Make no mistake, these look like modern markets from the outside but they have a traditional waterfront food market inside. From spices to fruits and vegetables, fish, seafood and meats. They have it all.
Christmas is coming and so it’s the season for seafood. At home, in Australia, each Christmas Eve is begins with prawns. Many a shop sells out of the traditional harvests from the sea as everyone orders their preferred delicacies to celebrate with loved ones at this most wonderful time of the year.
Unfortunately we can not make it home but I’ll be darned if that’s going to stop me from enjoying a Christmas seafood feast. So we arrange with some of our Dubai family for an occasion to get together and make a day of it beforehand to procure some salty treats for the occasion. Prawns and squid are at the top of our list for celebratory entrees.
The Markets
We enter the spice section as we emerge from the car park and make our way through the fruit and vegetable hall before the smell of fish hits us. Laid out, row upon row, is the bounty of the sea.
First stop is to check out and negotiate on some prices. Rich has done a little reconnaissance beforehand and has a feel for approximate pricing and we find that there is still room for a little negotiation. We start with a kilo of prawns.
Then, with our first purchase in our carrier, we loosen up and get to exploring the rest of the food market. I was initially a bit worried about bringing the boys thinking that the images this close and personal might be a bit much for them. On the contrary, they are intrigued. The stall holders indulge them showing them the different types of fish and letting them get the full experience including dancing squid, a very large fish head and holding their first lobster. Careful of those pincers!
The range here is just incredible. I only recognise a few of the usual suspects – squid, prawns, salmon, scallops. But there is innumerable varieties of fish as well as some more unusual and acquired examples like shark and ray.
The negotiations for the squid is relatively easy, the prices at this food market seem entirely reasonable. We pick up a kilo of prawns (regular) and squid for AED 30ea. Tiger prawns (large) are a little more at AED 45/kg and I get 2 decent size fish to bring home for AED 20ea.
The excitement continues as we discover sharks, ‘talking’ fish heads and more of the 350 seasonal varieties of fish & seafood from the region and all over the world. There are live, fresh and dried products here as well as a dedicated cutting and cleaning area. Cleaning and preparing of purchases can be done on the premises for a few extra AED per kilo.
The lobsters are a particular hit with the kids.
We also meet Chef Chris who gives us some tips on choosing fresh fish and explains how we can make the most of our purchases at the waterfront restaurants.
Lunch at the Waterfront Food Makets
On this note we head outside and discover the range of restaurants along the waterfront where you can take your purchase and have it transformed into a delicious meal on location.
We choose Paluto! which has a nice vibe and some delicious looking meals already on tables. Handing over our fish and prawn purchases (cleaned and prepared), lunch is on the table in about 30 minutes. The dishes are accompanied by a range of sauces and unlimited rice and soft drink.
Our fish is delivered to the table grilled to perfection and served with a lemon and herb sauce. The prawns are lightly coated balls of slightly crispy deliciousness. Both the boys enjoy the prawns and Jasper tries the fish as well. Harley is put off by the heads I think.
As full as I am after the meal, I can’t help but thinking about returning. Lobster, scallops, prawns and squid, all cooked superbly and at incredibly reasonable prices. The only thing missing is a glass of bubbles or a crisp dry white to accompany.
Seasonal Festivities
As an additional surprise, there are also some seasonal festivities going on. Just near to our table, Festive Stocking Decorating is underway. The boys go over to take a look at the activities while we finish our lunch. By the time we leave our table and wander over to see what is happening, the stockings are almost ready to be hung by the fire…
They were also eyeing off the frozen ball pit which was not open earlier in the day. We discover that there are now a few children around, the attendance and atmosphere of the markets having picked up now that it is mid afternoon. I cannot hold them back so I ensure that their masks are on and let them go. It’s a nice touch and they have, both literally and figuratively, a ball.
There is also a snowman making craft stall. There is a short line for this one (social distancing requirements) but soon we have two unique Frosties to join us on the ride home. By now we have been here for near on 5 hours and it’s time to get us and our purchases home. We drop Charlotte and Rich back at their apartment and continue on.
At home with our purchases I spend the next 4 hours in the kitchen getting ready for our Christmas celebrations tomorrow. A good deal of this time I spend cooking prawns and cleaning squid. By the last squid I am desperately wishing that I was smart enough to have it cleaned for me earlier in the day!
Good To Know
The Waterfront Markets are open 24/7 and this waterfront food market really does have it all. If you are going to eat at one of the restaurants, make sure you save the rest of your shopping until afterwards. Also, if you have a way to travel (in particular if it is not winter), bring an eskie or chiller bags to keep your purchases cool and fresh on the way home.
Would I Return?
Yes. Unfortunately Deira is a bit far to go for our weekly shop although a food market does offer uncomparable selection and very competitive prices. However, this would make a wonderful outing for visitors who are looking for something a bit of the tourist trail. Pair it with a trip to Sharjah’s cultural centre if you have time.
