Whenever you think of going to the UAE, you think of its marvels, its futuristic buildings, its futuristic lifestyle, and the presence of nearly all the cultures in the world. So, it’s no wonder that such a cultural hotpot has one of the largest culinary palettes to offer for tourists from all around the world. The UAE has been famous for its gastronomy experiences for many years, and you can see evidence of this on many travel sites offering tour packages solely focusing on the UAE’s food experience.
Food is the way to the heart and this becomes especially true when you’re on a vacation trip to the UAE. After you’re done sightseeing the skyscrapers, historical landmarks, and thrilling tourist attractions, you’ll find yourself naturally turning to try what the UAE’s culinary scene has to offer. From elegant French dining to flavor-packed Middle Eastern food, you will find UAE’s culinary experience as diverse as its culture.
So whether you’re a lover of casual Souk-styled barbecue or in the mood for clicking Instagram-able pictures of a scenic Italian bistro, we have compiled some of the best Emirati culinary experiences of the UAE to make your travel experience an unforgettable one.
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Uncover Top UAE’s Culinary Experiences For A Gastronomy Tour
Whether it’s the traditional Middle Eastern food in the lively souks, the diverse and mouthwatering food of South Asia in Indian or Pakistani restaurants, or the elegantly delicious European cuisines in fine dining bistros, traveling to the UAE just for a gastronomy tour makes it an experience of its own. The UAE’s culinary tours offer an unforgettable experience since it’s not only the food you get to try but the golden cultures behind it as well. Here are some of the best of the UAE’s culinary experiences compiled for you to add to your bucket list for the next time you set the UAE as your vacation destination:
1. Trèsind Studio
Ranked No. 11 in the World’s Best Restaurants awards in 2023, Trèsind Studio serves as a hallmark of the diversity of cuisines in the UAE. Whether it’s your traditional Indian Pani Puri, Biryani, Butter Chicken, or various kinds of other delicious Indian dishes, the restaurant combines the contemporary and infuses it into traditional Indian dishes, creating gastronomical masterpieces of their own. The renowned restaurant opened by Himanshu Saini offers an intimate atmosphere and an open-to-see kitchen, which adds to the ambiance of the entire experience.
2. Sultan Dubai Falafel
If you’re looking to eat delicious falafels while staying in Dubai, there may be a lot of options but nothing beats the Middle Eastern culinary delights of Sultan Dubai Falafel. Renowned for having one of the best falafels in Dubai, Sultan Dubai’s falafels will be the palate cleanser you need to make you forget anything you tasted before as your mouth bursts with the flavor of thier authentic and spicy falafels. The outdoor seating arrangements, the moist green falafels, and the hummus offer an unforgettable culinary experience.
Check Out: Ultimate Dubai Package (3 Days)
3. Entrecôte Café de Paris
A must-visit spot whenever you come to Sharjah, the Entrecôte Cafe steals everyone‘s hearts with its delicious and juicy steaks. Apart from its renowned steaks, the fancy and delicious desserts in the cafe are pieces of art on their own, which make for great Instagram pictures as they do for sweet delights. You’ll find yourself lost in flavor town as the rich tiramisu, the decadent cheesecake, or creamy crème brûlée all dance on your tastebuds. Entrecôte Café de Paris takes you on a short trip to Paris while enjoying the scenic landscape of Sharjah.
Check Out: Dubai City, Sharjah, & Abu Dhabi Package (6 Days)
4. Villa Toscana
Villa Toscana in Abu Dhabi stands out as the number one place to go for someone desiring authentic Italian food. Whether it’s their wood-fired pizza, their delicious homemade pasta, or other tasty dishes, you can feel as though you’re in Italy in itself. The vibe of the place also makes for a great stop for clicking memorable pictures to remember your trip.
5. Li Beirut
If you’re desiring authentic Lebanese food to eat while in the UAE, Li Beirut Restaurant is the best way to go. Known for its traditional Lebanese dishes mixed with a little bit of European touch, it’s an everyday stop for the local people and the tourists in Abu Dhabi. Its luscious koftas, the Beyti kebab, and its famous Shashlik, combined with the magnificent atmosphere of the restaurant, make your dining experience an unforgettable one.
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6. Gaia
Greek and Mediterranean cuisine is consistently ranked as one of the best cuisines in the world, and one of the best restaurants offering these wonderful cuisines is Gaia Restaurant in Dubai. The restaurant started in 2018 and aims to inspire a revolution of Greek cuisine in the UAE, diversifying the city’s culinary landscape with its delicious calamari, traditional Greek salads, other popular Greek deleicaies.
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7. Fouquet
Combining fancy European dishes with an infusion of a little Middle Eastern touch, Fouquet in Abu Dhabi offers a unique and wonderful experience for anyone trying European food for the first time. Fouquet‘s interior is built to make you feel like you’re eating in a modern French restaurant. Whether you’re trying the black truffle tortellini, the classic French profiteroles, or the local-inspired Omani Prawns, you are guaranteed a classical meal with a fine environment to complement it.
8. Sind Punjab
Located in the famous Meena Bazaar in Dubai, Sind Punjab offers you a wonderful glimpse of the seemingly unending variety of dishes from the subcontinent. If you’re itching to try the world-famous Chicken Tikka, the creamy Butter Chicken, or the Laccha Parathas, Sind Punjab does not disappoint. Apart from the wonderful and tasty dishes, the restaurant offers you the chance to experience and feel as though you’re sitting in the culturally rich land of the Indus.
Check Out: Sharjah and Dubai City Package (4 Days)
9. Foul Abu Al-Abbas
Foul Abu Al-Abbas is a vastly underrated street food restaurant that serves one of the best-tasting Sudanese food in all of Dubai. The restaurant offers its famous slow-cooked fava beans or the tasty Sudanese sausages that might leave you wanting for more. Situated in Karama, the restaurant, with its outdoor seating and Dubai nightlife, makes sure that you have a wonderful time enjoying the savory food and vibrant atmosphere enveloping you.
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10. Zuma
Known as the No. 1 restaurant among all of the Japanese eateries in Abu Dhabi, Zuma offers traditional mixed-with-a-modern-touch Japanese cuisine that everybody loves. Add the restaurant’s perfect location near the waterfront and the tasty and ingenious food the restaurant serves and you are bound to have a one-of-a-kind gastronomical trip. The restaurant incorporates the Japanese Izakaya informal dining style to offer a true Japanese authentic dining experience.
Check Out: Abu Dhabi Package With Desert Safari (3 Days)
11. Ravi Restaurant
Perhaps one of the most underrated cuisines you can try is the Pakistani cuisine at the Ravi restaurant in Dubai. Ravi Restaurant offers delicious and spicy Pakistani dishes that are loved and revered by anyone who tries it, be it the Mutton Peshawari, the Karahi, or the infamous spicy Biryani.
Check Out: Dubai Package With Dhow Cruise (4 Days)
12. Al Habasha Ethiopian Restaurant
Another hallmark of Dubai’s never-ending diverse culinary landscape is the Al Habasha restaurant which serves authentic Ethiopian cuisine. A must-eat spot for many of the nearby residents, the restaurant serves traditional comfort food for anyone wanting a flavorful meal. The restaurant’s main dish and their top-seller is the Doro Wat, (a spicy stew containing chicken) which is also Ethiopia’s National dish along with other culinary delights.
Read More: Reasons Why You Should Make Dubai Your Next Travel Destination
13. Al Mahara
Forget what you knew about your previous fine dining experience because a single try at the Al Mahara restaurant will blow all that away with its luxurious atmosphere and its delicious food. Located in the world-famous Burj Al Arab luxury hotel, Al Mahara sits way above the top of the many fine dining restaurants in Dubai. Its luxury-filled environment containing a ceiling-to-floor top-class aquarium and its culinary delicacies such as its famous Sea Bass served with lemons and fennel among other dishes shape your experience of Dubai into something wonderful.
14. Hakkasan
You may have had a bad experience with Chinese food and may have lost your desire for it but something that can be both a palate cleanser and a proper gastronomical experience is the authentic Chinese cuisine at the Hakkasan Restaurant in Abu Dhabi. Whether it’s the duck salad, the delicious black pepper beef, or the Peking duck, Hakkasan’s renowned Chinese dishes will make you experience Chinatown right in the heart of Abu Dhabi.
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UAE’s Culinary Landscape: A Wonderful Haven For a Food Lover
The UAE is a place in which unstoppable modernity meets traditionality, making a unique and unforgettable combination. Even though many people from other countries live in the UAE each with their own different cultures, you can still see the UAE’s own wonderful culture and its traditional food shine through in the futuristic streets of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
For anyone wanting to embark on a wonderful culinary experience that features nearly all of the different cultures in the world, the UAE is your next destination. Do you want to explore the culinary landscape of the UAE and immerse yourself in its incredible destinations? All with pre-booked accommodations, guided tours, and the opportunity to skip the lines?
iLinkTurkey offers a variety of guided tour packages for destinations in the UAE. Head over to our packages and book one of our best-selling UAE packages now.
