Taste your way around the city, as food explorer Arva Ahmed reveals the best ethnic eateries, old-school favourites and hole-in-the-wall culinary secrets.
Sultan Dubai Falafel for Palestinian-style treats
Tucked away on Al Muraqqabat Road in Deira is some of the best street food in Dubai, Palestinian falafel and hummus. No ordinary dry brown-bellied falafels here, the fryers at Sultan Falafel churn out moist, vibrant green falafels loaded with parsley, coriander and dill. The fresh-baked puffy pita (khubz) from its sister restaurant next door is the perfect excuse to play sandwich artist. Order some accompaniments: slow-cooked fava beans (foul), chilli sauce (shatta), pickles, deep-fried eggplant and cauliflower. Finally, add some velvety hummus splashed with a zesty green pepper and lemon sauce (tatbeela). The pros know to use their fork to smash and smear the falafels inside the pita pocket before adding all the other ingredients.
Essential information
Opening hours: 7am-1am daily
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Must-try flavours: Falafel
Contact: +971 4 227 5559
Falafel Alzaeem for smoked eggs and freshly-baked ka’ak
Funnily enough, this popular haunt in Deira’s claim to fame is actually not the falafel. It’s their fresh-rolled Jerusalem-style ka’ak bread dusted with heaps of crunchy sesame seeds. Try a fresh loaf smeared with cheese, lots of tart chilli shatta, herby za’atar and boiled eggs that have been smoked in a bed of woodchips for six hours. You’ll find Falafel Alzaeem’s authentic food on Al Doha Road in the Hor Al Anz area or on Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 3
Essential information
Opening hours: 8 am-1 am daily
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Must-try flavours: Ka’ak bread
Contact: +971 4 330 0735
Sind Punjab for the best chicken tikka since 1977
Deep in the lanes of Meena Bazaar is a Punjabi chicken tikka spot that has been a firm favourite of the local Indian community since the ’70s, and regarded as some of the best Indian street food in Dubai. Sind Punjab threads the juiciest skewers of marinated chicken and cooks them over charcoal until smoky and delicious. Hardly anyone ever leaves Sind Punjab without a round of some of its other signature favourites – creamy butter chicken and spicy chana (chickpea) masala mopped up with a stack of flaky laccha parathas. Grab a lassi (yoghurt-based drink) or try the fresh-pressed sugarcane juice with a squeeze of lime to soothe the spice.
Essential information
Opening hours: 8am-1.30am daily
Cuisine: Indian
Must-try flavours: Butter chicken
Contact: +971 4 352 5058