Online gourmet grocers and caterers in Dubai
With demand for at-home entertaining on the rise given the expense of dining out in Dubai, I am getting more and more requests for gourmet ‘grocers’ (read artisans) and bespoke caterers. Having written about both of these before, HERE and HERE, this particular guide showcases those businesses specifically offering an online service – making the ordering process easy peasy.
Here are 10 top picks in Dubai, with many covering other emirates too.
Any more out there?
Let’s kick off with those providing a wide range of produce – in alphabetical order:
- Chez Charles: a Lebanese gent who goes by the name of, you guessed it, Charles – the same person behind the catering business and the French D3 restaurant. Whether you’re after meat, seafood or cheese, produce tends to arrive from France or Australia. Pre-prepared cheese platters start at AED160. To deliver, a minimum order of AED250 is required. Next day delivery for orders placed before 1pm. Cash, cheque or card on delivery.
- El Grocer: this may be a mainstream grocery app, but the team has recently added Jones The Grocer’s cheese and charcuterie boards starting at AED238 and festive gift hampers, as well as 1004 Gourmet’s sushi platters. You will also spot Baladi Butchery and The Meat Avenue. New merchants join regularly so worth checking in. Super user-friendly interface. Prices the same as in-store, who also organise same-day delivery for AED7. Cash or card on arrival.
- Les Gastronomes: as the name suggests, this one-stop shop is for serious gastronomy, premium meat, shellfish and cheese in particular. I tried it out by ordering a made-to-order cheese board (see above) for a gathering of six friends. I left the choice to the owners, but you can also pick your own. Aside from the crackers, fruit and cashews – Isigny butter and par-baked half-size baguettes were delivered – and you get to keep the slate board. Deliveries Saturday to Thursday in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Orders received before 1pm qualify for next day delivery. Free delivery on orders above AED200 – otherwise an AED35 charge. Cash or cheque on delivery – or credit card in advance.
- Maison Duffour: Guest contributor Matt Broderick is a fan. Matt writes: “Maison Duffour is fast becoming my ‘go-to’ treat. The fact that I can order my wife’s favourite cheese – Neufchâtel – alongside amazingly coarse pâté and homely breads, makes a stay-at-home picnic one of our monthly treats. If having a dinner party, their French duck breast is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Although not everything is always in stock all of the time, payment and ordering is simple and easy online. A call to the team, or even an Instagram message, will result in notification of what you are waiting for.” Next day delivery (weekdays only) across the UAE for orders before 3pm. A minimum spend of AED250 qualifies for free delivery – otherwise AED35 for an order of up to AED99, or AED25 for orders between AED100 – AED249.
- Secrets Fine Food: this posh gourmet grocer is owned by a French lady – Stephanie. Expect high quality and mostly French produce, sourced straight from the producer to Dubai. Think truffles, caviar, seasonal cheeses, oysters (they even kindly sent someone to shuck these for lazy me!). Free delivery for orders above AED250, otherwise an AED50 charge. Next day delivery in Dubai for orders placed before 8pm. Three days a week in Abu Dhabi, and once a week in the other emirates. Cash, cheque or card on delivery – as well as Paypal or telegraphic transfer in advance.
Moving on to meat and cheese specialists:
- Carnistore: meat glorious meat from sustainable farms in Australia and the US. Both raw, with marination in advance should you wish – and cooked smoked delicacies. They even deliver dishes like a cooked shepherd’s pie and sides of decadent potato gratin. Smokehouse aside, same day delivery across the UAE for orders before 2pm. Online credit card payment, or cash/ card on delivery.
- Martin’s Meats: not just meat but seafood too from Irishman Martin who handles all first-time deliveries. His produced is sourced from Dubai’s largest hotel supplier, but worth noting that only the beef and lamb arrive freshly chilled; the pork, poultry and seafood are frozen. He also offers a range of freshly cooked family-size and individual pies, as well as lasagna – perfect for impromptu entertaining. Minimum order of AED500 excluding his weekly promos. Orders placed before 3.30pm will be delivered in Dubai the following day. Cash on delivery.
- Mattar Farm: Dubai’s first, and likely, most well-known artisan smokehouse sees owner Hatem Mattar himself personal smoking the meats. Beef brisket which I tried recently at a wine tasting was polished off promptly, smoked poultry (turkey, chicken, duck), beef ribs, lamb leg and sausages are available. Gorgeous sides and salads too. Minimum order of AED400, 24 hours in advance, with an AED15 delivery charge. Cash or credit card on delivery.
- Springbok Butchery: founded by a South African, the fresh hormone-free meats are mostly Australian, with some from South Africa. Orders before 9pm are delivered the following day. Delivery in Dubai six days a week (Abu Dhabi daily). Cash, card or cheque on delivery. They also offer a BBQ braai catering set-up.
- Yellow Block: this has to be one of the most gorgeous cheese and charcuterie boards I have ever seen (hero photo at the top). An Instagram side project by a designer: @yellowblock.co I ordered it for delivery as a starter with a couple of girlfriends. You can specify cheeses or leave it to them based partly on seasonality. I paid AED300 for this board which three of us pretty much demolished. Two larger sizes are available for AED450 (4-7 people) and AED750 (8-12 people). The slate board is included, and can be reused for your next order with the price deducted. AED50 delivery charge in Dubai or you can collect. Cash payment on delivery.
And lastly, Prime Gourmet, the artisan butcher with stores in Town Centre and Springs Souk (plus a new flagship on Umm Suqeim road opening soon), will launch its revamped website shortly here.
Enjoy eating and entertaining 🙂
A bientôt.
FooDiva. x
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