Traditional Eid food from around the world for you to try
George Bernard Shaw once said, “There is no love sincerer than the love of food.” In happiness or sorrow, food remains a constant. Food also represents culture, with certain dishes closely associated with specific occasions. An obvious example is how turkeys are synonymous with both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Similarly, some traditional dishes have strong connections with the celebrations of Eid. With that in mind, let’s look at the most delicious Eid food from around the world and find out where you can find these delicacies in Dubai.
Traditional Eid food from around the world
The two Eids celebrated by Muslims, Eid Al Adha and Eid Al Fitr, have culinary specialities. Eid Al Fitr’s traditional food has many sweet options, while Eid Al Adha is more about meat.
Despite an overarching theme, Eid food is generally influenced by local customs and culture. However, the meals served on Eid in Pakistan differ from what you would witness at a Moroccan family’s table. Generations have followed these practises over the years.
With Dubai being a multicultural city, you can try various sumptuous Eid dishes famous in different parts of the world.
So, prepare an Eid Al Fitr food list to enjoy with your friends and family this time of the year.
Traditional Moroccan Eid Food
LAASIDA
Moroccans traditionally start the day with laasida after offering the Eid prayers. Laasida is a sweet dish that resembles rice pudding. Couscous, honey, butter and seasoning are the ingredients that go into making this sweet and easy-to-make Eid dish.
TAGINE
Moroccans kick off the day with laasida but often end it with tagine. Usually made with chicken, tagine is widely popular across North Africa. On Eid, people also make lamb or beef tagine with a mix of dried fruits.
Among traditional Eid food from around the world, tagine is particularly popular in the UAE. There are many Moroccan restaurants in Dubai that offer this delicious dish as well.
RESTAURANTS OFFERING TAGINE IN DUBAI:
MOROCCAN TASTE
- Tagine Price: From AED 45
- Location: La Plage Building, Jumeirah 2
- Contact: +971-4-385-5480
MR. FISH
- Tagine Price: From AED 30
- Location: Grand Square Building, Al Barsha 1
- Contact: +971-50-550-1972
Traditional sub-continental Eid Food
SHEER KHURMA
Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi Muslims are divided by boundaries, but they all come together on Eid to enjoy the richness of sheer khurma. This creamy dish has different variations based on the local sub-culture. However, the essence remains the same.
It is cooked with milk, toasted noodles (or Sevaiyan), and dried fruits. Served hot or cold, it is a must-have item on Eid day in every household. Given the large population it serves, sheer khurma might be the most widely consumed traditional Eid food worldwide.
BIRYANI
It would be remiss to omit biryani when discussing traditional Eid dishes from around the world. Biryani is considered South Asia’s most successful export to the Middle East, and it is one traditional Eid food with dozens of variations depending on the region.
This dish combines rice, spices and meat. The subcontinental diaspora has made it famous among non-South Asians. In subcontinent households, guests are served different types of biryanis accompanied by raita (a yoghurt-based side dish).
RESTAURANTS OFFERING BIRYANI IN DUBAI
Many biryani restaurants in Dubai serve countless variations, ranging from Hyderabad’s Dum Biryani to Karachi’s special treat.
JAFFER BHAI’S
- Biryani Price: From AED 37 (chicken biryani)
- Location: Shop 3, Ground Floor, Al Wasl Building, Beside The Raymond Shop, Za’abeel Road, Al Karama | Shop 5, 1095 Building, Al Ramth street, Al Barsha 1, Dubai.
- Contact: +971-4-342-6467 (Al Karama) | +971-4-547-4618 (Al Barsha 1)
BIRYANI POT DUBAI
- Biryani Price: AED 49 (Butter chicken biryani)
- Location: Opposite Saga World, Jumeirah Road, Umm Suqeim
STHAN
- Biryani Price: AED 38 (Sindhi Chicken Biryani)
- Location: Shop 2 & 3, Al Wasl Building, Opposite Civil Defence Station, Zabeel Road, Al Karama
- Contact: +971-4-399-7775
MISTER BIRYANI DUBAI
- Biryani Price: AED 10 (Chicken Biryani)
- Location: Al Zafrana Building, Near Canadian Hospital, Hor Al Anz, Deira, Dubai
- Contact: +971-52-155-1445
BIRYANI ADDA
- Biryani Price: AED 17 (Hyderabadi Dum Chicken Biryani)
- Location: Shop 1 & 2, Building B7, Sheikh Hamdan Colony, Street 8 C, Al Karama, Dubai
- Contact: +971-4-396-8305
PAK LIYARI DUBAI
- Biryani Price: AED 15 (Chicken Biryani)
- Location: Multiple branches, including Meena Bazaar, Naif, Al Nahda and Al Muteena
- Contact: +971-4-353-5587 (Meena Bazaar); +971-4-883-8319 (Deira)
Other famous biryani restaurants in Dubai include Deccan Biryani, Mehfil Biryani, India Palace, Behrouz Biryani and Student Biryani.
Traditional Indonesian Eid Food
LAPIS LEGIT
Indonesia was colonised by the Dutch, and their influence is evident in Indonesian food. Lapis Lagit is a type of Dutch cake that has become a traditional Eid food. This cake has different layers, and each layer is made of broiled batter. It is a time-consuming but flavourful dish to make and families start prepping for it at the end of the holy month. Many Indonesian eateries in Dubai offer this exquisite dish.
Traditional Afghani sub-continental Eid Food
BOLANI
Bolani is a cross between lasagna and pizza. It is a flatbread stuffed with leafy greens and other vegetables. As per tradition, families gather in one household for Eid lunch or dinner. Though many other Eid dishes are served, bolani is a constant on the Eid food menu in this part of the world.
RESTAURANTS OFFERING BOLANI IN DUBAI
WAKHA
- Bolani Price: From AED 16
- Location: Al Barsha
- Contact: +971-4-347-0788
AFGHAN PALACE RESTAURANT
- Bolani Price: From AED 15
- Location and Contact: Oud Metha: +971-4-548-4004| Al Nahda 1: +971-4-380-3131
Traditional Lebanese and Syrian Eid Food
MAAMOUL
A shared traditional dish between the Syrians and Lebanese is maamoul, a shortbread cookie. Each sub-culture in these two countries has its variation of the item, with the most common ingredient being lots of dry fruits.
So, if you visit a Lebanese or Syrian friend this Eid, be prepared to sink your teeth into this delicious dessert. The sweet is available at the top Arabic sweets and dessert shops in Dubai. Some popular Syrian restaurants in Dubai also have maamoul on their dessert menu.
Traditional Iraqi and Egyptian Eid Food
KLEICHA
Maamoul and kleicha are pretty similar in texture and taste. With slight variations in ingredients, kleicha is widely popular in Iraq. In Egypt, Eid is celebrated with a similar rendition of the maamoul or kliecha known as khak.
Traditional Malaysian Eid Food
RENDANG
Coconuts and Malaysian food go hand in hand. Therefore, it is no surprise that Malaysia’s traditional Eid al Fitr food, rendang, is a spicy coconut curry. Beef is another crucial ingredient, while some make it with chicken.
Although rendang originated in Indonesia, it is more prevalent in Malaysia. This traditional dish is also well-known in Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines.
RESTAURANT OFFERING RENDANG IN DUBAI
DAPOER KITA RESTAURANT
- Cost: Starting from AED 15 (Daging Rendang)
- Location: Sheikh Mohammad Building, Al Karama
- Contact: +971-50-453-9991
Traditional Somalian Eid Food
CAMBAABUR
Cambaabur is a Somali Muslim dish that originated in Djibouti. Over the years, it has become the traditional Eid food associated with this region. The most commonly used preparation technique is to mix different spices with bread and serve it with sugar and yoghurt.
Traditional Turkish Eid Food
LOKUM
“Turkish pleasure” is an approximate translation of the word lokum. And what better occasion to savour it with family and friends than Eid? It’s a gel-like confection made of dried fruit, flour and sugar.
Traditional Russian Eid Food
MANTI
The Muslim population in Russia and Central Asian countries like Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan has its own traditions. On Eid-ul-Fitr, they share manti or stuffed meat dumplings.
Within this region, you will find that people have developed unique types of manti. You can also order manti from any well-known Russian restaurants in Dubai.
Restaurants offering Manti in Dubai
PIDE KEYFI
- Manti Price: AED 35
- Location: Jumeriah Village St 1 – Jumeirah Village
- Contact: +971-54-476-6060
MASA TURKISH EATERY
- Manti Price: AED 37
- Location: MENA Apart Hotel, Al Barsha
- Contact: +971-4-408-8013
- Online Order: Talabat and Zomato
Traditional Yemeni Eid Food
ASEEDA
Made of wheat and honey, aseeda is popular in Yemen, Libya, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It is a jelly similar to Mexican flan. In Yemen, Muslims have aseeda after their Eid feast, which usually includes other traditional Eid food from around the world.
FAQS about Traditional Eid Foods from Around the World
How is Eid Al Fitr celebrated in the UAE?
Eid Al Fitr in the UAE is about special prayers, meeting your loved ones and delicious food. Both expats and residents celebrate the event by spending quality time with friends and family while enjoying fantastic food!
WHAT ARE THE EID PRAYER TIMINGS?
Eid Al Fitr prayer timings in the UAE can be performed 15 to 20 minutes after sunrise. You can pray until ‘zawal’ time, i.e. 10 to 15 minutes before the Dhuhr prayer. Those wo cannot attend prayer gatherings at mosques can also perform the Eid Al Fitr prayer at home.
Are there any Eid staycation offers available in Dubai?
Yes, there are some fantastic Dubai Eid staycation deals available, so check them out to make the most of the upcoming holiday!
That rounds up our list of must-try traditional Eid cuisine from around the world. Dubai transforms into a vibrant hub during Eid, igniting the senses with dazzling fireworks displays and captivating cultural experiences. Don’t forget to try these best Eid Al Fitr activities in Dubai to make this special occasion unforgettable.
No Eid is complete without a traditional dessert, whether a soft gulab jamun or the coil-shaped jalebi. If you’re hankering for delicious desi desserts, we bring you a list of places to buy Indian sweets in Dubai. You can also try traditional Arabic desserts.
If you need fun ideas to make your Eid celebration special, some festive Eid home decoration ideas may help.
For more updates on Eid celebrations in the UAE, stay tuned to MyBayut.
