Follow me on this journey as we march on through the hustle and bustle of Dubai Deira seafood market and finally end up at a nearby restaurant following the local’s recommendation.

I challenge you to be bored at the Dubai Deira seafood market. It is simply impossible. It is a fantastic insight into a more real Dubai. Located near the Gold Souk, it is a short 15-minute walk across a footbridge over the freeway.

As I walked through the hustle and bustle of Deira’s seafood market you can see lots of stalls with cleanly tiled slabs. Fish sellers displaying various sorts of fish from… Octopus, scallops, sharks, mackerel, mussels, dried fish, shrimp, lobster, and many others. This market literally offers any seafood items your heart desires. Most of the merchants are weighing the fish using the old school scales. Just massive! The fish market has a nearby shop where they can clean your fish for a cheap fee. Therefore, it is great for those of you who don’t like the messy part of it. There is also a huge colorful vegetable and fruit market that is full of color and wonderful.

The merchants are very friendly and love to have pictures taken. They were knowledgeable about the fish. However, when buying fish you always have to be careful in my opinion. Choosing fish can be tricky!

HOW TO KNOW IF THE FISH IS FRESH ?

Firstly, check the eyes, they should be shiny, clear and no cloudiness should be present. Secondly, Check the gills they should be deep red in color, slightly wet and not slimy. Thirdly, The flesh should bounce back on touching it. Lastly and most importantly, you should rely on your senses, the fish should not smell. It should have a pleasant smell. Fish that is old has a rotten smell.  

THE LOCAL RESTAURANT BU QTAIR

Following the local recommendation, I ended up with my friend Nazih in a nearby restaurant. Bu Qtair, is a restaurant located near Burj al Arab next to the fishing harbor in Umm Suqeim. The settings arrangement is very rustic and basic nothing really interesting. After all, we are coming for the food! We had to queue and pay at the counter, that is the process. The menu has a limited choice, you can choose from the daily caught fish or shrimps. The fish was perfectly cooked moist and tender. The prawns were also very aromatic with plenty of spices. I didn’t enjoy the excess spices! It is better to use your bare hands to enjoy the seafood, specially in this type of restaurant concept in my opinion. Affordable prices compared to other fish restaurants in Dubai. The service was nonexistent…

DUBAI DEIRA FISH MARKET HAS CLOSED

After 60 years of operation, the famous Dubai Deira fish market closed its doors. Relocated to a brand new Waterfront Market near Hamriya Port. Free parking is available. Spread over more than 100,000 square meters and selling all sort of fresh fish, fruit, vegetables, and meat.
Did you know that also Tsuki fish market Japan have been relocated as well?