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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Top food to try in Abu Dhabi

6 dishes to eat in Abu Dhabi, what is in them, and where they belong.

Last updated 2026-08-09

1. Machboos

Machboos
Photo: Basel15 at en.wikipedia · Public domain · source

Spiced rice with meat, dried lime and baharat — the Emirati national dish.

2. Harees

Harees
Photo: shankar s. from sharjah, united arab emirates · CC BY 2.0 · source

Wheat and meat pounded to a smooth porridge, slow-cooked and eaten especially in Ramadan.

3. Luqaimat

Luqaimat
Photo: Flickr.com user "avlxyz" · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source

Yeasted dough balls fried and soaked in date syrup.

4. Camel milk and meat

Camel milk and meat
Photo: Krista · CC BY 2.0 · source

Served in burgers, stews and chocolate — genuinely local rather than a novelty.

5. Karak chai

Karak chai
Photo: Miansari66 · Public domain · source

Strong tea boiled with evaporated milk and cardamom, from drive-through cafeterias.

6. Fresh dates

Fresh dates
Photo: Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source

Dozens of varieties, sold by grade; khalas and fard are the ones to ask for.

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