My go-to gourmet food and beverage retailers in Dubai.
All 20 businesses featured in this guide are homegrown. And several have provided discount promo codes, exclusively for you.
I hope you all managed a bit of a break over Eid - and belated Eid Mubarak to those celebrating. I was in town catching up with friends over lunches and dinners, however I am jetting off later this week.
Rather timely and appropriately, Condé Nast Traveller Middle East published a cover story “100 reasons we love the Middle East & North Africa” for its May/ June print edition. I was commissioned to pen eight reasons why I adore this region from a chef and food perspective. Needless to say I could have picked 100 food-related factors, but CNT is a broader travel magazine after all 😜 So you’ll have to settle for five chefs and three dishes from me. Out on shelves now with a peek here and here.
Moving on to this month’s topic.
It’s not solely restaurants that have been suffering in this conflict climate. The suppliers of all the delicious produce to these establishments have also been affected. For the majority, their main revenues are generated from on-trade (restaurant) clients who have been ordering less given the lack of tourists and the drop in dining out from residents. And that’s without getting drawn into supply chain disruptions. The good thing is that many of these businesses boast retail arms with physical locations and/ or an online presence to cater for home dining.
So I’ve rounded up my go-to gourmet food and beverage retailers, 20 to be precise, that I have been frequenting for years as special add-ons to my regular grocery shop. All are homegrown businesses. And several have kindly provided discount promo codes should you like to give them a go.
Unless physical stores are referenced, the following retailers operate via an online shop.
Prime Gourmet: Dubai’s OG butcher for premium Australian and Japanese meat with four standalone stores in Dubai, plus concessions in Depachika Food Hall and Union Co-op supermarkets. Plus an online store. The Italian chief butcher Flavio has recently introduced a smash burger brand available in-store and across all the delivery aggregators - The Butcher’s Burger by Prime Gourmet.
Odeon: You can’t miss this gleaming white villa on Jumeirah Beach Road - a French deli with an online presence. Seafood platters including shucked oysters. French cheese. Buckwheat galettes. And béarnaise. I’ve also booked Odeon for home party catering.
The Fishmonger: A sibling to Prime Gourmet with two branches on Umm Suqeim Street and Town Centre, Jumeirah 1 - as well as online. Dubai’s first dedicated bricks-and-mortar fishmonger selling sustainably fished seafood, deli-style seafood salads and incredibly well-priced sushi platters which I have been ordering on repeat - available across all delivery aggregators.
Maison Duffour: From my research, the only retailer of sulphate and nitrate-free pork charcuterie.
Les Gastronomes: Premium protein, cheese and condiments including a showcase of UAE brands.
The Fabrique: Preservative-free smoked turkey breast available online and from its JLT store.
Maison Morand: This French-owned business offers a comprehensive selection of European cheese, as well as striking pre-prepared cheeseboards. Both via its website, and a physical branch designed like a jewellery store in The Greens. Well worth popping in.
Yellow Block: Another winner on the aesthetic front with a focus on cheese and charcuterie boards curated by designer Ray Yafi. The special occasion gift packaging make these platters a winner for friends who adore savoury. She even offers deconstructed cheesecakes, and grazing tables for home entertaining.
Serves Gourmet: Savoury tray bakes cooked by a chef and delivered straight to your home. Pre-cooked and chilled to either heat up in the oven, or pop into the freezer. There’s a choice of a staggering 40 main course dishes, as well as sides and desserts. Two portions: mini for three people, or family size for six. You can even top up with a ceramic oven dish for home entertaining.
Birch Bakery: For all things sourdough and breakfast muffins.
Baker’s Kitchen: Gluten-free oat bread that freezes well.
Nabtih and Maknoon: Two different online retailers of Palestinian extra virgin olive oil, alongside herbs and spices. The latter stocks a broader Levantine range. Both offer exquisite gifting options.
Zois Fine Food: A taste of home with Greek condiments and a vast fresh olive display at Depachika Food Hall.
Pauline Cake: A luxury homegrown dessert atelier by 28-year-old pastry chef Polina Filimonova. Perfect for cake or dessert gifts, like the Basque cheesecake that I ordered for a friend’s dinner party. You can even personalise with names, greetings and candles - all on the user-friendly website.
Butter By The Dozen: Freshly baked cookies delivered warm. Quirky special occasion sleeves make these an eye-catching gifting option.
Sna’ap Chocolate: By pastry chef Nouel Catis, the original creator of Dubai chocolate. My preferred gift option when visiting friends overseas.
Avantcha: Teas galore including my go-to white bud silver needle, and herbal teas for Mr S. Website aside, there’s a slick and snazzy tea bar in Al Quoz.
DrinkDry: 0.0% zero-alcohol wines, beers and spirits. Thomson & Scott’s Noughty sparkling is my go-to, as is the relatively new Tanqueray Seville Orange Gin drop. Mr S also enjoys the Belgian blonde malt, Bière Des Amis.
MMI: MMI needs no introduction, but this guide would be amiss without my go-to alcohol supplier. And did you know there’s now an app by the name of MMI Cheers Club offering chilled delivery within two hours? Well now you do. The app also champions the Cheers United initiative in support of Dubai’s hospitality industry with over 75 offers across restaurants, bars, pool and beach clubs.
I’ve been buying still and sparkling Monviso, 100% Italian natural mineral water for drinking since I first stumbled upon the brand 11 years ago, limiting local water to cooking. Why?
Bottled directly from the springs of Europe’s highest natural water source, it has one of the lowest sodium contents in the world at only 0.33 mg/litre.
All bottles, whether BPA-free PET or glass, are collected directly from homes and recycled free-of-charge.
Easy online ordering with next-day delivery.
Monviso supports medical research through the UAE’s Al Jalila Foundation, with a donation of over one million dirhams to date based on water sales. Customers also have the option to contribute directly at checkout.
For a 25% discount across multiple purchases, use promo code FOODIVA25 on the online store here.
This round-up showcases tried and tasted suppliers, however I’m sure there are many more that I’ve yet to buy from. So please feel free to share your favourites here.
I’ve secured several promo codes offering up to 30% discount from nine retailers - Prime Gourmet, Odeon, Maison Morand, Yellow Block, Serves Gourmet, Pauline Cake, Avantcha, Drink Dry and MMI. A special perk exclusive to paying subscribers. Feel free to upgrade should you wish, which also gives you membership to my foodie tribe 🙏🏼