Jones the Grocer (Terminal 2 and Terminal 3)—the Aussie-born deli that’s won over none other than Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the president of the UAE and ruler of neighboring Abu Dhabi—is packed full of fuss-free deli favorites, from fresh salads drizzled with tahini to detour-worthy sandwiches chock full of fillings like grilled halloumi, beetroot-salmon, and crunchy togarashi chicken.
Over at Pret A Manger (Terminal 1 and Terminal 3), the revered British coffee chain delivers pre-flight comfort food that hits the spot—the Posh Cheddar baguette, layered with tangy pickle and sun-dried tomatoes, is a simple yet satisfying grab-and-go classic. Meanwhile, in Terminal 3, Flour + Stone’s two branches pay homage to the world’s most beloved breads, serving up everything from flaky French croissants to pillowy Lebanese flatbreads and buttery Indian parathas.
At the Terminal 1 food court, fried chicken favorite Marrybrown serves crispy perfection, beloved by the emirate’s Malaysian expat community. And this being a city that loves slathering Nutella on pretty much everything, the brand’s café awaits at Terminal 3 with a sugar-soaked menu of crepes, cakes and crème brûlée, all drenched in chocolatey-hazelnut bliss.
Best food gifts
It’s only fitting that camels take pride of place in Dubai Duty Free’s souvenir line-up, led by the unashamedly decadent Al Nassma camel milk chocolate—best savored in its gleaming golden foil-wrapped incarnation, shaped, naturally, like a camel. Even Walker’s buttery shortbread gets a makeover, with camel-shaped biscuits snugly tucked into souvenir tins.
Dates, the original desert delicacy rooted in the emirate’s rich Bedouin heritage, are equally resplendent—with Bateel, Tamrah, and Zadina all offering high-end versions stuffed with velvety almonds, swaddled in dark chocolate or laid out in elegant lacquered gift boxes.
Stop by the Mirzam section for Emirati-made artisanal chocolate wrapped in gallery-worthy designs (it’s arguably even better than the viral pistachio-stuffed Dubai chocolate), or stock up on coveted jars of Dorreen saffron—those tiny, fiery strands that infuse cooking with earthy-sweet Arabian flavors. For guilt-free snacking, pick up a packet of salted caramel Fade Fit protein bites by local influencer and radio DJ Kris Fade.