A Dubai safari isn’t just an adventure; it’s a culinary journey through the flavors of the Middle East. And if you’re a meat lover, you’re in for a feast! From sizzling BBQ grills to slow-cooked Arabic delicacies, a desert safari dinner is a paradise for non-vegetarians.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the best non-vegetarian and BBQ dishes you can enjoy on your desert safari, along with what makes each dish special.
1. The Magic of Arabic BBQ: A Meat Lover’s Dream
One of the highlights of a premium desert safari is the live BBQ station, where chefs grill meat over an open flame, infusing it with rich, smoky flavors. The use of Arabic spices like sumac, za’atar, and baharat makes these dishes bold, aromatic, and unforgettable.
🔥 BBQ Experience on a Desert Safari:
- Live Grilling – Meat is freshly grilled right in front of you.
- Slow-Cooked Perfection – Some meats, like lamb ouzi, are marinated and slow-roasted for hours.
- Authentic Arabic Flavors – Each dish is seasoned with a special blend of spices that enhances the taste.
Now, let’s explore the BBQ Dishes you can enjoy on your desert safari Dubai visit.
2. Signature Grilled Meats: The BBQ Showstoppers
🔥 Must-Try BBQ Dishes
✅ Shish Tawook (Arabic Chicken Skewers)
- Boneless chicken marinated in yogurt, garlic, lemon, and spices, then grilled to perfection.
- Served with garlic sauce and fresh bread.
✅ Lamb Kofta Kebab
- Minced lamb mixed with onions, parsley, and Arabic spices, shaped into skewers and grilled.
- Tender, juicy, and packed with smoky flavors.
✅ Beef Kebab
- Marinated beef chunks skewered and flame-grilled, creating a charred, smoky exterior.
- Best enjoyed with tahini sauce or spicy harissa dip.
✅ Grilled Prawns
- Jumbo prawns marinated in lemon, garlic, and saffron, grilled to perfection.
- A seafood lover’s delight, served with spiced butter sauce.
✅ BBQ Lamb Chops
- Tender lamb chops marinated in Arabic spices and slow-grilled for a crispy, juicy finish.
- Perfectly paired with a mint yogurt dip.
Why You Should Try It: These BBQ meats are juicy, smoky, and packed with Middle Eastern flavors, making them a must-have for any non-vegetarian foodie, all of our safari packages including Lahbab desert safari includes these BBQ delicious items.
3. Arabic Meat Delicacies: Beyond the Grill
If you’re looking for rich, slow-cooked dishes, Arabic cuisine offers some of the most flavorful meat preparations.
🍖 Must-Try Traditional Meat Dishes
✅ Lamb Ouzi (Arabic Slow-Roasted Lamb & Rice)
- A traditional Emirati dish, where lamb is slow-cooked for hours with saffron, cardamom, and nuts.
- Served over fragrant rice, making it a centerpiece of the desert safari dinner.
✅ Chicken Mandi
- A Yemeni dish loved across the Gulf, featuring tender chicken cooked with spiced rice.
- Smoked underground for a distinct earthy flavor.
✅ Arabic Shawarma (Chicken or Beef)
- Thinly sliced, marinated meat slow-roasted on a rotating spit, served in pita bread with tahini or garlic sauce.
- A street food classic now enjoyed in the desert.
✅ Mutton Salona (Emirati Meat Stew)
- A hearty, spiced stew made with slow-cooked mutton, tomatoes, and vegetables.
- Best enjoyed with traditional Arabic bread.
Why You Should Try It: These authentic, slow-cooked dishes are a perfect contrast to the grilled BBQ meats, offering a rich, deep flavor experience.
4. Seafood Lovers Rejoice: Grilled & Spiced Delicacies
The desert might seem like an unlikely place for seafood, but Dubai’s coastal influence ensures that seafood lovers won’t be disappointed.
🦐 Must-Try Seafood Dishes
✅ Grilled Hammour Fish
- Hammour (a local favorite) is grilled whole, seasoned with Arabic spices, and served with lemon.
- A mild, flaky fish that absorbs flavors beautifully.
✅ Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Jumbo shrimp grilled with garlic butter and herbs, giving them a rich, smoky taste.
✅ Fish Majboos (Spiced Fish & Rice)
- A fragrant Emirati dish where fish is slow-cooked with spiced rice, nuts, and raisins.
Why You Should Try It: If you love seafood, these dishes offer a light, flavorful alternative to red meat.
5. The Perfect Side Dishes & Breads
No BBQ feast is complete without traditional Arabic side dishes and freshly baked bread.
🥖 Must-Try Side Dishes & Breads
✅ Arabic Khubz (Flatbread) – Perfect for scooping up hummus, meat, and stews.
✅ Tandoori Roti – A crispier bread, baked in a traditional clay oven.
✅ Garlic Labneh (Savory Yogurt Dip) – A cooling dip that pairs well with grilled meats.
✅ Spiced Rice with Nuts & Raisins – Served alongside lamb and chicken dishes.
Why You Should Try It: These sides and breads complement the bold flavors of Arabic BBQ and meats.
6. Indulgent Desserts to End the Feast
After all that BBQ and grilled goodness, it’s time for something sweet!
🍮 Must-Try Desserts
✅ Baklava – Layers of filo pastry filled with nuts and honey.
✅ Luqaimat – Deep-fried dough balls, crispy on the outside, soft inside, drizzled with date syrup.
✅ Kunafa – A sweet, cheesy pastry soaked in rosewater syrup.
Why You Should Try It: These decadent Middle Eastern desserts provide the perfect sweet ending to your BBQ feast.
Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Non-Veg Feast in the Desert
A desert safari dinner is more than just food—it’s a gastronomic journey through the best Arabic BBQ and meat dishes. Whether you love grilled meats, slow-cooked delicacies, or rich desserts, the non-vegetarian menu is a feast you won’t forget.
📌 Want to see the full desert safari dinner menu? 👉 Check out our complete menu here!
🔥 Which dish are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments!