From paying for meals in riyals to cafeterias that opened in 1968: How Dubai evolved into a hotspot for food tourism

From paying for meals in riyals to cafeterias that opened in 1968: How Dubai evolved into a hotspot for food tourism

Food is an emotion that connects everyone and everything in Dubai. The city has a vibrant dining scene that encompasses everything from your neighbourhood karak chai place and the hole-in-the-wall that serves the best chapli kabab, to the food served by the finest two Michelin-starred restaurants.

As the city becomes a hot spot for food tourism, Khaleej Times takes a trip down memory lane to map the food history of the city in a 7-part series. It will pay homage to all the significant milestones in the metamorphosis of Dubai into the culinary wonderland that it is now.

The recently concluded exhibition of menus by food writer Salma Serry showcased one of the earliest memories of food in the city. Hosted at the Jameel Art Center, the display featured Serry’s collection of food menus, official letters of correspondence between British officers planning the food rations and servings of food to army officers of the Trucial Oman.

For Serry, a 4th generation Dubai migrant, these letters were a treasure trove. “The official letters between British officers debating how Arab soldiers who served in the Trucial Oman Scouts should not be allowed to eat in separate mess hall away from their British peers is quite