Buyer's Guide
Caviar in Dubai — A Buyer's Guide (2026)
Caviar is the shorthand for luxury on any table, and Dubai buys more of it every year. This guide cuts through the grades and marketing to what matters: choosing the right roe for the occasion, and serving it properly.
Sturgeon caviar vs salmon roe
True caviar is the salt-cured roe of sturgeon — Beluga, Osetra, Kaluga and Baerii among the prized varieties, distinguished by pearl size, colour and a clean, buttery finish.
Salmon roe (red caviar) — from wild chum and other Pacific salmon — is a different, larger, brighter pearl with a fresh saline pop. It is not a lesser product, but a different one: superb for breakfast service, canapés and volume garnish work where sturgeon caviar would be extravagant.
What drives caviar price
Species and grade first: Beluga and large-pearl Osetra sit at the top; Baerii and salmon roe are the accessible tiers. Pearl size, uniformity and firmness within a species set the grade.
Provenance and certification: CITES documentation is required for sturgeon caviar traded internationally — insist on it. Wild salmon roe should carry clear origin documentation.
Freshness and cold chain: caviar is held at 0–4°C and is time-sensitive; a documented chilled chain is non-negotiable at these values.
Serving caviar properly
Serve chilled, from a non-metallic (mother-of-pearl, bone or glass) spoon — metal taints the flavour. Present over ice.
Keep accompaniments restrained: blini, crème fraîche, or simply on its own. Let the roe lead.
Open only what will be used; reseal and keep at 0–4°C. Trade formats (1kg) suit banqueting; smaller presentations suit private service.
Frequently asked
- What is the best caviar to buy in Dubai?
- The best caviar is the one matched to the occasion and budget: large-pearl Osetra or Beluga for a statement service, Baerii for everyday luxury, and wild salmon roe for breakfast, canapés and generous garnish. All should carry proper origin documentation.
- How much caviar per person?
- As a tasting, 10–15g per person; as a course, 30g or more. A 100g presentation comfortably serves a small table of canapés.
- Is caviar available with same-day delivery in the UAE?
- Yes — premium suppliers deliver chilled across Dubai and the wider UAE by appointment, temperature-logged from store to door.
By appointment
Pricing confirmed against the weekly list
Request current availability and pricing for Wild Salmon Red Caviar — direct, by your preferred channel.