Brik (pronounced "breek") is the dish Tunisians reach for first when they want to show you what their food culture is about. A malsouka pastry sheet folded around a whole egg, tuna, mashed potato, capers, parsley, and harissa — then deep-fried until the shell achieves a shattering, paper-thin crunch while the egg inside remains soft and runny. The trick: eating it without spilling the egg yolk on yourself. The reward: one of the most satisfying bites in North African cuisine.
What Is Brik?
Brik belongs to the family of stuffed pastries that spans the whole of North Africa and the Middle East — from Moroccan pastilla to Levantine börek to Algerian bourek. But Tunisian brik is distinct enough to stand apart. The key element is the malsouka (also called warka) — an extraordinarily thin pastry sheet made by slapping wet dough onto a hot metal surface and peeling it off as it dries, producing a sheet thinner than phyllo and more delicate.
The most iconic version, brik à l'œuf, encloses a raw egg alongside the other fillings, then fries the whole package quickly so the white sets but the yolk stays molten. The result is a parcel that releases a stream of warm yolk when you bite in — which is either a first-time panic moment or a point of pride, depending on your experience with brik.
Brik à l'œuf — the iconic Tunisian fried pastry with runny egg, served with lemon at Maazim Restaurant, Bur Dubai
The Six Brik Varieties You'll Find in Dubai
CLASSIC
Brik à l'Œuf
Malsouka pastry with egg, tuna, mashed potato, capers, and parsley. The runny egg is the defining feature. Non-negotiable with a squeeze of lemon.
AED 18–25
SEAFOOD
Brik bil Samak
Stuffed with flaked white fish or prawns instead of tuna. More luxurious, often served at higher-end Tunisian restaurants. Harissa essential.
AED 28–38
CHICKEN
Brik bil Djedj
Minced spiced chicken replaces the tuna. Slightly richer filling, often includes cheese. Popular Dubai adaptation — easier to find than traditional tuna brik.
AED 22–32
VEGETARIAN
Brik Khodra
Spinach, mushrooms, cheese, and egg — no meat. Popular during Ramadan and with vegetarians. Less common but worth asking for at any Tunisian kitchen.
AED 18–28
MEAT
Brik bil Lahm
Minced spiced lamb filling. The heartiest version — sometimes made without egg for more filling space. A meal in itself rather than a starter.
AED 25–38
SWEET
Brik Helou
The dessert version — malsouka stuffed with almond paste, rose water, and honey. Fried and dusted with powdered sugar. Rare in Dubai but extraordinary when found.
AED 18–28
Where to Find the Best Brik in Dubai
BEST BRIK IN DUBAI #1
Maazim Restaurant
📍 Al Souk Al Kabir, Bur Dubai
🕐 Daily 10am–midnight
Classic Tunisian
AED 18–28
The best brik in Dubai, full stop. Maazim's kitchen makes the malsouka pastry properly — paper-thin, fried in hot oil with barely a second's hesitation, delivering that essential shattering crunch when you bite through. The egg inside is still molten at the yolk, the tuna is good quality (not the watery kind), and the capers and parsley bring brightness to cut through the richness.
Maazim serves their brik with a wedge of lemon and a small ramekin of harissa that has actual, genuine heat. The bread basket arrives automatically. Order two brik per person as a starter before the couscous — this is not a dish to share tentatively.
TripAdvisor reviewers specifically cite the brik as the highlight of the meal. One reviewer described it as "the best brik I've had outside of Tunis." We agree.
Must order: Brik à l'œuf (AED 22) · Lamb couscous (AED 52) · Shorba (AED 18)
Best for: Classic brik experience, budget dining, North African food lovers
Walk-in only · Bur Dubai's best-kept secret
BEST BRIK IN DUBAI #2
TSD Tunisian Restaurant
📍 Al Barsha 1
🕐 Daily noon–midnight
Modern Tunisian
AED 24–38
TSD serves a more elaborate brik than Maazim — their classic tuna-and-egg version is on the menu, but the seafood brik (with fresh prawns and white fish) and the chicken-cheese brik are the house specialties. The fillings here are richer, more generous, and slightly more contemporary in execution.
The malsouka pastry quality is excellent — clearly made properly, not from frozen sheets. The brik arrives at the table immediately after frying, which is the only way to serve it. Ask for extra harissa — TSD's house harissa is particularly good.
Must order: Seafood brik (AED 32) · Chicken-cheese brik (AED 28) · Classic tuna brik (AED 24)
Best for: Seafood brik varieties, date nights, groups wanting variety
A classic Tunisian spread in Dubai — brik first, then couscous or grilled merguez to follow
How to Eat Brik Without Making a Mess
1
Pick up with both hands
Brik should be picked up immediately — it softens fast. Use both hands and hold over the plate.
2
Bite a corner first
Start at a corner to release steam and prevent the yolk from escaping at full pressure. This is the professional move.
3
Tilt toward your mouth — not away
Lean your head toward the brik as you eat. The yolk should run into your mouth, not onto your shirt.
4
Squeeze lemon over the exposed filling
After the first bite opens the pastry, squeeze lemon generously inside. The acidity transforms the dish.
5
Dip the remaining pieces in harissa
Use the remaining brik pieces to scoop harissa. The combination of crispy pastry, yolk, and harissa heat is the whole point.
6
Order another immediately
Two brik per person is not excessive. It is simply correct portion sizing for a Tunisian starter.
🍋 The Lemon Is Non-Negotiable
Never eat brik without lemon. The fat richness of egg yolk, tuna, and fried pastry needs the acid brightness of fresh lemon to come alive. A good Tunisian restaurant will always include a lemon wedge with brik. If they don't — ask for one. If they look confused — leave and find Maazim.
Brik During Ramadan in Dubai
Brik occupies a special place in Ramadan food culture across North Africa. In Tunisia, there is almost no iftar table without it — the combination of a quick, satisfying protein hit from the egg after a day of fasting makes it an ideal first food at sunset. Dubai's Tunisian community maintains this tradition, and several venues ramp up their brik production dramatically during the holy month.
During Ramadan, Maazim and TSD extend their brik production to include Ramadan-special versions with more elaborate fillings, including lamb and dried fruit combinations. MemAluya in Al Karama often runs a special Tunisian Ramadan menu featuring brik as a centerpiece starter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fredrik Filipsson
Founder & Lead Critic — Where To Eat Dubai
Fredrik lived on Palm Jumeirah for 8 years while working as a business executive. He has personally visited over 1,000 Dubai restaurants and has dined in restaurant cities across the globe — from Tokyo and New York to London, Paris, and São Paulo. His reviews are always independent, always paid for out of his own pocket, and always honest. How we rank →
🏙️ 8 Years on Palm Jumeirah
🍽️ 1,000+ Dubai Restaurants
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📰 Independent Since 2020
What is brik made from?
Traditional brik uses malsouka pastry — a paper-thin sheet made by briefly cooking a wet dough batter on a hot surface. The pastry is then folded around a filling of egg, tuna, mashed potato, capers, and parsley, and deep-fried until crispy. Some Dubai restaurants substitute phyllo pastry when malsouka is unavailable, though purists (rightly) object.
Is the egg in brik safe to eat?
Yes — the white of the egg fully cooks during frying while the yolk remains soft. The frying process cooks the egg sufficiently to be food-safe. If you prefer a fully-cooked egg, ask the kitchen to cook your brik slightly longer.
How much does brik cost in Dubai?
AED 18–38 depending on the venue and filling. Classic tuna brik at Maazim is AED 22 — one of the best value dishes in Bur Dubai. Seafood versions at TSD run AED 28–38.
Can I order brik for delivery?
Technically yes — Kebab and Couscous in JLT offers it via Talabat. However, brik loses its crunch within minutes of leaving the fryer. For the proper experience, always eat brik in-restaurant, immediately after it arrives at the table.
Is brik vegetarian?
Classic brik is not vegetarian (it contains tuna). However, vegetarian brik versions (khodra — vegetables and cheese only) exist and can be requested at most Tunisian restaurants. Confirm with the kitchen when ordering.