Dubai International Airport Allergy Guide

Overview

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is one of the world's busiest airports by international passenger traffic, serving over 87 million travellers annually. It has three terminals — Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 (the largest, used exclusively by Emirates). The UAE has food safety regulations managed by the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology, though allergen labelling standards are not as prescriptive as the UK or EU frameworks.

For the official airport website, visit dubaiairports.ae.

Official Resources

• Dubai Airports Official Website
• Terminal Maps
• Dubai Duty Free Dining

🍽️Key Food Directory

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Important

Chain restaurants often publish allergen menus and matrices online, which can make ordering easier. However, individual franchise locations may vary in their practices. Always confirm directly with staff before ordering.

Terminal 1

1. 1
   McDonald's — chain with published allergen information on their regional website
2. 2
   Costa Coffee — chain with allergen information available; familiar to UK travellers
3. 3
   Shakespeare and Co. — regional chain; ask staff for allergen details
4. 4
   Burger King — chain with allergen information published online

Terminal 3 (Emirates)

1. 1
   Pret A Manger — chain with published allergen matrix; grab-and-go with labelled items
2. 2
   Starbucks — chain with published allergen information
3. 3
   McDonald's — as above
4. 4
   Paul — French bakery chain; ask staff for allergen details on specific items
5. 5
   Giraffe — chain with allergen menu available on request
6. 6
   Irish Village — sit-down restaurant; staff can advise on allergen accommodation

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Note

Terminal 3 is the largest terminal and has the widest selection of dining options. If you have connecting flights through Dubai, this is generally the best terminal for finding allergy-aware food.

🏢Airport Lounges

Dubai's lounges are known for extensive buffet spreads. Allergen labelling in lounges is inconsistent.

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Tip

Emirates Business and First Class lounges offer cooked-to-order dining where chefs can accommodate allergen requests. If you have lounge access, opt for freshly made dishes rather than the buffet where cross-contamination is more likely.

• Emirates Business Lounge (Terminal 3) — extensive dining with dedicated chefs; inform staff of allergies
• Marhaba Lounge (Terminals 1 and 3) — available via Priority Pass; ask staff about allergen options
• Sleep 'n Fly Lounge (Terminal 3) — lighter food options; check labels on packaged items

🏢Allergy-Friendly Tips for This Airport

• Allergen labelling in the UAE is less standardised than in the UK or EU — always ask staff directly rather than relying on menus alone
• International chains at DXB (Pret, McDonald's, Starbucks) typically maintain their global allergen information standards, even in Dubai
• If you have a long layover, many restaurants in Terminal 3 are used to international travellers and allergen requests
• Arabic cuisine commonly uses nuts, sesame, and dairy — be cautious with local food options if these are your allergens
• Carry your own clearly labelled allergy medication — Dubai customs may require documentation for certain medications
• Bottled water and basic packaged snacks are widely available across all terminals

📋Before You Go

1. 1
   Check your terminal at dubaiairports.ae — Emirates flights use Terminal 3
2. 2
   Review chain allergen menus online before arriving (especially for Pret and Starbucks)
3. 3
   Download your free allergy translation card in Arabic for communicating with local staff
4. 4
   Pack allergy-friendly snacks for long layovers
5. 5
   Ensure your allergy medication is in your hand luggage with a doctor's letter (required for some medications in the UAE)