Believe it or not, Dubai has quite the spread for the foodie traveler wishing to taste a wide variety of diverse foods. From authentic to not so traditional cuisines your taste buds will be jumping from the different flavors. You’ll notice an abundance of cafes and restaurants throughout Dubai, so don’t just stop into any. Read on to learn about where you should go and what you should eat while you’re there!

The Fresh Seafood

In Dubai, most restaurants are divine, especially if you go to Pierchic for some over-the-water dining with spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf and the Burj Al Arab. Another dining option for some delicious seafood is The MAINE Oyster Bar & Grill. Dig into the lobster mac and cheese, the fresh oysters, or the seafood tower! And if you’re looking to dine on a fresh catch head to the Seafood Market, where you’ll find a market-style display along with 18 seawater tanks with live oysters, lobsters, crabs and more. Choose your seafood and the chefs will prepare it for you in any style you’d like!

Must-Try Middle Eastern Eats

One of the more popular dishes in Dubai — one that was once made only for special occasions such as Eid, Ramadan, and weddings — is Al Harees. Today, you can find this dish in most restaurants and throughout the Middle East. It’s made of coarsely-ground wheat mixed with meal and salt with a consistency similar to porridge. You can try it at Al Makan, along with many other tourists at Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Next up, Shawarmas, one of the more classic foods found in international cities like Amsterdam or New York. Take a pita and stuff it with freshly grilled meat (chicken, lamb, beef, or turkey) on a spit served with vegetables and topped off with creamy tahini sauce. Try this dish at Al Mallah, which is known to cook up some of the best shawarma in Dubai and has three different locations throughout the city. But if you can’t make it to either restaurants, you can find these traditional eats pretty much anywhere – from sit down restaurants to local street vendors.

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Authentic Indian Cusine

If you want to spice up your meals, try the Indian food. Dubai is home to around 2.2 million Indian people, so getting your hands on some authentic Indian cuisine isn’t a difficult task. We suggest you go to Indego by Vineet and order the Lamb shank which is slowly cooked in rogan josh sauce rajma pulao, asparagus stir fry. And if you’re ready for another course, take a seat at Rang Mahal located in the JW Marriot Hotel to try the limbu rubiyan, a dish made up of gulf shrimps marinated in a green lime with fresh Indian herbs, pickled carrots and lemon powder. If that isn’t satisfying to you go for the mulwarra lamb chops, cooked with a fennel and tellicherry peppercorn marinade. Oh, and we can’t forget to mention ordering one of Rang Mahal’s best dishes, the nine gems curry or “navarattan korma,” made of simmered vegetable in a saffron korma sauce.

Switch It Up, Mexican Style

We told you the Dubai food scene was diverse! From tacos to tapas and fajitas this is the place to try it all. Enjoy the classic Mexican dishes with some salsa moves on the side, literally! Go to Pachanga located in the Hilton Hotel that offers a variety of South American options and if you’re looking to do some dancing in between courses, be sure to make your reservation for salsa night. For some outdoor seating with a nice ambiance, reserve your table at Maya for some contemporary Mexican dining. This restaurant is located at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa and offers all of the delicious choices of guacamole, tacos, tapas, and fajitas so be sure to go on an empty stomach!

Don’t Forget the Decadent Desserts

Whether you’re looking for a fancy dessert or just a simple slice of cake, Dubai’s got you covered! Sugaholic Bakeshop offers a custom-made cake filled with a jar of Nutella personalized with your name topped with any of your favorite sweets. If you’re looking for a slice or even a whole cake to cure that sweet tooth, head on over to The Lime Tree Café and try the tasty carrot cake. Both of these bake shops offer a selection of desserts to choose from as well as gluten-free options.

Know of any must-try spots or cuisines in Dubai? Tell us in the comments below.