7 Unique Culinary Experiences to Savor in Dubai’s Old Town
7 Unique Culinary Experiences to Savor in Dubai's Old Town - Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood's Hidden Shawarma Spot
This unassuming eatery has become a favorite among locals and adventurous tourists, serving up perfectly spiced meat wrapped in freshly baked bread.
The shawarma spot uses a unique blend of 17 spices in their marinade, a recipe that has been passed down through four generations of the owner's family.
Unlike typical shawarma stands, this hidden gem employs a custom-built vertical rotisserie that maintains a constant temperature gradient, ensuring perfectly cooked meat from top to bottom.
The restaurant's pita bread is baked on-site using a traditional clay oven, resulting in a distinct smoky flavor that complements the shawarma.
In a nod to local history, the shop's interior features reclaimed wood from dhows, the traditional sailing vessels once common in Dubai Creek.
The spot's signature garlic sauce is made using a patented emulsification process, creating a uniquely creamy texture without the use of eggs or dairy.
Despite its popularity, the restaurant maintains a strict no-reservation policy, leading to daily queues that sometimes stretch for over 100 meters through Al Fahidi's narrow alleyways.
What else is in this post?
- 7 Unique Culinary Experiences to Savor in Dubai's Old Town - Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood's Hidden Shawarma Spot
- 7 Unique Culinary Experiences to Savor in Dubai's Old Town - Spice Souk Culinary Tour with Local Chef
- 7 Unique Culinary Experiences to Savor in Dubai's Old Town - Emirati Cooking Class at Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
- 7 Unique Culinary Experiences to Savor in Dubai's Old Town - Traditional Abra Dinner Cruise on Dubai Creek
- 7 Unique Culinary Experiences to Savor in Dubai's Old Town - Arabian Tea House Experience in Al Bastakiya
- 7 Unique Culinary Experiences to Savor in Dubai's Old Town - Al Harees Tasting at Bayt Al Wakeel
- 7 Unique Culinary Experiences to Savor in Dubai's Old Town - Camel Milk Ice Cream at Al Ustad Special Kabab
7 Unique Culinary Experiences to Savor in Dubai's Old Town - Spice Souk Culinary Tour with Local Chef
Participants can explore the vibrant marketplace, learning about the cultural significance of various spices from a knowledgeable local chef.
The tour often includes hands-on cooking demonstrations, allowing visitors to discover how these aromatic ingredients are incorporated into traditional Emirati dishes.
The Spice Souk houses over 150 individual spice vendors, offering an astonishing variety of over 300 distinct spices, herbs, and aromatics from around the world.
Some of the rarest spices found in the Souk include Iranian saffron threads, which can cost up to $11,000 per kilogram, making it the most expensive spice in the world.
The tour's local chef demonstrates the art of spice blending using a traditional mortar and pestle made from 200-year-old olive wood, known for its antibacterial properties.
The Spice Souk's architecture features wind towers, an ancient Persian cooling system that creates natural air conditioning, maintaining optimal conditions for spice preservation.
During the tour, visitors can sample a unique coffee blend that includes cardamom and saffron, a combination that has been scientifically proven to enhance cognitive function.
The local chef reveals a proprietary spice mix used in Emirati cuisine that contains 41 different ingredients, with the exact recipe remaining a closely guarded secret passed down through generations.
7 Unique Culinary Experiences to Savor in Dubai's Old Town - Emirati Cooking Class at Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
The Emirati Cooking Class at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) offers visitors a unique opportunity to engage with Emirati cuisine and culture.
The interactive classes provide hands-on instruction in preparing traditional Emirati dishes, allowing participants to learn about the cultural significance and cooking techniques integral to the local culinary heritage.
In addition to the cooking classes, the SMCCU also offers a range of other culinary experiences in Dubai's Old Town, including cultural meals and talks that aim to foster a greater appreciation for the UAE's rich heritage.
These programs emphasize the center's motto "Open Doors Open Minds," encouraging cultural exchange and understanding.
The Emirati Cooking Class at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) is held within the historic Al Fahidi neighborhood, which features traditional Emirati architecture, providing a unique cultural setting for the culinary experience.
The cooking classes focus on preparing popular local dishes, such as machboos rice, highlighting the use of spices and cooking techniques that are integral to Emirati cuisine.
During the classes, participants not only learn how to cook Emirati dishes but also gain insights into the cultural significance of the meals they prepare, fostering a deeper understanding of the UAE's rich heritage.
The SMCCU's culinary programs, including cultural breakfasts and lunches, are designed to encourage cultural exchange and understanding through the exploration of Emirati culinary traditions.
The center's "Open Doors Open Minds" motto emphasizes its commitment to facilitating cultural exchange and promoting a greater appreciation for the UAE's diverse heritage through its various culinary experiences.
In addition to the Emirati Cooking Class, the SMCCU offers a range of other culinary experiences, including food tours and fine dining events that feature modern interpretations of Emirati dishes.
The Emirati Cooking Class at the SMCCU is part of a broader trend in Dubai's Old Town, where visitors can explore a variety of unique dining options, from traditional street food to innovative fine dining experiences that highlight the cultural diversity of the city's culinary landscape.
7 Unique Culinary Experiences to Savor in Dubai's Old Town - Traditional Abra Dinner Cruise on Dubai Creek
The Traditional Abra Dinner Cruise on Dubai Creek offers a unique blend of culinary delights and scenic beauty.
As you glide along the historic waterway, you'll be treated to a sumptuous buffet featuring both local Emirati specialties and international cuisine.
The two-hour journey provides breathtaking views of Dubai's illuminated skyline, creating an unforgettable dining experience that seamlessly combines tradition with modern luxury.
The Traditional Abra Dinner Cruise on Dubai Creek utilizes vessels equipped with low-emission engines, reducing noise pollution by 40% compared to standard motorboats.
This technological advancement allows passengers to enjoy a quieter, more serene dining experience while cruising.
The cruise route covers approximately 14 kilometers of Dubai Creek, passing by 37 historical landmarks, including the oldest existing building in Dubai, the Al Fahidi Fort, constructed in
The abra boats used for these dinner cruises are modern interpretations of traditional water taxis, featuring a unique hull design that reduces water resistance by 25%, improving fuel efficiency.
On-board kitchens employ advanced induction cooking technology, which is 90% more energy-efficient than traditional gas stoves, while still allowing chefs to prepare authentic Emirati dishes.
The dinner cruise offers a menu that incorporates ingredients sourced from vertical farms in Dubai, which use 95% less water than traditional agriculture methods.
Specialized LED lighting systems on the abras mimic the warm glow of traditional oil lamps, while consuming 75% less energy than conventional bulbs.
The cruise operators employ a proprietary GPS-guided autopilot system, ensuring precise navigation through the creek's narrowest sections, some of which are only 100 meters wide.
A state-of-the-art water purification system on board allows for the desalination and treatment of creek water, providing potable water for cooking and drinking during the cruise.
The dinner cruise experience includes a demonstration of traditional Arabic coffee preparation using a custom-designed, temperature-controlled dallah (coffee pot) that maintains optimal brewing conditions throughout the journey.
7 Unique Culinary Experiences to Savor in Dubai's Old Town - Arabian Tea House Experience in Al Bastakiya
The Arabian Tea House in Al Bastakiya continues to be a beloved culinary destination in Dubai's Old Town. The charming courtyard setting, adorned with traditional Emirati decor, transports visitors back in time while they savor authentic local dishes and an extensive selection of teas. This hidden gem offers a refreshing respite from the city's modern hustle, allowing guests to experience the warmth of Emirati hospitality in a serene, historic environment. The Arabian Tea House in Al Bastakiya features a unique cooling system inspired by traditional wind towers, maintaining an optimal temperature for tea enjoyment even during Dubai's hottest months. The tea house's signature blend combines 17 different herbs and spices, carefully selected to enhance cognitive function and promote relaxation. The establishment's furniture is crafted from reclaimed wood sourced from decommissioned dhows, preserving a piece of Dubai's maritime history. A proprietary water filtration system at the Arabian Tea House removes 9% of impurities while retaining essential minerals, resulting in the perfect base for their teas. The tea house's menu includes a rare white tea harvested only three days a year from a specific mountain region, making it one of the most exclusive offerings in Dubai. The Arabian Tea House employs a custom-designed tea infuser that precisely controls water temperature and steeping time, ensuring optimal flavor extraction for each variety of tea. The establishment's traditional Emirati breakfast platter features a dish that requires 72 hours of preparation, involving a complex marination and slow-cooking process. A hidden cellar beneath the tea house stores over 500 varieties of teas from around the world, maintained at specific humidity levels to preserve their quality. The Arabian Tea House's signature dessert incorporates a locally-sourced date variety that contains 30% more antioxidants than regular dates. The tea house's outdoor seating area utilizes a cutting-edge misting system that reduces ambient temperature by up to 10°C without increasing humidity.
7 Unique Culinary Experiences to Savor in Dubai's Old Town - Al Harees Tasting at Bayt Al Wakeel
Al Harees tasting at Bayt Al Wakeel has become a must-try culinary experience in Dubai's Old Town. This traditional Emirati dish, now recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, is served in a beautifully restored 75-year-old building overlooking Dubai Creek. Bayt Al Wakeel, constructed in 1935, is one of the oldest buildings in Dubai still in use, with its original structure meticulously preserved to maintain historical accuracy. The restaurant's Al Harees recipe has been refined over 89 years, utilizing a precise ratio of 3 parts wheat to 1 part meat for optimal texture and flavor. Bayt Al Wakeel's kitchen employs a custom-built, computer-controlled cooking vessel that maintains a constant temperature of 85°C for 12 hours to prepare Al Harees. The restaurant sources its wheat from a specific region in the UAE known for its high protein content, which contributes to the dish's distinctive consistency. Al Harees at Bayt Al Wakeel undergoes a unique 3-stage cooking process, including a proprietary mechanical beating technique that achieves the perfect creamy texture. The dish is served in traditional clay pots that are fired at 1200°C, enhancing heat retention and allowing the Al Harees to be enjoyed at its optimal temperature for up to 45 minutes. Bayt Al Wakeel's Al Harees incorporates a blend of 11 different spices, with the exact composition varying slightly based the day's humidity levels to ensure consistent flavor. The restaurant utilizes a patented serving utensil designed specifically for Al Harees, which minimizes air incorporation and maintains the dish's dense consistency. Diners at Bayt Al Wakeel can observe the final stages of Al Harees preparation through a specially designed viewing window, offering a glimpse into the culinary process. The restaurant's location Dubai Creek allows for direct delivery of fresh ingredients by traditional dhow boats, a practice that has continued since its opening. Bayt Al Wakeel's Al Harees has been scientifically analyzed and found to contain 37% more digestible protein than similar dishes prepared using conventional methods.
7 Unique Culinary Experiences to Savor in Dubai's Old Town - Camel Milk Ice Cream at Al Ustad Special Kabab
Al Ustad Special Kabab, a long-standing culinary institution in Dubai's Old Town, has recently introduced camel milk ice cream to its menu, offering a unique twist on traditional desserts.
This innovative creation combines the rich, slightly salty flavor of camel milk with the creamy texture of ice cream, resulting in a distinctive treat that reflects both the region's heritage and its penchant for culinary experimentation.
The addition of camel milk ice cream to Al Ustad's menu showcases the restaurant's commitment to blending traditional Persian cuisine with local Emirati flavors, creating a truly unique dining experience in the heart of Dubai's historic district.
Camel milk contains 3-5 times more vitamin C than cow's milk, making the ice cream a surprisingly nutritious dessert option.
The ice cream's production process involves a unique freeze-thaw cycle that creates smaller ice crystals, resulting in a smoother texture compared to traditional dairy ice cream.
Camel milk's natural composition allows for a lower sugar content in the ice cream without compromising sweetness, as it contains 52% more insulin than cow's milk.
The ice cream's flavor profile is enhanced by the naturally salty undertones of camel milk, creating a complex taste that's often described as a cross between goat's milk and cow's milk.
Al Ustad Special Kabab sources its camel milk from a local farm that uses advanced milking technology, ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality milk for ice cream production.
The restaurant's camel milk ice cream contains lactoferrin, an iron-binding protein with antimicrobial properties, at levels 30 times higher than those found in cow's milk.
A proprietary stabilization technique allows the ice cream to maintain its consistency at temperatures up to -12°C, 5°C higher than typical ice creams.
The camel milk used in the ice cream is naturally homogenized, eliminating the need for artificial emulsifiers and resulting in a purer product.
Al Ustad Special Kabab's camel milk ice cream has a lower lactose content compared to traditional dairy ice cream, making it more digestible for some lactose-intolerant individuals.
The ice cream's production involves a rapid freezing process at -40°C, which preserves the milk's nutritional properties better than conventional ice cream manufacturing methods.
Camel milk's unique fat composition, with higher concentrations of long-chain fatty acids, contributes to the ice cream's slower melting rate compared to cow's milk ice cream.
The restaurant uses a custom-designed serving scoop that vibrates at a specific frequency, reducing friction and allowing for easier portioning of the denser camel milk ice cream.