Consuming pork is not illegal for non-Muslims in the UAE. If a Muslim is caught eating pork they could be fined or jailed under article 312 of the UAE Federal Penal Law . While the UAE is a religious and conservative country, there is nothing to stop a non-Muslim from publicly eating pork products.
Pork is considered haram (forbidden) in Muslim culture but there are places in Dubai that have a license to sell them. Pork counters are marked with “Pork Section: For Non-Muslims”. You can buy pork sausages, bellies, loins, ribs, chops, bacon, etc.
There is no law against eating bacon in the UAE, and there are no religious restrictions on eating pork for Christians or Jews. However, pork is not commonly available in stores or restaurants. Muslims are not allowed to eat pork, and the majority of the population is Muslim.
The UAE has a restriction on the import of pork. Pork products cannot be sold in supermarkets but can be purchased from licensed outlets such as hotels and restaurants.
As Dubai is a Muslim region, you will not find any pork dishes in the major restaurants. Instead, lamb, camel, beef, and chicken are popular options. Just know that local chefs tend to use lots of heavy spices when they cook meat, so be prepared and adaptable.
It is important to note that you can't BBQ just anywhere in Dubai, you have to ensure you go to designated areas. We've rounded up all the places where you can BBQ without breaking any rules.
WHERE IS BBQ ALLOWED IN DUBAI? Jumeirah Beach Park, Al Mushrif Park and Al Safa Park offer BBQ facilities in Dubai.
Pork meals are not forbidden in Dubai. A license from the Department of Food Safety is required for any restaurant to serve pork. They need a Pig Permit to serve pork dishes on their menu. Don't worry about breaking any laws by ordering a pig dish when visiting Dubai.
Passengers travelling to Dubai shouldn't bring cooked or home-made food, seeds, raw plants, fruits, vegetables and other unprocessed and unpacked edibles. All food items must be adequately packed and stored.
Pork and pork products are strictly prohibited in Dubai due to religious reasons. Muslims do not consume pork, and Dubai, a Muslim-majority country, prohibits importing and consuming pork and pork products. This includes bacon, ham, and pork sausages. Violating this regulation can result in fines and imprisonment.
Can you drink alcohol in Dubai? If you're 21 or over, expat or holidaymaker, you can legally drink alcohol in Dubai. However, you will need to purchase alcohol from a licensed premises, such as a shop, and enjoyed in the privacy of your own accommodation.
The UAE has abolished the penalty for bringing and eating pork starting from January 2022.
Secondly, all ingredients in the food or drink must be permissible according to Islamic law. This includes avoiding ingredients such as pork, alcohol, and gelatin.
QATAR - The decision by Doha's only off-licence to start selling pork products in December has resulted in online controversy, with expatriates and locals split on the surprise move by the retailer.
Saudi law prohibits alcoholic beverages and pork products in the country as they are considered to be against Islam. Those violating the law are handed harsh punishments.
As the leading meat suppliers in Dubai, Prime Gourmet's beef collection spans an unparalleled array of premium and juicy cuts. Sourced from the best farms and brands from across the globe, every cut is carefully vetted and assessed to ensure maximum quality and taste.
According to the law in Dubai, it is illegal for an unmarried couple to stay together in a hotel room. This is due to the Islamic beliefs of the country, which forbid unmarried couples from engaging in sexual activity outside of marriage.
Over-the-counter drugs, such as Ibuprofen and Panadol, are readily available in the UAE and you can bring these to and from the emirates without issue.
Clothing should not indecently reveal parts of the body or display offensive images/slogans. Nudity is strictly forbidden. Swimwear is not not allowed in public places. However, it can be worn in pools and beaches.
Nusr-et's golden steak
Here in Dubai, it's a 400g sirloin steak, grilled over charcoal embers before being wrapped in gold leaf. Personally, we prefer the grilled tiger prawns, but if you're being extra, well then… this one may be for you. Dhs5,000.
AED 94.50 / Per Kg ! Roughly 100 g per unit. AED 40.00 / Per Kg !
It is perfectly legal to eat pork in Turkey, however, due to low demand, it can be hard to find a place selling and serving pork products. Additionally, pork products are more expensive than in Europe because of the rarity of pork products.
Smoking is also prohibited in public spaces like malls, houses of worship, educational institutions (schools and universities) and health and sports facilities. Also, you won't find any shisha parlours or licensed smoking places anywhere within a 150-meter radius of residential areas.
Cigarette, E-cigarette, Vape and Shisha smoking are legal in Abu Dhabi or Dubai for adults above 18 years. Smoking is allowed in places like streets, home, cars, designated hotel rooms, bars and night clubs but not malls, taxis, parks. During Ramadan from dawn to dusk, smoking is prohibited in public places.
Only licensed establishments can sell alcoholic drinks in Dubai. It is very likely that your hotel, or restaurant, will be licensed to sell alcohol, be that beer, wine, or spirits. Glitzy hotels and celebrity guests are well-known in Dubai. Most of those guests will be looking for a glass of wine or a rooftop cocktail!