Part of our complete guide to South Asian & regional dining in Dubai — with drill-down guides by dish, area and cuisine.
Luqaimat & Karak in Dubai at a Glance
Six Emirati and heritage spots, ranked below. Prices are for two sharing luqaimat and karak (or a wider Emirati spread where noted); ratings are our own 5-point score.
| Restaurant | Area | Price for two | Signature dish | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arabian Tea House | Al Fahidi | AED 90 | Luqaimat with date syrup | 4.5/5 |
| Logma | City Walk | AED 60 | Karak chai & luqaimat | 4.3/5 |
| Al Fanar Restaurant | Dubai Festival City | AED 130 | Luqaimat & Emirati thali | 4.4/5 |
| Aseelah | Deira | AED 150 | Luqaimat trio & saffron karak | 4.3/5 |
| Karak House | Multiple (JBR, Barsha) | AED 30 | Karak chai & chapati rolls | 4.2/5 |
| Loqa Desserts | Dubai (delivery/kiosk) | AED 25 | Loaded luqaimat boxes | 4.4/5 |
The Ranking — In Detail
Arabian Tea House
Our top luqaimat in the city, eaten in a whitewashed courtyard shaded by a huge tree in old Al Fahidi. The dumplings (AED 22) are fried to order — shatteringly crisp, soft inside, soaked in date syrup and sesame. Come for the Emirati breakfast at 9am before the tour groups arrive.
Order: Luqaimat (AED 22) + karak, under the tree · Rating: 4.5/5
Photo: Arabian Tea House, Al Fahidi — golden luqaimat drizzled with date syrup.
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Logma
The modern Emirati cafe that made karak cool. Its signature karak chai (AED 12) is cardamom-forward and properly strong, and the luqaimat come with a saffron-cream dip. A relaxed City Walk terrace spot — good for an afternoon break at around 4pm.
Order: Signature karak (AED 12) + luqaimat · Rating: 4.3/5
Photo: Logma, City Walk — karak chai and a basket of luqaimat.
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Al Fanar Restaurant
A full-scale heritage restaurant done up like 1960s Dubai, where luqaimat closes a proper Emirati meal of machboos and harees. The dumplings are textbook, and the AED 130-for-two spend buys the whole experience. Book a lantern-lit table for dinner.
Order: Luqaimat, plus a full Emirati platter · Rating: 4.4/5
Photo: Al Fanar Restaurant, Dubai Festival City — luqaimat served with an Emirati spread.
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Aseelah
A polished, hotel-set Emirati restaurant (Radisson Blu, Deira Creek) where luqaimat arrive as a trio with date, chocolate and saffron dips. The saffron karak is a refined take on the roadside classic. The dressiest option here — good for showing visitors Emirati food.
Order: Luqaimat trio + saffron karak · Rating: 4.3/5
Photo: Aseelah, Deira — a trio of luqaimat with dips.
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Karak House
The go-to for karak on the move — a proper cutting glass for around AED 6, thick, sweet and cardamom-spiced. Pair it with a cheese-and-egg chapati roll for a AED 15 breakfast. Not fancy, but the karak-to-dirham ratio is unbeatable.
Order: Karak (AED 6) + a cheese chapati roll · Rating: 4.2/5
Photo: Karak House, Multiple (JBR, Barsha) — a glass of karak chai and chapati.
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Loqa Desserts
A dessert specialist devoted to luqaimat, with boxes that range from the classic date-syrup version to Nutella and Lotus-loaded takes. A classic box is AED 25 and travels well — the best option when you want luqaimat delivered rather than a sit-down.
Order: Classic date-syrup luqaimat box · Rating: 4.4/5
Photo: Loqa Desserts, Dubai (delivery/kiosk) — a box of loaded luqaimat.
Book a TableWhat are luqaimat and karak, exactly?
Luqaimat are Emirati dumplings — yeasted dough deep-fried into crisp golden spheres, then drenched in dibs (date syrup) and sesame. Think of them as the Gulf's answer to a doughnut hole. Karak is strong black tea boiled with milk, sugar and cardamom, sometimes saffron — sweet, thick and served in a small glass. Together they're the classic Emirati sweet-and-tea break, and every spot on this list does both.
Where can I try authentic Emirati luqaimat in Dubai?
For the most authentic setting, Arabian Tea House in Al Fahidi is unbeatable — an old courtyard house in the historic quarter. Al Fanar and Aseelah offer luqaimat as part of full Emirati meals, while Logma gives a modern cafe spin. For the wider cuisine, see our Emirati food guide.
How much do luqaimat and karak cost in Dubai?
Karak is Dubai's great bargain — AED 6–12 a glass, cheapest at Karak House and roadside cafeterias. A plate of luqaimat runs AED 22–35. A sit-down luqaimat-and-karak break for two costs AED 25–40; a full Emirati dinner with luqaimat to finish runs AED 130–150 at Al Fanar or Aseelah.
When is the best time to eat luqaimat in Dubai?
Luqaimat is traditionally an afternoon or post-dinner sweet, and it's everywhere during Ramadan iftar. For everyday visits, mid-afternoon (around 4pm) is ideal — fried fresh, quiet cafes, and the perfect excuse for a karak. Arabian Tea House also serves it with the Emirati breakfast from 9am.
Luqaimat must be eaten within minutes of frying — they turn chewy as they cool. Order them fresh, not from a warming tray, and ask for the date syrup on the side if you like them crisp rather than fully soaked.
Your Questions Answered
What is the best luqaimat in Dubai?
Arabian Tea House in Al Fahidi serves our favourite luqaimat — fried to order and drenched in date syrup, eaten in a historic courtyard. Al Fanar and Loqa Desserts are strong alternatives.
What is the best karak in Dubai?
Logma sets the standard for cafe karak with its cardamom-heavy signature brew, while Karak House offers the best-value glass at around AED 6.
How much do luqaimat cost in Dubai?
A plate of luqaimat costs AED 22–35, and karak chai runs AED 6–12 a glass. A luqaimat-and-karak break for two costs roughly AED 25–40.
What is luqaimat made of?
Luqaimat are Emirati dumplings made from yeasted dough, deep-fried until crisp and golden, then soaked in date syrup (dibs) and sprinkled with sesame seeds.
Where can I try Emirati food in Dubai?
Arabian Tea House, Al Fanar and Aseelah are among the best Emirati restaurants in Dubai. See our Emirati cuisine guide for the full list of heritage and modern spots.
Keep exploring: Emirati cuisine guide · Arabic & Lebanese cuisine · Best restaurants in Dubai · Cheap eats in Dubai · South Asian dining · How we rank