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Food shopping and delivery
Where to shop if you’re used to Tesco or Waitrose, what a weekly shop costs, and how delivery works.
In 30 seconds
- Carrefour is the middle of the market; Spinneys and Waitrose feel most like home; Lulu and Union Coop are cheapest
- A mid-range weekly shop for a family of four typically costs AED 650–1,200
- Pork is sold in separate sections; alcohol only in licensed shops
Your supermarket, translated
| If you shop at | Try | Price feel |
|---|---|---|
| Waitrose | Waitrose, Spinneys | About 15–25% more than Carrefour |
| Tesco or Sainsbury’s | Carrefour, Choithrams | Carrefour is the middle |
| Asda, Aldi or Lidl | Lulu, Union Coop | About 10–20% less than Carrefour |
| M&S Food | M&S food halls in malls | Premium Check before relying on it |
A weekly shop
| Household | Mid-range shop a week |
|---|---|
| Just me | AED 250–450 (about £50–90) |
| A couple | AED 350–650 (about £70–130) |
| Family of four | AED 650–1,200 (about £130–245) |
Typical ranges from one published comparison. Estimate
Delivery
- Groceries: the Carrefour app, InstaShop and Kibsons (fruit and veg) deliver fast, often within the hour. App prices can be higher than in store
- Takeaway: apps such as Talabat, Careem and Deliveroo cover most areas The line-up changes
- Tipping: not required. Many people give riders a few dirhams
What surprises people
- British brands cost more. Local and regional produce is often cheaper and fresher
- Pork is sold in marked sections in some Spinneys, Waitrose and Carrefour branches. Lulu and Union Coop don’t sell it
- Alcohol isn’t sold in Dubai supermarkets. Buy it at licensed shops; the resident licence is free
- Shelf prices already include 5% VAT
- During Ramadan, shops open later and stay open late; don’t eat, drink or smoke in public in daylight
What to do next
- Try one value shop and one premium shop in your first week
- Download a grocery app before you land
- See groceries in your budget with the cost of living calculator
SourcesLast checked 1 Oct 2026. Rules and prices change, so check the official source before you act. Spotted something out of date? Email hello@theglobalocal.com.