Shop Like a Local: What To Know Before Visiting Dubai’s Market

by Barbara Yakimchuk

Shop Like a Local: What To Know Before Visiting Dubai’s Market

5 Aug 2025

Photo: Rafiee Artist

Here is a little confession — we recently came across something great at the big local market (no secrets, it is the smoked mackerel), and going there quickly turned into a weekly ritual. A few visits in, we realised the market had so much more to offer than just my favourite treat. Turns out, a good market run can be affordable, fun, and even a little therapeutic. So here I am, sharing the experience — and a few life hacks to go with it!

What market are we talking about?

The Waterfront Market is a modern setup built on the site of the old Deira Fish Market, right along the waterfront — which means you can enjoy a walk along the promenade during the cooler season. It may look neat and tidy these days, but the atmosphere inside still feels refreshingly authentic. No designer handbags or fancy outfits — just locals going about their business and people haggling at the stalls.

The market is open pretty much 24/7, with a short cleaning break on Fridays (12:30–2:30 pm) and Saturdays (2:00–4:00 pm).

Best time to go? Weekends! The vibe is livelier, and the stalls tend to offer more variety. Plus, weekday evenings can get quite busy with traffic.

Important note: It is all pretty old-school when it comes to payment — most stalls only accept cash. There are a few ATMs around if needed, but it is best to come prepared with cash — or at the very least, don’t forget your bank card.

Personal tip: If you are planning a proper shop, wear something casual. Every time we come back home, our clothes smell like fish — no surprise, considering how much time we spend by the prawns.

Fruits and vegetables area

The fruit section here is one of the biggest — almost as large as the fish area. So here you will find everything from everyday salad vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers to something a bit more exotic, like cactus fruit or dragonfruit.

A few quick tips from a regular:

Take your time. This is a market, after all, so prices aren’t always fixed, so don’t rush. Sellers can spot how excited you are, and the price might go up accordingly. Have a look around first, compare options, and don’t shop at the very first stall you see.
Season matters. No matter how good the market is, what is available (and how good it tastes) depends on the season. Right now, for example, it is not the best time for strawberry — so it will either be overpriced or just not that great.
Don’t skip the dates. No matter where you have tried dates before — nothing beats the ones here. The date stalls are usually tucked into the corners, but if you can't find them — there are some in the Sweets section too.
Tasting is part of the experience. Sellers often offer samples — it is their way of showing off the quality. Melons and watermelons are easy to try, even if you are a bit particular — they slice them up without touching the flesh. For anything else, it is worth having a few wet wipes on hand.
Go for fruits over vegetables. If you are sticking to a budget, prioritise fruits — melons, cherries, strawberries, watermelon… they are always fresh, sweet, and worth it. Prices are generally fair too: around 7 AED per kilo for melon, and about 40 AED per kilo for cherries.

Important note: If my husband were writing this, he would 100% tell you to try the cactus fruit. Personally, I wasn’t that impressed — but here is the main thing: don’t assume it has been cleaned of the little needles. Spoiler: it hasn’t. (I learned the hard way so you don’t have to!)

Fish area

The fish section is the pride of the Waterfront Market — but what makes it even better is Yaha, a little restaurant right next to it where they will cook your freshly bought fish exactly how you like it (I always go for the giant prawns with lemon!) It is a lovely, down-to-earth spot — maybe not ideal for a first date, but perfect for a laid-back Sunday outing.

A few quick tips from a regular:

In this section, haggling isn’t just encouraged — it is expected. You can easily knock the price down by 20–25 AED. The only exception tends to be the delicacies.
This place is brilliant for prawns — loads of options and sizes. My tip? Go for the bigger ones. The smaller sizes are easy enough to pick up at your local Choithrams or Carrefour. For reference, medium-sized prawns usually go for around 35–40 AED (at the very first time we paid 60 AED, even after bargaining).
Feeling a bit adventurous? This is also where you will find the delicacies — scallops, oysters, snails, even shark. These usually have fixed prices.
Now for my absolute favourite: smoked mackerel. You will find it at stall number 37, sold in factory-sealed packaging. Trust me — once you try it, you will be back for more.

Personal tip: If the fish area is your first stop and you are planning to spend another hour or so at the market, grab an insulated cool bag with ice (it is coming around 10 AED) to keep everything fresh on the way home.

Personal tip: Clean your prawns and fish on the spot. The cleaning area is connected to the fish section on one side, and for just 3 AED + VAT, they will sort it for you.

Sweets and spice section

This is the place to be for anyone with a sweet tooth. And from what I have noticed, it is also the calmest part of the market — no one is shouting prices or waving products in your face. They know you will come over anyway.

A few quick tips from a regular:

If you suddenly realise you have forgotten to bring cash — don’t leave! This is actually one of the few areas in the market where card payments are usually accepted.
If you love cooking, this is your spot. You will find all sorts of spices and flavourful blends that can really elevate your dishes.
Local sweets here are usually decent — but skip the “Dubai Chocolate”. Trust me, it is not quite what you are expecting.

The main sweets and spice section is near the entrance, but my personal favourite sweets shop is a bit tucked away. It is called "Turkish Sweets", and it is a proper gem, selling Rulo Lokum, Baklava, and Turkish Delight — the kind you won’t always find, even in Istanbul.

What else is there?

Meat section – it is a big area, with all kinds of fresh cuts. We only discovered it recently, and the ribs in particular looked amazing!

Important note: The meat is very fresh (if you know what I mean), so if you are a bit sensitive about these things, just a heads-up.

Eggs and milk – you will find these sold within the meat area as well.
Cheese – all kinds, all sizes — right next to the entrance of the Sweets and spice section.
Local Honey – if you are a fan, it is definitely worth picking some up. There are loads of varieties, so don’t be shy — try a few before choosing!

Personal tip: Even if some shops look a bit plain or basic, don’t skip them! You will sometimes stumble across something absolutely lovely and (yes, I am saying it again) authentic.

by Barbara Yakimchuk