When I first flew into Dubai, I had this picture in my head of a city made only of glass and steel. Stepping outside, though, the first thing that hit me was warmth – the air smelled of coffee, cardamom, grilled fish, and people actually stopped to show me where to go.
I’m Olivier, and for the last few years I’ve somehow ended up running a small handful of cafés around Dubai. In France, I had learned to respect simple, honest ingredients; here in the UAE, I’ve realised that flavour can quietly turn into a sense of home. Most days, I juggle roasting beans, trying new dishes, and driving between districts while the city flickers in the background.
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Why a Car Matters When Food Is Your Work
Very early on, I realised that Dubai is built for movement. If you want to manage several locations, visit markets before the heat rises, and still catch a quick coffee by the water, you simply cannot rely on taxis. At the beginning, I did what most newcomers seem to do and just rented a car. That little rented car let me freely move through different neighbourhoods, try out routes between Deira, Jumeirah, and the Marina, and slowly get used to how the city actually moves. Working with a good car rental company showed me how much a reliable car rental service can reduce stress.
After a while, it was clear I was not here temporarily. That is when I started to look at car leasing in Dubai more seriously and decided to learn about the terms to build a life there. A leased car now feels like part of the business infrastructure, as important as a reliable espresso machine. With all of these, I could finally pay my attention to the things that really define my Dubai days: the six dishes that have become, almost by accident, my personal map of the city.
Machboos – The Flavour of a New Home
The first dish that really spoke to me was Machboos. Spiced rice with chicken or lamb and those sharp dried limes – on paper, it sounds simple, but it hits surprisingly deep. For me, it tastes like a new home: familiar enough to calm you down, still different enough to keep you slightly curious.
Harees – Quiet Strength in a Bowl
Harees looks simple at first glance, but peculiarity hides in simplicity: wheat simmered with meat until it turns into a soft, almost creamy. It’s full of flavor, gives atmosphere to the evening when the city slows down, conversations are unhurried, and you finally have time to relax.
Shawarma with an Emirati Touch
Shawarma was not new to me, but Dubai gave it a new accent. Here, the spices are tuned more carefully, the bread holds together without being heavy, and the sauces are balanced instead of loud.
Grilled Hammour – Clear and Confident
Grilled Hammour is where the Gulf shows its character. Fresh local fish, a little lemon, a few spices, nothing more. The flavour is clear and confident, like a bright morning with almost no unread emails.
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Luqaimat – Small Bites of Celebration
Luqaimat are small golden dumplings, crisp outside, soft inside, finished with date syrup. They are the taste of simple celebration: a shared plate after closing the café, a quick treat between deliveries, a reward for surviving a day that went slightly sideways. Two or three pieces are usually enough to reset your mood.
Chicken Salona – The Dish I Cook at Home
The dish that feels most like my own, though, is Chicken Salona. I had ordered it in the restaurant, not long ago, for the first time, but this dish became for me the most unexpected experience. Since that time, I cook it in my apartment, and each time the smell fills the rooms with a sense of “I live here now”. Ingredients are simple: chicken, onion, garlic, tomato, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and just a pinch of cinnamon. As well as carrots and potatoes for sweetness and bite. I brown the chicken, soften the onions and garlic, then let everything simmer together until the sauce thickens and the vegetables give in. I drive to the spice souks in Deira and to small vegetable stalls near the creek or along the coast for groceries.
What These Dishes Taught Me About Dubai
When I look at my days now — roasting coffee in the cafés, driving between districts, tasting new versions of familiar dishes — I realise how deeply Dubai has woven itself into my routine. If you come here and want to understand the place beyond the postcards, start with your plate. Try these six dishes, see which one stays in your mind on the flight home, and you may find, as I did, that this fast, bright city also has a surprisingly warm and steady heart.