Supermarkets in Dubai for expats who long for home
Dubai is known to be one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world and is home to a large number of expats living in the UAE. While the supermarkets in Dubai are certainly well stocked with a wide variety of products, it’s natural to feel nostalgic for the tastes and smells from back home. So we bring you the top supermarkets in Dubai for expats.
SOUTH-ASIAN SUPERMARKETS IN DUBAI
PAKISTANI SUPERMARKETS
If you’re from Pakistan looking for particular spices or pulses as you enjoyed back home, then these supermarkets will not disappoint you.
PAKISTAN JINNAH SUPERMARKET
The Pakistan Jinnah Supermarket is located in International City and offers products from the country. Their offerings range from spices to meats, footwear and household items. Aside from this, shoppers can also find popular traditional edibles in the store like Haleem, samosas and more. Best of all, it is a good source of local products for Pakistani expats moving to Dubai.
- Location: Shop no. 1, Al Rafaee Residence 4, International City
- Contact: +971-4-457-2591
- Timings: Monday to Sunday 07:00 am – 12:00 am
APNA PAKISTAN SUPERMARKET
With a name that literally translates to “My Pakistan”, Apna Pakistan Supermarket certainly deserves a place on our list of supermarkets for expats in Dubai. Shoppers from the country can find items like wooden crockery, ready-made spices as well as an assortment of other products. Additionally, the store also stocks products from Pakistani brands like Shezan.
- Location: Al Karama
- Contact: +971-50-514-2786
- Timings: Saturday to Thursday 08:00 am – 12:00 am | Friday 08:00 am – 01:00 am
THE EMPRESS MARKET
Empress Market is the answer to all your Pakistani grocery needs. They’ve got everything from seasonal vegetables to fresh produce and spices. You will find ethnic Pakistani brands here, such as K&Ns, Shaan and National Foods too.
- Location: Shop no. 13, Al Rabwah Towers, Al Barsha South 1
- Contact: +971-04-228-1891
- Timings: Monday to Sunday 08:00 am – 08:00 pm
Other Pakistani supermarkets in Dubai for expats include Fakhre Pakistani Supermarket, Pakistan Supermarket and Pakistani Moon Supermarket.
INDIAN SUPERMARKETS
For all our Indian expats in Dubai, we have jotted down a list of top Indian supermarkets in Dubai where you will find everything you need to stock up on your groceries. Let’s take a look.
LULU HYPERMARKET
LuLu Hypermarket is the brainchild of Indian businessman Yusuf Ali. The chain has several branches across the emirate. It offers an impressive range of Indian products. For more information on Lulu Hypermarkets in the UAE, you can refer to our guide.
- Location: Multiple Locations
- Contact: +971-60-054-0048
MADHOOR SUPERMARKET LLC
From fresh vegetables to pulses and desi ghee, Madhoor Supermarket is a good source of Indian grocery products in Dubai.
- Location: Al Fahidi
- Contact: +971-52-902-5308
- Timings: Monday to Sunday 08:00 am – 10:00 pm
Apart from these, a search for the best Indian supermarket in Dubai can also include places like Al Adil Supermarket, Malabar Supermarket and Talal Supermarket.
EAST-ASIAN SUPERMARKETS IN DUBAI
There is a significant percentage of expats in Dubai who have moved from East-Asian countries, including China, Japan and Korea. If you are looking for stores stocking products from these countries, we’ve listed the top Asian supermarkets in Dubai for expats.
WENZHOU SUPERMARKET
Although Chinese cuisine is widely popular, surprisingly few authentic ingredients are available in the emirate. We have all seen shelves of Chinese condiments in most of supermarkets, but if you are after specific products, then this supermarket is just what you are looking for. You will find Kai Lan, Choi Sum and Pak Choi, different varieties of noodles, tofu, wontons, and sauces here.
- Location: China Cluster, International City
- Contact: +971-4-450-8750
- Timings: Monday to Sunday 08:30 am to 01:00 am
DEANS FUJIYA
Japanese expats in Dubai will be happy to note that there is a dedicated supermarket where they can shop for ingredients from their home country. Apart from edibles, the Deans Fujiya Supermarket also stocks traditional Japanese cooking, making it the ideal Japanese supermarket in Dubai.
- Location: Saleh Bin Lahej Building, Oud Metha
- Contact: +971-4-337-0503
- Timings: Monday to Saturday 10:00 am to 09:00 pm | Sunday 11:00 am – 09:00 pm
1004 GOURMET
Korean products, including leafy vegetables such as bok choy, fresh green water spinach, popular varieties of fish, and authentic sauces, can be found at this oriental supermarket in Dubai. They also have products from Japan, Thailand, Taiwan and other Asian countries.
- Location and Contact: The Greens (+971-4-394-3973) | Nakheel Mall (+971-56-500-4232)
- Timings: Monday to Saturday 09:00 am – 10:00 pm | Sunday 11:00 am – 09:00 pm
QKO ASIAN MARKET
Another supermarket for Asian expats in Dubai is QKO Asian Market. The store has several branches across the UAE. Shoppers can find everything here, from traditional grocery items to stationery and tableware.
Furthermore, as shop you can order various drinks and snacks including canned coffee, salted snacks and more.
- Location: Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah
- Contact: +971-50-977-5303
- Timings: 10:00 am to 12:00 am
FILIPINO SUPERMARKETS IN DUBAI
The UAE is home to a large population of Filipinos. This naturally means there is a large demand for supermarkets in Dubai for expats hailing from the Philippines stocking dried milkfish (bangus), chicken skin or cracklings (chicharon), Filipino spiced sausages similar to chorizos (longganisa) and more.
PHILIPPINE SUPERMARKET LLC
First one on our list of Filipino supermarkets in Dubai for expats is Philippine Supermarket. It is also among the largest distributor of products from the Philippines in the emirate — offering everything from ready-made snacks to everyday groceries.
You can find separate aisles for products from the country here. Additionally, the store is open all day, so you can shop whenever you fancy.
- Location: Al Muraqqabat Road, Deira
- Contact: +971-4-294-6886
AIM FRESH SUPERMARKET
Located at Al Rigga, Deira home to a significant Filipino population, Aim Fresh supermarket is well known for stocking Filipino goods. So if you are craving a good old Pinoy dish, head to this Filipino store in Dubai and whip it at home!
- Location: Al Rigga Road
- Contact: +971-4-227-9600
KABAYAN SUPERMARKET
Kabayan Supermarket has a good selection of products catering to Filipino expats, right from meats, sauces and canned products. So rest assured, you will find everything you need here.
- Location: Al Kalbani Business Centre, Deira Dubai
- Contact: +971-4-254-3227
- Timings: Monday to Sunday 08:00 am – 11:00 pm
Besides these super stores, Palengke Supermarket also has a variety of Filipino products. The Carrefour supermarket also has a special aisle for Filipino products.
EUROPEAN SUPERMARKETS IN DUBAI
Off-late Dubai has seen a surge in European expats, particularly from Britain, France and Germany. While most European products can be found in the French supermarket chain Carrefour, there are a few other places where you can stock up on familiar products from back home.
WAITROSE
British expats can head to Waitrose for frozen packages of British grub, including fish and chips, pies and even popular brands of snacks and biscuits. They also have organic food options. You will be pleased to know that there are quite a few Waitrose supermarket branches in Dubai so you can stock up on your favourite goodies quite easily.
- Location: Multiple Locations
- Contact: +971-4-434-0700 (Dubai Mall)
MAISON DUFFOUR
If you are looking for online grocery deliveries catering to European expats, Maison Duffour is a good bet. They have everything from meat, seafood to plant-based products such as vegan custards, burger patties, apple strudel and more.
- Location: Al Quoz Industrial Area 3
- Contact: +971-50-955-1520
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ARE THERE ANY ONLINE GROCERY SHOPPING OPTIONS IN DUBAI?
Yes, there are several reputable online grocery delivery apps in Dubai, such as Instashop, Trolley.ae and El Grocer. You can easily order groceries online via these apps.
ARE THERE ANY RUSSIAN SUPERMARKETS IN DUBAI?
Yes, you can shop for Russian products in Dubai at Gastronom, Al Rukhsar Grocery and Nasha.ae.
That concludes our guide to the top supermarkets in Dubai for expats. We hope it helps you find the products from back home you’ve been yearning for!
And if you’re in the capital looking for marts where you can stock up on your groceries, our guide to top supermarkets in Abu Dhabi will come in handy.
