A gastronomic journey: what vegetarians can eat in the UAE

By TravelWiseFeb 12, 2024 06:01 AMNews
Share:
A gastronomic journey: what vegetarians can eat in the UAE
Eat these vegetarian dishes while exploring the UAE. Source: pixabay

The cuisine of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is diverse, as it draws culinary inspiration and influence from various neighboring countries. When you visit this one, don't miss the opportunity to try the Arabic offerings for vegetarians.

Although most of the dishes served here are non-vegetarian, vegetarians and vegans will have no problem satisfying their hunger as well. As the UAE offers a lot of options to choose from, newsbytesapp.com emphasizes.

Shirin Polo

Shirin Pollo is a popular vegetarian offering that can be found all over Dubai. It is usually ordered for weddings or during special events and festivals.

It is a Persian dish made from rice, sugar, saffron, and orange and complemented by carrots, black currants, raisins, pistachios, and barberries. Traditionally, it symbolized royalty, grandeur, and celebration.

Fattoush

Fattoush is the main dish of many UAE cuisines. It is a favorite food of healthy lifestyle adherents.

It is a salad with lots of fresh vegetables (herbs, mint, garlic, cucumbers, tomatoes and radishes) and bread (khubz). It also has a lime vinaigrette dressing that makes it more flavorful.

Knafeh

Knafeh is a sweet cottage cheese pastry that is also known as the Arabic version of cheesecake. It is made from spicy kataifi dough, which is soaked in delicious attar sugar syrup and then layered with cheese. This is a dish worth trying!

Falafel

When it comes to the best vegetarian food in the UAE, no list would be complete without mentioning falafel. It is made from a variety of vegetarian and plant-based ingredients such as chickpeas, fava beans, beans, and vegetables. It can be combined with pita bread, hummus or curry of your choice.

Mujaddara

Simple but tempting, mujaddara is a combination of lentils and basmati rice with flavorful caramelized onions. The onions are usually fried and seasoned with olive oil.

For locals, it is a comfort food, so you will find it on the menu of all small and large restaurants in the UAE.

Top Articles
Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Oct 16, 2025 16:22 PM
Smartphone with eSIM logo surrounded by travel essentials like flowers, map, camera, and sunglasses

Where to Buy eSIM at the Best Price: A Full Review of Tariffs and Options

Aug 8, 2025 10:54 AM

No More SIM Swaps: The eSIM Travel Solution You’ll Actually Use

Aug 4, 2025 16:51 PM

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
More News
Lufthansa aircraft on a runway

Germany Drops a Transit Visa Hurdle for Indian Flyers

Jun 5, 2026 22:03 PM
Lounge at Elika Cave Suites Cappadocia with Ortahisar views

A Hilton Cave Hotel Opens Beside Ortahisar Castle

Jun 5, 2026 21:57 PM

Rome Lands on Salzburg’s Summer Flight Board

Jun 5, 2026 21:44 PM

Wizz Air Warns Belgrade Could Lose Low-Cost Flights

Jun 5, 2026 21:31 PM
Train at a small UK station platform on a sunny day

Stockport’s Rail Map Could Look Very Different

Jun 5, 2026 00:28 AM
airBaltic aircraft taking off against a clear blue sky

Riga Returns to Aberdeen’s Summer Flight Board

Jun 5, 2026 00:15 AM
Air France aircraft coming in to land against a blue sky

Air France-KLM Calms Summer Fuel Fears

Jun 5, 2026 00:02 AM
Clifftop sea view with blue water on Spain’s eastern coast

A Quieter Spanish Coast Is Now Closer to Bologna

Jun 4, 2026 23:59 PM
Sunset over a beach on Phu Quoc island in Vietnam

Bratislava Adds Direct Routes to the Caribbean and Vietnam

Jun 4, 2026 23:46 PM

Ryanair Passengers Miss Flight After Airport Queue Chaos

Jun 4, 2026 23:33 PM

Wizz Air Opens a Montenegro Route from Ljubljana

Jun 4, 2026 10:17 AM
Alicante city skyline with Santa Bárbara Castle at sunset

Alicante Lands on Air Serbia’s Summer Map

Jun 4, 2026 10:04 AM
Aer Lingus aircraft on a runway with hills in the background

A Famous Spanish Pilgrimage City Just Got Closer to Cork

Jun 4, 2026 09:51 AM
Aerial view of a sandy beach and turquoise sea in Cyprus

Cyprus Gets a Travel Confidence Lift

Jun 4, 2026 09:48 AM
Loganair crew and airport staff mark the new East Midlands to Jersey route beside an aircraft

East Midlands Gets a Daily Jersey Link

Jun 4, 2026 09:35 AM

Norwich Airport Raises Drop-Off Fee

Jun 4, 2026 09:22 AM

BER Gets a Bigger FlixBus Map

Jun 3, 2026 17:49 PM
Passengers queueing inside a European airport terminal

Wizz Air Warns Brits on EU Queues

Jun 3, 2026 15:16 PM
Woman speaking through a megaphone during a public protest

Portugal Strike Puts Flights at Risk

Jun 3, 2026 15:03 PM
Norwegian aircraft flying against a blue sky

Billund Gets Ready for Summer Take-Off

Jun 2, 2026 18:07 PM
Air Europa aircraft seen through a rain-covered airport window

Air Europa Adds Two Spanish Routes

Jun 2, 2026 01:14 AM
Passengers seated inside an aircraft cabin during a flight

Bad Flyers Could Face UK Blacklist

Jun 2, 2026 01:01 AM

Loganair Opens Its First France Route

Jun 2, 2026 00:58 AM

Central Europe Gets a 1,300km Train Link

Jun 2, 2026 00:45 AM
Green FlixBus coach parked near a waterfront terminal

Poland’s Bus 666 Rolls Back to Hel

Jun 1, 2026 11:22 AM
Bedroom at Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere

Fairmont Brings a Cheshire Estate Back

May 31, 2026 05:09 AM