There is no food more quintessentially Colombian than the arepa. Before the Spanish arrived, before modern cuisine, before restaurant menus — there was corn, ground, shaped and placed on the fire. The arepa has fed Colombian families for thousands of years and it remains, to this day, the heartbeat of Colombian cooking in Dubai.
Dubai's Colombian community — concentrated in Al Karama, JLT and Business Bay — has brought their arepa culture with them. You can find arepas grilled fresh at Colombian breakfast spots from 7am, stuffed with hogao sauce and chorizo at lunch counters, and served alongside the magnificent bandeja paisa at dinner. This guide covers every style, every spot, and exactly what to order.
The Essential Arepa Styles
Colombia has over 40 regional arepa varieties. In Dubai you'll encounter the most beloved six — each with its own character, occasion and ideal pairing.
Where to Find the Best Arepas in Dubai
Five restaurants where the arepas are genuinely made to order, with real masarepa flour, properly hot griddles and actual Colombian cooks who grew up eating them daily.
How to Order Arepas Like a Colombian
White corn (maíz blanco) = neutral, savoury, good as a side. Yellow corn (choclo) = sweeter, moister, better as a standalone snack or breakfast dish. If you're new to arepas, start with choclo.
A la parrilla (grilled) is the default and best for most styles. Al horno (baked) is lighter. Frita (fried) is for specific types like arepa con huevo. Always ask for it well-grilled for the best char.
Hogao is Colombia's essential tomato-onion sauce — slow-cooked until jammy and deeply flavoured. It costs nothing extra and transforms every arepa. Always ask "¿Tiene hogao?" (Do you have hogao?). Any Colombian restaurant worth visiting will say yes.
In Colombia, you put more butter on an arepa than seems reasonable. This is correct. A Colombian arepa is meant to arrive glistening and leave a satisfying shine on your fingers. If it's dry, you're doing it wrong.
Colombian vs Venezuelan Arepas: Know the Difference
Dubai has both Colombian and Venezuelan arepa spots, and visitors are sometimes confused about the differences. Both cuisines use the same base — pre-cooked cornmeal — but diverge sharply in form, filling and eating occasion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are arepas made of?
Arepas are made from masarepa — pre-cooked, ground white or yellow corn flour. The flour is mixed with water, salt and sometimes butter or cheese to form a dough, then shaped into flat rounds and grilled, baked or fried. The most widely used brand worldwide is Harina PAN from Venezuela, though Colombian brands like La Masarepa are also common in Dubai's Latin grocery stores.
Are arepas gluten-free?
Yes — traditional arepas are naturally gluten-free as they are made entirely from corn flour. They are also dairy-free if made without cheese or butter. This makes them one of the most allergy-friendly staple foods in world cuisine. Always check with the restaurant in Dubai to confirm no wheat flour has been added, as some kitchens modify recipes.
Where can I buy masarepa flour in Dubai to make arepas at home?
Harina PAN (the most popular masarepa brand) is available at Carrefour in most larger branches, Union Co-op stores in Deira, and Latin American and South American grocery shops in Al Karama. It typically costs AED 15–25 per bag. One 1kg bag makes approximately 10–15 arepas.
Continue Exploring Colombian Food in Dubai
Quick Arepa Guide
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