Dubai Chefs Adapt to Iran War Supply Disruptions

Dubai chefs are adapting menus and operations as a two-month war in Iran disrupts food supplies and slashes tourism in the United Arab Emirates, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining effectively closed despite a ceasefire.

The conflict began in late February when the United States and Israel conducted strikes on Iran, prompting several weeks of Iranian missile and drone attacks across the Gulf. A ceasefire took effect on April 8, but the strait, the UAE's primary sea access for more than 80 percent of its food imports, stays blocked. Spiking jet fuel prices have driven air freight costs up as much as 70 percent on some routes, forcing restaurants to seek pricier alternatives for imported perishables.

At Lila Molino, a Mexican restaurant in Dubai's Alserkal Avenue district, chef Shaw Lash flies in avocados and tomatillos essential for her dishes. She has reduced production, trimmed staff and purchased smaller ingredient quantities while shifting focus to popular make-at-home fajita kits and a grocery line. "The reality is cargo has gotten more expensive, gas prices have gone up, the Strait of Hormuz is still blocked," Lash said. "This is really creating a problem for us as far as...