Welcome to the blog of Sallet Al Sayad, the best seafood restaurant in Dubai. In this blog, we share our passion for fresh and tasty seafood, as well as our insights and tips on how to enjoy it in Dubai. Whether you are a local or a business tourist, we hope you will find this blog informative and entertaining.
In this post, we will explore the history and culture of seafood in Dubai, one of the most diverse and rich cuisines in the world. We will also highlight some of the popular seafood dishes and restaurants in Dubai, and provide some recommendations on how to enjoy seafood in Dubai.
Historical background
Seafood has been a part of Dubai’s culture and cuisine for centuries. Dubai is located on the coast of the Arabian Gulf, which is home to a variety of fish and shellfish species. The fishing industry has been a major source of income and livelihood for many Emiratis, who have developed their own methods and traditions of catching, preparing and eating seafood.
Seafood reflects the diversity and richness of Dubai’s history and heritage. The cuisine has been influenced by various cultures and regions, such as Persia, India, Lebanon, Morocco and East Africa. Seafood dishes in Dubai often feature spices, herbs, rice, breads, sauces and salads that add flavor and color to the fresh fish.
Some of the traditional seafood dishes in Dubai include:
- Al Harees: A dish made of wheat cooked with meat or fish in a pot until it forms a thick porridge-like consistency. It is usually served with ghee or clarified butter.
- Al Machboos: A dish made of rice cooked with meat or fish, onions, tomatoes, spices and dried limes. It is usually garnished with fried onions, nuts and raisins.
- Al Madrooba: A dish made of salted fish cooked with flour, spices and water until it forms a thick paste. It is usually served with bread or rice.
- Al Samak Mashwi: A dish made of grilled fish marinated with spices, lemon juice and oil. It is usually served with salad or tahini sauce.
- Al Samak Harra: A dish made of baked fish stuffed with a spicy mixture of garlic, coriander, chili peppers and nuts. It is usually served with bread or rice.
Current trends
Dubai is a cosmopolitan city that embraces innovation and creativity. The seafood scene in Dubai reflects this spirit, as local chefs experiment with new ingredients, techniques and styles to create delicious and diverse dishes. From live displays to oysters shucked to lobster linguine and Levantine-style grilled fish, there is something for every taste and preference.
Some of the popular seafood restaurants in Dubai include:
- Sardina Seafood Restaurant: A restaurant that prepares regular dishes in different ways using olive oil, spices and herbs. It also offers salads, desserts and a children’s menu.
- Seafood Market: A restaurant that features a fish market where you can pick your own seafood to be freshly prepared. It also offers a wide variety of Asian dishes and tropical fruits.
- Dubai Fish Hut Restaurant: A restaurant that cooks fresh fishes from the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Dubai using special spices. It also offers hot and cold appetisers, soups, salads and desserts.
- Long Teng Seafood Restaurant: A restaurant that serves high-end Cantonese cuisine with freshly prepared live seafood specialties. It also offers a wide variety of dim sum and tea blends.
- Alici: A restaurant that offers a true taste of Southern Italy with fresh fish dishes and handmade pasta. It also has beachy blue and white interiors with citrus trees.
Recommendations
If you want to enjoy seafood in Dubai, here are some tips and suggestions for you:
- To find the freshest fish, visit the local fish markets such as Deira Fish Market or Waterfront Market. You can buy your own fish or ask the vendors to clean and cut it for you. You can also find other seafood items such as crabs, lobsters, shrimps, squids and oysters.
- To pair your seafood with the right accompaniments, try some of the local breads such as khameer (a round flatbread), rigag (a thin crispy bread) or chebab (a pancake-like bread). You can also try some of the local sauces such as bezar (a spice mix), dibs (a date syrup) or roub (a yogurt sauce).
- To respect the sustainability and quality standards, look for the labels that indicate the origin, freshness and certification of the seafood. You can also ask the restaurant staff or the market vendors about their sourcing practices and policies. You can also choose seasonal and local seafood over imported and frozen ones.
Conclusion
Seafood is an integral part of Dubai’s culture and cuisine, and there are many ways to enjoy it in the city. Whether you prefer traditional or modern, simple or elaborate, spicy or mild, there is a seafood dish and restaurant for you. We hope you enjoyed this blog post and learned something new about seafood in Dubai. We invite you to share your feedback and experiences with us in the comments section below. And don’t forget to visit us at Sallet Al Sayad, the best seafood restaurant in Dubai, where we serve fresh and tasty seafood with a smile.