Dubai’s Best Food Markets: Where to Eat Like a Local?

Beyond the glitz and glamour of Dubai, there is a part of Dubai, that many people don’t get to experience. Street food is something which makes or breaks your whole food tour. So, if you are a big foodie looking for a great culinary experience, then there is no city better than the street food of Dubai. Known for its Middle Eastern cuisine, with hints of Indian, and Pakistani spices, you cannot resist the culinary charm of Dubai. The street food culture of Dubai attracts millions of tourists every year. In this comprehensive guide, we will be talking about some of the best spots for you to eat like a local. 

Best Street Food Markets in Dubai

Awaken the food explorer in you, and explore all of these places where you can eat like a local. Being home to more than 200 nationalities, this city has a lot of local food joints near the tourist places in Dubai that can compete with the big restaurants. So, here are some of the old-school restaurants that you can check out when you are exploring the major tourist spots of this city:

1. Palestinian Goodness at Sultan Dubai Falafel 

Located on the Al Muraqqabat road in Deira, this is the food joint where you will be able to taste some of the finest Palestinian Falafel and Hummus. The falafel here is not your average dried-out falafel, they serve very moist and green falafels loaded with parsley, coriander, and dill.

And if you think of yourself as a sandwich artist, then you can get the fluffy pita bread. Along with that, you can also order some of the side dishes like fava beans, pickles, chilli sauce, cauliflower, and deep-fried eggplant. Finish it off with some of the velvety hummus. Once you taste the hummus, you will notice the hints of lemon sauce, and green peppers. In the end, smash the falafel, and smear it inside the pita pockets before adding the rest of the ingredients. 

2. Freshly baked ka’ak at Falafel Alzaeem

After looking at the name of the restaurant, it is pretty common to assume that this place is known for its Falafels. However, in this restaurant, its freshly rolled out Jerusalem-style Ka’ak bread steals the cake. This bread is dusted with a lot of crunchy sesame seeds. Make sure that you try a fresh loaf of Ka’ak smeared in cheese, herby za’atar, tart chilli Shatta, and Boiled eggs. You will find Falafel Alzaeem’s authentic food on Al Doha Road in the Hor Al Anz area. 

3. Authentic Chicken Tikka at Sind Punjab

Known for its dazzling gold shops, and traditional clothing kiosks, Meena Bazaar is a place where Indians and Pakistanis feel right at home. If you have a craving for authentic Indian Chicken Tikka, then Sind Punjab in Meena bazaar is the right spot for you. Being a fan favourite spot since the 70s, Meena Bazaar serves one of the juiciest chicken tikka and the best Indian street food. 

The process of preparation includes marinating the chicken and, cooking them over the charcoal so they are smoky and delicious. Other than chicken tikka, you can also check out their other combo which would definitely make you drool. Make sure that you check out the creamy butter chicken, spicy chana masala, and flaky laccha parathas. For beverages, make sure that you grab a glass of Lassi (a yoghurt-based drink) or try out freshly squeezed sugarcane juice. 

4. Indian Street Food at Rangoli 

Dubai City is home to millions of Indian expats, and Rangoli is the place which would remind them of home. They serve one of the best Indian chaats or street food. There are many people who swear by their Pani Puri or one bite crunchy globes filled with mung beans, spicy chilly water, and a sweet date and tamarind chutney. The proper way of eating the pani puri is by popping it all at once. Taste other chaats like the bhel puri, and dabeli, and have jalebi as a dessert. So, make sure that you satisfy your taste buds with these Indian treats at the Rangoli. 

5. Eggy Rolls With Chips: Spice Souk Cafeteria

While you are strolling through the bustling spice souk at the Old Dubai Walking Tour, make sure that you stop by one of the chaiwallahs, and get the Eggy Rolls With Chips. This heavenly egg roll is the one which you will remember for a lifetime. First, they make chilly studded omelettes and then roll them into the flaky Keralite-style flatbread which has cream cheese spread and Daqoos (hot sauce) on it. Then comes the hero of this roll, The Chips Oman. These chips add a lot of flavour and crunch to this roll, making it taste like a dream. Having it with a masala chai would complete your snack. So, make sure that you stop by one of these chaiwallahs, and get this at least once. 

Conclusion

When we think about Dubai, what comes to our minds first is the luxurious hotels and Michelin-star restaurants. However, the street food of Dubai also deserves some recognition, as they cater to a large population of this city, and the tourists coming in for Dubai city tour. So, whenever you are in Dubai the next time, make sure that you try at least one of the above-mentioned food joints. Book your trip to Dubai with Travel Saga Tourism, and get one of the smoothest sightseeing tours.