Dubai's Best Street Food: Top Street Food Spots

A guide to the city's most vibrant flavors: from iconic curry for $5 to avant-garde creations by Michelin-starred chefs.

For a moment, forget about dizzying skyscrapers and glittering malls. The true soul of Dubai—spicy, sizzling, and scorchingly delicious—lives on its streets. It hides in tiny Pakistani snack bars in the Satwa district, where for five dollars you’ll be served the best curry of your life, and in avant-garde gastro-bars, where Michelin-starred chefs turn shawarma into a work of art. We’ve put together a route through 10 iconic spots in this contrasting culinary world. This is your backstage pass to Dubai’s gastronomic scene, where Indian samosas meet Lebanese manakish, and Arabic kunafa pairs with bold burgers. Put aside the sightseeing map—we’re embarking on a journey through taste.

Ten tastes of Dubai: A gastro-guide from slums to tuxedos

Part 1: Legends of the old city—Dubai’s soul on a plate

1. Ravi Restaurant: A legend of old Dubai

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If there’s one place in Dubai that can be called its culinary soul, it’s Ravi. This iconic establishment in the Satwa district, operating since 1978, is a portal to another, non-touristy world. There’s no pretension or designer interiors here—just plastic chairs, the hum of voices, and utterly honest, fiery-tasty Pakistani food. For next to nothing, you’ll get huge portions of fragrant curry, the freshest naan bread straight from the tandoor, and the priceless feeling that you’ve touched the city’s history.

• Cuisine: Pakistani
• Neighborhood: Al Satwa
• Price: $ (very cheap)
• Highlight: Absolute authenticity and unbelievably low prices.
• Must-try dishes: Mutton Kadai, Chicken Tikka, and Garlic Naan.

2. Al Mallah: The benchmark for shawarma and fresh juices

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Another legend of old Dubai, the Al Mallah café has been feeding locals and visitors alike with the best Middle Eastern street food since 1979. It’s the perfect spot for a quick, filling, and inexpensive snack. People line up for their shawarma, and the hot, bubbling manakish flatbreads topped with gooey cheese or spicy za’atar are something you’ll keep coming back for again and again. A special highlight is the huge selection of freshly squeezed juices, ranging from mango to the exotic "Honeymoon" cocktail.

• Cuisine: Middle Eastern (Levantine)
• Area: Al Satwa (main branch on 2nd December St)
• Price: $ (inexpensive)
• Specialty: Classic shawarma and manakish, a vast array of fresh juices.
• Must-try: Chicken shawarma, cheese manakish, and sugarcane juice.

3. Firas Sweets: They make the best kunafa in town

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No gastronomic journey through Dubai would be complete without tasting Arabic sweets, and Firas Sweets is a Mecca for dessert lovers. This dessert made from the thinnest dough, filled with gooey cheese, soaked in sugar syrup, and sprinkled with pistachio crumbs, is served piping hot. It’s a textural and flavor explosion that will make you rethink your perception of oriental sweets. Besides kunafa, they offer a huge selection of baklava and other desserts.

• Cuisine: Arabic desserts
• Area: Deira (and other branches throughout the city)
• Price: $ (inexpensive)
• Specialty: Legendary cheese kunafa.
• Must-try: Start your experience with just one thing—hot kunafa. Everything else can wait.

Part 2: Modern hits—A fresh take on street food

4. Salt Burger: Burgers on the beach with a sunset view

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It all started with a single silver food truck and grew into a beach phenomenon at Kite Beach. SALT is a philosophy of simplicity and quality. No complicated recipes—just juicy patties, soft potato buns, and signature sauces. Their sliders (small burgers) have become a real hit. Eating here means enjoying not only the food but also the amazing atmosphere: salty breeze, sea views, and a feeling of endless summer.

• Cuisine: American (burgers)
• Location: Kite Beach
• Price: $$ (moderate)
• Highlight: Iconic sliders and the perfect beachside location.
• Must-try: The Original Slider with beef and cheese fries.

5. Raju Omlet: Breakfast in indian style

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Raju Omlet has created a small culinary revolution, building an entire gastro-empire around... an ordinary egg. Forget about boring scrambled eggs. Here, you'll be shown that an omelet can be spicy, bold, explosive—anything but bland. The menu features dozens of Indian-style variations: with masala, cheese, vegetables, and meat. This is a place where everyone can find the perfect breakfast, and the casual atmosphere with vibrant graffiti on the walls will energize you for the whole day.

• Cuisine: Indian breakfasts
• Area: Al Safa (and other branches)
• Price: $ (inexpensive)
• Specialty: A huge selection of omelets and egg dishes in the Indian style.
• Must-try: Cheese Masala Omelette and Karak Chai.

6. The Bhukkad Cafe: Flavors of India in the heart of the old town

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The Bhukkad Cafe fits brilliantly into the context of the historic Al Seef district. Imagine: you’ve just strolled through the recreated streets of old Dubai, breathing in the scents of the bay, and now you’re sitting at a table enjoying a fiery serving of samosa chaat. The taste of authentic Indian street food here perfectly complements the atmosphere of the place. It’s not just a snack—it’s a logical extension of your journey through time.

• Cuisine: Indian (street food)
• Area: Al Seef
• Price: $ (inexpensive)
• Specialty: Authentic Indian street food in a colorful tourist location.
• Must-try: Samosa Chaat and Masala Chai.

Part 3: Street food in a tuxedo—when you crave something special

7. Punjab Grill Dubai: Indian classics with an elegant twist

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Punjab Grill takes the bold, vibrant flavors of Punjabi street food and dresses them up in a tuxedo. Imagine pani puri served not in a cardboard cup, but on a designer plate, where every ingredient is arranged with jeweler-like precision. Or lamb chops that melt in your mouth while still retaining that signature smoky aroma of a street-side grill. It’s the perfect compromise for those who want authentic Indian flavors but aren’t ready to give up white tablecloths and first-class service.

• Cuisine: Modern Indian
• Area: Al Habtoor City
• Price: $$$ (expensive)
• Specialty: Fine dining interpretation of Indian street cuisine.
• What to try: Lamb Chops and signature versions of pani puri.

8. StreetXO: A gastronomic theater on a plate

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StreetXO is a place where street food meets haute cuisine and transforms into a true show. Forget everything you thought you knew about street food. Here, under the guidance of the renowned Michelin-starred chef Dabiz Muñoz, every dish is a performance. Neon lights, loud music, and an open kitchen where chefs work their magic create the atmosphere of an underground club in Madrid. It's a bold, daring, and unforgettable experience.

• Cuisine: Modern Asian fusion, signature
• Location: Downtown Dubai (in The Dubai Mall)
• Price: $$$$ (very expensive)
• Highlight: Dish presentation as a show, avant-garde flavor combinations.
• What to try: Be sure to order the "Pekingese Dumplings"—they're the restaurant's signature dish.

How to choose your perfect spot: A guide for foodies

Dubai's gastronomic scene is so diverse that making a choice can be challenging. Here are a few tips to help you navigate it.

• For an authentic and budget-friendly experience: If you want to feel the true pulse of the city and taste food loved by locals, head to the old neighborhoods. Your choices include Ravi Restaurant and Al Mallah in Satwa, or Firas Sweets in Deira.
• For gastronomic delights and special occasions: When dining should be an event, opt for places where traditional recipes are reimagined by chefs. StreetXO offers pure gastro-show, while Punjab Grill embodies elegance and sophistication.
• For relaxing with family and friends: Looking for a casual spot where everyone feels comfortable? Salt Burger at Kite Beach is the perfect choice.
• For cultural immersion: Want to combine delicious food with a stroll through beautiful spots? The Bhukkad Cafe in the historic Al Seef district is just what you need.

Your gastronomic tour of Dubai: Practical tips

• Price decoding: In our guide, we use the following system for an approximate cost of dinner per person: $ — up to 50 AED, $$ — 50-150 AED, $$$ — 150-250 AED, $$$$ — over 250 AED.

Two Dubais on one plate

This route is your ticket to experiencing two authentic Dubais. One features plastic chairs and fiery curry for just a couple of dirhams. The other boasts neon lights and deconstructed dumplings crafted by a Michelin-starred genius. And both are completely genuine.

So for now, put aside that skyscraper guidebook. The real Dubai needs to be tasted. Trust your appetite—it’s the best guide to this city.