- Introduction: Good Morning Milan, Goodnight Moon
- Emirates A380 First Class With Dad: So Fun That I Needed A Day To Recover
- My Furious Emirates First Class Seat Mate: Fair Feedback, Unfair Delivery
- Emirates First Class Menu & Food: Fine Dining, Or Just Fine?
- Review: Park Hyatt Milan, Italy (Stellar, Central Hotel, But Missing Desks)
- Drinking Buy On Board Espresso In Air Dolomiti Economy…
- Review: Falkenstein Grand Koenigstein, Marriott Autograph Collection (Unique!)
- Review: Villa Rothschild Koenigstein, Marriott Autograph Collection (Cute!)
- Ugh: Misdirected Delay Frustration In The Lufthansa First Class Terminal
- Am I A Lufthansa Fanboy Or Hater? Let Me Set The Record Straight…
- Review: Goodnight Moon Suite At Sheraton Boston (INCREDIBLE!)
- Review: Four Seasons Philadelphia (One Of The Best US City Hotels)
- Review: Chase Sapphire Lounge Philadelphia Airport (PHL)
- Review: American Flagship Lounge Philadelphia Airport (PHL)
- American Airlines’ Culture Problem: From Awful To Amazing In 20 Minutes
I recently shared my experience flying Emirates first class with my dad from New York (JFK) to Milan (MXP), as part of our Good Morning Milan, Goodnight Moon trip. I’m not writing a traditional review of the flight, but instead, want to focus on a few specific aspects of the experience.
In this post I’d like to broadly discuss a topic I’ve never covered before — just how good is Emirates’ first class food? Having flown Emirates first class dozens of times over the years, I think it makes for an interesting topic, because Emirates is uniquely positioned in terms of its catering.
There are some areas where Emirates is in a league of its own, and other areas where the experience doesn’t impress so much. On balance, I’d consider the catering to be among the best in the industry, though. Let me explain…
In this post:
Wine is what sets the Emirates first class experience apart
Before we talk about food, it’s important to mention that Emirates offers a truly unrivaled wine selection in first class. Emirates is in a league of its own when it comes to the quality and variety of wines that it offers in first class. We’re talking everything from Dom Perignon (sometimes even rose and P2), to a massive selection of great red and white options.
I’m not usually a big drinker, but I guess Emirates brings out the worst in me, because you can’t help but work your way through the selection. I mention all of this because truth be told, a lot of my calories consumed on Emirates come in liquid form, and therefore it somewhat limits my interest and consumption of other things. 😉
How to view your Emirates first class menu in advance
If you’re someone who enjoys anticipating your inflight experience, note that Emirates publishes menus in advance of flights. Simply follow this link, and enter your origin and destination (or flight number) and date of travel, and you can get access to the full menu and drink list.
It’s always fun to know what to expect (unless you’re really into surprises), so I always enjoy taking a look before I fly.
Basics of Emirates’ first class dine on demand concept
If you’re flying Emirates first class, a block time of 4hr40min is an important cutoff:
- On flights of under 4hr40min, the airline offers a slightly more limited dining selection, and at least technically, doesn’t offer dine on demand (though there’s still quite a bit of flexibility); you’ll notice subtle differences, like no personal bread basket (instead you’re offered a selection on a plate), etc.
- On flights of at least 4hr40min, the airline offers its full dine on demand concept, typically with a huge menu
As is common in the Middle East, Emirates flights depart all hours of the day and night, and in some cases, your body clock may be a bit confused as to whether you want breakfast, or lunch, or whatever.
For flights with dine on demand, the most common setup is that there’s a breakfast and lunch menu, so you can choose what you’d like, when you’d like. On some shorter flights leaving during very late night or early morning hours, you might also notice a breakfast menu and then a light bites menu, with the latter just being a slightly pared back version of a lunch menu.
Emirates truly has a dine on demand concept, so you can have what you’d like, when you’d like. Want to have one lunch and one breakfast? That’s fine! Want to have three back-to-back breakfasts? That’s fine too! Want to just have caviar on six different occasions? That works as well.
Emirates’ unlimited first class caviar is in a league of its own
Perhaps the single thing that most stands out about Emirates’ first class catering is that the airline officially offers unlimited caviar. There’s not another airline with such a policy. Yes, perhaps in some way that’s a bit of a gimmick, because how much caviar can you actually enjoy?
But it is an official policy, and the airline caters an obscene amount of caviar for first class passengers to enjoy. So there’s a beautiful standalone caviar presentation, and you can even ask for seconds (or thirds), if your heart desires. If you’d like, you can even garnish other dishes with caviar. Want your omelet topped with caviar? That works too!
The highs & lows of Emirates first class dining
If you ask me, the single greatest thing about Emirates’ first class dining is the sheer amount of flexibility offered. It’s amazing just how many dishes are available on the Emirates first class menu, and how much flexibility the options afford. What also amazes me is how (at least in my experience) Emirates rarely runs out of options, even on an ultra long haul flight.
Just as an example of what the catering is like, let’s take a Dubai (DXB) to Los Angeles (LAX) flight. The menu includes six breakfast main courses, seven lunch appetizers, five lunch main courses, four desserts, a light bites menu (with one salad, two hot snacks, and one dessert), a movie snacks menu (with five options), and that’s in addition to all the snacks available at the first class social area and business class bar.
There are just so many cute little touches to Emirates’ first class meal service. For example, I love how with drinks, you can always order nuts, olives, and/or chips.
Beyond that, the main meal always start with a substantial amuse bouche.
I also think Emirates’ movie snack menu concept is ridiculously adorable, and I wish we’d see more airlines offer something like that.
Now, here’s what I will say about Emirates first class dining — beyond the caviar, the food as such isn’t necessarily that amazing. I’m not trying to come across as overly critical here, but I’m just trying to be realistic about what airplane food is, unlike the people who try to claim any first class food is “Michelin star quality.”
I’d say the individual dishes are largely in line with what you’d expect to find in an excellent business class product — like, I don’t think they’re materially better than in Qatar Airways business class, for example. And that’s fair enough, because not everything has to have foie gras and truffles. Dishes are generally nicely plated, but nothing that’s going to blow you away.
Why I dine differently on Emirates than other airlines
Virtually every airline with first class offers a dine on demand concept, so that’s not unique as such. That being said, I tend to take a different approach to dining on Emirates than on virtually any other airline when flying in first class.
On just about any other airline, I’ll typically enjoy the main meal all at once, and will be absolutely stuffed. After all, airlines serve some pretty indulgent meals in first class, and the intent is typically that you enjoy the meals all at once, with many courses.
Emirates is a different story, at least for me. On Emirates, I’m more of a grazer. I almost never have a full meal start to finish, but instead, I fully take advantage of the flexibility. And I think between the wine selection plus the endless selection of options, I just mentally approach it all differently.
For example, typically I’ll start the flight by having some champagne with nuts, chips, and/or olives. Then I’ll typically go for the caviar, and then maybe the Arabic mezze (I have the caviar and mezze on every Emirates flight). But at that point I’m typically already so full, and can’t stomach the thought of having a soup, salad, main course, dessert, cheese, etc.
So I’ll typically call it quits after that. Then maybe several hours later I’ll have a soup and a main course, or just a dessert, or whatever. Or occasionally I never even have a main course, but just order something from the movie snack menu. 
Sometimes I’ll even head back to the business class bar (assuming I’m on an A380) for dessert, because the cakes that they have displayed on the bar are consistently sinfully delicious.
While individual Emirates dishes might not be the most exciting, I do rank the overall gastronomy experience as being among the best of any airline, between the wine, plus the huge selection of food, and the flexibility offered by the menu.
Bottom line
Emirates takes a unique approach to its first class meal service, consistently offering among the biggest menus you’ll find on any airline. It almost feels like being in a restaurant in terms of the number of options you have, and that says nothing of the amazing wine selection.
If you ask me, the highlights of Emirates’ first class catering are the unlimited caviar and Arabic mezze, plus the flexibility the menu affords, from the full menu, to the movie snack menu, to the light bites menu, and more.
Individually, I don’t think Emirates’ first class catering is the best in the industry. But I do think the sheer variety and flexibility makes Emirates’ first class catering among the most appealing out there.
What’s your take on Emirates’ first class catering?
I didnt read the entire article, but agree what what I have read.
Two points to highlight:
1. Late night/morning flights (often when I travel from Asia to Europe via Dubai I get two of those: a late night flight, fllowed by an early morning flight) offer a significantly reduced menu, and at least to me - disappointing in terms of flavour and freshness.
2. If you have the time (you don't...
I didnt read the entire article, but agree what what I have read.
Two points to highlight:
1. Late night/morning flights (often when I travel from Asia to Europe via Dubai I get two of those: a late night flight, fllowed by an early morning flight) offer a significantly reduced menu, and at least to me - disappointing in terms of flavour and freshness.
2. If you have the time (you don't need a booking) - pick a flight and compare the menu for First, Business and Premium Economy online. All you need is to pick a route and a date. You will see multiple similarities, with First often offering similar dishes to Business, with a modified side or sauce.
What does this mean? Not much. The main reason I choose to fly Emirates First is to burn points and enjoy the Disney nature of the experience (the popcorn Ben mentioned is a good example). I most definitely do not do it for the food - it is still the weakest link, despite the caviar (and advice to whoever needs it - do not mix raw onion with too much wine and coffee or you will find yourself with the worst heartburn known to man)
Anyone who is expecting freshly prepared, restaurant quality food from any onboard airline catering facility is going to be thoroughly disappointed. Even the average airport lounge catering can leave much to be desired.
Common sense ought to indicate that a ground experience should be better than inflight catering. Passengers who adjust their expectations to the practicalities of each situation are unlikely to be disappointed.
So much food waste :(, in keeping with Arab tradition to over order and throw it all in the bin.
Think of all the starving kids in A…merica!
The area of Spain known as Mercia, is not known for its “Starving kids” actually. Furthermore, any place known as Mercia would always be spelt with a capital M, yes?
What Arab tradition, exactly? Stop speaking idiotic nonsense.
As an FA I can remember pre 9/11 we used to carry a whole chefs set in F and more or less cook a lot of the items from near scratch.
Now, I basically avoid anything that needs to be reheated on a plane.
Different airlines have different requirements for reheating food too. For example, at BA the crew have no choice but to cook that beef fillet until it reached a temperature (checked...
As an FA I can remember pre 9/11 we used to carry a whole chefs set in F and more or less cook a lot of the items from near scratch.
Now, I basically avoid anything that needs to be reheated on a plane.
Different airlines have different requirements for reheating food too. For example, at BA the crew have no choice but to cook that beef fillet until it reached a temperature (checked by a disposal thermometer) that is acceptable for the airline to serve (which essentially is overcooked). Other airlines, like Qantas for example, are happy to serve your beef medium rare.
Starters, appetisers, cheese, salads, caviar etc are my faves.
When I have flown EK or LH F I have just had caviar, starters, salads and cheese and skipped the mains.
QF (and Australia, generally) has better food than BA (and the UK, specifically).
Australia generally, 100% agree.
QF First vs BA First - I am not so sure. I find it one of the most underwhelming aspects of QF F.
1990/Ben …. ridiculous generalisation post only to obtain a click and response, yes?
Cook the items from near scratch pre 9/11? Didn’t that end long before that in the early 1980s?
Shoutout about the cake at the bar, I always skip the catered dessert for that simple but absolutely fantastic cake (with a cheeky glass of port wine :D)
Since I'm not a caviar guy, that never impresses me. As a wine lover, I rarely drink it on planes, as it's rarely "special" enough (and I generally don't drink on planes). I looked at their wine list on an upcoming flight out of JFK and found Château Léoville Poyferré 2005. I haven't had that vintage, but I am impressed. A 20yo bdx of a very good estate? I'd drink more of that than I...
Since I'm not a caviar guy, that never impresses me. As a wine lover, I rarely drink it on planes, as it's rarely "special" enough (and I generally don't drink on planes). I looked at their wine list on an upcoming flight out of JFK and found Château Léoville Poyferré 2005. I haven't had that vintage, but I am impressed. A 20yo bdx of a very good estate? I'd drink more of that than I have consumed on a plane during the last 5 years.
All in all, the wine and food is not what draws me to a more expensive cabin. But, I recognize many of the folks who pay for this, expect it to be "showy." It may be more important these folks look at the menu and go "wow," even if the food is just "solid," rather than have a menu that looks good but is spectacular. Invite Marikyn Monroe to your dinner party over Katherine Hepburn if your guests are Kardasians or Trumps.
The wine and caviar offerings are exceptional on Emirates. The stuffed dates were good during boarding. The main course meals on my 3 flights in Emirates First weren’t memorable while my mains on both Lufthansa and Q Suites certainly were. I had the schnitzel on Lufthansa and Qatari Chicken of some sorts on Qatar. BA F lol nothing to report. The box of chocolates they gave me at the end of the meal service I suppose.
I've had flight attendants on Qatar Airways offer me a choice of movie snacks in Qsuites a few times the past few years. I haven't seen it on the menu, but they typically recite it verbally to me. It's typically packaged snacks, but they are very good and intended as movie snacks (popcorn, chocolate, candy, etc.).
I have seen a similar concept in Economy on QR with a different selection of snacks (though again,...
I've had flight attendants on Qatar Airways offer me a choice of movie snacks in Qsuites a few times the past few years. I haven't seen it on the menu, but they typically recite it verbally to me. It's typically packaged snacks, but they are very good and intended as movie snacks (popcorn, chocolate, candy, etc.).
I have seen a similar concept in Economy on QR with a different selection of snacks (though again, dedicated as movie snacks). I remember Emirates used to offer brand name snacks (doritos, lays) along with drinks in Economy in between meal services as a dedicated movie snack. I haven't flown long-haul with them in around a decade though.
From what I've seen and experienced, Emirates catering isn't that impressive in terms of the entrees and appetizer quality, especially in business class.
I'd say Asian airlines tend to do a better job for Asian meals in business/first. Air France leads the pack for catering in business/first for Europe.
Catering tends to be better from its homeport along with certain outstations such as BKK as well as type of cuisine and meal. I remember having a delicious chicken curry on CX from BKK-SIN roughly 15 years ago. I should've asked for seconds! :D
The Emirates first class Japanese food on flights to and from Japan is very delicious though. Not quite the ANA Washoku dinner but great for a non Japanese airline.
Even ANA’s business class Japanese food is better than most airlines meals. Period.
Didn’t Virgin (Atlantic or Australia?) offer a proper burger as an inflight snack in Upper Class for a spell?
This wa supposed to be a reply to Mike O.
Beats me! But why not a smaller burger for a snack?! Those burgers are equivalent to a full-sized meal. You would only want something that would keep your hunger down until the next meal.
Ah I misread the original comment! Our former CEO dictated anything designated an hor’s’doeurve or snack should be able to be eaten in two bites. (I’m a corporate chef) Our new CEO doesn’t care what we make but I’ve noticed we are making bigger and bigger hor’s’doeurves like sliders and I think it’s largely to our detriment, lol.
Something like that in and of itself wouldn’t make a good sky snack but 4 or 5 nice small bites would.
Ben I am not sure you have covered this before (please point me to it if so!) but can you share a bit about how you recommend approaching vegetarianism with business class or first class on Emirates (or maybe more broadly)? Do you recommend requesting a special meal or are there usually enough vegetarian options among all the different meal occasions you mention? With a special meal would you be forgoing the amuse bouche etc...
Ben I am not sure you have covered this before (please point me to it if so!) but can you share a bit about how you recommend approaching vegetarianism with business class or first class on Emirates (or maybe more broadly)? Do you recommend requesting a special meal or are there usually enough vegetarian options among all the different meal occasions you mention? With a special meal would you be forgoing the amuse bouche etc or do they create a vegetarian one? Beyond Emirates, does this approach vary by carrier?
I can imagine for some more restrictive dietary requirements a special meal is a must. But I am not sure about vegetarian which is more common these days (at least for global carriers).
I've flown Air France La Premiere a couple of times in the past year, and I've flown all of the major business class cabins, including Qatar, ANA, Emirates, and Singapore (and a handful of first—though not Emirates).
There is a bottom line when it comes to airplane food. It must be prepared hours before it is eaten. It cannot be cooked to order, but merely reheated. You can have the best ingredients and the best...
I've flown Air France La Premiere a couple of times in the past year, and I've flown all of the major business class cabins, including Qatar, ANA, Emirates, and Singapore (and a handful of first—though not Emirates).
There is a bottom line when it comes to airplane food. It must be prepared hours before it is eaten. It cannot be cooked to order, but merely reheated. You can have the best ingredients and the best recipes (which is not to suggest that any airline achieves even this), but the inability to prepare and cook to order means you are always eating premade and reheated food.
To say any airline serves Michelin-quality food is absurd. To say any airline serves food on par with a good, non-Michelin restaurant is equally absurd.
And while I appreciate a good wine list, research (and my own personal experience) confirms that the effective altitude of the pressurized cabin significantly affects ones taste—which would also, of course, apply to the food.
All of which is to say, when I pay for a premium cabin, I'm paying essentially for comfort and privacy. I appreciate fine food and wine too much to give significant thought to either when I'm at 35,000 feet.
Once again, I appreciate the creativity. It's not often you would find some sushi or kimbap as a snack on any airline. The popcorn is pretty creative compared to your typical nuts one would get. The sliders seem like a perfect size if you're feeling peckish, so I don't understand why airlines offer a full-blown burger as a "snack".
As far as cake, there are a plethora of options for a cake, so why stick to the traditional chocolate cake?
Looking forward to trying this out for myself in February. I just browsed the wine and whisky selection for my flight and I get a feeling I’ll be very buzzed by the time my flight lands.
@Samar
Good strategy. First class is for eating and drinking. Business class is for sleeping.