Tamales · Dubai
Tamales in Dubai, hand-folded daily.
Mama Lalis folds the tamales at sunrise. Fresh masa, slow-cooked asada filling, two hours in the steamer. Querida in Al Barsha is the only kitchen in Dubai cooking tamales the Mexican way — corn husks and all.
- Hand-folded · Daily by Mama Lalis
- Halal · Gluten-free
- Two hours in the steamer
- Walk-in · 26 seats
What is a tamale, really?
A tamale is corn masa wrapped in a corn husk, with a savoury filling, steamed slowly until the masa is soft and aromatic. It's one of the oldest dishes in Mexico — predates the Aztec empire — and it's the dish most Mexican grandmothers are quietly judged on.
At Querida, the masa is mixed by hand each morning. Corn flour, broth from the asada kitchen, lard, salt, baking powder. The asada filling is the same six-hour braise that feeds the Plato de Birria and the Tacazo — generously distributed in each tamale's center. The corn husk does the wrapping. Two hours of steam does the rest.
The result: a tamale that's soft but not wet, savoury but not heavy, familiar but distinctly Mexican. Most guests order two on the first visit, and three on the second.
"Best tamales in Dubai. Period. The corn masa is correct, the filling is generous, the salsa on top elevates them."— M.E. on Tripadvisor · 5 stars
Frequently asked.
- Where can I eat tamales in Dubai?
- Querida Mexican & Friends in Al Barsha 1 — Tamales de Asada are hand-folded daily by Mama Lalis. Talal 14 Building, Shop 9, walk-in only, 26 seats. Halal kitchen.
- Are the tamales halal?
- Yes. The tamales at Querida use halal-certified beef (Asada filling). Hand-folded in corn husks, steamed for two hours, served with salsa verde or roja.
- How are tamales made at Querida?
- Mama Lalis prepares the masa fresh each morning — corn dough mixed with stock and lard. The filling (slow-cooked asada beef in chile paste) goes in the center. Each tamale is folded into a corn husk by hand and steamed for two hours. The wrapper protects the masa as it cooks.
- How much do tamales cost?
- Tamales at Querida are around AED 35 each (one tamale per order). Most guests order two or three. Delivery via Talabat or Deliveroo across Dubai.
- Are tamales gluten-free?
- Yes. Tamales are made from corn masa, not wheat — naturally gluten-free. Notify the kitchen of any allergies; cross-contact is minimised in the prep line.
- Can I order tamales for a party?
- Yes. Querida takes pre-orders for groups of 10+ tamales — message +971 52 807 7896 with the date and quantity. Two days notice preferred.