Some pretty tasty cargo has landed on Dubai’s beaches this week, in the shape of shipping containers housing pop-up restaurants on the sand.

The Beach Canteen project, part of the Dubai Food Festival, will see 16 of the city’s best-known restaurants serving up everything from sushi to tacos for 10 days from this Thursday.

Cranes deposited the refurbished cargo containers along Jumeirah 1 Open Beach, Kite Beach and Sunset Beach, helping to turn each of the three into distinctive ‘dining districts’.

Foodies looking for a festival vibe should head to Jumeirah 1 Open Beach, which will have arts and crafts and picnic tables perfect for tucking into French crepes from Le Creparis, maneesh from Lebaneesh or buns from Roti Mum Café.

For a more interactive atmosphere try Kite Beach, which will have DJs, table tennis and free yoga sessions, as well as pasta from Giolitti and contemporary Mexican treats from Loca among others.

The set-up at Sunset Beach will take inspiration from the local region, with Arabic music, lighting, and traditional décor. Diners can take their pick from Barjeel’s Emirati options, sushi from Kyo Café, French fare from La Provence or Ines Paris, and the UAE’s own Raw Coffee.

Beach Canteen will kick off at noon on Thursday and run until Saturday March 8.

The Dubai Food Festival celebrates the culinary expertise of the Emirate with activities, tastings, offers and entertainment, from Michelin starred chefs to street food, and everything in between.

Set to become an annual spectacular, this inaugural edition kicked off on February 21 with the first of 10 individual events targeted at both consumer and business – Gulfood and Taste of Dubai, as well as new events such as the Dubai Food Carnival and The Big Grill – most of which feature at least one celebrity chef. The likes of John Torode, famed for his role on BBC show Masterchef, Sanjeev Kapoor, whose restaurant Signature at Melia Dubai is one of Dubai’s most popular for high-end Indian cuisine, and Jean Christophe Novelli, the charismatic Frenchman will all be appearing.

Jumeirah 1 Open Beach, Kite Beach and Sunset Beach, Feb 27 until Mar 8, noon to 11pm. dubaifoodfestival.com