Well-earned reputation for glamour aside, Dubai manages to impress every kind of traveller. Whether you’re a gourmand or culture vulture, travelling solo or with your family, Dubai has iconic answers to your every demand.
10 Exciting Stops To Elevate Your Dubai Trip:
1. At.mosphere Restaurant and Lounge
With multiple prestigious awards, At.mosphere Restaurant and Lounge is, quite literally, on top of the world and is one of the highest restaurants in the world. Located on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, this lofty restaurant offers guests a unique dining experience with a bird’s eye view of Dubai. Reopened this year after closing last summer for renovations, At.mosphere Restaurant and Lounge features refreshed interiors—mosaic floors, gold accents, mirror facades, dark wood, and ceiling-to-floor glass panes that look out to Dubai. As you dine among the clouds, the only thing that can compete with the staggering view is the food. The restaurant’s exquisite menu features an array of modern French cuisines for any meal of the day. Can’t choose what to eat? Try a bit of everything with their 13-course blind-tasting menu, accompanied by the perfect beverages selected by their sommelier.
2. The Pods
Ditch crowded restaurants and opt for a private dining experience at The Pods, a restaurant on Bluewater Island, where, as the name suggests, meals are served in air-conditioned domes. Whether your group is big or small, the 22 pods of varying sizes will be able to give you the perfect intimate atmosphere for an excursion with your loved ones. Each pod is surrounded by lush, green plants, while the interior features a comfortable green sofa wrapped around the table. The domes are transparent, allowing you to have an ‘outdoor’ dining experience while being protected from external elements. Adding to the VIP experience, each pod is privately serviced to provide quick and personalised service. Choose from a menu of pan-Asian delicacies with a modern touch. One can choose from dishes like authentic Japanese sushi, rock lobster with truffle, or robatayaki grills accompanied by a signature cocktail, and finish up with a mochi or two.
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3. KRASOTA Dubai
Looking for dinner and a show? KRASOTA Dubai, offering both, is one of Dubai’s most expensive restaurants for a reason. Described as a ‘gastronomic immersive theatre’, KRASOTA Dubai combines haute cuisine with a visual spectacle in a one-of-a-kind culinary experience. Instead of a regular restaurant dining room, a maximum of 20 guests are seated at a time in an auditorium, with 360° screens and imagery projected onto every surface, including the walls and the table itself. Chef Vladimir Mukhin is the mastermind behind the curated dinner, which features an amuse-bouche to start with, followed by eight courses. These courses are accompanied by eight visual acts and a bespoke dish for each act, and two signature drinks that are served in intervals. Famous masterpieces—by eight internationally renowned artists—from the late 19th and early 20th centuries are presented throughout the performance. The restaurant is open every day, with two seatings per day.
4. Illuminati
UAE’s first luxury experiential lounge, Illuminati, in V Habtoor Hotel, is named after the highly exclusive society founded in the 18th century in Germany. Password-protected entry, tarot card readers, and performances where characters from fairy tales come to life—a dinner at Illuminati is filled with mystery, mysticism, and never-ending entertainment. State-of-the-art AI in 3D wall mapping and walls fitted with LED screens perfectly complement the ethereal aura of the club. Performers drop from false ceilings and perform reality-defying acts or sing popular songs to serenade guests. The entire menu is at your fingertips, along with the option to order food and pay instantly with the AI-backed touchscreen panels at the tables. Choose from bespoke fusion cuisines, signature drinks conceptualised by innovative mixologists, and in-house shisha creations.
5. FIYA
Located in Keturah Reserve, FIYA is the latest offering of lauded chef Hattem Mattar. Specialising in live-fire cuisine, FIYA draws its name from the Persian word for fire, and describes itself as ‘a unique place to gather and connect, driven by memories, stories, and people—and most importantly ‘FIRE’. Its four fire-cooking arenas and open grill make up its open kitchen, allowing guests to mingle with the chefs, while 1000-year-old olive trees adorn the background. Among FIYA’s melt-in-the-mouth meat dishes is the signature smoky brisket, a must-try according to the chef himself. Those looking for vegetarian options might enjoy the charcoal-grilled little gem Caesar salad, topped with spicy rocoto pepper. FIYA is open on all days except Monday.
6. Gold Souk
The origins of the iconic Gold Souk can be traced back to over a century ago. It is here that luxury and tradition meet. Even if you do not plan to buy gold, a walk through the market’s covered walkways to see glittering displays of jewellery and traditional crafts, and eager customers haggling with shopkeepers is an experience in itself. Apart from the intricately-designed gold jewellery, retailers in the market also sell loose diamonds, precious stones, pearls, and silver for those looking to customise their pieces. If you’re looking for a souvenir, get your hands on traditional Arabic handicrafts such as rugs, carpets, textiles, pottery, glassware, and other trinkets. The best time to visit the market is in the evening when it’s at its vibrant best. For a more unique way to see the market and the Dubai skyline, take a traditional wooden abra boat across Dubai Creek.
7. Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall is the most visited retail and lifestyle destination in the world— over 100 million visitors every year—featuring over 1,200 stores, hundreds of food and beverage outlets, and a plethora of entertainment options. Update your wardrobe at any of the high-end designer stores, including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Chanel; or wander into Fashion Avenue, a section of the mall that showcases the latest trends in fashion and houses some of the most exclusive designer stores in the world. Take ‘gram-worthy pictures at the cascading waterfall designed to provide the illusion of the sculptures of men moving instead of the water. For a dose of adrenaline, scuba dive with sharks at the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, one of the largest aquariums in the world. Food options at the mall range from fast food joints to gourmet eateries. Other sites of interest include Dubai Fountain, an ice skating rink, and a cinema complex.
8. Jumeirah Emirates Shopping Boulevard
Jumeirah Emirates Shopping Boulevard is a luxury shopping and dining destination in the heart of the Jumeirah neighbourhood that would please even the most discerning shopper. It offers an exclusive collection of stores that allows for more careful perusing. A mix of international and local luxury brands, fashion and lifestyle boutiques, and stores for accessories and fragrances await shoppers at the two-storey plaza. The plaza houses brands like Cartier, Damas les Exclusives, Rivoli, Lanvin, Rodeo Drive, and Chloe and celebrities being spotted here is quite a routine. La Cantine du Faubourg is one of the most popular places for a decadent meal here. Take a stroll afterwards in the vast garden, complete with waterfalls, lakes, and public seating to wrap up your day.
9. Ibn Battuta Mall
Named after the eponymous Arabian explorer, Ibn Battuta Mall is the largest themed shopping mall in Dubai. Divided into six themed courts, each court is named after a region that the explorer visited—Andalusia, Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, India, and China. While the central dome of the Indian Court is inspired by the Taj Mahal and Hawa Mahal, China Court reflects the majesty of Imperial China and has a huge Chinese ship in the middle. Persia Court, on the other hand, has magnificent blue mosaic walkways, and Egypt Court’s sandstone walls have hieroglyphics carved into them. White-washed stucco facades adorn Tunisia Court, Battuta’s first port of call, and his last, Andalusia, has a court with a star-shaped ceiling and Fountain of Lions. The mall’s numerous shopping outlets cater to high-end luxury indulgences and electronic and household items.
10. Mercato Shopping Mall
Designed to look like a traditional Italian village, Mercato Shopping Mall is located in Jumeirah, and offers a relaxed ambience and personalised experience in its 140-plus stores. Spinneys, an Arabian supermarket chain, and Virgin Megastore, an international chain, are two of the more popular stores. Young children will love Fun City, a play area for kids between the ages of one to 12, with an array of activities and games. When you get tired of shopping, wander the cobbled streets of the mall to explore its diverse range of eateries offering international culinary delights. Mercato Shopping Mall also plays host to events and exhibitions throughout the year, such as fashion shows, live music performances, and cultural festivals.
Related: The Michelin Guide’s Selection Of Dubai’s Best Restaurants In 2023
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answer: With a coastal location on the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai enjoys a warm climate all year. However, despite hot temperatures, the city’s wide range of indoor and outdoor facilities and attractions ensure Dubai is a year-round destination.
Answer: While the official language in Dubai is Arabic, English is widely understood, spoken, and accepted.
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