Culture Deli: Serving Third-Culture Classics in Alserkal Avenue

Dubai’s cultural mix gets a new culinary expression with the arrival of Culture Deli, a striking burgundy-and-cream food truck now parked in the back lane of Alserkal Avenue. Designed as a celebration of the UAE’s 200-plus nationalities, the concept blends Arabic pantry staples with a modern global deli approach – casual, confident and flavour-driven.

This limited-time pop-up marks the debut of a brand-new homegrown concept, with a permanent location planned for later this year.

At the heart of Culture Deli’s offering are sandwiches built on house-baked shokupan (Japanese milk bread), with Arabic ingredients forming the backbone. The signature Culture Deli Classic layers pastrami-style beef with mustard labneh, cabbage slaw and house pickles – rich, tangy and deeply satisfying.

 

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Other standouts include Crunch Situation, featuring crispy chicken with toum slaw, chilli-honey za’atar drizzle and pickled green mango, and Taco Melt Affair, a soft taco filled with slow-cooked oxtail, onion jam, gruyère and smoked date glaze.

Bowls and salads follow the same philosophy of bold contrasts and careful layering. Garden in Redpairs roasted beetroot with quinoa, goat’s cheese and pomegranate dressing, while Cauli, Pleasebrings together crispy cauliflower, sumac labneh, caramelised walnut crunch and optional protein add-ons.

The drinks programme includes specialty coffee, freshly pressed juices and house-made drinks designed to cut through the heat. Desserts lean playful yet refined, from a warm Peach & Sumac Crumble with vanilla custard to a Chocolate Miso Cookie that balances sweetness with subtle savoury depth.

 

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Culture Deli’s philosophy avoids rigid ideas of authenticity in favour of something more reflective of Dubai itself. Arabic ingredients sit at the core, but the execution borrows from global deli culture – layered, confident and quietly inventive.

Culture Deli is open daily from 10am to 10pm in Alserkal Avenue’s back lane food truck alley. There’s no indoor seating, but outdoor benches and takeaway are available. RTA paid parking and valet services are offered on site.

This is a limited-time pop-up before the concept moves to its permanent home – so if you’re curious, now’s the time to check it out.

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Image credit: @culturedeli on Instagram

Zainab Ali

Curious, expressive, and always chasing new ideas, Zainab sees creativity as a way of life. She thrives on discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and turning inspiration into something tangible. Her work and her world reflect a balance of intuition, imagination, and authenticity.

Contact me: zainab@nommemag.com

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