10 to try: Delis

A good delicatessen is a food lover's paradise. Time Out selects its favourite ten in Dubai Discuss this article

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Dolce Antico: Mercato is an all-Italian affair, complete with a mock piazza and period paintings, so this foodie’s paradise is in keeping with the viva Italia feel. Dolce Antico is a small, but elegant Italian deli, chock-full of deep-pocketed Jumeirah Janes. Catering in the main to those with a sweet tooth, this is a great place to get handmade chocolates and preserved fruits in beautiful glass jars. We highly recommend the Peyrano chocolates from Turin.
Mercato, Jumeirah Beach Road (04 344 0028). Open Sat-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri 2pm-10pm. Credit AmEx, MC, V.

Dusit Delicatessen: For a nutritious snack or wholesome lunch head to the Dusit Delicatessen. The massive sandwich counter has every filling imaginable from roast beef to chicken tikka so you can create your perfect panini. The bakery section has takeaway loafs, baguettes, cookies, cakes and more, which you can order to take away.
Dusit Dubai (04 343 333/http://dubai.dusit.com). Open 24 hours daily. Credit AmEx, MC, V.

Panini: Hotel lobbies aren’t usually the venues for fine food stores, but Panini is an exception to the rule, jam-packed with moreish treats and thigh-fattening sweets. Panini’s imported specialities include wild boar and venison salamis, nostalgically packaged Italian sweets and high-class cooking fats. At the back of the shop you’ll find a range of smooth gelatos – flavours include mocha, roasted almond and green apple. A great selection of baked goods and pastries are made on the premises daily; we recommend the tall chocolate chip muffins and the cookies.
Grand Hyatt Dubai (04 317 1234). Open Sat-Thu 8am-7pm; Fri 8am-2pm. Credit AmEx, MC, V.

Pronto: This café-cum-shop is a cute if rather tiny delicatessen selling good quality mustards, jams, cold meats and cheeses. Confidence in Pronto’s gourmet credentials is slightly undermined by the sight of shelves of baked beans and bran flakes, but the parma ham and smoked salmon are definitely worth queuing up for.
The Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 332 5555). Open 7am-11pm daily. Credit MC, V.

Provedore Café Deli: This deli serves sinfully delicious croissants, pastas and tarts in a Parisian heaven. Its location by an artificial lake in the Green Community is surprisingly serene, almost reminiscent of sleepy cafés on the banks of a modern-ish European city. Not only does Provedore bulldoze its competitors in the deli category, but it’s also a stellar host and prepares expertly laid out cheese and cold cut platters to suit your taste and budget.
The Boulevard, The Market, Green Community (04 885 3344). Open 9am-6pm daily. No credit cards.

Russian Deli: As dodgy as it might look on the outside, this tiny deli is a Russian food connoisseur’s secret garden. With favourites such as borscht and blinis on offer, you’re bound to find something in this deli to settle your craving for Russian cuisine. The attendants and the customers are Russian, so if you don’t speak the language you might have to resort to charades. Nevertheless, the awkward moments will pass and you’ll be left with a container full of Russian goodness.
Oud Metha, beside Lamcy Plaza (no number). Open Sat-Thu 9am-9pm; Fri 3pm-9pm. No credit cards.

Sezzam Gourmet Shop: In the far corner of the mall, hidden in the middle of Sezzam restaurant, is this tasty gourmet food shop. There is no particular theme to the selection of goodies on offer, other than they are all thoroughly alluring. Chinese condiments like top quality soy sauces sit next to Dhs125 jars of truffle-infused honey. Although some of the fine foods are on the pricey side, there are plenty of affordable pastas, sauces and rare treats.
Mall of the Emirates (04 341 3600/www.sezzam.com). Open 11.30am-11.30pm daily. Credit AmEx, MC, V.

Tony’s New York Deli: With iconic images of Marilyn Monroe adorning the walls and a Frank Sinatra soundtrack trickling through the customer chatter, the NY deli vibe is so realistic Tony Soprano could walk in at any minute. Tony’s New York Deli is the place to go for vast thin-crust pizzas, classic pastrami and rye sandwiches and great bagels stuffed with a variety of fresh fillings. Other speciality goods include strawberry and kiwi jam, Italian provolone cheese and a world-class selection of chewing gum.
The Village, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah (04 349 9034). Open Sat-Thu 8am-11pm; Fri10am-11pm. Credit MC, V.

Dean & Deluca: Posh deli and coffee shop. The café has a self-serve salad station, as well as a menu of soups, specialty sandwiches and home-baked style pastries.
Bur Dubai, http://www.timeoutdubai.com/restaurants/reviews/2200-dean-and-deluca

Wafi Gourmet: Wafi Gourmet is a temple of temptation for any food-loving pharaoh. The shop is stocked to the rafters with Arabian cheeses and sweets, and ringed by baskets of fat olives, truffles and dates. There’s a little café in the corner, a perfect spot for munching on well filled baguettes and delicious mezze. The homemade ice-cream is particularly good and the luxury chocolates are worth every dirham.
Wafi (04 324 4433). Open Sun-Wed 9am-12 midnight; Thu-Sat 9am-1pm. Credit AmEx, MC, V.