Dubai, a city in constant development / Photo: Kent Tupas
Well before the historic Abraham Accords, signed in October 2020, there were kosher eateries already established in Dubai, serving religious Jewish travelers to the area.
A few new kosher food venues opened recently, but it looks like it will not be enough to meet the demand, especially not during Hanukkah and winter break.
Read ahead to find the latest updates added March 3, 2021.
Please note, according to the information we recived, Treat Kosher Catering will operate a Kosher for Passover take out service - The Kosher Place
Launched in 2019, Ellie's Kosher Kitchen, run by Ellie Kriel, was the pioneer operation operating a kosher catering service, mainly serving Jewish observant business travelers and diplomatic staff who were visiting Dubai and the UAE.
Elli's Kosher Kitchen received its new OU Certificate in November 2020, and is also regulary supervised by Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, Chief Rabbi of the Emirates.
The kitchen is now located at the Hilton Habtoor City in Dubai and starting from Hannukah 2020 Elli's kosher kitchen will be offering kosher eaters a seating option - anouncining a new kosher restaurant in the Hilton hotel.
The kitchen is now located at the Hilton Habtoor City in Dubai and starting from Hannukah 2020 Elli's kosher kitchen will be offering kosher eaters a seating option - anouncining a new kosher restaurant in the Hilton hotel.
OU Kosher Certificate / Ellie's Kosher Kitchen
Located in Burj Khalifa's Armani Hotel Dubai, the Armani/Kaf Restaurant is United Arab Emirate's first kosher certified dining venue.
The 40-seat pop-up dinner venue is located on the ground floor of the award-winning luxury hotel, adjacent to Armani/Hashi, and will deliver a standalone culinary experience. The Armani/Kaf is certified by Rabbi Levi Duchman.
Since it launched, the restaurant has been a huge success, fully booked every day. Management is considering moving the restaurant to a different, much larger venue with more covers in the Armani Hotel (Done - Hanukkah 2020: the restaurant has moved to the second floor and tripled its occupancy to 120 seats)
Since it launched, the restaurant has been a huge success, fully booked every day. Management is considering moving the restaurant to a different, much larger venue with more covers in the Armani Hotel (Done - Hanukkah 2020: the restaurant has moved to the second floor and tripled its occupancy to 120 seats)
Rabbi Levi Duchman established the Chabad house in the United Arab Emirates and provided kosher products as well as operating a small kosher catering service. Rabbi Duchman was officially appointed as the Chabad emissary to the UAE in October 2020.
Kosher Cuisine: WIth Rabbi Duchman & Chef Fabien Fayolle of the Armani Hotel
As of today there are 4 official kosher eateries in Dubai, however all are not fitting for grabbing a spontinaous, kosher bite due to the inreased demand (read update below).
It is highly recomended to make arrangements in advance , preferably before arriving in Dubai:
- Ellie's Kosher Kitchen, a kosher catering service operating from the Hilton Habtoor City hotel. Elli has opened a small kosher restaurant (December 2020) located at the Hilton - for reservations please call +971 443 555 77 (make sure to reserve in adavance - the restaurant has 45 seats only).
- The Armani/Kaf Kosher restaurant, certified by the EAKC (restaurant has moved to a larger venue at the second floor)
- Treat Kosher – Kosher Gourmet catering, located in downtown Dubai, EAKC Will also offer a Passover 2021 menu
- Mul Hayam - Kosher Israeli style restaurant under Chabad supervision
- and the Chabad House (which also offers Shabbat hospitality at the Address Mrina Hotel)
Chabad is also operating Shabbat hospitality programs at the Address Dubai Marina (was before at the Palace Downtown Hotel) including Shabbat services and Kiddushim etc.
Please check the TJT up to date kosher guide for Dubai for Shabbat times and further details.
Some of the Kosher food operators also serve other parts of the UAE, like Abu Dhabi but we advise you to check in advance. Due to Coronavirus restrictions you will find it hard to get kosher food delivered to you if prepared in another emirate (while writing this words, Abu Dhabi is officially a red zone and you cannot cross to Dubai and vice versa)
Update - December 06 2020
Update - December 06 2020
We spoke to Dudi Rubinstein, the administrator of Hul Mehudar, the leading Hebrew WhatsApp group for kosher and Israeli travel operators, reported from Dubai, "This is my third visit to Dubai in the past month and unfortunately, I do not have good news for kosher travelers!
While there are kosher services, they are not able to meet the overwhelming demand for kosher food. I strongly recommend to not leave the crackers and tuna fish cans at home!"
While there are kosher services, they are not able to meet the overwhelming demand for kosher food. I strongly recommend to not leave the crackers and tuna fish cans at home!"
Update - March 3 2021
There are a few Passover Programs and communal Seders planned in Dubai for 2021, definitely less than initially planned..
Gaya Tours will host their Program at the Park Hyatt Dubai, Treat Kosher is offering a full 8 days kosher catering package for Passover 2021, Chabad will host communal Sedarim and Elise Kosher Kitchen will also offer take away food and communal Sedarim.
There are a few Passover Programs and communal Seders planned in Dubai for 2021, definitely less than initially planned..
Gaya Tours will host their Program at the Park Hyatt Dubai, Treat Kosher is offering a full 8 days kosher catering package for Passover 2021, Chabad will host communal Sedarim and Elise Kosher Kitchen will also offer take away food and communal Sedarim.