How vegan friendly is UAE?

The Middle East and Levantine regions are historically vegan-friendly when it comes to food, with a tradition of plant based foods. Most of the mezze menus are filled with plant-based dishes. Diners across the country and in particular Dubai and turning towards plant based dishes and the chef's are responding by including dedicated menus and fully vegan restaurants are starting to spring up.

Vegan food shopping

The major supermarket chains, such as Spinneys have a large counter with fresh fruit, cereals and hot meals to put together. You willfind a huge selection of vegan milk options. For the warm dishes, which usually change daily, there are often vegan options such as spaghetti in tomato sauce or breaded vegetables.

Buns and breads are made on site and are almost always vegan (except for the sweet things).

Vegan food options

Some suggestions to look out for include

• Dosa: a kind of thin pancake of fermented rice flour and you eat it with chutney (coconut) and sambar (spicy and a sauce of lentils and vegetables), plain or masala (mashed potatoes with spices) – all vegan and very tasty.
• Idli: steamed, small, flat lentil rice cakes. They are also eaten with chutney and sambar.
• Paratha: unleavened Indian flatbread, which is plain or with aloo (potatoes) or gobi (cauliflower). Here, however, you have to pay attention and ask, it’s often made with ghee (butter), but also often made with oil. It is not only eaten for breakfast, but at any time of the day.