Food Scene
Excellent for brunch - owned by a friend of mine from back in my NYC days. They have several outlets across the city, so keep an eye out for their Food Truck on Kite Beach as well.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Clinton Street Baking Company
Building 10 Happiness StExcellent for brunch - owned by a friend of mine from back in my NYC days. They have several outlets across the city, so keep an eye out for their Food Truck on Kite Beach as well.
Fantastic views of the Dubai fountains. Call ahead to reserve a table with a view. Good Thai food, though not extraordinary. It is expensive, but the ambiance is nice.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Thiptara
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid BoulevardFantastic views of the Dubai fountains. Call ahead to reserve a table with a view. Good Thai food, though not extraordinary. It is expensive, but the ambiance is nice.
Excellent Indian food delivery option (though take time sometimes). Also a good dine-in option if you're looking for something casual. They are unlicensed.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gazebo Restaurant
towards DIFC ParkingExcellent Indian food delivery option (though take time sometimes). Also a good dine-in option if you're looking for something casual. They are unlicensed.
Lebanese cuisine is among the most influential cuisines on the Dubai dining scene and Al Nafoorah is among the most highly rated Lebanese Restaurants in Dubai. It is a high-end experience, with a price-tag to match... but worth it if that's what you're looking for.
Al Nafoorah
Lebanese cuisine is among the most influential cuisines on the Dubai dining scene and Al Nafoorah is among the most highly rated Lebanese Restaurants in Dubai. It is a high-end experience, with a price-tag to match... but worth it if that's what you're looking for.
Reem is a Dubai institution - known for quality Lebanese fare, where locals go to enjoy a Shisha and chat the night away.
If you're looking for a chill evening and have had enough of the tourist grind, I suggest checking out the Jumeirah Beach Road or Al Manara locations.
Reem al Bawadi
Reem is a Dubai institution - known for quality Lebanese fare, where locals go to enjoy a Shisha and chat the night away.
If you're looking for a chill evening and have had enough of the tourist grind, I suggest checking out the Jumeirah Beach Road or Al Manara locations.
These guys are the preeminent local gourmet coffee operation in Dubai. Many of the better restaurants source their coffee from Raw. They're a pretty awesome operation - offering classes abt all-things coffee related.
A bit on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for, right?
Raw Coffee Company
These guys are the preeminent local gourmet coffee operation in Dubai. Many of the better restaurants source their coffee from Raw. They're a pretty awesome operation - offering classes abt all-things coffee related.
A bit on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for, right?
Looking for a place to get some work done for an hour or two... this is one of my favorite Cafe Concepts in Dubai... its essentially gourmet coffee shop meets motorcycle enthusiast.
I'm not a motorhead at all, but you don't have to be to appreciate this motor themed cafe concept. They have a workshop in the building, where they customize motorbikes - how dope is that!?!?!
Cafe Rider Custom
Warehouse 7 14 C StLooking for a place to get some work done for an hour or two... this is one of my favorite Cafe Concepts in Dubai... its essentially gourmet coffee shop meets motorcycle enthusiast.
I'm not a motorhead at all, but you don't have to be to appreciate this motor themed cafe concept. They have a workshop in the building, where they customize motorbikes - how dope is that!?!?!
Publique dubai
Best restaurant in Madinat in my opinion.
You're welcome! : )
Essentials
Has the grocery essentials that you'll need.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Spinneys Market Southridge
Has the grocery essentials that you'll need.
Sightseeing
Performances are held daily and last up to 5 minutes. Evening shows begin at 6 pm and are every half hour until 11 pm. There are also 2 performances in the daytime; at 1 pm and 1.30 pm (1.30 pm and 2 pm on Fridays).
148 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Dubai Fountain
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid BoulevardPerformances are held daily and last up to 5 minutes. Evening shows begin at 6 pm and are every half hour until 11 pm. There are also 2 performances in the daytime; at 1 pm and 1.30 pm (1.30 pm and 2 pm on Fridays).
I've never been myself, so not much to say about it.
Completely understand how its an essential tic box for some.
Dubai tends to be a dusty, hazy place... would recommend only booking day-of if possible, as you might get to the top and only be able to see the desert dust bowl that is Dubai 90% of the time.
577 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Burj Khalifa
1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid BlvdI've never been myself, so not much to say about it.
Completely understand how its an essential tic box for some.
Dubai tends to be a dusty, hazy place... would recommend only booking day-of if possible, as you might get to the top and only be able to see the desert dust bowl that is Dubai 90% of the time.
Souk Madinat is Dubai's most elegant development project in Dubai in my opinion... its audacious, yet restrained which isn't the norm in a city that goes over-the-top on just about everything.
Pro Tips:
Visit early in your trip, as you'll find all sorts of souvenirs, gifts ideas, and Dubai specific trinkets. Don't buy here though, as the prices tend to be exorbitant (you'll get the same stuff for 1/3rd the price at the Gold Souk / Spice Souk).
Publique is probably my favorite restaurant at Souk Madinat - check it out, you won't be disappointed.
Take a Gondola ride - the grounds are breathtaking and you'll get great views of Burj al Arab.
68 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Souk Madinat Jumeirah
King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud StreetSouk Madinat is Dubai's most elegant development project in Dubai in my opinion... its audacious, yet restrained which isn't the norm in a city that goes over-the-top on just about everything.
Pro Tips:
Visit early in your trip, as you'll find all sorts of souvenirs, gifts ideas, and Dubai specific trinkets. Don't buy here though, as the prices tend to be exorbitant (you'll get the same stuff for 1/3rd the price at the Gold Souk / Spice Souk).
Publique is probably my favorite restaurant at Souk Madinat - check it out, you won't be disappointed.
Take a Gondola ride - the grounds are breathtaking and you'll get great views of Burj al Arab.
Arts & Culture
No intro required for this one - check-out what is playing here to experience this state-of-the-art facility
90 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Dubai Opera
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid BoulevardNo intro required for this one - check-out what is playing here to experience this state-of-the-art facility
Alserkal Avenue is Dubai's burgeoning arts and culture district, located in the Al Quoz District of Dubai.
Check-out their website to see what's happening during your visit: https://alserkalavenue.ae/en/index.php
PRO TIP: Check-out Raw Coffee which is located nearby, for a gourmet coffee experience, if that your thing.
53 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alserkal Avenue
17th StreetAlserkal Avenue is Dubai's burgeoning arts and culture district, located in the Al Quoz District of Dubai.
Check-out their website to see what's happening during your visit: https://alserkalavenue.ae/en/index.php
PRO TIP: Check-out Raw Coffee which is located nearby, for a gourmet coffee experience, if that your thing.
Shopping
My personal favorite as it tends to be less crowded than Dubai Mall and is a bit more approachable.
Worth checking out he Ski Dubai
Eat at Din Tao Fung - its incredible!!! Tip: go there first as there's almost always a 15-30 min wait... but they'll give you a buzzer to let you know when you're table is ready, so you can go shop while you wait.
Also recommend Shake Shack in MOE - among the best fast food burgers around in my opinion
180 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mall of the Emirates station
My personal favorite as it tends to be less crowded than Dubai Mall and is a bit more approachable.
Worth checking out he Ski Dubai
Eat at Din Tao Fung - its incredible!!! Tip: go there first as there's almost always a 15-30 min wait... but they'll give you a buzzer to let you know when you're table is ready, so you can go shop while you wait.
Also recommend Shake Shack in MOE - among the best fast food burgers around in my opinion
If you want to see it in all its glory, I suggest going on a Friday evening. Khaleeji's from all over the GCC love Dubai Mall on Friday evenings, and it's quite a scene.
If you want a more leisurely shopping experience and to check out the sites, it's probably worth visiting during the day: Ice Rink, Aquarium, etc etc
523 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Dubai Mall
If you want to see it in all its glory, I suggest going on a Friday evening. Khaleeji's from all over the GCC love Dubai Mall on Friday evenings, and it's quite a scene.
If you want a more leisurely shopping experience and to check out the sites, it's probably worth visiting during the day: Ice Rink, Aquarium, etc etc
Parks & Nature
For those that are able, I highly reco quad biking as a fantastic way to experience the desert.
Many people choose to do the Desert Safari packages - which I think is worthwhile if you're with a group that isn't physically able to quad bike... however, IMO the Desert Safari itineraries tend to drag on too much... the food tends to be just OK... and the overall experience is a bit contrived and touristy.
An afternoon quad biking enables the freedom to roam the desert on your own, without being stuck to the Desert Safari timeline.
PRO TIP: prices for all these operators are negotiable, so def try your bargaining skills. Don't want the hassle, I'm happy to book it. Just ast ask me how
Big Red Quad Bike Rental
For those that are able, I highly reco quad biking as a fantastic way to experience the desert.
Many people choose to do the Desert Safari packages - which I think is worthwhile if you're with a group that isn't physically able to quad bike... however, IMO the Desert Safari itineraries tend to drag on too much... the food tends to be just OK... and the overall experience is a bit contrived and touristy.
An afternoon quad biking enables the freedom to roam the desert on your own, without being stuck to the Desert Safari timeline.
PRO TIP: prices for all these operators are negotiable, so def try your bargaining skills. Don't want the hassle, I'm happy to book it. Just ast ask me how
Hands down the best beach in Dubai IMO.
When weather permits, Kite Beach is probably my favorite destination in Dubai.
Padded running track, cafes, beach volleyball courts, massive trampolines for kids, kitesurfing, endless water sports... the list is endless... really is one of the best non-touristy things to do in Dubai in my opinion
PRO TIP: Check out Salt, beach-side burger joint. It was founded by a local Emirati women and features excellent fastfood-style burgers. It's also a bit of a scene ; )
134 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kite Beach nguMeraas
Hands down the best beach in Dubai IMO.
When weather permits, Kite Beach is probably my favorite destination in Dubai.
Padded running track, cafes, beach volleyball courts, massive trampolines for kids, kitesurfing, endless water sports... the list is endless... really is one of the best non-touristy things to do in Dubai in my opinion
PRO TIP: Check out Salt, beach-side burger joint. It was founded by a local Emirati women and features excellent fastfood-style burgers. It's also a bit of a scene ; )
Drinks & Nightlife
The Friday evening Nomad Party is probably the best Electronic Music party in Dubai.
The venue is excellent all year round, the sound is legit and the vibe is shear dopeness.
You also get to see just how STUPID large The Palm - man-made-island is - because you have to drive pretty much the full way around it.
Check it out, you won't regret it!!
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
El Chiringuito Ibiza - Dubai
The Friday evening Nomad Party is probably the best Electronic Music party in Dubai.
The venue is excellent all year round, the sound is legit and the vibe is shear dopeness.
You also get to see just how STUPID large The Palm - man-made-island is - because you have to drive pretty much the full way around it.
Check it out, you won't regret it!!