UAE Food and Cuisine: Arabic and International with Kids – Quick Guide
Travelling to the UAE with children is one of the easiest ways to introduce your family to authentic UAE food, modern Arabic cuisine and a huge range of international restaurants in a safe, predictable environment. As a Singapore-based Homejourney researcher who visits Dubai and Abu Dhabi almost every year, I’ve found the UAE to be one of the most family-friendly food destinations in the region, with clear hygiene standards, kids’ menus and malls that feel as safe as Orchard Road.
This guide focuses on UAE Food and Cuisine: Arabic and International with Kids: Family Travel Guide – how to eat well, keep children happy, and make informed decisions, while also understanding how UAE and Singapore compare as family and investment bases. For a broader overview of UAE food culture, see our main guide: UAE Food & Cuisine Guide: Arabic & International | Homejourney .
Why Families Love the UAE Food Scene
For Singapore families, the UAE feels like a blend of Orchard Road malls, East Coast Park cafés and Geylang Serai bazaar food, all under one desert sky. Dubai and Abu Dhabi combine strict municipal hygiene standards with global brands and traditional Emirati eateries, so you can safely let your kids explore new flavours alongside familiar options.
The best time to visit for food-centric family trips is between November and March, when daytime temperatures are usually 20–28°C, similar to a cooler, breezier Singapore afternoon. Outdoor terrace dining, night markets and beachfront restaurants are much more comfortable in these months, and kids are less likely to tire out between meals.
Getting There from Singapore & Practical Basics
From Singapore, the most straightforward routes are direct flights to Dubai (DXB) or Abu Dhabi (AUH), usually around 7 hours. For families, overnight flights can help children sleep and arrive almost ready for breakfast brunch at the mall.
The currency is the UAE dirham (AED), and most malls and restaurants accept major credit cards. As a rule of thumb, the mid-range sit-down family meal in a mall food court or casual restaurant starts from about AED 35–60 per adult and AED 20–35 per child, roughly similar to a family meal at a mid-range restaurant in VivoCity.
Homejourney supports AED in our currency view, so when you later explore Singapore properties, you can compare budgets and property prices directly in dirhams without mental conversion headaches: Property Search .
Understanding Emirati and Middle Eastern Food for Kids
Emirati food is rooted in Bedouin, coastal and trading traditions – think rice, grilled meats, fish, dates and spices that are fragrant rather than extremely spicy. For Singaporean kids used to chicken rice and nasi briyani, dishes like machboos (spiced rice with chicken or lamb) and harees (slow-cooked wheat and meat) feel surprisingly approachable.
Broader Middle Eastern food – Lebanese, Syrian, Iranian and Turkish – is everywhere. Classic kid-friendly items include:
- Hummus with pita bread – soft, creamy and mild, similar to a savoury kaya toast in terms of comfort factor.
- Shawarma – essentially a wrap; children often enjoy chicken shawarma like they would a kebab roll at Arab Street.
- Grilled meats – skewers of chicken, lamb or beef with rice or fries.
- Falafel – deep-fried chickpea balls; crispy outside, soft inside.
- Kunafa and baklava – sweet treats; best shared because of sugar content.
Many restaurants have a dedicated kids’ section, sometimes with promotional nights such as "kids eat free" in family-focused venues.[1] Always ask if there’s a children’s menu even if it’s not printed prominently.
Best Family-Friendly Food Areas in Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Dubai: Malls, Beachfronts and Old Dubai
From experience, three clusters work particularly well for families.
- Dubai Mall & Downtown – Air-conditioned, stroller-friendly, with global chains and Arabic concepts. Look for casual spots around the lower ground food court and Dubai Fountain area. International buffets like Kitchen6 in Business Bay are popular with families, offering a wide mix of cuisines in one sitting.[5]
- JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence) & The Beach – Al fresco dining, playgrounds and gelato stands. Great for evening strolls where adults can enjoy grilled seafood or Lebanese, while kids run on the promenade.
- Old Dubai (Bur Dubai & Deira) – For more authentic flavours, small family-run spots like Al Ustad Special Kabab in Bur Dubai serve generous grilled meats and rice in a relaxed, casual setting.[3]
Abu Dhabi: Corniche and Island Living
Abu Dhabi feels a bit like a quieter, resort-style East Coast mixed with Sentosa, making it very manageable with children.
- Corniche area – Many hotels offer family-friendly buffets with international and Arabic sections. Venues like The Terrace on the Corniche provide extensive spreads including grilled meats, salads and kid stations.[4]
- Yas Island – Ideal if you’re combining theme parks with food. Family restaurants span American, Italian, Indian and Arabic, so even picky eaters will find something.[4]
- Saadiyat Island – More resort-oriented; beach clubs and hotel restaurants often have children’s menus and flexible seating.
Arabic & International Restaurants That Work Well with Kids
One of the UAE’s strengths is how comfortably you can mix Arabic and international cuisine in a single trip – or even in a single buffet.
- Family-oriented grills and rotisseries – Places like Hunter & Barrel in Dubai and Abu Dhabi highlight sharing platters, grilled meats and dedicated kids’ menus with occasional kids-eat-free promotions, making them good value for families.[1]
- Malls and hotel buffets – These usually offer Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Western and Arabic sections. Compared with Singapore hotel buffets, prices are broadly similar once you factor in exchange rates.
- Casual Middle Eastern cafés – Lebanese or Syrian cafés offer mezze (small plates), great for introducing new flavours in tiny, low-risk portions.
For deeper restaurant recommendations and sample price points, refer to: Best Food & Restaurants in UAE: Arabic & International (Homejourney Guide) .
Safety, Hygiene and Food-Allergy Considerations
As a Singapore parent, food safety is often the first concern. In the main UAE cities, hygiene levels in malls, hotels and chain restaurants are comparable to Singapore, with government inspections and visible cleanliness standards. However, open-air street corners or very small back-lane eateries may vary.
Practical steps for families:
- Prefer busy venues with high turnover, especially for grilled meats and seafood.
- Check that cold dishes (salads, hummus) are served chilled, not lukewarm.
- For nut or dairy allergies, show allergy notes in both English and, if possible, Arabic; hotel concierges can help you prepare these.
- Carry basic medication from Singapore and review UAE travel advisories where relevant.
Homejourney’s core value is safety and trust, and we apply the same lens when we evaluate family dining areas – prioritising well-regulated malls, reputable hotel restaurants and verified, well-reviewed local favourites.
Costs, Money-Saving Tips and Family Budgets
Food costs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi can feel similar to central Singapore if you stick to malls and casual restaurants, and more like Marina Bay Sands if you dine at celebrity-chef venues or fine-dining Emirati restaurants.
Money-saving tips for families:
- Look for "kids eat free" or fixed-price kids’ menus at family restaurants and hotel buffets.[1]
- Have at least one meal a day in food courts or simple cafeterias – these often serve hearty rice and curry dishes for prices closer to Singapore hawker centres.
- Ask for tap water policies; some restaurants default to bottled still water.
- Use your Singapore credit card with low FX fees, or pre-load multi-currency wallets before your trip.
Sample 3-Day Family Food-Focused Itinerary
This outline assumes Dubai as your base.
