Dubai is a global melting pot with expats from all around the world bringing with them the culture, traditions and cuisines of their respective countries and communities.
As per the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, as of 2024, there are 4.75 million Indians residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), making up 37.96 per cent of the population of the country and is the largest expatriate group in the country. As per official figures from the authorities in Dubai, as of 2024, Indians contribute to 1.5 million of the total 3.7 million people living in Dubai.
The above figures clearly point to a large need to cater to the food and cultural tastes of Indians living in Dubai. A number of supermarkets have been set up in Dubai with the Indian clientele in mind. Such supermarkets may stock food and other items exclusively needed by people from India, or may have a section where such products are available. Let us read about the best supermarkets in Dubai catering to Indians in 2024.
Best Indian Super Markets
Let us read about these supermarkets, their specialties and where they are located:
1. Lulu Hyper Market:
Lulu Hyper Market, started by Yusuf Ali, a renowned Indian businessman, as part of Lulu International, is today the most successful among all supermarkets in UAE, stocking nearly any product that the Indian population in Dubai and UAE may think of. It has huge and well-stocked sections of Indian spices, groceries and other products. The stores have sections dedicated exclusively to Indian food, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood and meat. They also stock a variety of frozen foods, ready-to-eat meals, and traditional Indian snacks. Not only these, but Lulu also has sections full of fashion items like Indian clothes and shoes, home necessities, and electronics. It has a section for money exchange and a child play area to keep little ones engaged while their parents shop.
Lulu has now expanded from an Indian supermarket to one which is popular as an Asian supermarket in Dubai and frequently holds themed festivals featuring products from various Asian countries. Lulu is known for its extensive range of products, well-organised stores and reasonable prices. Lulu Hyper Market has several branches in Dubai, with some popular and notable branches in Al Karama, Al Qusais, and Al Barsha.
2. Al Adil Super Market:
Al Adil Super Market is another destination for Indian expatriates in Dubai for Indian grains, pulses and spices of the highest quality. The branch of Al Adil Supermarket at Al Nahda is one of the most popular of their 10-plus branches across Dubai. This branch stocks a large variety of Indian products, such as grocery products, tea, pulses, pickles, cosmetic products, and Ayurvedic medicines, which are craved by the Indian population in Dubai.
Al Adil Super Markets are located all across the UAE in addition to Dubai and also offer convenient facilities for online shopping and home delivery of grocery products. Al Adil Super Market has branches across multiple locations in Dubai, including Al Barsha 1, Al Nahda, Bur Dubai and Karama.
3. Choithrams:
Choithrams was established 50 years ago, in 1974. Choithrams was awarded the first ever “Grocer of the Year” award in 2005 by RetailME awards and is counted among the best stores in Dubai catering to the Indian clientele. Choithrams Super Markets stock a medley of international and local products, and the “Green Goodness” initiatives that they run at their stores act to add awareness and highlight the use of eco-friendly and organic products, thereby reiterating their commitment to the environment and following a healthy lifestyle. Choithrams are the destination if you are looking for traditional products like tamarind and scraped coconuts typically used in Indian cuisine. Choithrams also stocks a variety of readymade and fresh hot meals and frozen items like pulao, curries and puffs for those who are on the go or are feeling too lazy to cook.
Choithrams have their own reward system, which they call Bounz. You may avail of discounts and rewards by using this system. Choithrams is located all across the GCC region with 85 supermarkets, including 55 in the UAE. In Dubai, they are located in multiple locations, including Business Bay, Green Community, and DIFC.
4. Madhoor Super Market:
Madhoor Super Market was founded way back in 1956 with a guarantee that Indian people would find all that they would find in their home towns in India in their aisles. This is one of the more successful supermarket chains in Dubai, basing their business on the principle that they do not sell anything that they would themselves not personally buy. Madhoor stocks a wide variety of Indian products, including spices and masalas, dals and pulses, staples, frozen foods, beverages, fresh fruits and vegetables, oil and desi ghee, breakfast food, snacks, instant food, dairy and egg products, as well as products for Indian festivals such as Holi.
Madhoor also stocks electronic products, hygiene products, household supplies, health and beauty products, pooja items and stationery products. Their weekly specials offer attractive discounts, and they also offer the facility to order online and have home delivery. Madhoor Super Market has stores across Dubai, including Al Fahidi, Meena Bazaar and JLT.
5. Tamil Mart Dubai:
Tamil Mart Dubai is a supermarket that specialises in food items and products from South India and Tamil Nadu in particular. Tamil Mart is the place to visit if you are looking for certain specific ingredients used in traditional South Indian and Tamil cuisine. You will find South Indian lentils, pickles, millet rusks and things such as ‘puttu mix’, a traditional rice cake mixture at Tamil Mart. Tamil Mart offers online shopping and home delivery, which is currently being revamped. Tamil Mart has stores in Discovery Garden, Al Nahda and Karama.
6. Talal Super Market:
Talal Super Market is among the older stores in Dubai catering to an Indian clientele that has been around for over three decades. They stock up on Indian delicacies and grocery items such as food items, household items, perfumes, cosmetics, garments and electronic items, to name a few, all of the highest quality and the most affordable prices so as to be able to deliver the maximum benefit to their customers.
Talal Super Market has 130 branches in the UAE, with multiple branches across the city of Dubai, with Deira being among its popular branches. Talal Super Market has recently opened a store in Al Qusais, which is open 24 hours a day. They also have branches in locations like Hor Al Anz and Al Shaab Colony.
Other Popular Super Markets in Dubai
Apart from the supermarkets that we discussed above, which have extensive products and sections catering to the Indian population in Dubai, there are also other supermarkets in Dubai that stock Indian products. A list of some of these supermarkets is as below:
- Union Co-Op
- Carrefour
- Spinneys
- Al Maya
- Megamart
- Spar
- Baqer Mohebi
- Viva
- West Zone, etc.
Conclusion
As an Indian living in Dubai, you have access to Indian grocery and food products from various supermarkets. The supermarkets in Dubai are dynamic and diverse, just like the city itself is. As an Indian, you will never be too far from the unique flavour and taste of homemade food and other supplies you have been used to back in India.