10 eats to try at Dubai Food Festival

Zapiekanka

Zapiekanka, a mobile food truck that is all set to debut at the Dubai Food Festival (DFF) this year plans to serve ‘innovative’ Polish food. From open baguette pizzas, sauerkraut with milk (a traditional homemade dessert made with fermented vegetables) and the famous beetroot soup, everything on the menu has a twist.

Hamburgah

Hamburgah, a local cafeteria joint with two outlets in Dubai, is serving its famous mouth-watering burgers. Hamburgah prides itself on serving 25 different types of burgers where visitors can choose from 18 sauces to go wit them. According to the owner, it will introduce its ‘gold’ collection at the Beach Canteen over the next 17 days.

Hub 1833

It will be unfair if there isn’t a speciality coffee seller at the Beach Canteen, but Hub 1833 is all about coffee-holics. From hand crushed coffee to kunafah flavoured latte, the sky is the limit at this joint based out of Business Bay. The management claims that its baristas need to go through a special in coffee picking, crushing and blending before they are put on the job.

Take a Bao

This Asian street kitchen that recently opened in City Centre Meaisem is serving traditional baos (steamed Taiwanese buns) with fish, chicken and meat along with a falafel and mushroom option for vegetarians. Also watch out for the deep fried bao with vanilla ice cream with lotus topping.

Saddle

Started by an ardent horse lover, Saddle is a local Emirati coffee and fast food joint. It’s Instagram bio reads, “Making everything better” and that is what it thrives on. At the Beach Canteen, it is serving ‘mustard crepes’, white coffee and a ‘secret’ dessert, among others.

Chick n Cone

New York City’s famous waffle and fork free chicken seller Chick n Cone is making its debut at the Beach Canteen. Food critics and bloggers in the UAE have marked this particular eatery as one of the ‘most awaited’ as chicken served on a waffle is quite a rarity in the city. According to its website, the dish is a sweet-sour-spicy delicacy.

Roux

The home-grown eatery which opened on City Walk last year has had rave reviews for its ‘Not your average French toast’. But this DFF it will be launching a ramen burger at the Beach Canteen. So watch out! You can also sample its hot and spicy ‘Cheetos Mac n Cheese’ and, of course, the famous ‘French toast’.

Project Chaiwala

Project Chaiwala which made its Beach Canteen debut last year witnessed huge crowds at its stall. The queues had over 50 people during the busy hour and weekends. Chaiwala that translates to ‘tea seller’ is inspired by roadside tea sellers in India and Pakistan. The tea server at this stall constantly screams out ‘Chai Chai’ in a funny tone to attract attention, similar to what some street tea vendors do in India. This year, PCW has a new item: ‘Iced matcha chai’.

Maiz Tacos

Maiz Tacos, yet another experimental joint, serves Mexican food with Doritos, fried taco shells and cherry Mexican tarts. At the Beach Canteen it will introduce ‘hot churros’ for the spice lovers and ‘lotus ice cream churros sandwich’ for the sweet tooths. The guacamole at Maiz tacos is made from avocados flown in from Michoacán state of Meits Agua Frescas, a Mexican fruit drink.

Inventing Room

Participating for the third time, this UAE-based food chain, which has five outlets, will serve the world’s coldest Cheetos like it did last year. These Cheetos are frozen at -150 degrees Celsius. Remember to hold off for three minutes before savouring them as the liquid nitrogen is still fresh. Inventing Room is the brainchild of American Chef Ian Klienman, popularly known as the ‘chef who re-invents his creations’.