Salman Tariq
Shan masala. National achar. Mitchell's jam. Shezan juice. Multani mitti.
If those names make you feel at home, good news: you can find all of them in Dubai. You just need to know where to look, because the big international supermarkets don't always carry the Pakistani brands and ingredients we actually cook with.
I'm Pakistani, and I've lived in Deira for about four to five years. This post covers the Pakistani supermarkets in Dubai worth knowing, where each one is, what they're good for, and a few tips to make your grocery shopping easier.
The Short List
If you just want names, these are the Pakistani supermarkets in Dubai to know:
- Pakistan Supermarket, with branches in Karama, Deira (Naif), Al Nahda and Al Barsha.
- Pak Jinnah Supermarket in International City.
- Empress Market in Al Barsha.
- Apna Pakistan Supermarket in Karama.
- Fakhre Pakistani Supermarket in Al Nahda.
- Pakistani Moon Supermarket in Al Nahda.
Below, I've grouped them by area, so you can find the one closest to where you live or stay.
Deira: Pakistan Supermarket, Naif
Deira is my side of the city, and the Pakistan Supermarket branch on Naif Street is the one to know here.
Pakistan Supermarket is one of the oldest Pakistani grocery chains in the UAE. It has been operating since 1987, and it stocks more than 100 Pakistani brands, along with fresh vegetables, fruit, spices, rice, dairy, bakery items and household products.
What makes the Naif branch stand out is its hours. It's listed as open 24 hours from Thursday to Sunday, and from 7am to 2am on Monday and Tuesday, with Wednesday hours running from 7am to midnight. If you work late or need something at an odd hour, that's very useful.
It's also known for seasonal mangoes imported from Pakistan, and for vegetables that are flown in. Recently listed prices include brinjal at AED 10, garlic at AED 5 and cabbage at AED 6, which gives you a rough idea of what fresh produce costs there.
Pakistan Supermarket also has an online store with delivery across the UAE, so you can order if you can't get to a branch.
Karama: Two Options Close Together
Karama is one of the best areas in Dubai for South Asian shopping, and it has two Pakistani supermarkets worth knowing.
Pakistan Supermarket, Karama
The Karama branch of Pakistan Supermarket sits beside Ibrahimi Palace Restaurant. It's listed as open daily from 7:30am to midnight, with a break for Friday prayers from 12pm to 1pm.
Apna Pakistan Supermarket
Apna Pakistan is a smaller store in Karama, and it's the kind of place where you find the specific things you're missing. It stocks brands like Mitchell's, National Foods, Shan, Habib and Shezan, along with jams, sauces, tinned haleem and haleem mixes.
It also sells seasonal fruit like mangoes, plums and apricots, and traditional clay pots and wooden crockery. If you want to cook in a proper handi, this is one place to check.
It's listed as open daily from around 7am or 8am until midnight.
Al Nahda: Three Pakistani Supermarkets
Al Nahda, near the Sharjah border, has a strong Pakistani community, and it shows in the shops.
Pakistan Supermarket, Al Nahda
There's a Pakistan Supermarket branch behind Sahara Centre, open daily from 7am to midnight, with a break for Friday prayers.
Fakhre Pakistani Supermarket
Fakhre is on Baghdad Street in Al Nahda 2. It stocks imported fruit and vegetables, masala brands, herbal products, and traditional clay and wooden kitchenware.
It's also one of the few places in Dubai known for selling Multani mitti, so if that's on your list, this is the store to try. It's listed as open daily from 8am to 12:30am, and it delivers to nearby communities.
Pakistani Moon Supermarket
Pakistani Moon is in Al Nahda 1. It focuses on brands imported from Pakistan, along with spices, pantry staples, fresh produce and some harder-to-find items. It's listed as open daily from 7am to midnight.
International City: Pak Jinnah Supermarket
If you live in International City, Pak Jinnah Supermarket is the name to know. It's in Persia Cluster, on the ground floor of Building N11.
It stocks fresh vegetables, meat and poultry, a strong range of spices, and Pakistani pantry staples, plus household items. It's listed as open daily from 7am until around midnight.
Next door is Pakistan Jinnah Sweets and Restaurant, which serves samosas, chaat and Kashmiri chai. So you can finish your grocery run with something warm and familiar.
Al Barsha: Empress Market and Pakistan Supermarket
On the newer side of Dubai, Al Barsha has two good options.
Empress Market
Empress Market takes its name from the famous Empress Market in Karachi. It's in Al Rabwah Towers in Al Barsha, and it sells fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, bakery items, spices, basmati rice, tea, dry fruit and personal care products.
The big plus is delivery. It's listed as offering free delivery in Dubai on orders above AED 100, and on orders above AED 150 to other emirates. For a monthly grocery run, that can save you a trip.
Pakistan Supermarket, Al Barsha
There's also a Pakistan Supermarket branch in Al Barsha 1, listed as open daily from 8am to 11:45pm.
Which Store for What
Widest choice of Pakistani brands: Pakistan Supermarket.
Late-night shopping: Pakistan Supermarket in Naif, Deira.
Multani mitti and herbal products: Fakhre Pakistani Supermarket.
Clay pots and wooden cookware: Apna Pakistan or Fakhre.
Home delivery in Dubai: Empress Market or Pakistan Supermarket's online store.
International City: Pak Jinnah Supermarket.
Pakistani mangoes in season: Pakistan Supermarket or Apna Pakistan.
Tips for Shopping Pakistani Groceries in Dubai
Compare the price per kilo, not the price on the packet. A bigger bag of rice or atta isn't always cheaper per kilo, so check the unit price before you grab the larger size.
Split your shopping. Buy rice, atta, daal and spices in bulk once a month, and buy fresh vegetables, fruit and meat weekly. It keeps waste down and makes your monthly budget easier to plan.
Check delivery minimums. Free delivery usually starts above a minimum order, such as AED 100 at Empress Market. A small order with a delivery fee can cost more than a quick trip to the shop.
Look for seasonal stock. Pakistani mangoes, for example, only arrive in season, and they sell quickly.
Call before a long trip. Store hours and stock can change, so if you're travelling across the city for one specific item, call the branch first.
Bottom Line
You don't have to give up the taste of home in Dubai. Start with Pakistan Supermarket for the widest range, use the branch nearest to you, and keep Fakhre, Apna Pakistan and Empress Market in mind for the specific things the bigger stores don't always have.
Frequently asked questions
- Pakistan Supermarket is the biggest name, with branches in Karama, Deira (Naif), Al Nahda and Al Barsha. Other options include Pak Jinnah in International City, Empress Market in Al Barsha, Apna Pakistan in Karama, and Fakhre and Pakistani Moon in Al Nahda.
- Pakistani supermarkets in Dubai stock brands like Shan, National Foods, Mitchell's, Habib and Shezan, among many others. Pakistan Supermarket says it carries more than 100 Pakistani brands, covering masalas, achar, jams, sauces, cooking oil, snacks and household products.
- The Pakistan Supermarket branch on Naif Street in Deira is listed as open 24 hours from Thursday to Sunday, and from 7am to 2am on Monday and Tuesday. Most other Pakistani supermarkets in Dubai are open from early morning until around midnight.
- Fakhre Pakistani Supermarket on Baghdad Street in Al Nahda 2 is known as one of the few places in Dubai that sells Multani mitti. It also stocks herbal products, masala brands, imported fruit and vegetables, and traditional clay and wooden kitchenware.
- Yes. Pakistan Supermarket has an online store with delivery across the UAE. Empress Market in Al Barsha offers free delivery in Dubai on orders above AED 100, and above AED 150 to other emirates. Fakhre Pakistani Supermarket also delivers to nearby communities.