The UAE is advancing in every sector, and when it comes to the massive food galore, there’s nothing that holds the country back. 2024 has seen countless buzzes in terms of food experiments and innovations, whether it’s the splash of offers, the rise of freshly made products, or the use of the country’s original spices. As the year draws to a close, here’s a curated selection of the top food recommendations from the region’s most passionate food explorers.
MAMA’S Prawns Pulav – 59 Street
UAE blogger and food enthusiast, Bosco, touringonabudget recommends MAMA’S Prawns Pulav as his top favorite dish. Priced at AED59, here’s what makes this dish special. He said, “If I had to choose a favorite dish from the menu, it would undoubtedly be Mama’s Prawns Pulav. Every Sunday, our grandmother (Mama) would prepare this incredible Prawn Pulao. Full of flavors, yet simple and delicious. The aroma alone was enough to make our Sundays extra special. More than just a meal, it’s a taste of home, a reminder of our childhood Sunday afternoons.” 59 Street Kitchen & Bar is nestled in the Donatello Hotel, Al Barsha, Dubai.
Clasico – Fusion Ceviche
Medina, a Bosnian food blogger in the UAE, taste.the.food was quick to nominate Clasico’s Fusion Ceviche by Penelope Diaz. She said, “I love the atmosphere, and every dish I’ve had so far is so tasty. It has really introduced me to Peruvian food, and it’s now one of my go-to places.” Priced at AED90, this dish is for all those who love to be mindful of their eating habits. The award-winning restaurant is located at JLT Cluster Q Saba 3, Shop 4, Dubai.
Sultan Chicken Shawarma – Sultan Al Arab
Shaza Mariyam and Raashid Rahiman, the foodie duo in the UAE, footstepsandflavours, picked the Sultan Chicken Shawarma with extra garlic sauce from Sultan Al Arab (branches in Qusais and Barsha), priced at AED20 as their most favorite dish. Not only this, they found it difficult to make a choice, so they also added the Fried Beef Noodles (AED17 / AED23) and Chicken Wontons (AED17/ AED23) from Chongqing Noodle House, China F15, International City, to their list.
Marfa Al Noor – Grilled Chicken
Samah Irfan mentioned she’s all about exploring the spicy dishes in the UAE, lifeofsamahindubai. In her blogging journey, she mainly looks forward to trying out-of-the-box dishes. “I’m an Indian staying with my dad, who runs his business in Dubai, and spice is something I often crave in Dubai—spice that really hits. This grilled chicken really satisfies my spice cravings in Dubai,” she said. She recommended the Whole Grilled Chicken, priced between AED15 to AED45, from Marfa Al Noor, 141 Naif Rd, Deira, Dubai. What makes it special, she added, “It’s definitely the topping, the tenderness.”
Pizza Pani Puri – Bombay Star Juice Centre
Zainab, drfoodiezee, a dentist by profession, embarked on her blogging journey, the moment she realized she loves food like no one else. She recommends the Pizza Pani Puri at Umm Hurair 1, BurJuman, Dubai, priced at AED15, saying, “I love it cause it’s something so different, I usually don’t like such combinations but they put pizza fillings in the puri, and top it up with cheese, and the bite is filled with flavor and crunch.”
