The Best Street Food Spots in Dubai

San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles is a small but popular spot in Dubai, known for its homemade delicacies. The restaurant's signature dishes include traditional biang biang noodles with beef and homemade cumin chilli oil, spicy wontons in black vinegar, and a refreshing chilli cucumber salad. Guests can also watch the chefs hand-pull noodles, adding to the authentic experience.

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Liam Collens

Writer @itsliamcollens – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

You know you’re coming back before you leave. Another small, hard-to-find space in JLT with less than 20 seats and a line out the door. San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles sells more than just that, but it’s the reason you should come. Get the traditional biang biang noodles (with gamey beef) laced with a generous splash of their homemade cumin chilli oil, the homemade spicy wontons in black vinegar and the cooling-but-spiked chilli cucumber salad. Prices are reasonable. Be prepared to wait for a table.

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Specializing in BBQ dishes, BIG T BBQ KITCHEN operates from Friday to Sunday, which sometimes results in a waiting line due to its popularity. The menu features a variety of dishes, but regulars often recommend the BBQ pastrami, brisket, ribs, and fries. Despite its limited operating days, the quality of the food remains consistently excellent.

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Hani AlMalki

Writer @BedouinFoodie – Dubai, UAE

BBQ Pastrami, Brisket and Rib This is where we go for BBQ in Dubai. It is open Friday to Sunday and on most times there is a wait. The food is excellent. My favorite there is the rib, the pastrami, the brisket and the fries.

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Known for serving perhaps the most loved Indian chaat dish, Chaat Bazaar - Karama is described as the epitome of a hole-in-the-wall eatery. Their pani puri, served individually by hand, is a must-try and stands out for its exceptional quality. The staff's expertise, honed by countless hours of practice, ensures a memorable dining experience for every visitor.

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Liam Collens

Writer @itsliamcollens – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The definition of a hole-in-the-wall. You may come to Chaat Bazaar for many things, but you must come for the pani puri served individually, by hand, from people who’ve spent their Gladwellian 10,000 hours churning out perhaps the most loved Indian chaat dish.

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With a laid-back atmosphere tucked away in a residential tower, Daikan is a casual spot specializing in ramen. Their menu highlights include a spicy chef’s special ramen and a rich, creamy shoyu ramen, both hailed as among the best in the area. In addition to ramen, they also serve notable dishes such as miso aubergine and chicken katsu bao with kimchi.

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Liam Collens

Writer @itsliamcollens – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

A low-key, casual ramen spot in the back of a residential tower. Daikan cooks some of Dubai’s best ramen in my opinion particularly the spicy chef’s special and a rich, creamy shoyu ramen. Other dishes like the miso aubergine and the chicken katsu bao with kimchi are worth ordering. I have to limit myself to eating here no more than once a week!

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This place is specialized in serving shawarma, offering a variety of options such as meat, chicken, and a spicy chicken variant referred to as 'Mexican'. The chicken shawarma, especially when requested well done and crispy, comes highly recommended by many. Despite its focus on shawarma, the restaurant maintains a diverse menu to cater to different tastes.

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Hani AlMalki

Writer @BedouinFoodie – Dubai, UAE

Excellent Shawarma in Dubai Heres a place that only serves shawarma. You can get meat, chicken or spicy chicken they call Mexican. I highly recommend it. Ask them to make the chicken well done and crispy!

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Streetery Food Hall JLT is a unique dining spot that brings together authentic street style food from countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, from barbecued meats to aromatic Asian spices, all designed to awaken your food memories. It's a place where you can unwind and indulge in comforting food from around the world, consistently good and always hitting the spot.

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Pallavi Sangtani

Foodie – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Fav casual Asian spot in Dubai. Authentic and true street style food from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and more. You will not get tired of sampling their menu options!

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