10/01/2025
If you are interested in learning more about the similarities and differences between the Italian F&B culture and the market, this post will reveal some of the highlights between the two cultures.
has developed solid relationships throughout the Middle East market, especially in the Gulf region, with a focus on promoting intercultural understanding and communication in the agri-food industry, developing customized solutions that combine Italian culinary traditions with regional culinary tastes, acknowledging cultural parallels and differences. This strategy ensures that our creative proposals combine originality and flexibility, creating distinctive dining experiences that promote intercultural dialogue and sustainable development while preserving Italian culinary traditions.
Dubai and Italy have similarities and differences when it comes to food culture despite the fact that each country has its own distinct history, geography, and cultural influences. Dubai’s food culture is deeply rooted in its and multicultural heritage, while Italy’s reflects centuries of regional traditions and Mediterranean influences. Despite their differences, both cultures share a love for hospitality, fresh ingredients, and the joy of communal eating.
Both Italy and Dubai place a strong emphasis on using only the best, freshest ingredients in their cooking. Emiratis use fresh seafood, dates, and spices, whereas Italians appreciate fresh fruit, olive oil, and cheeses.
Food plays a major role in social gatherings in both cultures. In Dubai, meals frequently consist of lavish feasts, particularly during important occasions like Ramadan, whereas Italians enjoy leisurely dinners with family and friends.
However, like in any two different cultures, each country has its own specialties and a traditional way of enjoying food. Italy's regional cuisines combine ingredients and ideas from , , and even the Middle East (through the spice trade), while Dubai's cuisine is influenced by , , and cultures.
Italians have fixed mealtimes: breakfast, lunch, dinner and aperitivo. Wine is often served with meals. The street food culture in Italy is dominated by arancini, gelato and pizza al taglio. In their cuisine they emphasize simplicity and harmony of flavors, with a strong emphasis on pasta, cheese, tomatoes and olive oil and dairy is used extensively in iconic Italian desserts such as panna cotta, and .
On the other hand, rice, meat (lamb, chicken and camel), spices (cardamom, saffron) and traditional dishes such as and are the main ingredients of Dubai cuisine, which is characterized by complex spice blends that represent the city's trade routes. Although herbs such as oregano and basil are used, Italian cuisine tends to use fewer spices.
Dubai has more flexible meal plans, but they still include group meals, especially during Ramadan when iftar, or breaking of the fast, is important. Due to Islamic customs, alcohol is not usually served at Emirati meals.
Street food in Dubai consists of popular street delicacies such as shawarma, falafel and luqaimat, representing the city's diverse population. Both cuisines use seafood, with Dubai relying on fish from the Arabian Gulf, such as and hamour, while the Italian coast, including and , offers dishes such as seafood risotto and calamari. Dates, saffron and rosewater are often used in desserts such as , and .
