Since we can’t step out to feast on the streets of Dubai right now, we’re reconnecting with our favourite foods and restaurants in the safety of our own homes. Our food tour hosts—Farida (@faridaa), Nahla (@nahlatabbaa) and Tanya (@tanyarehman)—share the dishes they’re getting delivered home right now to cure the lockdown blues. Click the player below to tune in.
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We’ve also shared the names of the dishes and restaurants shared over the podcast below. Please support our local restaurants by calling them to order direct rather than using a delivery app that takes a huge cut.
Please note that any information shared about home deliveries was valid as of the date of airing the podcast (April 6th, 2020). This may change due to the evolving situation and restrictions around COVID-19.
1. SOUTH INDIAN IDLI SAMBAR
Restaurant: Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant
GPS location:https://goo.gl/maps/L6PTAxm3gsktagUu8
Multiple branches?: Yes – Bur Dubai, Karama and Al Qusais
Tanya’s go-to order: Idli sambar, vada sambar, ghee roast dosa
Phone number for Bur Dubai: 04-351-1145
Delivery details: They each deliver around their respective vicinity. Timings 7:30am to 3pm and 6pm to 10pm (subject to change). Minimum order seems to be AED 10.
Pro tips: Extra Sambar which can be eaten with rice later!
2. IRANIAN KABAB KOOBIDEH
Restaurant: Al Ustad Special Kebab
GPS location: https://goo.gl/maps/Ey85Tp1xzCqEtG4c7
Multiple branches? No – just in Bur Dubai
Your go-to order: Kebab koobideh (goat) with rice, ash-e-jow (soup)
Phone number: 04-397-1933
Delivery details: They deliver around their respective vicinity but for larger orders can venture out. Timings are 11am to 8pm (subject to change). Minimum order seems to be AED 40 – 50.
Pro tips: Extra butter and yoghurt to eat on the side.
3. YEMENI MADFOON
Restaurant: Al Tawasol
GPS location: They only do delivery from a central kitchen, no restaurant location currently. Kitchen located in Nad Al Sheba.
Your go-to order: Madfoon Meat, Bukhary rice, potato gravy, extra daqoos
Phone number: 04-295-9797, 050-253-2010
Delivery details: Deliver for free in Deira, but AED 5-20 delivery charge to anywhere else. Min order AED 100. Please note that they take a while to deliver so make sure to place your order at least 90 minutes in advance. This food fares well if reheated so it’s best to order and have it ready before you fall apart with hunger.
Pro tips: Ask for extra daqoos (sauce).
4. PALESTINIAN FREEKEH D’JAJ
Restaurant: Al Quwaider Al Nabulsi
GPS location: https://bit.ly/2X8a6UQ
Your go-to order: Freekeh with chicken, hummus, chicken on charcoal, knafeh nabulsiyeh.
Phone number: 04-227-7760, 04-228-3339
Delivery details: Deliver all over Dubai with no minimum order.
Pro tips: Turn your leftover freekeh into a fatteh (shred the chicken, add a dollop of yoghurt and crispy pita bread) or a soup (shred the chicken and mix with freekeh, heat with broth or hot water).
5. PUNJABI CHICKEN TIKKA
Restaurant: Sind Punjab
GPS location: Bur Dubai https://goo.gl/maps/xZKtaWQeE7ingr4C9
Multiple branches?: Yes, Bur Dubai & Karama
Your go-to order: Chicken tikka, butter chicken, chana masala, laccha paratha, paneer tikka, sugar cane juice.
Phone number: Bur Dubai: 04-352-6114, 04-352-5058
Delivery details:
- To Deira: AED 100 – 115 minimum order
- Karama and surrounding areas: AED 50 – 60 minimum order
- New Dubai: AED 150+
Pro tips: The paratha is best re-heated in a toaster oven or in a skillet to ensure that the flaky, moist layers remain intact. Ensure that lime is squeezed over chicken tikka for maximum flavor.
6. EGYPTIAN FETEER
Restaurant: Al Amoor
GPS location: Rigga (Deira branch) – https://goo.gl/maps/4nksnLyaBKnMEpN38
Multiple branches? Yes, Rigga, Hor al Anz, Karama, Barsha, Sheikh Zayed road, Discovery Gardens.
Your go-to order: Basturma feteer, koshary, falafels.
Phone number: Rigga: 04-250-0115
Delivery details: Minimum order should be AED 20 and above for all branches.
Pro tips: Order the basturma feteer with roomi cheese instead of cream cheese. To reheat it, either use a toaster oven, regular oven or a skillet. Ask for koshary spicy sauce or shatta on the side. Falafels should also be reheated in a toaster oven or regular oven.
Arva Ahmed is the co-founder of Frying Pan Adventures, Dubai’s first food tour company, and a celebrated food explorer known for uncovering Dubai’s hidden culinary gems. Her expertise in the city’s diverse food scene has been featured in prominent publications such as CNN, Khaleej Times, BBC Travel, The Sun, The Independent and countless more. She also hosts Ditch the Silver on YouTube. Through her immersive tours and storytelling, Arva brings Dubai’s rich flavors and vibrant cultures to life.
