Camping food shopping list: one night, meal by meal

The desert has no shops, so the shopping list is the plan. This page is laid out by meal for a one-night camp for two adults, with each line marked as either Zad, meaning we stock it, or Home, meaning bring it from the city. Use the print button to take it with you.

Before you pack, check where you may camp. Treat overnight camping at the lake edges and Love Lake as not permitted, and read our camping rules and permits guide. This list is general guidance, and prices are the indicative ones on our camping page and menu. Message us on WhatsApp to confirm stock.

1. How to use the list

Tick as you go. Anything marked Zad can be bagged for your pickup time if you message us first, and anything marked Home is not something we list on our site, so we will not claim to have it. Raw meat, eggs, bread and fresh vegetables are in the Home column for that reason. Our campfire cooking ideas have five simple recipes to match.

2. Arrival and afternoon

Eat something easy when you arrive, so pitching the tent is not done on an empty stomach.

• Zad: chicken wraps, Ranch or Chipotle, AED 29 each. Hot, filling and need no cooking.
• Zad: dates, Al Rifai nuts and dried fruit (AED 15 to 47), and protein bars (AED 15 to 18). Dates are in store.
• Zad: cold drinks, with PRIME at AED 20, and water from AED 2 for 500 ml.
• Home: fruit and anything you want to eat cold.

3. Dinner

Dinner is the one meal worth a little effort. Decide your heat source first: charcoal in a grill for steady heat, or a gas stove for the least fuss.

• Home: marinated chicken, beef or vegetables, pre-chopped and packed cold. Keep raw meat at the bottom of the cooler and cook it thoroughly.
• Home: foil, oil, salt, pepper, spices, flatbread or rolls.
• Zad: charcoal, Mr. Charcoal 3 kg AED 32, or Flame On 4 kg AED 37.
• Zad: a foldable BBQ AED 35 to 80, or a charcoal grill AED 26 to 80. A fire pit is AED 63.
• Zad: fire-starter gel or lighter fluid AED 15 to 22, cubes and eco lighters AED 8 to 25.
• Zad: BBQ tools, tongs and skewers AED 5 to 30.
• Zad: a Lake BBQ Box (AED 125, for 4 to 6) bundles a foldable grill, 3 kg charcoal, fire-starter gel, tongs and 2 bags of ice, if you would rather buy it ready.

4. Evening and late night

The fire is for warmth and company, and hot drinks do the rest. Put it out completely before you sleep.

• Zad: firewood, medium AED 40, usually enough for an evening. Large is AED 70 for a longer night. Never cut desert trees.
• Zad: karak chai at AED 7 a cup, and a vacuum flask at AED 25 to keep it hot.
• Zad: hot chocolate AED 17 at the café, or a Campfire Night Kit (AED 129) with a large firewood bundle, fire-starter cubes, a bag of ice and 6 hot karak to go.
• Home: marshmallows, biscuits and tea if you like. Toast them over embers on long skewers.
• Zad: a Geepas LED lantern AED 55, and torches AED 12 to 55, because there is no ambient light.

5. Breakfast

Morning is cold, so keep it hot and quick.

• Zad: a camping gas stove from AED 25 and cartridges at AED 10.50 to 25, so you do not need to relight the fire.
• Zad: a frying pan or kettle, AED 25 to 60.
• Home: eggs, tomatoes, flatbread and instant coffee or tea bags. Pre-crack eggs into a bottle at home to save space.
• Zad: croissants, plain AED 14 and chocolate or cheese AED 15, if you collect your order on the way in. Pick up a fresh cappuccino or karak if you pass again in the morning.

6. Water, ice and clean-up

• Zad: water, at least 2 litres per person, so 4 litres for two as an absolute minimum. We suggest buying more. 500 ml is AED 2, 1.5 L is AED 3 and a 20 L water can with a tap is AED 80.
• Zad: a bag of ice, AED 15. Buy it last, so it is solid when you arrive.
• Home: a cooler, and pre-chill everything before it goes in.
• Zad: bin bags and disposables are in stock. Take everything home, including ash and food scraps.
• Home: wet wipes, washing-up liquid and a small towel.

Fires need safety margins: no open flames inside a tent, lights and heat at least 50 cm from tent fabric and firewood at least 15 feet (about 5 m) from tents. Soak the embers and stir until cold. Littering fines in Dubai start at AED 500.

7. Scaling for your group

The list is for two adults on one night. For four, double the food and water and keep one fire. For children, add familiar snacks and plenty of water, as in our camping with kids guide. For a first-timer, the Camp Night for Two (from AED 289, you keep the gear) adds a 2-person tent, 2 picnic chairs, an LED lantern, medium firewood, fire-starter cubes and a bag of ice. If you do not want to cook at all, our desert picnic ideas are all no-cook, and the full packing list is in the camping checklist. For quantities of fuel, see our firewood and charcoal guide.

Frequently asked questions

Zad Food Store is open 24/7 at the Last Exit, Al Qudra Road (Seih Al Salam), Dubai, the last stop before the desert since 2013.