Downtown Dubai Residents Turn to Lentils, Eggs, Tofu as Meat Prices Rise

Shoppers at Spinneys inside Dubai Mall bought 40 percent more pulses and dairy items last month than in the same period of 2025, according to store sales data shared with The Daily Downtown Dubai.

The shift comes as imported beef and chicken prices rose after new regional logistics fees took effect on 1 June. Downtown Dubai’s dense mix of offices and apartments already supports an active wellness scene, with residents using lunch breaks for quick grocery runs along Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard.

Where to find non-meat proteins nearby

Spinneys at Dubai Mall keeps 12 varieties of canned lentils and chickpeas priced between 6 and 9 AED. Two blocks east, the Carrefour Express on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard stocks firm tofu at 12 AED per 300-gram pack and free-range eggs at 18 AED for a dozen. Both outlets run weekly restocks on Wednesday mornings to match demand from nearby fitness studios.

Local trainers at the Vida Downtown gym on Burj Vista Street now recommend clients combine these items with quinoa stocked in the same aisles. The store’s nutrition labels list 18 grams of protein per 100 grams of dry quinoa, matching the protein density of many lean cuts sold in the meat section.

Putting the options into practice

One practical swap is replacing a 200-gram beef burger with a lentil-and-egg patty. The ingredients cost roughly 7 AED total at Carrefour Express and cook in under 15 minutes on a standard kitchen hob. Residents can also pick up pre-cooked chickpeas from the deli counter at Spinneys for 5 AED per 200-gram tub, ready to add to salads bought at the same store.

Anyone adjusting their intake should check with a doctor or registered dietitian at a Downtown clinic before making large changes. The Dubai Health Authority lists several approved nutritionists who hold weekly drop-in hours at clinics near the Opera District.