FAQ 6 - Visiting Dubai
Nov 9, 2008, 3:41 pm
#1
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,612
FAQ 6 - Visiting Dubai
General :-
Afternoon Tea at the Burj-al-Arab.
Dune Bashing - 4x4 trip out into the desert, up and down the sand dunes
The Desert Safari - evening meal in the desert, complete with camel rides and belly dancers. Usually combined with Dune Bashing as above.
A Dhow Cruise - dinner out on the Dubai creek. Some trips have alcohol, some don't
The Wild Wadi - the original Dubai water park
Atlantis, The Palm - the new bigger and better water park
Restaurants (Top End) :-
Sukothai [Le Meridien Village]
The Cellar [Tennis Stadium]
Verre [Hilton - Dubai Creek]
Blue Elephant [Al Bustan Rotana]
Frankies [Oasis Beach Tower]
Fire & Ice [Raffles]
Quattro [Four Seasons Golf Club]
Fresh Fish Restaurant [Deira]
VU [Emirates Towers]
Spice Club [Le Meridien Fairway]
Zheng He's [Madinat Jumeirah]
China Club [Radisson Hotel, Deira Creek]
Automatic (Lebanese) [a number of branches throughout Dubai]
Rhodes Mezzanine [Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai Marina]
Pierre Gagnaire [Intercontinental Hotel, Festival City]
Nobu [Atlantis]
Restaurants (for the adventurous and those on a budget)
Liyari (Indian/Pakistani) [near Sabkha bus stop in Deira, behind Hotel Florida (does a good biryani)]
Pak Ghazi [a few branches in Deira and Bur Dubai]
Delhi Darbar [a few of branches in Deira and Bur Dubai]
Chicken Tikka [Many branches throughout Dubai]
Hatam Al Tai (Iranian) [just off Nasser square in Deira (good shawarma's)]
Bars :-
The Irish Village [Tennis Stadium]
Dubliners [Le Meridien Village]
Harvester [Crowne Plaza]
The Belgium Beer Bar [Crowne Plaza - Festival City]
Scarletts [Dubai World Trade Centre]
Buddah Bar [Grosvenor House]
Music Room [Bur Dubai]
The Agency [Emirates Towers]
VU [Emirates Towers]
360 [Jumeriah Beach Hotel]
Barasti [Mina Seyahi]
Oscars Wine Society [Crowne Plaza]
Neo's [Downtown Address Hotel] - Great views over the Burj Khalifa and the fountains below.
Observatory [Marriott Hotel Apts, Marina] - Views over the Palm.
Nassimi Beach [Atlantis]
Malls :-
Deira City Centre - Located in Deira and very central to Dubai-town. Has all sorts of shops and a Carrefour as well.
Ibn Battuta Mall - Largest single-storey mall in the world located on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway (Sheikh Zayed Road) near Jebel Ali. Close to up and coming residential areas. Wide array of shops and has an IMAX cinema screen in the 21-screen megaplex.
Mall of the Emirates - Located on the Sheikh Zayed Road it is home to Dubai Ski, an indoor skiing facility. Wide array of shops and cinemas and restaurants.
Dubai Mall - The latest mall in Dubai, opened in November 2008 in its first phase.
Mercato Mall - Located in Jumeira near the beach, the mall is not as big and flashy as others but is nevertheless patronised by resident expats on family afternoon outings.
General Advice :-
Taxis - Take taxis everywhere. They are very cheap. Not as plentiful as they used to be, but you shouldn't have a problem. If arriving at Dubai airport at peak times, there can be huge queues for the taxis at arrivals. If you make your way to the departure area, there are plenty of taxis dropping people off - and the drivers are very pleased to get another fare
Dress code - is not too much of a problem these days. However, avoid showing too much flesh (especially the ladies). Although nothing will be said, the locals may be offended.
Cash - ATM's are located everywhere. Most of the bigger hotels have their own ATM.
Dubai International Airport
T1 - Gates & Lounges
T3 - Gates & Lounges
Afternoon Tea at the Burj-al-Arab.
Dune Bashing - 4x4 trip out into the desert, up and down the sand dunes
The Desert Safari - evening meal in the desert, complete with camel rides and belly dancers. Usually combined with Dune Bashing as above.
A Dhow Cruise - dinner out on the Dubai creek. Some trips have alcohol, some don't
The Wild Wadi - the original Dubai water park
Atlantis, The Palm - the new bigger and better water park
Restaurants (Top End) :-
Sukothai [Le Meridien Village]
The Cellar [Tennis Stadium]
Verre [Hilton - Dubai Creek]
Blue Elephant [Al Bustan Rotana]
Frankies [Oasis Beach Tower]
Fire & Ice [Raffles]
Quattro [Four Seasons Golf Club]
Fresh Fish Restaurant [Deira]
VU [Emirates Towers]
Spice Club [Le Meridien Fairway]
Zheng He's [Madinat Jumeirah]
China Club [Radisson Hotel, Deira Creek]
Automatic (Lebanese) [a number of branches throughout Dubai]
Rhodes Mezzanine [Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai Marina]
Pierre Gagnaire [Intercontinental Hotel, Festival City]
Nobu [Atlantis]
Restaurants (for the adventurous and those on a budget)
Liyari (Indian/Pakistani) [near Sabkha bus stop in Deira, behind Hotel Florida (does a good biryani)]
Pak Ghazi [a few branches in Deira and Bur Dubai]
Delhi Darbar [a few of branches in Deira and Bur Dubai]
Chicken Tikka [Many branches throughout Dubai]
Hatam Al Tai (Iranian) [just off Nasser square in Deira (good shawarma's)]
Bars :-
The Irish Village [Tennis Stadium]
Dubliners [Le Meridien Village]
Harvester [Crowne Plaza]
The Belgium Beer Bar [Crowne Plaza - Festival City]
Scarletts [Dubai World Trade Centre]
Buddah Bar [Grosvenor House]
Music Room [Bur Dubai]
The Agency [Emirates Towers]
VU [Emirates Towers]
360 [Jumeriah Beach Hotel]
Barasti [Mina Seyahi]
Oscars Wine Society [Crowne Plaza]
Neo's [Downtown Address Hotel] - Great views over the Burj Khalifa and the fountains below.
Observatory [Marriott Hotel Apts, Marina] - Views over the Palm.
Nassimi Beach [Atlantis]
Malls :-
Deira City Centre - Located in Deira and very central to Dubai-town. Has all sorts of shops and a Carrefour as well.
Ibn Battuta Mall - Largest single-storey mall in the world located on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway (Sheikh Zayed Road) near Jebel Ali. Close to up and coming residential areas. Wide array of shops and has an IMAX cinema screen in the 21-screen megaplex.
Mall of the Emirates - Located on the Sheikh Zayed Road it is home to Dubai Ski, an indoor skiing facility. Wide array of shops and cinemas and restaurants.
Dubai Mall - The latest mall in Dubai, opened in November 2008 in its first phase.
Mercato Mall - Located in Jumeira near the beach, the mall is not as big and flashy as others but is nevertheless patronised by resident expats on family afternoon outings.
General Advice :-
Taxis - Take taxis everywhere. They are very cheap. Not as plentiful as they used to be, but you shouldn't have a problem. If arriving at Dubai airport at peak times, there can be huge queues for the taxis at arrivals. If you make your way to the departure area, there are plenty of taxis dropping people off - and the drivers are very pleased to get another fare
Dress code - is not too much of a problem these days. However, avoid showing too much flesh (especially the ladies). Although nothing will be said, the locals may be offended.
Cash - ATM's are located everywhere. Most of the bigger hotels have their own ATM.
Dubai International Airport
T1 - Gates & Lounges
T3 - Gates & Lounges
Last edited by DYKWIA; Dec 21, 2010 at 4:21 am
Nov 9, 2008, 9:04 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Dubai
Programs: EK Gold, , FB Gold, Jet Platinum, ICH Royal Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Sheraton Platinum
Posts: 421
Restaurants: -
Frankies after 09.00pm.
Fire & Ice Raffles Hotel
Quattro 4 Seasons Golf Club
Fresh Fish Restaurant Deira, outside on the pavement, no booze but dirt cheap and really good.Omani Lobster Sea Bream, Squid, Gulf Parwns etc, everything is grilled.
Bars:-
Buddah Bar Grosvenor House
Music Room Bur Dubai
The Agency Emirates Towers
VU Emirates Towers (just for view of Sheik Zayed Rd,
360 Jumeriah Beach Hotel (winter only)
Barasti Mina Seyahi
Oscars Wine Society Crowne Plaza Sheik Zayed Road, really good wine selction by the glass and the confit duck is really good
For the keep fit fanatiscs there is the 40 story run up the stairs of one of the towers in Sheik Zayed Rd. Cannot remember the name of tower, can anyone help?
Frankies after 09.00pm.
Fire & Ice Raffles Hotel
Quattro 4 Seasons Golf Club
Fresh Fish Restaurant Deira, outside on the pavement, no booze but dirt cheap and really good.Omani Lobster Sea Bream, Squid, Gulf Parwns etc, everything is grilled.
Bars:-
Buddah Bar Grosvenor House
Music Room Bur Dubai
The Agency Emirates Towers
VU Emirates Towers (just for view of Sheik Zayed Rd,
360 Jumeriah Beach Hotel (winter only)
Barasti Mina Seyahi
Oscars Wine Society Crowne Plaza Sheik Zayed Road, really good wine selction by the glass and the confit duck is really good
For the keep fit fanatiscs there is the 40 story run up the stairs of one of the towers in Sheik Zayed Rd. Cannot remember the name of tower, can anyone help?
Nov 10, 2008, 12:11 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: Emirates Skywards Silver, Egyptair Plus Gold/*A Gold
Posts: 972
Malls
Deira City Centre-Located in Deira and very central to Dubai-town. Has all sorts of shops and a Carrefour as well.
Ibn Battuta Mall-Largest single-storey mall in the world located on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway (Sheikh Zayed Road) near Jebel Ali. Close to up and coming residential areas.
Wide array of shops and has an IMAX cinema screen in the 21-screen megaplex.
Mall of the Emirates-Located on the Sheikh Zayed Road it is home to Dubai Ski, an indoor skiing facility. Wide array of shops and cinemas and restaurants.
Dubai Mall-The latest mall in Dubai, opened in November 2008 in its first phase.
Mercato Mall-Located in Jumeira near the beach, the mall is not as big and flashy as others but is nevertheless patronised by resident expats on family afternoon outings.
Hopefully this thread will become some sort of sticky, although I doubt the mods'll let us keep it here.
Deira City Centre-Located in Deira and very central to Dubai-town. Has all sorts of shops and a Carrefour as well.
Ibn Battuta Mall-Largest single-storey mall in the world located on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway (Sheikh Zayed Road) near Jebel Ali. Close to up and coming residential areas.
Wide array of shops and has an IMAX cinema screen in the 21-screen megaplex.
Mall of the Emirates-Located on the Sheikh Zayed Road it is home to Dubai Ski, an indoor skiing facility. Wide array of shops and cinemas and restaurants.
Dubai Mall-The latest mall in Dubai, opened in November 2008 in its first phase.
Mercato Mall-Located in Jumeira near the beach, the mall is not as big and flashy as others but is nevertheless patronised by resident expats on family afternoon outings.
Hopefully this thread will become some sort of sticky, although I doubt the mods'll let us keep it here.
Nov 13, 2008, 11:56 am
#6
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,612
Thanks for the input. I've updated the original post to include everyone's comments.
I've added a new section for 'General Advise'. Please post any recommendations you have.
Cheers,
Rick
I've added a new section for 'General Advise'. Please post any recommendations you have.
Cheers,
Rick
Nov 13, 2008, 12:39 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: Emirates Skywards Gold, BA Executive Club Gold, AA Advantage Gold, VS Flying Club Silver
Posts: 582
Restaurants
Zheng He's (Chinese) - Madinat Jumeirah
China Club - Radisson Hotel, Deira Creek
Automatic (Lebanese) - a number of branches throughout Dubai
Restaurants (for the adventurous and those on a budget)
Liyari (Indian/Pakistani) - near Sabkha bus stop in Deira, behind Hotel Florida (does a good biryani)
Pak Ghazi - a few branches in Deira and Bur Dubai
Delhi Darbar - a few of branches in Deira and Bur Dubai
Chicken Tikka - Many branches throughout Dubai
Hatam Al Tai (Iranian) - just off Nasser square in Deira (good shawarma's)
Retail outlets
Al Ain Plaza (aka Computer Plaza) - Bur Dubai -- one-stop mini mall for your PC/computer related requirements, prices negotiable
Zheng He's (Chinese) - Madinat Jumeirah
China Club - Radisson Hotel, Deira Creek
Automatic (Lebanese) - a number of branches throughout Dubai
Restaurants (for the adventurous and those on a budget)
Liyari (Indian/Pakistani) - near Sabkha bus stop in Deira, behind Hotel Florida (does a good biryani)
Pak Ghazi - a few branches in Deira and Bur Dubai
Delhi Darbar - a few of branches in Deira and Bur Dubai
Chicken Tikka - Many branches throughout Dubai
Hatam Al Tai (Iranian) - just off Nasser square in Deira (good shawarma's)
Retail outlets
Al Ain Plaza (aka Computer Plaza) - Bur Dubai -- one-stop mini mall for your PC/computer related requirements, prices negotiable
Nov 14, 2008, 1:49 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 215
Day trips
Spend a day at the beach park (very modest admission) or the free beach next door.
Lunch at Al Maha resort (note 45 min drive from Dubai)
Also would recommend hitting a spa or get a massage as the rates are very good compared to Europe.
Spend a day at the beach park (very modest admission) or the free beach next door.
Lunch at Al Maha resort (note 45 min drive from Dubai)
Also would recommend hitting a spa or get a massage as the rates are very good compared to Europe.
Nov 14, 2008, 3:28 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Dubai
Programs: Skywards Gold, Etihad Silver, Qatar Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 311
Places to Go:
- The Address Hotel - (Stunning luxury Hotel, sit by the pool )
- Souk Al Bahar (many restaurants & Shops)
- Creek Club (also known as Golf Club)
Restaurants:-
- Meat Company - Steak house (Souk Al Bahar / Madinat Jumeirah)
- Khan Murjan - Arabic Food & Shisha (Wafi Centre)
- The Boardwalk - Int'l food (Creek Club)
- The Address Hotel - (Stunning luxury Hotel, sit by the pool )
- Souk Al Bahar (many restaurants & Shops)
- Creek Club (also known as Golf Club)
Restaurants:-
- Meat Company - Steak house (Souk Al Bahar / Madinat Jumeirah)
- Khan Murjan - Arabic Food & Shisha (Wafi Centre)
- The Boardwalk - Int'l food (Creek Club)
Nov 14, 2008, 10:25 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,304
Nov 20, 2008, 1:51 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 61
The bank is under the first entrance next to MMI and Emirates post.
There may be others
Nov 24, 2008, 6:05 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Dubai
Programs: EK Gold, , FB Gold, Jet Platinum, ICH Royal Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Sheraton Platinum
Posts: 421
[QUOTE=Emirates777;10746022]Restaurants
Restaurants (for the adventurous and those on a budget)
Liyari (Indian/Pakistani) - near Sabkha bus stop in Deira, behind Hotel Florida (does a good biryani)
Pak Ghazi - a few branches in Deira and Bur Dubai
Delhi Darbar - a few of branches in Deira and Bur Dubai
Chicken Tikka - Many branches throughout Dubai
Hatam Al Tai (Iranian) - just off Nasser square in Deira (good shawarma's)
Add to the list Barbeque Delight behind Lamcy Plaza a really good, budget Pakistani restaurant.
Restaurants (for the adventurous and those on a budget)
Liyari (Indian/Pakistani) - near Sabkha bus stop in Deira, behind Hotel Florida (does a good biryani)
Pak Ghazi - a few branches in Deira and Bur Dubai
Delhi Darbar - a few of branches in Deira and Bur Dubai
Chicken Tikka - Many branches throughout Dubai
Hatam Al Tai (Iranian) - just off Nasser square in Deira (good shawarma's)
Add to the list Barbeque Delight behind Lamcy Plaza a really good, budget Pakistani restaurant.
Nov 29, 2008, 5:39 am
#14
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,612
Cheers,
Rick
Nov 29, 2008, 10:26 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Dubai
Programs: Skywards Gold, Etihad Silver, Qatar Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 311
Yes, the BEST Sushi in town is at Towers Rotana Teatro Restaurant, on Shk Zayed Road
http://www.rotana.com/hoteldining-20-5-4.htm
Food there is on the higher side, but not crazy excessive.