The Best Supermarkets in Dubai: An Expat’s Guide
Dubai is a multicultural city, so when it comes to grocery shopping here you’re going to find absolutely everything on the shelves. Where you shop is going to depend entirely on where you’re from and what your tastes are but rest assured you’ll find most of the creature comforts of home – as well as tons of new and delicious global products – at the best supermarkets in Dubai!
If you’re new to Dubai or planning to move here, understand that there are actually a lot more grocery store chains in the UAE than I’ve included on this list. This is a list of some of the most popular supermarkets in Dubai, and hopefully, this will shed a little bit of light on what to expect grocery-wise.
When it comes to grocery shopping here, I’ve found that different stores offer different perks. So whether I’m looking for a bargain, hunting down an obscure American product I miss from home, or want to stock up on the freshest produce, each of these places has its specific upside, meaning I shop at them all!
you might also be interested in:
- How to Save Money on Groceries in Dubai: 14 Tried & True Tips
- The Best Food and Grocery Delivery Apps in Dubai
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (which I’m so thankful for!) at no extra cost to you.
8 Best Supermarkets in Dubai
1. Carrefour
When it comes to the top grocery stores in Dubai, Carrefour is always a solid option. From small convenience stores to mega hypermarkets, you’ll find this French chain across the UAE. Like most supermarkets in Dubai, what you’ll find at a certain branch is going to vary depending on the location and how large the store is.
I personally love shopping at the Carrefour where I live in the Dubai Marina. This medium-sized supermarket has good quality produce at affordable prices and great deals on Carrefour brand food products. They also have a small prepared foods section and bakery, so it’s possible to find everything I need, grocery-wise, in one place.
Head to a Carrefour hypermarket at one of Dubai’s malls, though, and you’ll find that Carrefour has everything – from produce and prepared foods to electronics, homeware, and everything in between!
2. Waitrose
British brand Waitrose is one of the most high-end grocery stores in Dubai. They have an incredible selection of imported products and produce, including lots of exotic fruits and veggies you can’t necessarily find at other Dubai supermarkets. That being said, these things do come at a higher price tag compared to other Dubai supermarkets.
I tend to visit Waitrose when I need to find a certain product I can’t find at other grocery stores in town, including random American products. I also love the prepared foods section at Waitrose, which features everything from homemade Indian curries to fresh salads and sandwiches to homemade hummus and falafel.
Waitrose also has one of the best supermarket bakeries and delis in town. This is also a popular chain for British citizens to find products from their home country that other stores don’t have. And if you’re a vegan in Dubai, you’ll find a range of plant-based meats, cheeses, and more at Waitrose!
3. Spinneys
The Waitrose locations in the UAE are actually licensed by Spinneys, which is another popular local chain here. Aside from their name, these two chains are very similar, so you’ll find similar imported and gourmet products at a similar price point at both Spinneys and Waitrose in the UAE.
4. Grandiose Supermarket
Grandiose is another one of the best supermarkets in Dubai. This premium grocery store chain got its start in Dubai and I personally love it because they really make an effort to limit their use of plastic.
This is one of my go-to Dubai supermarkets for fresh produce and fresh bread, and I appreciate that they offer paper bags instead of plastic. When I visit, I always bring my own canvas bag to put my groceries in but if you don’t have your own bag, you can pay for a paper bag to carry your groceries home in.
5. Al Maya Supermarket
When it comes to affordable grocery stores in Dubai, Al Maya is one of the best chains. The produce here is always excellent and affordable and they offer a great mix of products from around the world, including a diverse selection of affordable spices.
6. LuLu Hypermarket
If you’re looking for a one-stop shop, LuLu Hypermarkets are absolutely massive and have everything you could possibly need – from groceries to household items.
There’s so much stuff in these stores that you never know what you’re going to find. This is also one of my go-to places to look for products I can’t find at other supermarkets or to stock up on all the essentials.
7. VIVA Supermarket
If you’re looking to save on money, VIVA Supermarket is one of the best supermarkets in Dubai. Everything sold here is far cheaper than what you’ll find at other supermarkets in Dubai. With that in mind, you may not be able to find everything you need here.
I go to VIVA to stock up on affordable cheeses, dairy products, Italian pastas and sauces, produce, and everyday essentials like olive oil and spices. But you never know what you’ll find, and you can expect to get great deals at this discount chain.
8. Choithrams
I’m lucky enough to have a large Choithrams right down the street from my apartment and it’s become my go-to place to get everything. I like this place because it has a wide range of grocery staples that I’d find back home in the US, but it also has tons of international products, including Thai, Mexican, and Indian.
From fresh produce to a range of international products to an on-site bakery, this place really does have it all. Plus, they also always have a discount section, where you can find great deals.
