © unsplash.com / @eilivaceron)

Almost everywhere in the daytime they offer budget business lunches. A hearty lunch with a fixed menu costs from 15 to 30 AED. Great way to save money!

Here are the average prices for food in cafes and restaurants in Dubai in 2019 (for tourists):

salad - 50 AED;
soup - 40-50 AED;
pasta with seafood - 150 AED;
pizza - 75-105 AED;
kebab - 35-55 AED;
al-madruba - 17 AED;
fried shark - 70 AED;
bricks - 25-32 AED;
dessert - 40 AED;
coffee, tea - 20 AED.

Lobster (Photo © Florence Luong / flickr.com)

The best restaurants in Dubai

Let's talk about expensive restaurants. These are establishments in which the flavor of a fashionable Arab resort is felt in the best possible way.

One of the most prestigious restaurants Al Mahara located on the first floor of the famous skyscraper-sailboat Burj Al Arab. The establishment specializes in seafood. It is decorated with a huge floor-to-ceiling aquarium from the walls. Enjoy beautifully prepared meals, admire colorful fish and be prepared to pay from AED 900 for dinner.

A popular bar is located in the same building. Gold On 27. People come here to eat and enjoy the view of the city from a height of 27 floors. Designer interiors are decorated with gold leaf. Prices are appropriate - cocktails cost from 100 AED.

Each cocktail has its own serving (Photo © goldon27.com)

On the southeastern outskirts of Dubai, behind Al Maktrum International Airport, is a popular Arabic-style restaurant. Al Sarab Rooftop Lounge. From its windows there is an excellent view of the desert. Everything has been created inside to make guests feel the beauty of the East. There is live music and the chefs prepare delicious Lebanese, Mediterranean and Asian cuisine.

The iconic restaurant is located on the 124th floor of the tallest skyscraper in the world At.Mosphere. To get here, you need to book a table in advance and pay a deposit. The whole of Dubai opens from the windows as if in the palm of your hand. A nice bonus - Russian-speaking waiters.

At.mosphere Burj Khalifa (Photo © www.facebook.com/atmosphereburjkhalifa)

Drink prices

The most important drink in Dubai is plain water. It sells for 1 AED for a 0.33 liter bottle. Why so expensive? All water in the city is imported. Freshly squeezed juices cost from 21 AED per 0.5 liter. The cafe offers an excellent cappuccino made from selected Arabica beans for 12 AED.

How about alcohol? Muslim traditions forbid alcoholic beverages. This rule does not apply to tourists, but drinking alcohol in public places is subject to a rather large fine of 5000 AED. Drinking in Dubai is only allowed at home, in a hotel room or bar.

Strong spirits are expensive and are sold in special shops. Alcohol prices in Dubai in 2019:

local beer, 0.5 l - 25-45 AED;
imported beer, 0.33 l - 30-45 AED;
wine, 0.75 l - 45-100 AED.

Coffee in a cafe in Dubai (Photo © unsplash.com / @eilivaceron)

Food prices in Dubai stores - 2019

Buying groceries in the UAE is not a problem. The most affordable food prices in Dubai 2019 are offered by Coop Union, Shaklan, Carrefour, Safest Way, Organic Foods and Cafe, Lulu Hypermarket and Baqer Mohebi supermarkets. Most of them sell products from local farmers. Shoppers like the stores of the Emirates Cooperative Society chain, which is simply called Co-op in the city.

Here are the prices for food in Dubai stores in 2019:

loaf of bread, 0.5 kg - 4.5 AED;
milk, 1 liter - 5.4 AED;
rice, 1 kg - 8.9 AED;
eggs, 12 pcs. - 10 AED;
butter, 0.4 kg - 15 AED;
cheese, 1 kg - 30 AED;
watermelon, 1 kg - 5 AED;
melon, 1 kg - 5.5 AED;
bananas, 1 kg - 6.5 AED;
oranges, 1 kg - 7.8 AED.
pears, 1 kg - 8 AED;
apples, 1 kg - 8 AED;
tomatoes, 1 kg - 6.5 AED;
cucumbers, 1 kg - 12 AED;
water, 1.5 l - 2.2 AED;
juice, 1.5 - 5-6 AED;
cola, 2.25 l - 5 AED.

Hummus (Photo © pexels.com / Sohel Patel)

Fast food in Dubai

Due to the high prices for food in cafes and restaurants in Dubai, fast food chains are popular with tourists. Restaurants and kiosks where food is prepared "on the go" can be found in any part of the city. There are many such establishments near bazaars, beaches and metro stations. A set at McDonald's of a cheeseburger, fries and coffee costs 22 AED, a whole pizza in a pizzeria - 35-45 AED, and Indian pancakes with fillings - masala dosa - only 5 AED.

Masala dosa (Photo © idntimes.com)

If you want to get acquainted with the national cuisine, start with what is cooked on the streets. It is noteworthy that there are almost no Emirati dishes left in Dubai fast food. Everything that is traded in Dubai has Middle Eastern or Levantine roots.

Prices for street food in the UAE are low. According to tourists, the cheapest and most delicious lunch in Dubai is shawarma. A mouth-watering snack of chicken, beef or lamb is sold in large portions, which is quite enough to fill up.

Dish number 2 - manakish. Traditional Arabic flatbread stuffed with pickled cheese, sesame seeds and spices. Freshly baked manakish with tea is a great quick breakfast.

Manakish (Photo © chiragndesai / flickr.com)

Many people like deep-fried balls of crushed chickpeas - falafel. Delicious and hearty dish has a unique flavor. Not a single family feast is complete without falafel in the Emirates. On the streets, small balls are sold in pita bread or lettuce with sesame sauce.

Street food prices in Dubai in 2019:

shawarma - 5-8 AED;
grilled chicken - 17-22 AED;
manakish - 14 AED;
fluffy cake with sesame seeds barbary- 1.4 AED;
falafel - 25 AED;
ice cream - 10 AED;
freshly squeezed juice - 10 AED.

Falafel with starter and sauces (Photo © unsplash.com / @eilivaceron)

What you need to know

Almost all food prepared in the city is halal. Only in some areas, dishes with pork are made especially for foreigners.

Special rules exist for traveling to Dubai for Ramadan. This is a Muslim holiday, during which it is forbidden to eat any food from morning until sunset. All resort restaurants are closed during the day during the month. But in the evening, a real feast begins in Dubai.

There is a strict dress code for cafes and restaurants - in Dubai it is not customary to come to dinner in beachwear.

Tipping in the UAE is 10-15% of the bill. If the check does not indicate accruals, give the waiter the required amount in cash.

How to save money on food in Dubai

Low prices for food in Dubai in national restaurants of Thai, Chinese and Indian cuisine. They look simpler than ordinary establishments, and the service is not as pompous. But the cost of lunch will not disappoint. In a restaurant that caters to expats, a hearty meal will cost 10-20 AED.
Where to eat cheap in the UAE? Choose cafes and restaurants that are outside the tourist area - away from attractions and hotels. The Golden fork chain of budget restaurants is popular in the city.
Expats recommend Lebanese restaurants in Dubai. According to many, they have the best combination of quality and price. Main meals start at AED 30, sandwiches are AED 15 and drinks are AED 12.
All major stores in Dubai regularly hold promotions to reduce prices. Shoppers are offered discounts on the products of the day and organize profitable sales on weekends. Pay close attention to the announcements at the entrance.
Every supermarket has a prepared food section. Prices for such products in Dubai in 2019 are low: bun - 1.4 AED, mini pizza - 2 AED, samsa - 2.4 AED, lamb skewers - from 2.6 AED, soups - from 4.2 AED, boiled rice - 20 AED per 1 kg. Warm up your food in the microwave, and a hearty meal is ready!
In the markets of the UAE, food is slightly cheaper than in supermarkets. You won’t get much benefit, but it’s worth going to the market. You will feel the colorful atmosphere of the oriental bazaar, bargain and get vivid impressions.

Intro image source: © picdove.com.

The UAE is a multifaceted and very interesting country. The young state, which has created all the conditions for its guests, is becoming increasingly popular. Luxury lovers go there for oriental chic, active tourists for an extraordinary pastime, and gourmets for gourmet Arabic cuisine.

United Arab Emirates. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/paolo_rosa/

However, in addition to the Arab national cuisine, there are also cuisines of other countries. The combination of large and small European cafes and restaurants with local oriental flavor will delight even the most experienced tourist.

Some tourists compared their trip to the UAE with a trip to a fairy tale. To feel the spirit of the East, you need to try the cuisine of this country at least once.

Features of UAE cuisine

Visible freedom should not mislead the traveler. The UAE is a Muslim country, so all life here is influenced by Islam.

For example, you should be aware of the month of Ramadan (Ramadan), in which it is allowed to eat only after sunset and before sunrise. During this period, restaurants usually open only at dusk, in particular after 8 pm. In 2013 Ramadan will fall between July 11 and August 9.

In the UAE, there are restrictions on the consumption of pork. You will not find pork in ordinary restaurants. If you are not a Muslim and want a pork chop, you will have to find a specialty restaurant where they will prepare it for you.

street food

It is better to start acquaintance with the national cuisine of the UAE on the street. Numerous tents and small cafes offer a variety of snacks and small full meals. All dishes purchased on the street are mostly wrapped in Arabic bread - pita bread, which has a flat shape. But another type of bread is also common - pita (round buns).

Pete. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mosaica/

One of the most delicious bread dishes is called Manakish. This is a melted cheese with olives and herbs, which is wrapped in pita bread or pita bread. It is sold hot, and after the manakish has cooled down, it is eaten with the hands.

Manakish. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chiragnd/

And this is an Arabic dish called Falafel. It is popular not only in street cafes, but also on every family table in the Emirates. Tender balls of mashed chickpeas are dipped in flour and fried in olive oil. To decorate and give an even more appetizing look, falafel is served on fresh lettuce leaves or wrapped in pita bread.

Falafel. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ [email protected]/

The world-famous Shawarma (shawarma) came to us from the East. It is sold literally in all countries, and each has its own name and filling. You will not find meat-free shawarma in the UAE, but in other countries, vegetables can also be wrapped in lettuce leaves.

A bench with a shawarma. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/edmundito/

In a real Arabic Shawarma, chicken is fried and wrapped in pita bread with vegetables (tomatoes, lettuce, garlic and cucumber), olive oil, pepper, paprika are used.

For lovers of Shawarma, who have already tried this dish in other countries, it will be interesting to try the Arabic version.

Spices in the UAE

If you try a dish unfamiliar to yourself, be sure to take into account local culinary traditions: in the UAE, seasonings are added to food in very large quantities. Both in fashionable restaurants and in a small tent on the street, the food will be equally spicy, generously seasoned.
Of the seasonings, coriander, cinnamon, sesame, cumin, chili, curry are most often used.

Spices at a bazaar in the UAE. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/elsa11/

The variety of spices presented in the Arab bazaars is amazing, and all of them can be tasted before you buy. Moreover, you will be treated even to those that you did not plan to buy.

Snacks "Meze"

In the East, it is not customary to rush. Both the conversation and the meal start from afar: therefore, before the main course, you will be offered several snacks: vegetable salads, eggplant caviar (mutabbal, baba ganush), cheese or meat pies, nut and garlic pastes, corn and wheat porridge.

Arabic Meze. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/riwayat/

All this will be served to you on a large dish, divided into cells. These small portions are meze. By the way, some restaurants serve vegetables in meze for free.

Fish in the UAE

The UAE is washed by the waters of the Persian and Oman Gulfs; when visiting this country, you will feel that you have arrived in a maritime power.

There is a huge variety of fish dishes. Many restaurants rely not on meat, but on seafood. The buffet system is popular in them, where the fish lies on special tables in ice. In other establishments, you can find aquariums in which your potential, as yet, live "dinner" swims.

Seafood restaurant in the UAE. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/asimchoudhri/

One of the most popular lunch dishes is Briki. This is a dish of fish (sometimes minced lamb) or shrimp fried in the thinnest puff pastry. Briki is molded from dough in the shape of triangles and served with lemon slices and herbs.

Arabic Brik. Photo: promotunisia.com

Another equally interesting fish dish is the famous Al Madruba, boiled salted fish. When cooking, spices and flour are added. Al Madruba is served on the table with a sauce that emphasizes its unusual salty taste, thanks to which this fish is especially popular.

Fish is also cooked in a hundred other ways: dried, fish "kebabs", grilled. And they certainly fill it with delicious sauces, hot spices and fresh vegetables, which make them even tastier and more refined.

Seafood in the UAE. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/josephchan749/

Other seafood is also popular - lobster, shrimp, crabs, barracuda, tuna, hamur - sea bass. You can even find a shark on the menu.

Meat dishes

Chicken, lamb, veal, lamb... A rich selection of meat products that will satisfy any gourmet. Basically, meat in this country is consumed in the form of kebabs - kebabs, moreover, sometimes several types of meat are combined in one serving.

Cooking meat on the grill. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/abhisheksrivastava/

“Lamb shish kebab” - this is what is written on the menu in Arab restaurants. Often there are no explanations or names, so you can only hope that this is exactly the kebab you were looking for. However, if you are in the United Arab Emirates, then you should not worry about the quality of meat and excellent taste.

Kebab. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/redwackyworm/

The meat is always fresh and tender. Especially lamb, which is beaten in advance and marinated for several hours in lemon juice. It is then fried without the use of fat, many spices are added and served with a suitable sauce. Having tried this dish, you will forever remember what a real barbecue is.

Biryani is a national Arabic dish. It, for sure, was tried by everyone who has ever been to the UAE. Local chefs do not just cook Biryani excellently, there are restaurants specializing in it.
This is a rice dish with meat (chicken, lamb), vegetables or fish. Be sure to have a large amount of spices that are fried in the pan first. On the fried spices put meat cut into strips (fish, vegetables), and on top - rice.

Biryani with lamb. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ [email protected]/

For this dish, they take rice of a certain variety - basmati, because of its long and thin grains. Sometimes pistachios and raisins are added to Biryani, as well as cloves. In general, this dish is similar to pilaf, so it will not seem exotic.

Dessert

The UAE, as one of the eastern countries, is rich in sweets and various spices. Pistachio puddings, raisin bread pies, cheese pies, honey donuts, dates, date honey, custard donuts, halva, Turkish delight… I can't list them all.

Arabic sweets. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/guuleed/

This is the largest sweet shop in Dubai, which is famous far beyond the borders of the country. Its area is about 1000 sq. meters.

Candylicious store. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ [email protected]/

But unfortunately, national sweets are not presented there. Mostly sweets from around the world, and from the local - only fresh Dubai cakes.

If you want to buy real oriental delicacies, you have a direct road to the bazaar. In the shops with sweets, tourists have not been surprised for a long time, who buy kilograms of local delicacies to take home as souvenirs.

Dates are very useful for the digestive system, so they are eaten several times a day. For example, dates with almonds are served for breakfast and are offered to guests with tea in the evening. To do this, the seeds are taken out of the fruit and almonds are put in their place. Those with a sweet tooth eat dates with honey, chocolate and butter.

Dates with almonds. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexander/

Umm ali (omm ali) is a festive Arabic dish. It is served as a dessert for tea on a day off or prepared for important guests. This bread pudding is soaked in fruit syrup or rose petal water, large nuts, raisins and dried fruits are added.

Dessert Umm Ali. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bakingobsessions/

Umm ali is one of the oriental delicacies that is most popular among tourists.

If Umm Ali pudding can be classified as the least sweet dish in the UAE, then pistachio baklava is one of the sweetest. To prevent an excessive sweet taste from remaining in your mouth, drink it with tea.

Beverages

In the hot Emirates, of course, you always want to drink. There you will always find natural juices from all kinds of fruits, as well as their mixtures. In the tents on the streets, where fruit juice is squeezed, there are usually at least 5-8 kinds.

Coffee shop in the UAE. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nidserz/

Coffee in the UAE is a ritual. There are so many coffee houses in the cities that it will not be difficult for you to find them even with your eyes closed - by smell. Locals visit coffee shops at least once a day.

To make the guest relax with a cup of coffee, local coffee houses make every effort. In a good institution there will definitely be twilight and an atmosphere conducive to relaxation.

Arabic coffee. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/miemo/

The most sought-after coffee in the UAE is light Arabian. Its main feature is that it is brewed from unroasted coffee beans.

Tea is also drunk, but less. Mostly after a heavy meat lunch or dinner. It is served in special tea cups. Green tea is common, mint and sage, with soothing properties.

You will not see alcohol in free sale in this country. Not even in every hotel you can drink a glass of wine or a glass of beer. Alcohol in the UAE is sold only in hotels licensed to sell alcohol.

Non-alcoholic beer in the UAE. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/drytimes/

However, for a country like the UAE, the presence of alcohol is not so important. The antiquity of traditions and the richness of Arab culture will inspire you for a long time to other travels and further searches for the unknown.
In the Emirates, you will try dishes rich in healthy spices, plunge into the magical peaceful atmosphere of Arabic coffee houses, see as many sweets in the bazaars as you have never seen in your entire life.

For you, we have opened only one side of this multifaceted state, now it's up to you to see and feel it live. Have a nice trip, bon appetit!

The United Arab Emirates is the real embodiment of a fairy tale on the planet. Once in this country, it’s hard to believe your eyes: buildings that go beyond the clouds, artificial islands of bizarre shapes, snow in indoor ski resorts, and much more that may seem unreal and fantastic.

Just a few decades ago, this place was a lifeless desert, and now, as if by magic, one of the richest and most progressive countries has appeared. The tourism industry has recently begun to develop at a tremendous pace: modern hotels, entertainment centers, huge beaches, unusual cafes and restaurants have appeared.

In our article, we will consider such important questions that arise when planning a trip budget: how much does it cost to eat in the UAE, what are the prices for food in the United Arab Emirates and what should you definitely try?

What to try

The country's cuisine is part of its culture. Traditionally, dishes are prepared from rice, vegetables, fish and meat, mainly lamb, veal or camel meat. Usually meat and vegetables are grilled, adding a large amount of spices and seasonings.

The most exotic food in the Emirates is stuffed camel, which is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest dish in the world. Usually it is prepared for big holidays or a wedding, but for guests of the country it is served in restaurants throughout the year.

Be sure to try the national dishes:

hummus- mashed chickpeas with lemon and garlic;
al mahbus- a dish of boiled rice, meat, dried lemon;
al haris- a dish of meat and wheat;
shawarma- a dish of pita or lavash stuffed;
balalet- noodles with onion and egg;
farid- meat stewed with vegetables;
variety of kebabs.

Seafood is the pride of many local cafes and restaurants. Everywhere there are showcases with ice and aquariums, where visitors, if desired, choose the products from which the dishes will be prepared. Order the exotic Briki seafood pies, the unusual and unique fish dish al madruba or the shark.

Dining in UAE hotels

When planning a purchase of a tour, you should first think about the purpose of your trip. If you are only interested in a beach holiday with young children, then you should choose hotels with an all-inclusive food system.

We want to note right away that such a system is not as popular as in the resorts of Egypt or Turkey. It is found only in some hotels of the coastal zone. The main types of meals are breakfasts or half board. Thus, even before the start of the trip, you need to find out about the cost of eating in the UAE.

Holidays in the United Arab Emirates most often involve long excursions or shopping, so tourists usually do not spend much time in a hotel. Thus, experienced travelers are not advised to overpay for lunches or dinners that you are likely to miss.

Meals in the UAE hotels are organized according to the "buffet" principle. The choice of European cuisine, fruits and soft drinks is quite wide.

Note that in restaurants, fast foods and eateries located in the city (not at the hotel), alcohol is not served. Especially strictly dry law is observed in the emirate of Sharjah. In other emirates, alcohol is treated more democratically, but alcohol should be consumed on the spot, in hotel restaurants.

Food prices in the UAE

Going to travel, many tourists plan their expenses, and in this regard, one of the frequently asked questions is how much food costs in the UAE. Let's try to figure this out.

Note that the resorts of the country do not differ in low prices. Most travelers associate the Emirates with wealth and luxury, but you can organize meals in the UAE with any financial means.

The Emirates are famous for their luxurious restaurants, where the average bill can be several hundred dollars. But if you move away from popular routes, then there are cafes with quite affordable prices. Food prices in the UAE are discussed below.

The most budget option is to rent an apartment with a kitchen and cook on your own. In many hotels, a small kitchen is equipped for this purpose.

Supermarkets UAE

As in all civilized countries, there are many supermarkets here. They differ in different pricing policies, often organize promotions, sales and offer discounts on certain types of products. We present to your attention some of them, the most popular among our compatriots.

union coop- one of the well-known retail chains, where relatively low prices for food in the Emirates. It has been on the Arab market for over 25 years.
carrefour- European trade network. Prices are also quite affordable, promotions are often held.
Organic Foods and Cafe- a network specializing in organic products. In these stores, all goods are of the highest quality, here you can see the highest cost of products in the UAE.
Geant Hypermarket- chain hypermarkets where local residents make large purchases of products. True, the location of these shops is not very convenient for visitors. Recently, the service "delivery of goods home" has appeared.
Lulu Hypermarket- a well-known and popular trading network. Its shops are more like an indoor market. Tourists note that here are the lowest prices for food in the Emirates.

Be sure to check out one of the many markets to feel the special atmosphere and oriental flavor. Like hundreds of years ago, there is a brisk trade here: silks, incense, gems, jewelry, spices, fruits.

Sellers praise their goods, try to lure buyers, bargain, cheat. A trip to the eastern market is guaranteed vivid impressions.

You can test your ability to trade: if you're lucky, then reduce the original declared value by half or even more.

The cost of food in the UAE in the markets is not much lower than in supermarkets, but here you can bargain and just have fun.

Food prices in 2019

The country's food industry is developing at a fast pace and has great potential for further improvement, however, many products are imported from neighboring countries. Therefore, food prices in the United Arab Emirates are quite comparable with European ones. Here are some of them (in dirhams):

White bread	1 loaf	5
olive bread	1 loaf	9,5
Pita	5 pieces.	1,7
Chicken (wings)	1.8 kg	22
Chicken (legs)	0.9 kg	10
Chicken (carcass)	1.2 kg	22
Chicken (fillet)	1 kg	25-30
Beef	1 kg	from 70
Sausage	1 kg	from 60
Eggs	30 pcs.	from 12
Shrimps	1 kg	45
Crab	1 PC.	from 25
Squid	1 kg	35
Fish	1 kg	10-30
Chees Feta	0.5 kg	9
Hard cheeses	1 kg	90
Soft cheeses	1 kg	about 20
Milk	1 l	from 5
Butter	0.4 kg	14
Yogurt	1 l	5,5-6
Sour cream	200 g	14
Onion	1 kg	2,25
cucumbers	1 kg	12
Tomatoes	1 kg	5
Chilli	1 kg	8
Bulgarian pepper	1 kg	15
Potato	1 kg	from 2
Bananas	1 kg	7
Mango	1 kg	from 8
oranges	1 kg	5
Kiwi	1 kg	15
Longan	1 kg	28
Pomegranate	1 kg	17
Lemon	1 kg	9
A pineapple	1 PC.	10
Avocado	1 kg	10
pistachios	1 kg	130
Cashew	1 kg	80
Dried apricots	1 kg	50
Peanut	1 kg	20
Water	1.5 l	1,5
Juices	1 l	from 5
Coca Cola	2,25	5

Street food and fast food

If you do not have time to wait for an order in a cafe or restaurant, then street food is a great and not very expensive option for you to have a bite to eat.

In major tourist cities, stalls with local fast food dishes are located everywhere. So, the most popular street food in the UAE and its approximate cost:

shawarma - 4-6 dirhams;
manakish (cheese with herbs in pita bread) - 14 dirhams;
grilled chicken - 17-22 dirhams;
barbari (cake with sesame seeds) - 1.5-4 dirhams;
falafel (balls of chickpeas or beans with spices, deep-fried) - 25 dirhams.

Fast food cafes familiar to our tourists can be found in shopping and entertainment centers. Approximate prices:

standard set at McDonald's - 22 dirhams;
hamburger McChicken - 15 dirhams;
hamburger Big Mac - 15 dirhams;
hamburger Big Tasty - 18 dirhams;
Chicken McNuggets (9 pcs.) - 14 dirhams;
children's menu at McDonald's - 13-14 dirhams;
desserts - 5-7 dirhams;
Subway sandwich - 17 dirhams;
cold tea - 8-10 dirhams;
cappuccino in a cafe - 12 dirhams;
freshly squeezed juice - 17-22 dirhams;
pizza - 36 dirhams.

Baby food in the Emirates

For kids, hotels provide a children's menu: muesli, cereals, curds and yogurts. In some hotels, baby food means pasta, rice, french fries, sausages.

Supermarkets and shops offer a large selection of cereals, vegetables, fruits, meat and dairy products. Products in the Emirates are of very high quality, so you should not be afraid when preparing food that is familiar to a child.

Baby cereals, formulas and other foods can be found in supermarkets or pharmacies. However, it is necessary to have a reserve at least for the first time. The Emirates is an exotic country, so problems may arise during the acclimatization process.

It is for this case that familiar products are needed. If your budget is limited, then you should remember that food prices in the United Arab Emirates are quite high and baby food is no exception.

Hot countries are famous for their exotic fruits. So do not miss the opportunity to please yourself and your child with something unusual and tasty.

Restaurants in the United Arab Emirates

The restaurants of this country amaze even the most fastidious tourists with their luxury, level of service and variety. It all depends on your budget, desires and opportunities. According to the price category, all institutions can be divided into three groups:

Very expensive, awarded with international awards, with eminent chefs, designer interiors, haute cuisine. The cost of visiting such a place is from 500 dirhams.
Restaurants and cafes with an average price level. Lunch in such a place will cost from 75 dirhams.
Budget restaurants and fast food. As a rule, these are establishments of Asian or Indian cuisine. You can eat in such a place from 30 dirhams.

In the UAE, you can appreciate any cuisine in the world, but it would be a huge omission to visit the Emirates without tasting oriental dishes. For a closer acquaintance with the culture of the country, it is worth planning a trip to a local restaurant.

Prices in cafes and restaurants 2019

Food prices in the UAE are very diverse. Consider, for example, how much it costs to eat in the UAE in establishments of different classes. The most expensive and famous restaurant Al Mahara is located in Dubai, in the famous Burj Al Arab sail hotel. The average bill for dinner is about 900 dirhams per person.

And here is the approximate cost of the menu in a mid-range restaurant:

soup - 40-50 dirhams;
salads - from 50 dirhams;
pasta with seafood - 150 dirhams;
desserts - from 40 dirhams.

Buffet restaurants are widespread, where visitors pay only the entrance. Many establishments operate according to this system on Fridays, organizing the so-called Friday Brunch - a big family dinner.

At such events, a huge selection of dishes of oriental and European cuisine is offered. In the center of Dubai, at the Thiptara restaurant, the buffet will cost about 270 dirhams per person.

You can eat relatively inexpensively in food courts, restaurants of Asian, Arabic and Indian cuisine. You just need to move away from popular tourist attractions. Approximate prices in an inexpensive cafe:

- from 12 dirhams;
lunch - from 40 dirhams;
dinner - from 90 dirhams.

The only thing you can't save on is drinks. For example, tea costs about 12 dirhams, and non-alcoholic beer - from 25 dirhams.

If your trip falls on Ramadan, there may be some inconvenience. Traditions and laws in the country are observed very strictly, so cafes and restaurants are closed during the day.

You can eat in public places only after sunset. During this time, it is forbidden to sell products in the United Arab Emirates, as well as drink or eat anything in any public places. For violation of this law, an impressive fine threatens even visitors.

We will be glad if our article helped you figure out what the prices for food in the United Arab Emirates are. We hope we have helped you plan your holiday budget. Kidpassage wishes you a pleasant journey!

If during your vacation you want something especially original or interesting, go on a gourmet tour to the United Arab Emirates.

The cuisine in the United Arab Emirates is very similar to the cuisine of other Arab countries. Religion and climatic features had a huge influence on it. For example, it is precisely because of religious beliefs that pork is not consumed here, therefore meat dishes are predominantly goat, veal, beef, poultry meat, fish and egg dishes are also common.

When you are in, find some kind of colorful family restaurant in the old streets. Because it is there that you can taste truly national food. Such restaurants will surprise you not only with taste, but also with an unsurpassed interior.

For example, the restaurant Al Arish (Al Bum Tourist Village) is made in the form of a hut under palm trees. It is called "the most Dubai" of all restaurants with Arabic cuisine. Located in the tourist village of Al-Boom Village near the Al Maktoum Bridge (12:00 - 16:00 and 19:00 - 24:00, tel. 324-30-00). Meat here can be tasted from 50 dirhams, and salads - from 30. A three-course dinner for one person will cost about 100 dirhams (about 20 euros). Al Arish is the only restaurant in all of Dubai that serves meat from 4-5 month old camels - chiuar.

In the Emirates, tourists can also organize a picnic in the desert with Bedouins or dinner on a traditional Arabic dhow boat. On the beach you can have a barbecue under the oriental romantic stars. And recently, the first restaurant in the country was opened in the UAE, where dishes are served only from ostrich meat.

Very popular in the country of sheikhs lamb meat. While walking along the streets, you can see how the restaurants cook on a slow fire machbus- meat with spices and rice or haris- the same lamb meat with specially prepared wheat. And such a dish as guzi will definitely win you over. This is a whole lamb served with rice and nuts.

For snacks in restaurant menus you will definitely find khomus- a paste of peas and sesame seeds and tabbouleh- finely chopped mint, parsley and crushed wheat.

A traditional Arabic snack is considered shawarma. This is lamb or chicken meat with salad, wrapped in an Arabic cake. Such a mini-dish can be purchased at special tents for $1-2. They also sell well-known kebab, shawarma And falafel.

For Arabic cuisine, the preparation of stews and fried meat is very characteristic. Thanks to the heat treatment of meat without the addition of fat, the dishes are particularly rich, soft and excellent in taste.

The Arabs also add originality to the exotic. If you order varak nab And Kussa Makshi, then they will bring you rice in grape leaves. To feel at home, you can order small stuffed zucchini, they are called here kurzhets.

Don't forget about seafood dishes. You will definitely not be understood if you leave the Emirates without trying exotic dishes with seafood. Lobsters, crab, tuna and shrimp are often served with rice and special condiments. In specialized fish restaurants there is an option - "choose for yourself". There are fish and seafood on trays in the ice. You indicate what you liked, and after 10-15 minutes they bring you the finished dish. Such a pleasure costs from 100 to 200 dirhams (215-430 hryvnias).

The desserts here are truly incredible! Try a variety of bread pudding - umm ali. Ash-asaya or as-saraya is a sweet curd cake with a creamy top. Mechalabia or pistachio pudding topped with pink nut cream is delicious. Also try baklava, donuts with honey - lihemat, sherbet.

Coffee in the UAE - not just a drink for conversation, but a whole art. In the Emirates, there can be no question of machine guns. Coffee is prepared "on the spot", poured from traditional "dalla" coffee pots into small bowls. Of course, from hundreds of varieties you can choose coffee to your taste. However, first of all, be sure to try the light Arabian with cardamom in a traditional Arabic restaurant.

Finally, we add: you can never worry about the quality of products in the UAE - they control it very meticulously.

The United Slave Emirates is a truly cosmopolitan country, where tourists from all over the world flock to take a look at local attractions. The country has noticeably improved its status, being a rapidly developing region.

In addition to the sights worth seeing, you can enjoy traditional delicious food all over the country. Whichever place you choose, or Ras Al Khaimah, do not miss the opportunity to taste their best cuisine.

If you do a little research on the cuisine, you will find that the traditional dishes of this country have a rich and unique taste. Many spices will remind you of Indian cuisine.

Traditional dishes are made with rice, fish and meat, which are the main ingredients. Arabs eat sheep and goat meat. Meanwhile, on special occasions, for example, on ayt (Muslim holiday) and for a wedding, festive dishes are prepared from camel meat. However, for tourists and visitors, restaurants serve this traditional dish all year round.

The following 5 must-try dishes include:

Stuffed Camel

Stuffed camel is one of the most amazing dishes in. It was entered into the Guinness Book of Records as one of the largest dishes in the world. Usually in elite families it is served at a wedding. The main ingredients are a whole camel, one lamb, 20 chickens, boiled eggs, fish and rice.

To prepare this dish, the camel is stuffed with the main ingredients. So, one of the most amazing dishes around the globe that you can taste is roast camel.

Al Harees

Al Haris is a famous dish in the UAE with a very exotic taste. It is made from meat and wheat. This is a simple and delicious dish that requires few ingredients but a long cooking time. Usually this dish is served at Ramadan, wedding and festivals, etc.

Wheat and meat with a pinch of salt are thrown into boiling water and boiled for several hours until all the ingredients turn into a homogeneous paste, which is then cooked in a closed clay pot over coals almost all night.

This dish has a simple salty taste and a rich aroma of meat and wheat. Add other spices to enhance the flavor according to your taste preferences. Al Haris is served on a flat plate with ghee beforehand.

Shawarma

Most often, we can see how shawarma is eaten in this country. Similarly, shawarma has become popular in Asian countries. All restaurants serve this dish in their own way. Usually garlic sauce, pickles, potatoes and tomatoes are wrapped in Arabic roti (dough). This dish is more like a kebab.

The taste and method of preparation varies depending on the location. However, despite all this, the demand and popularity for shawarma never fell. In the UAE, shawarma is usually ordered with a special fruit drink made from strawberries and bananas.

Al Machboos

Al Mahbus is also a very popular and traditional dish in the UAE. The basic ingredients are rice, meat, onion and dried lemon (Lumi). Other seasonings use spices and salt.

To prepare this dish, all the ingredients are boiled until they are tender. The meat is then separated and the rice is added to the cooked remaining mixture. The meat is then added back to the mixture of rice and vegetables and cooked for two hours. This dish is the best in the Persian Gulf region.

Hummus

Hummus is not really a dish, but rather a well-known mashed chickpeas (chickpeas), olive oil, lemon juice with tahini paste, salt and garlic. It is served with other dishes, such as shawarma or pita bread. It is also a wonderful appetizer with a truly unique taste.
Top 5 dishes will add flavor and fun to your trip. Be sure to choose to dine if you visit the UAE.