While people often scoff at Dubai and the rest of the extended GCC for being so obsessed with the term ‘imported’, they really haven’t reached the heart of what Dubai is as a city and fail to see that its third culture along with some enterprising Emiratis has produced so much more than your run off the mill (or farm in this case) dates. Here’s an amazing line-up of food souvenirs that are available only in Dubai!
1. Camel milk & artisan chocolate
Al Nassma chocolates, Nouq and Mirzam chocolate are all local favourites for camel milk chocolate in Dubai. Mirzam chocolate also now has an excellent Emirati collection of milk and dark chocolates inspired by traditional Emirati food; from luqaimat to halwah. If you visit the Mirzam chocolate factory in Al Quoz, you’ll also enjoy watching the experience from bean to bar. Something worth checking out. Al Nassma chocolates are available in Dubai Duty free, so if you haven’t got space in your current bags, then that’s probably one of the best ways to pick ’em up! Nouq also carries camel milk gelato that is delish. You can catch them at the Ripe Markets on Fridays and Saturdays.
2. Dukkah spice mix by Peace of Bake
I met Malavika at one of my photography workshops in collaboration with CitiSpi. She’s a really talented pastry chef & blogger and has a home grown business that I’m proud to support. She started a series of savoury mixes called the Spice Route that are so beautifully packaged, they’re hard to resist! You can contact her directly on Instagram or swing by an ARTE market on the weekend.
3. UAE-grown organic food products by Dima Sharif
Dima Sharif, author of Plated Heirlooms – a cookbook on Palestinian cooking usually has an array of products that have been organically grown and prepared in the UAE. From jams to pickles to goat’s cheese, this is a perfect food souvenirs to give anyone. These beautiful pickled cucumbers for instance. Available online or at the Farmer’s market during the cooler months in Bay Square, Business Bay.
4. Local honey and dates
You can find these over at the RIPE markets in the city or purchase them online. Sourced right from a UAE farm.
5. Malleh
I first heard of this interesting preserved salted fish from the delicious Frying Pan Adventures podcast. This by far is an Emirati favourite and easily package as a gourmet food and now Malleh Gourmet offers it. Find this unique food souvenir at their store in Jumeirah 1. Big win!
Do you consider yourself a Dubai food connoisseur? What am I missing? Let me know and I’ll add it to this list!
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This is amazing! I actually am flying through to Dubai in a couple of months and now can’t wait to try some of these!
That’s great! Enjoy your trip 🙂
I’m especially intrigued by the ‘Malleh’. The packaging looks so fancy I’m curious to see what’s inside! Is it tasty?
Depends if you like a fermented fish! It’s a salted fish that Emiratis traditionally eat with rice and cooked meat.
I am absolutely chocolate addicted and now I really want to try this camel milk & artisan chocolate 🙂
These all sounds lovely and are making me hungry! Great suggestions!
Mmm yummy foods! I love trying locally made foods when I visit new places. I’ve never had camel’s milk, I wonder if it’s low on lactose? I’d love to try that chocolate, local honey, and dates especially!
Actually, yes camel milk is less on lactose than cow’s milk!
Oooh I have never even heard of some of these. The malleh sounds really interesting and I would LOVE the honey and dates!! I bet you had a lot of fun picking these out! 🙂
OMG – when i lived in Qatar – the date there were the nicest dates i have ever tasted! Must put some of these, especially the chocolate on my Dubai list.
I would undoubtedly bring these home and eat them myself lol. I always buy double when I get food gifts because I know myself too well (and I would NOT be able to keep control around dates and honey lol)
I love trying out different food from other countries so this blog post totally spoke to me. Thank you for sharing, I’ll be sure to grab these when I’m in Dubai.
Looks so delicious! But is it easy to pack? Because mainly I see it’s in the glass package 🙁
I’m sure the malleh is definitely easily packed to go as they have a travel version. With the rest, you may need to take a bit of care
We love picking up spices in new countries. Then when we are at home we can feel like we are on vacation with some exotic food. We’ve had a layover in Dubai but sadly haven’t spent enough time to do any shopping!
I had brought back chocolate from there. Honey would have been awesome. Maybe next time.