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Recommended Last Updated: 25/12/2011

Things you must do

  1. Visit Burj Al-Arab - the landmark symbol of Dubai - and the only 6 star hotel in the world
  2. Go to the desert in some jeeps or dune buggys for some "Wadi-Bashing"
  3. Pop into the Jumeirah area and take your pick of places to visit! But don't miss out on the new Dubai Marina Walk in JBR if its not too hot
  4. Shop, eat and then shop some more
  5. have a whale of a time

Dubai - Abu Dhabi

Dubai

Quick Links
Restaurants
Hotels

Restaurants

  • Junsui, Burj Al Arab Hotel, (T:+971 4 3017600), This is an Asian restaurant a-la Buffet style, excellent range and quality. Highly recommended. cool.gif (111 bytes)(last upd: April 2008)
  • Karam Restaurant, Mall of the Emirates @ Ski Dubai end / Kempinsky Hotel (T: +971 4 341 2202 ). This is definitavely the best Lebanese restaurant in town bar none. The excellent food is coupled with great views of the Ski Dubai facility and there is something to be said about filling up with delicious dishes in a T-shirt while you see people in -2 degrees enjoy winter sports. cool.gif (111 bytes) (last upd: Mar 2011)
  • The Grand Grill Steakhouse, Habtoor Grand Resort, Lobby Level, JBR, Dubai (T: +971 4 399 4221). This steak house is easily among the best in town. The steaks are cut to order with fillet steaks available up to 500g or more in 100g increments. You have a choice of South African or Argentinean beef and sometimes Wagyu as well. The main and side dishes are all exquisitely cooked and very well presented. Highly recommended.cool.gif (111 bytes)(last upd: Oct 2010)
  • Kaleidoscope Restaurant, Atlantis Palm Jumeirah (T: +971 4 426 2626) . This is a family orientated buffet restaurant in the iconic Atlantis hotel in the Palm Jumeriah. It has to be said that the whole atmosphere at the hotel is impressive with many art installations and massive fish tanks providing plenty of 'aah' moments. The food served restaurant though is decidedly average. It isn't bad in any way but in comparison to the expectations raised coming through the hotel itself, it could do more by way of interesting dishes or presentation. None the less, it is very reasonably priced and overall, we'd rate it as a 7/10 taking ambiance and atmosphere as well as the food into account. (last upd: Oct 2010)
  • Saffron Restaurant, Atlantis Palm Jumeirah (T: +971 4 426 2626). This used to be our favourite Asian brunch in Dubai but the Atlantis managment have basically made this an Alcoholic Brunch which basically means that they upped the prices to silly levels if you don't drink and are now focused on plying you with as much drink as you can take. So great for those looking for a boozy brunch - not so great for any family bruch unfortunately. This is a pity as this really was an amazing place before. Sadly, we won't be rushing to get there anymore (last upd: Sept 2010)
  • Tagine, The Royal Mirage One & Only, Dubai (T: +971 4 399 9999 ). Excellent Moroccan with superb atmosphere. Very highly recommended for its ethinic authencity and excellent dishes. cool.gif (111 bytes) (last upd: Apr 2009)
  • PierChic, Al Qasr Hotel, Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai (T: +971 4 366 8888). Beachside Seafood restaurant well the somewhat long trek to get there. Take the hotel buggy down to the pier and then enjoy the walk the pier down to the restaurant. Wonderfully romantic, it also does very nicely for a great group dining experience. cool.gif (111 bytes) (last upd: Mar 2009)
  • Noodle Bowl Restaurant, Dune Centre, Al Diyafah St, Satwa, Dubai (T: +971 4 345 3381). We discovered this place by chance through a friends introduction and it has now become our local Chinese pit stop almost every weekend. The place is a small family-owned restaurant serving a proper array of Chinese food with a very Malaysian feel to it. The owner, Michael, is also a chef and maintains a very strict level of control over the quality of the dishes while allowing the chefs to also add their own specialties to the menu. By maintaining great food at good prices, this is well worth a trek into Satwa for! cool.gif (111 bytes) (last upd: Sept 2011)
  • Sari Nusa, Dune Centre, Al Diyafah St, Satwa, Dubai T: ??? ). Indonesian Restaurant in Satwa serving up really good buffet-style Indonesian fare at very good prices in a cafe/restaurant setting.
  • The Buddha Bar, Grovesnor House Hotel, Dubai Marina. Very cool Asian restaurant with one of the best chill out zones in the country. cool.gif (111 bytes)(last upd: June 2008)
  • More Cafe, Chain. Fantastic South African restaurant all over Dubai serving some of the heartiest food going. Really good range of dishes - something to suit everyone really. Well recommended! cool.gif (111 bytes)(last upd: June 2011)
  • Karma Cafe, Souk Al Bahar, Downtown, Dubai (T:+971 4 423 0909). Sister of the Buddha Bar but with a much more laid back atmosphere. Generally frequented by more of the people working in and around downtown. Very chill and relaxed place. cool.gif (111 bytes)
  • Sloanes Restaurant, Grovesnor House Hotel. One of the best buffet spreads in Dubai - especially at breakfast. Very highly recommended.cool.gif (111 bytes)(last upd: Dec 2010)
  • Khan Murjan, Wafi Mall, Dubai. This is a mixed arabian restaurant, covering cuisines from Morrocco to Lebanon. Quality is very good but its main attraction is the outdoor courtyard seating which they manage to keep air conditioned so its pleasant to sit in all day and evening. Well worth the visit to Wafi mall! cool.gif (111 bytes)(last upd: Aug 2008)
  • Khazana, Al Nasr Leisureland area, Dubai (T:+971 4 336 0061, E: Cyclonic@emirates.net.ae). Very good Indian restaurant backed by a famous Indian chef Sanjeev Kapoor. The restaurant is very light and airy with a garden feel to it. The dishes all served impeccably and great taste with a full and varied meny to choose from. Well recommended. cool.gif (111 bytes)(last upd: Jan 2005)
  • Fishmarket, Raddisson Blu Hotel, Deira, Dubai. Excellent fish restaurant where you choose your own fish which is then cooked to order.
  • Automatic, chain. Good Lebanese quick-stop restaurant all over Dubai
  • Johnny Rockets, Dubai Marina, currently best burgers in town. (last upd: Nov 2010)
  • Soy Restaurant, Ibn Batuta Mall. OK'ayish multi-oriental restaurant. Little heavy on the MSG but an OK spot for lunch. (last upd: Oct 2008)
  • Paul Cafe, various locations. Its often touch-and-go with Paul for Service and some of the dishes. Excellent breads & pastries always but the main dishes can vary depending on the resident chef. Good place for a snack. Would not suggest for a full on dinner. (last upd: Oct 2008)
  • Salmontini, Mall of the Emirates @ Ski Dubai end / Kempinsky Hotel (T: +971 4 341 0222). This is a poshy restaurant serving seafood and great sushi. I've only tried it on a Monday where they are currently running an all you can eat Sushi which is prepared for you to order rather Buffet selection (a much better concept in my mind). The food, service and quality were all excellent. (last upd: Jan 2009)
  • Entrecôte café de Paris, Dubai Mall, Lower Ground, Dubai (T: +971 4 434 0122). Second branch of the famous swiss version of the Entrecote cafe in Dubai Mall. Much better ambiance and seating that the Al Khaleej Palace branch however there is no wine served with the meals. For many, this will make the overall experience a little less than they would expect but for non-drinkers, this is as good as it gets! cool.gif (111 bytes)(last upd: Nov 2010)
  • Entrecôte café de Paris, Al Khaleej Palace Hotel, Al Makhtoum Street, Deira, Dubai (T: 04 223 1000). The faux fillet restaurant with that 'special herb sauce'. This is actually the Swiss branch of the famous chain but is nonetheless, close enough to be great. The atmosphere in this restaurant tries to hard to remain Parisian resulting in a dark-ish redish ambiance that doesn't quite make it and is the main failure stemming from the overall experience. Nonetheless, the steaks are good and the fries excellent. Not worth a long journey but nice if you're in Deira anyway. Now open with a much better location in the Dubai Mall. (last upd: Nov 2008)
  • Frankie’s Italian Bar & Grill, Al Fattan Marine Towers, opposite Oasis Beach Hotel, JBR, Dubai Marina, Dubai (t:+971 4 399 4311). Frankie Dettori's (an ex-racehorse champ) and Marco Pierre Whites' restaurant in Dubai and provides resoundingly good old fashioned Italian fare cooked perfectly. The Bar ambiance is very evident with live piano music and its a busy bustling place. Reservations are almost a necessity but worth it. Little pricey for what it is. (last upd: Nov 2008)
  • Reem Al Bawadi, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai (T: +971 4 394 7444). Lebanese with a hint of American and lot of Shisha restaurant. This is the place to go if you want a bustling Beiruti scene with sounds of shisha's bubbling and backgammon dice rolling along with the usual wonderful, colourful spreads that Lebanese dishes can make. Great place for a outing with friends but be warned, the smoke can be a little heavy. (last upd: Oct 2008)
  • Leon de Bruxelles, Jumeirah Beach Park Plaza, Jumerirah Beach Road, Dubai (T: +971 4 342 8100). Awesome destination if you like your mussels... all cooked up and served in a pot like they should be! The food portions are great, quality outstanding and service exemplary. Without a doubt, a great treat for fans. As a new thing for me, the prawn croquettes starters were quite awesome.  (last upd: Apr 2009)

  • Rhodes Restaurant, Grovesnor House, Dubai. Poshy Style British food from celeb chef Gary Rhodes. Good for a romantic dinner or ladies lunch.

  • Samad Al Iraqi Restaurant, Muraqabat, Dubai (T: +971 4 229 3661, samad.iraqi@gmail.com, and also in Jumeirah 2 (T:+971 4 342 7887), This is an Iraqi restaurant with great fish coked over charcoal. They also serve all the usual arabic and iraqi dishes which are all excellent.

  • Aprons and Hammers, The Dhow, Dubai International Marina Club, Mina Seyahi Beach Resort, Dubai Marina (T: +971 4 454 7097; info@apronsandhammers.com). Really cool boat based seafood restaurant run by chef Lawrence. Its a great option for something slightly different. As its name implies, its a place where you get to bust open your seafood with hammers and tongs and generally get quite messy if you like. The Aprons are for your protection. We especially like the specialty sea food stew the chef makes and the breaded shrimps. The Chocolate fondant is not to be ignored for deserts. (last upd: Dec 2011)

  • Smiling BKK. Really fantastic little Thai restaurant in one of those hidden, tucked away, corners of Dubai.
  • Yum Cha Brunch, Waves Restaurant, Le Meridien Mina Siyahi Hotel, Dubai Marina, Dubai (T: +971 4 399 3333). This was at the Westin hotel before and now moved into the Le Meridien on Fridays. Its a great place for lunch with great ambiance and kids menu. cool.gif (111 bytes)(last upd: Jan 2011)

Untried but waiting....

Spectrum on One, Dubai - I hear this is a mutli-kitchen experience.

Betwai Cafe , 4B Street, Behind the Minitry of Health, Dubai (T: +971 50 226 0889) - this is supposedly an excellent, cheap-and-cheerful Indonesian frequented by the Indonesian sailors that pop into Dubia.

(back to Quick Links)

Hotels

  • Kempinksy Hotel, Mall of the Emirates. Very luxurious rooms as to be expected from one of the leading hotels of the world. Saw the suites and they were quite magnificent.
  • Emirates Towers, haven't been yet but heard its very good.

(back to Quick Links)

Abu Dhabi

Quick Links
Restaurants
Hotels

Restaurants

  • Anar Restaurant, Emirates Palace Hotel, (T:+971 2 690 7999; E:Restaurants.emiratespalace@kempinski.com). Very nice and elegant Persian restaurant with quite a few accolades. Slightly pricey but delicious. cool.gif (111 bytes)(last upd: April 2010)
  • Le Cafe, Emirates Palace Hotel, (T:+971 2 690 7999; E:Restaurants.emiratespalace@kempinski.com).  Great lounge bar serving snacks and drinks. Almost everything on offer is absolutely great - especially their french fries :-).
  • Origins Restaurant, The Yas Hotel, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi (T: +971 2 656 0600, E: Dining@TheYasHotel.com). Origins has a small but well considered brunch on Fridays that will please most people. Its main attraction however is the proximity to the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 racetrack. Definitely worth a visit. cool.gif (111 bytes)(last upd: Dec 2010)

Untried but waiting....

Hakkasan, Emirates Palace : Chinese food to try!

(back to Abu Dhabi Quick Links)

Hotels

  • The Yas Hotel, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Formula 1 Hotel :-) - actually a very Germanic themed and minimalist kind of place - set on the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 racetrack.
  • Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi (T:+971 2 690 9000). The main sumptuous lavishness that the UAE can offer.

(back to Abu Dhabi Quick Links)