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). They make up 37.96 per cent of the population of the country and are the largest expatriate group in the country.
A clear need to cater to the food and cultural tastes of Indians living in Dubai is therefore implicit. A number of supermarkets have been set up in Dubai with Indian clientele in mind. They stock food and other items exclusively needed/desired by Indians or at the very least have a dedicated section where such products are available.
Let’s read about the best supermarkets in Dubai that cater to Indians in 2025.
Top Indian supermarkets
| Serial No. | Super Market | Things available | Location | Special Services |
| | Lulu hyper market | Indian spices, groceries, fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood and meat. Frozen Indian foods, ready-to-eat meals, and traditional Indian snacks. Indian fashion items such as Indian clothes and shoes. | Al Karama, Al Qusais, and Al Barsha. | It holds themed festivals selling different Asian products. |
| | Al Adil Super Market | Indian grains, pulses, spices, groceries, cosmetic products, ayurvedic medicines. | Al Nahda, Al Barsha 1, Bur Dubai, Karama | It has ayurvedic medicines and along with that provides home delivery and online shopping |
| | Choithrams | Tamarind, scraped coconut, readymade + fresh hot meals, pulao, curries, puffs | GCC - 85 | Their green good initiatives which highlights the organic produce. They have their own reward system called Bounz. |
| | Madhoor Super Market | Spices, masalas, dals, pulses, staples, frozen foods, beverages, fresh fruits and vegetables, oil, desi ghee, breakfast food, snacks, instant food, dairy and egg products, holi products, electronics, hygiene products, household supplies, health and beauty products, pooja items, and stationery products | Stores across Dubai (Al Fahidi, Meena Bazaar, JLT) | They have weekly specials which offer attractive discounts. |
| | Tamil Mart Dubai | South Indian lentils, pickles, millet rusks, esoteric items (puttu mix, etc.), | Discovery Garden, Al Nahda, Karama | They offer online shopping, and home delivery. |
| | Talal Super Mart | Indian delicacies, food items, perfumes, household items, cosmetics, garments, electronic items | 130 branches in the UAE, multiple in Dubai city (the one in Deira is a popular branch), Al Qusais (24-hour branch), Hor Al Anz, Al Shaab | Their store located in Al Qusais is open for 24 hours. |
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 follows:
Union Co-Op
Carrefour
Spinneys
Al Maya
Megamart
SPAR
Baqer Mohebi
Viva
West Zone, etc.
Shopping tips
Try to avoid going shopping on the day of a festival like Diwali/Onam as the store can get crowded. Plan your shopping trip a day or two ahead of the festival.
Going to the grocery store with a list will prevent you from getting sidetracked.
If you are unfamiliar with spices, the brands, etc. ask the store owner or staff for help. You can also use Google lens to get information about the ingredient by taking a picture of it.
Ingredients at Indian stores come in different sizes. Buying smaller quantities of ingredients which you will not use fast. Buying large quantities of spices when you are not using them will result in them losing potency.
Check for expiry dates and quality of ingredients if you are buying something like spices that go bad easily.
Conclusion
As an Indian living in Dubai, you can access Indian groceries and food products from these various supermarkets. They’re dynamic and diverse, just like the city itself is. As an Indian, you will never be too far from the flavours and tastes you’re used to.
