16 editor picks across United Arab Emirates.
16 food markets worth the trip across United Arab Emirates, editor-ranked by TableJourney. All United Arab Emirates guides.
Mina Zayed Fish Market in Abu Dhabi holds fish stalls, cleaning stations and eight restaurants in one building next to the site of the old market.
TipPick a fish, then take it home raw, have it cleaned, have it cooked at a kiosk, or skip the stalls and order from a market restaurant's menu.
Waterfront Market replaced the old Deira Fish Market in 2017, putting fish, meat, produce and a dry goods and spice hall under one roof by the sea in Deira.
TipCome early: boats still unload their catch at dawn, and the market's restaurants will cook what you buy.
Abu Dhabi Dates Market in Mina Zayed is a run of shops selling dates, dried fruit and nuts, where vendors hand out dates and Arabic coffee to sample.
TipA vendor told The National (February 2026) that khalas is the top seller in Ramadan; visitors mostly buy medjool and ajwa, mainly from Saudi Arabia.
Ripe Market fills Dubai Police Academy Park with UAE farmers, homegrown brands and food trucks each winter weekend, opening its 15th season on 10 October.
TipArrive near opening at 9am for the freshest produce before the midday crowd builds.
Al Aweer Central Fruit and Vegetable Market is Dubai's central produce market in Ras Al Khor, trading fruit and vegetables for wholesale and retail buyers.
TipRetail shoppers can buy by the box; the busiest trading is early morning.
Deira Spice Souk lines covered lanes with sacks of saffron, cinnamon and dried limes, stocked by dhow from India, Pakistan and Iran, by the creek.
TipBargain gently on saffron and always ask for a small taste before buying a bag.
Alserkal Avenue's Farmers' Market gathers organic growers and home bakers along the Main Lane every Saturday morning in Al Quoz's art district in Dubai.
TipThe lineup changes weekly, so a favourite bakery one Saturday might be a honey seller the next.
Global Village turns some 30 country pavilions into a winter long food ground, from Turkish kebabs to Filipino skewers, on the edge of Dubai off the E311.
TipFood carts inside each pavilion tend to be cheaper than the sit down restaurants nearby.
Al Mina Fruit and Vegetable Souk, across the road from the fish market at Mina Zayed in Abu Dhabi, sells fruit and vegetables by the kilo or the box.
TipVisit Abu Dhabi lists the Mina markets as one daily 08:00 to 22:00 block; Best Bites (April 2026) says the other Mina markets will shift to the new Modon souq.
Last Exit Al Khawaneej gathers food trucks beside Al Khawaneej Walk, one of the Last Exit truck parks around Dubai, open from 06:00 until 03:00.
TipThe lineup rotates, so check the current trucks before making a special trip.
Last Exit DXB Bound lines up food trucks and carts beside Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, one of the Last Exit truck parks built as a roadside stop.
TipIt works as a late night stop, with the trucks serving until 03:00.
The Farmers' Market at Quranic Park brings dozens of Emirati growers selling vegetables, honey and dates each winter weekend in Al Khawaneej, Dubai.
TipThe eight food stalls inside make this an easy dinner stop after browsing the produce tables.
Park Market at Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi runs on Friday and Saturday evenings each season, with local businesses selling food, produce and other goods.
TipThe 2026-27 season opens on 23 October. The park charges entry (AED 10 for adults in the 2025 season); browsing the market stalls is free.
Jumeirah Fish Market is a small seafood market in Umm Suqeim with a cleaning station and a cooking station on site that will grill or fry the catch to order.
TipNegotiate the price, then have it cleaned and cooked on site; cooking is charged by the kilo.
Souq Al Freej brings kiosks for Emirati home businesses and food stalls to Dubai parks each winter, stopping at Al Barsha Pond Park for ten days in December.
TipIt moves between parks each season, so confirm the current dates before visiting Al Barsha.
Bur Dubai Souk runs along the creek with textile stalls and a scatter of juice and shawarma vendors, quieter than the Gold Souk across the water in Dubai.
TipTry the fresh sugarcane juice, cut and pressed to order at a stall near the abra station.
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