Deep in the heart of Bur Dubai Souq, amid its bustling alleyways and vibrant market stalls, lies a small but legendary eatery that has been serving customers since before the UAE was unified. Established in 1968, Hamad Khalfan Al Dalil has become a household name, especially during Ramadan, when it sells an astonishing 35,000 samosas a day.
From locals seeking nostalgia to tourists eager for an authentic Emirati street food experience, this humble shop has stood the test of time, delivering crispy, golden samosas that have remained unchanged for over five decades.
A Ramadan Tradition in Bur Dubai
As the sun sets and iftar approaches, the cobbled streets of Bur Dubai Souq fill with residents and visitors looking for their favorite Ramadan snacks. Among the many food stalls, Hamad Khalfan Al Dalil is one of the busiest, with long queues forming outside well before iftar time.
What makes this tiny eatery special is not just the volume of samosas it sells, but the consistency of its flavors. According to Zuhair, one of the key figures behind the shop’s operations, the recipe has never changed since the very first samosa was fried in their kitchen.
“Our customers know the taste so well that they can detect even the slightest change,” Zuhair says. “So we keep our recipe intact because that is what our customers want.”
This commitment to authenticity and tradition has made the shop a Ramadan staple, with customers coming from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and even the UAE-Saudi border just to get their hands on these legendary samosas.
Eight Varieties of Samosas, One Timeless Recipe
One of the secrets behind the eatery’s success is its variety of samosas, catering to different tastes while maintaining the same original quality. The shop offers eight different flavors, including:
• Vegetable (Most Popular)
• Cheese (Crowd Favorite)
• Chicken
• Potato
• Keema (Minced Meat)
• Oman Chips (A Modern Twist)
• Egg
• Spinach
While all flavors have their loyal customers, the vegetable and cheese samosas remain the bestsellers, with many people buying in bulk to share with family and friends.
A Taste of Nostalgia
For many UAE residents, a visit to Hamad Khalfan Al Dalil is more than just about enjoying delicious snacks—it’s about reliving childhood memories.
“Many of our customers first visited the shop with their fathers or grandfathers when they were young,” says Zuhair. “They keep returning because the taste reminds them of their childhood.”
This nostalgic connection has helped the eatery maintain its loyal customer base over generations. Families who once brought their children now see those same children, grown up, returning with their own kids to experience the same flavors.
Why Do People Travel So Far for These Samosas?
Despite being located in a small corner of Bur Dubai Souq, Hamad Khalfan Al Dalil attracts customers from all across the UAE—and even from across the border in Saudi Arabia.
Here’s why:
1. Unmatched Flavor Consistency – The recipe has remained unchanged since 1968, ensuring the same taste every single time.
2. Freshly Fried Perfection – The samosas are fried fresh throughout the day, ensuring a crispy and golden texture.
3. Nostalgic Value – Many Emiratis and longtime UAE residents grew up eating these samosas, making them a comfort food favorite.
4. Ramadan Tradition – The shop has become an iftar ritual for many families, who travel just to get their favorite snacks.
Final Thoughts
In a city where food trends come and go, Hamad Khalfan Al Dalil has stood strong for over 50 years, proving that authenticity and consistency are the true ingredients of success.
During Ramadan, when the demand for traditional comfort food is at its highest, this tiny Bur Dubai eatery continues to bring families together, serving up not just samosas, but a taste of nostalgia that spans generations.
So if you find yourself wandering through Bur Dubai Souq, make sure to stop by and grab a hot, crispy samosa—or maybe a dozen. After all, if people are traveling hundreds of kilometers for them, you know they must be something special.
