Guidebook for Dubai
Food Scene
Some of the best Thai and Chinese food you can have in Dubai (they fly-in their noodles bi-weekly from Thailand). Nick, the owner, is always present at the restaurant (except on Friday’s) and is happy to share his recommendations, explain where the dishes originate from and ensure you are satisfied with the service. For dine in, Zen is a very small place – but it’s well worth a visit, you can also order in. I’ve left a menu in the apartment. The restaurant is conveniently located 5 minutes away from Bay Square walking or 2 minutes away by car.
I would recommend the Pad See-Yu or Singapore noodles.
Zen Restaurant
Some of the best Thai and Chinese food you can have in Dubai (they fly-in their noodles bi-weekly from Thailand). Nick, the owner, is always present at the restaurant (except on Friday’s) and is happy to share his recommendations, explain where the dishes originate from and ensure you are satisfied with the service. For dine in, Zen is a very small place – but it’s well worth a visit, you can also order in. I’ve left a menu in the apartment. The restaurant is conveniently located 5 minutes away from Bay Square walking or 2 minutes away by car.
I would recommend the Pad See-Yu or Singapore noodles.
One of the oldest restaurants in Dubai serving traditional Iranian cuisine. Great food, atmosphere, the owners interact with the guests and they have a curious display of ancient mobile phones, currencies from around the world and pictures with their customers and famous diners.
9 personas locales recomiendan
AL Ustad Special Kebab
Al Mussallah RoadOne of the oldest restaurants in Dubai serving traditional Iranian cuisine. Great food, atmosphere, the owners interact with the guests and they have a curious display of ancient mobile phones, currencies from around the world and pictures with their customers and famous diners.
Authentic Mexican food is served here! If you’re craving some fresh guacamole (made in front of you) and some excellent quesadillas – then Maria Bonita is a must. Located in a residential area in Jumeirah, it strays away from your conventional restaurant set up. Best part: you can get sombreros upon request.
8 personas locales recomiendan
Maria Bonita
Shop 4 Umm Al Sheif StAuthentic Mexican food is served here! If you’re craving some fresh guacamole (made in front of you) and some excellent quesadillas – then Maria Bonita is a must. Located in a residential area in Jumeirah, it strays away from your conventional restaurant set up. Best part: you can get sombreros upon request.
I’ve been to Italy twice. Both times to have pizza. Hours of cardio later to reverse the damage, and I still don’t regret it. Just to give you an idea of how much I appreciate pizza. Now Rossovivo comes very close to the legit pizza napolitana you can get in the birth place of pizza, Napoli. Their buffalo mozzarella pizza in particular does the trick. I recommend ordering from there as parking may be a bit tricky in their location.
Rossovivo
I’ve been to Italy twice. Both times to have pizza. Hours of cardio later to reverse the damage, and I still don’t regret it. Just to give you an idea of how much I appreciate pizza. Now Rossovivo comes very close to the legit pizza napolitana you can get in the birth place of pizza, Napoli. Their buffalo mozzarella pizza in particular does the trick. I recommend ordering from there as parking may be a bit tricky in their location.
Haven’t come a better steak at a decent price in Dubai. They fly in their beef from South Africa (all halal certified), and sure do honour the “braai” culture of their country of origin. They have a few restaurants around Dubai – I would recommend the one in City Walk, excellent service and the area is quite nice for a stroll later.
The Butcher Shop & Grill
11 Al Safa StHaven’t come a better steak at a decent price in Dubai. They fly in their beef from South Africa (all halal certified), and sure do honour the “braai” culture of their country of origin. They have a few restaurants around Dubai – I would recommend the one in City Walk, excellent service and the area is quite nice for a stroll later.
Another great restaurant honouring Italian cuisine located in Box Park. No pizza here though, for pasta affairs exclusively. The restaurant in itself is really quaint, and romantic. Good to call in advance for reservations. I would highly recommend the Tagliatelle con Funghi al profume di Tartufo (tagliatelli with mushroom sauce and truffle oil). Belissimo!
Bianca Boxpark
Another great restaurant honouring Italian cuisine located in Box Park. No pizza here though, for pasta affairs exclusively. The restaurant in itself is really quaint, and romantic. Good to call in advance for reservations. I would highly recommend the Tagliatelle con Funghi al profume di Tartufo (tagliatelli with mushroom sauce and truffle oil). Belissimo!
Serves one of the best breakfast in town. The perk? It’s just across Bay Square Building 9! You can see it from the balcony. Their breakfast items and coffee is spectacular. I’d highly recommend the Shakshouka with Wagyu meatballs – and any of their coffees.
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Pantry Cafe
Serves one of the best breakfast in town. The perk? It’s just across Bay Square Building 9! You can see it from the balcony. Their breakfast items and coffee is spectacular. I’d highly recommend the Shakshouka with Wagyu meatballs – and any of their coffees.
One of my first missions when I moved to Dubai was to find the best coffee shop out there. After doing some online searching, I came across Raw Coffee and decided to venture to the Al Quoz lands to find out why it was special. As soon as you walk into the place you realize why. They do not employ typical baristas who can explain the difference between a cappuccino and a flat white – but proper coffee connoisseurs who will recommend the bean to go with the right brewing method based on its acidity level, and the notes
Raw Coffee Company
One of my first missions when I moved to Dubai was to find the best coffee shop out there. After doing some online searching, I came across Raw Coffee and decided to venture to the Al Quoz lands to find out why it was special. As soon as you walk into the place you realize why. They do not employ typical baristas who can explain the difference between a cappuccino and a flat white – but proper coffee connoisseurs who will recommend the bean to go with the right brewing method based on its acidity level, and the notes
Arts & Culture
The Bastakiya Quarter in Bur Dubai is one of the city’s most picturesque and unique heritage sites. It was built in the late 19th Century by Persian merchants attracted to the city by its great positioning as a trading centre for the region. The area has been declared a conservation area and its narrow alleys pedestrianized.
Many of the restored buildings in Bastakiya feature wind towers, an early but effective form of air-conditioning. Some are private homes, but many are open to the public.
These include:
-Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
-Dubai Museum
-Arabian Tea House
-Make Art Cafe
37 personas locales recomiendan
Al Fahidi Historical District - حي الفهيدي التاريخي
The Bastakiya Quarter in Bur Dubai is one of the city’s most picturesque and unique heritage sites. It was built in the late 19th Century by Persian merchants attracted to the city by its great positioning as a trading centre for the region. The area has been declared a conservation area and its narrow alleys pedestrianized.
Many of the restored buildings in Bastakiya feature wind towers, an early but effective form of air-conditioning. Some are private homes, but many are open to the public.
These include:
-Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
-Dubai Museum
-Arabian Tea House
-Make Art Cafe
Drinks & Nightlife
Really fun spot - great for groups. They have two floors with slightly different themes. Live band performances take place there - their second floor has beer pong, and a mechanical bull.
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The Stables Dubai
Sheikh Zayed Road Really fun spot - great for groups. They have two floors with slightly different themes. Live band performances take place there - their second floor has beer pong, and a mechanical bull.
You can possibly get the best view of Dubai from Level 43.
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Level 43 Sky Lounge
Sheikh Zayed RoadYou can possibly get the best view of Dubai from Level 43.
Quiz nights take place here on Monday's @ 8:00 p.m.
Good selection of craft beers.
The Eloquent Elephant
Burj Khalifa StQuiz nights take place here on Monday's @ 8:00 p.m.
Good selection of craft beers.
Shopping
Easier to navigate than Dubai Mall for a quick shopping spree.
354 personas locales recomiendan
Mall of the Emirates
Sheikh Zayed RoadEasier to navigate than Dubai Mall for a quick shopping spree.
Entertainment & Activities
An arcade suitable for adults with some rides making using of VR technology.
8 personas locales recomiendan
Hub Zero Dubai
An arcade suitable for adults with some rides making using of VR technology.
Everything Else
Just grab yourself a coffee from Roseleaf Cafe, and enjoy looking at their display of plants and trees. Their second floor has a second-hand bookstore, and sells unique art pieces and furniture.
Dubai Garden Centre
739 Sheikh Zayed RdJust grab yourself a coffee from Roseleaf Cafe, and enjoy looking at their display of plants and trees. Their second floor has a second-hand bookstore, and sells unique art pieces and furniture.
Parks & Nature
Safa Park
Sheikh Zayed Road