Dubai is one of the most happening places at the moment. It is a true melting pot of cultures. There is so much to see and do in Dubai, including almost endless sightseeing. It’s not just the modern buildings; Dubai is also home to a lot of historical landmarks.
But it is not just sightseeing that is immensely popular in Dubai. Shopping is another important part of tourism here. It is a fact that tens of thousands of people flock to the Emirate annually just for the sake of shopping.
Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) is one of the most unmissable parts of summer in the city. It offers a lot of reasons to shop, stay, play, dine and celebrate together. DSS 2025 has already kicked off, setting the stage for 66 days of entertainment and shopping.
Dubai Summer Surprises 2025 has three specially curated retail seasons, including Summer Holiday Offers, Great Dubai Summer Sale and Back to School. Each season is designed to skillfully match the rhythm of the moment. You cannot miss this.
10 Dubai local products tourists must purchase
Dubai is a paradise for shopping enthusiasts. You can find a number of things to take back home, including precious ornaments, authentic spices and great fragrances. Here are the top 10 things all tourists in Dubai should buy.
1. Gold and diamond ornaments
From traditional souks to high-end boutiques, there are plenty of reliable places in Dubai to purchase gold. These stores feature a broad range of designs and purity options at great prices. Here is a detailed guide to buying gold in Dubai.
Some of the best places to buy diamond and gold in Dubai include, Dubai Gold Souk located in the heart of Old Dubai, Meena Bazaar in Bur Dubai, Dubai Mall (one of the largest shopping and entertainment destinations globally), and Dubai Gold and Diamond Park.
Dubai International airport (DXB) also houses a great collection of gold shops (duty free and others), making it a seamless experience for tourists to purchase gold before boarding their flights out of Dubai.
2. Oud and bakhoor
There is a distinct aroma found in some places in Dubai. If this fragrance – coming from oud or bakhoor – is your thing, purchase these items at Perfume Souk in Deira, Spice Souk and multiple perfume shops in different shopping malls in Dubai.
Both oud and bakhoor are excellent substitutes for room freshener, candle and incense. But it is recommended to try different grades of the product to find the right fragrance for you. Purchase from reputable retailers in order to maintain authenticity.
The Perfume Souk in Dubai has some of the most exotic fragrances one might not find at any other place in the Emirate. Some scents can be mild but some can be a bit loud. But each one is promising enough to attract customers from a great distance. I’m not exaggerating.
The Perfume Souk is also a great place to learn about oud and bakhoor and the many intricacies of these materials. This place is also easily accessible from different parts of Dubai and beyond. You can take a short abra ride across Dubai Creek or use metro till Baniyas Square.
3. Coffee and coffee pots
Coffee has a special place in Dubai and the broader UAE. You can find plenty of reputable coffee shops in Dubai, selling the product at different price ranges. For a coffee enthusiast, Dubai can be a great destination as there are many places here to buy good coffee.
The coffee here often has a strong taste. You can bring them home for personal needs or to gift, in addition to coffee pots (locally called ‘dallah’). These coffee pots in Dubai are usually made of copper and are considered suitable for daily use.
There are multiple special places to purchase coffee in Dubai, including Dubai Coffee Museum, traditional souks and some major supermarkets and malls for pre-packaged coffee. It is recommended to purchase freshly ground coffee for the best experience.
4. Camel Milk Chocolate
Camels are, indeed, a major part of the Emirati culture. Desert safaris in Dubai are a popular experience to try out any time of the year and camels are a big part of such safaris. Camel milk products are also some of the most delicious things to purchase on a trip to Dubai.
Camel milk chocolates are incredibly rare. They come in a broad range of compositions, including milk, macadamia, cocoa, dates and more. The most recommended ones are the chocolates shaped like camels, definitely.
Founded in Dubai, Al Nassma is one of the first and finest camel milk chocolate makers on a global basis. The brand uses a unique technique to better bring out the salty creaminess present in camel milk for their milk chocolate bars.
You can find a number of Al Nassma products in the market, including the OG camel milk chocolate for $9.50, camel milk chocolate including dates for $9.50, a touch of Arabian spice for $9.50, dark milk chocolate including almonds for $10 and much more.
5. Spices in Dubai
One of the best things to bring back home from Dubai is local spices. Full of aroma and a distinct taste, these spices are sold in a lot of markets across the Emirate at reasonable prices. Don’t forget to haggle to get a better price.
Dubai spices carry the magical ability to transform any bland dish into something really exciting. There is a special spice market in Dubai, selling mounds of aromatic herbs and spices. Talk to the shopkeepers to find the right method to use some of the exotic spices.
You can find a broad range of spices from across the subcontinent. The Spice Souk in Dubai is no less than a unique experience. There is also a great selection of nuts, oils and saffron to purchase at the market.
Dubai’s spice market is famous for its hefty discounts. You can cross the Dubai Creek from Bur Dubai on a traditional abra boat to reach the Spice Souk. But the place is also located close to Al Ras Metro Station. Happy shopping!
6. Lamps, lanterns, incense holders
No! You cannot rub the lamps and get a genie out of it. But lamps in Dubai are definitely delicate and stunning, guaranteed to transport back to the ancient stories. These lamps often carry stones and intricate details, making them interesting and beautiful.
Lamps can be found in different sizes and shapes, sold at a broad range of prices. You can also find a great selection of lanterns in Dubai. They are the perfect decor pieces, making them the best souvenirs to bring from Dubai if transported safely.
Lanterns in Dubai are also made of copper and tin, carrying really intricate patterns that add on to their remarkable beauty. In addition, don’t forget to purchase some enticing incense holders in Dubai. They can be found in souks, specialised incense shops and more.
7. Precious stones
Dubai is not just famous for its gold. It is true that the Emirate has great traditional souks and high-end boutiques selling gold ornaments of different intricacies. But Dubai also has a famous market for high-quality diamonds, rubies, sapphires and semi-precious stones.
Prices for these precious and semi-precious stones typically depend on the quality. You can buy loose stones or in the form of ornaments, too. It is recommended to purchase at reputable shops or gemstone dealers in the Gold Souk Dubai.
Request for a certification for the stone’s authenticity, especially if purchasing precious gemstones. Multiple shopping malls in Dubai also sell these beautiful stones at different prices. Check out The Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates for a great collection.
8. Delicacies and exotic tea blends
Dubai is a melting pot of cultures and its culinary landscape highlights this fact. There are dozens of shops in the Emirate selling delicious Khabees, Maamoul, Batheeth and more. Most of these items have a long shelf life.
Dates are a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine. They are a delicious treat, full of nutrients. Dates also make a great gift to bring back home from Dubai. You can ask the shopkeeper to pack up the product clean. Don’t forget to bring home some dried fruits and nuts, too.
Dubai also sells exotic tea blends. You can find saffron-infused teas, for example, blending the delicate taste and aroma of both tea and saffron to create a unique and luxurious experience. Dubai also has teas carrying the essence of roses.
There is one suggestion, though. Before purchasing these exotic tea blends in Dubai, make sure to ask for a sample to understand the products better. Consider airtight packaging to retain the freshness and fragrance for a longer period.
9. Handmade crafts and traditional sandals
Dubai has a burgeoning textile scene. Head to the Textile Souk in Bur Dubai for a great collection of fine silks and fabrics. You can also find plenty of embroidered materials at this bazaar located at a short distance from Sharaf DG Metro Station.
The Textile Souk in Dubai also has readymade outfits. There is a 99% possibility of finding the exact print and colour you had been looking for. This market is also home to stunning handmade crafts, highlighting the region’s craftsmanship and traditions.
Looking for a genuine handmade piece? Look for the artist’s signature or authenticity certificate. You can also purchase calligraphy art in galleries, specialised calligraphy stores or at exhibitions to carry a unique expression of the Middle East back home.
There is another important local product to purchase in Dubai. Local shoes. You can invest in a pair of comfortable sandles or slippers of Arabic designs. They can be found at traditional markets, dedicated shoes stores and more places in Dubai.
10. OG Dubai chocolate
For someone in the range of the internet, ‘Dubai chocolate’ should not be an alien term. Made by FIX Dessert Chocolatier, the OG Dubai chocolate has become such a global sensation that scores of people are planning trips to the Emirate just to get their hands on them.
These Pistachio Kunafa chocolate bars are luring a lot of dupes because of their rising popularity. But the OG bars could be a bit difficult to purchase as the confectionary company behind the product sells it in limited quantities to keep the quality bar high.
FIX Dessert Chocolatier recently released ‘Time to Mango‘, getting inspired from the hero of the summer season. The bars are priced at Dh72.25 and can be bought on the Deliveroo app at 2 pm and 5 pm on each day.
There is another important place selling the OG Dubai chocolate bars. Located in Terminal 3 Concourse B, the FIX Chocolate Dubai Duty Free pop-up could be staying throughout the summer. So, grab the bars as stocks could run dry soon.
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