Dubai once a small fishing village in the Arabian Gulf, Dubai is today one of the most famous cosmopolitan cities in the world. One of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is home to about 200 nationalities and offers a truly memorable experience to all guests visiting Dubai. Whether it is by the banks of the Creek, or at the top of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, Dubai lives and breathes a sense of possibility and innovation. And with an unparalleled coastline, magnificent desert and beautiful cityscapes, timeless memories are just waiting to be made here. 

Language and Culture of UAE

Discover the warm hospitality, rich culinary heritage and proud traditions that make up UAE’s vibrant culture.

Typical Emirati clothing

With nearly 200 nationalities represented in Dubai, how people dress is incredibly varied – yet the traditional attire of the UAE is bold and distinctive. You can see it all across the city.

Emirati national dress is a symbol of pride and identity that has been designed with the dual intent of providing comfort and adhering to religious beliefs. In Dubai, men wear an ankle-length, loose-fitting garment made of white cotton, known as a kandora or dishdasha. A ghutrah covers the head and is held in place by the agal, a type of black cord. This garment was originally used to protect the face from the harsh desert environment

Traditionally, women in Dubai wear an abaya – a long, black flowing light coat over their clothing. This is worn over their Western clothes or a traditional long-sleeved full-length dress known as a jalabeya. A black scarf called a shayla is often draped over the head.

Typical Emirati food

Do you know your karak from your chebab? Can you tell your lugaimat from your labneh? While Dubai is renowned for incredible dining options, local Emirati cuisine stands apart. Make your way to some of the many Emirati restaurants and sample the delicious dishes on offer. Here are some to get you started.

Camel: served in a variety of ways – often dished up with rice or made into burgers.

Dates: delicious, sweet fruit often stuffed with other goodies, such as nuts.

Fougadeyay: a rice dish with grilled chicken marinated in Emirati spices.

Gahwa: traditional Arabic coffee, often served from a ‘dallah’ pot.

Harees: boiled, cracked, or ground wheat, mixed with meat and seasoned.

Kabsa: basmati rice and meat, infused with saffron and nutmeg and other spices.

Karak chai: a mixed-spice tea that originated in the Indian subcontinent.

Luqaimat: sweet and sticky dumplings, drizzled with date syrup.

Shorbatadas: a delicious, delicately-spiced lentil soup – often a first course.

Shuwaa: slow cooked lamb, roasted nuts, raisins and rice – also known as ‘ouzi’.