Dubai’s vibrant street food scene continues to thrive in 2025, with flavors from across the globe blending perfectly with Emirati heritage. Whether you’re strolling through Deira, Karama, or one of the many bustling night markets. This year, Dubai is offering three top street foods that are highly recommended to try.
1. Shawarma (especially from Meena Bazaar / Satwa / Deira)
Shawarma – Dubai’s All-Time Street Food Favorite. Its a Dubai’s street food king which is wrapped in marinated chicken, beef, or lamb, slow‑roasted on a vertical spit and warm pita or saj bread with garlic sauce, pickles, and fries.—this quick bite is flavorful, filling, and budget-friendly.
Top spots: Al Mallah on 2nd of December Street (Satwa), street‑side stalls in Meena Bazaar/Bur Dubai, Automatic Restaurant (Jumeirah) and Deira’s Al Rigga area.
Who Eats it most in Dubai?
- Locals (Emiratis & Arabs) – It’s a nostalgic favorite, especially late at night.
- Western Expats – Love it as a quick snack or dinner option.
- Tourists – It’s their go-to street food due to accessibility and familiar flavors.
- Night owls & delivery lovers – It’s the top choice for late-night cravings.
Why to taste Shawarma?
- Affordable, filling, and available almost everywhere in Dubai.
What’s its Cost?
- Price: AED 7–15
2. Manakish & Falafel (especially in Karama / Bur Dubai)
These two are essential Middle Eastern street food staples. Manakish (Lebanese pizza)is a soft, oven-baked flatbread topped with za’atar (thyme spice), cheese, or meat. It’s like the Levant’s answer to pizza—fresh, warm, and deeply satisfying.
Falafel, on the other hand, are deep-fried chickpea patties—crispy outside, fluffy inside—usually served in pita with tahini, pickles, and fresh veggies. They’re vegetarian-friendly, affordable, and full of flavor.
Where to Try?
- Al Reef Bakery (Karama), Zaatar w Zeit (Bur Dubai), small Lebanese/Palestinian joints in Al Mankhool and popular spots like Zaroob or Operation Falafel
Who Loves to taste Manakish & Falafel?
- Arab Expats (Lebanese, Syrian, Jordanian, Palestinian) – For breakfast or quick snacks.
- South Asian & Filipino Workers – Great value-for-money lunch or dinner.
- Vegetarians and Health-Conscious Tourists – Falafel is a plant-based winner.
- Food Bloggers & Backpackers – Karama and Bur Dubai are street food hotspots, and these dishes are Instagrammable and authentic.
How does it Costs?
- Price Range: AED 5–18
3. Luqaimat & Chaat (Emirati dessert & Indian snacks)
Luqaimat
Golden Emirati doughnut balls, deep‑fried and drizzled with date syrup and sesame seeds—light, sweet, and unforgettable. Luqaimat are sweet Emirati dumplings – crisp outside, fluffy inside – traditionally drizzled with date syrup or honey. They are a Ramadan favorite but now available year-round in heritage areas and festivals.
Where you can taste it?
- Enjoyed at Global Village during winter or via street vendors around Deira and Al Fanar Restaurant kiosks. Al Seef, Global Village, Arabian Tea House.
Indian-style Chaat & Samosa/Samboosa
Chaat is India’s king of tangy street snacks — a spicy, sweet, sour mix of puffed rice, chickpeas, chutneys, and yogurt. You’ll find it in Karama and Bur Dubai, often served fresh from street-side carts or quick-service eateries.
Al Fahidi Street (Bur Dubai), Karama, and Meena Bazaar are hubs for pani puri, bhel puri, dahi puri, samosas, and pakoras—tangy, spicy bites full of flavor and regional charm. These snacks pair especially well with a hot cup of karak chai at roadside tea stalls in Satwa and Karama.
Taste Chaat & Samosa at: Rangoli Restaurant (Meena Bazaar), Bombay Chowpatty (Karama), street vendors in Bur Dubai
What’s its Price?
- Cost Range: AED 8–20
Why These 3 Street Foods are Popular in Dubai?
- Shawarma is ubiquitous—fast, flavorful, and the essence of Dubai’s street‑food scene.
- Manakish and Falafel offer both taste and cultural authenticity, popular with locals and passing travelers.
- Luqaimat and Chaat showcase the blend of Emirati tradition and South Asian influence, especially in working‑class neighborhoods and street markets.
Best Time to Explore
Evenings—especially from October to April—are the perfect time to wander the streets and soak in Dubai’s street‑food vibrancy under pleasant temperatures and lively night markets
For a true taste of Dubai in 2025, don’t miss the shawarma wraps, the savory manakish or crispy falafel, and the sweet luqaimat alongside a spicy chaat/samosa combo with karak chai. Let me know if you’d like recommendations for specific stalls or markets!
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