Local FavouritesBib Gourmand (Michelin Guide Dubai 2026)
Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant
Emirati home-style cooking in a courtyard house in old Dubai - pairs well with a heritage walk and abra ride.
Order Machboos, grilled fish, luqaimat
Middle East · United Arab Emirates
Dubai & Abu Dhabi
A land of superlatives: the tallest tower, desert dune safaris, souks and mega malls in Dubai, with Abu Dhabi's grand mosque and museums.
Best timeNovember to March
Ideal trip4–6 days
Budget level₹₹₹₹
Getting thereDubai International (DXB), Al Maktoum (DWC) and Abu Dhabi (AUH) airports
Visa (Indian passport)Visa required for Indian passport holders (e-Visa); on arrival only for some with US/UK/EU visas (approximate — verify before travel) Other passport, or hold a US / UK / Schengen visa? Check the visa guide
Great Okay Not ideal
ShoppingFamilyDesertLuxury
Four ways to see Dubai
Touristy, offbeat, local or hidden?
Every traveller is different. Browse by style, then let the planner mix them into a day-by-day plan.
The famous must-sees
Burj Khalifa At the Top≈ ₹3,800
The world's tallest tower; go at sunset for city lights.
scenic · about 1.5 hrs · best in the eveningFree alternative: Burj Park and Souk Al Bahar bridge — Free views of the tower from its base and the Dubai Fountain.
Dubai Mall and Fountain showFree
A vast mall with an aquarium and free evening fountain show.
shopping · about 3 hrs · best in the eveningDesert safari with BBQ dinner≈ ₹4,500
Dune bashing, camel rides and a camp dinner beneath the stars.
adventure · about 6 hrs · best in the eveningDubai Marina dhow cruise≈ ₹3,500
A dinner cruise through the marina skyline.
scenic · about 2 hrs · best in the eveningFree alternative: Dubai Marina Walk — A free waterfront promenade with the same skyline and cafes.
Al Fahidi and the souks≈ ₹100
Old wind-tower houses, abra boats and gold and spice souks.
culture · about 3 hrs · best in the morningMuseum of the Future≈ ₹3,000
A landmark building showcasing tomorrow's ideas.
culture · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: Al Seef heritage waterfront — Free creek-side heritage walk; very different, but free culture.
Atlantis Aquaventure water park≈ ₹8,000
A huge waterpark on Palm Jumeirah.
adventure · about 5 hrs · best in the morningSheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu DhabiFree
White marble domes and the largest hand-knotted carpet in a free-to-enter mosque.
spiritual · about 2 hrs · best in the morningQuieter, still easy to reach
Louvre Abu Dhabi≈ ₹1,700
Art galleries under a floating lace-like dome.
culture · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: Alserkal Avenue galleries — Free-entry art galleries and studios in Dubai; smaller but just as fresh.
Hatta mountain and dam day trip≈ ₹2,000
Kayak or hike at a quiet mountain town near the Omani border.
nature · about 6 hrs · best in the morningAlserkal Avenue art districtFree
Galleries, cafes and studios in old warehouses.
culture · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonJumeirah Mosque tour≈ ₹300
A guided tour that explains Islam and Emirati customs.
spiritual · about 1.5 hrs · best in the morningFree alternative: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — Free entry to a grand mosque, with dress rules and a guide available.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi≈ ₹6,000
Fast rollercoasters and Ferrari-themed rides on Yas Island.
adventure · about 6 hrs · best in the morningFood, markets, crafts and people
Karak chai and paratha at a roadside cafeteria≈ ₹200
Sweet spiced tea and flaky bread are everyday Dubai comfort food.
food · about 1 hr · best in the morningDeira Gold and Spice SoukFree
Haggle over gold, saffron and perfumes in the old Deira lanes.
shopping · about 2 hrs · best in the eveningEmirati breakfast at a local cafe≈ ₹1,200
Try balaleet, khameer bread and gahwa in a heritage setting.
food · about 1.5 hrs · best in the morningAbra ride across the Creek≈ ₹25
A wooden water taxi that costs next to nothing.
scenic · about 0.5 hrs · best in the eveningGlobal Village Dubai≈ ₹300
A seasonal bazaar with street food and craft stalls from many countries.
shopping · about 4 hrs · best in the eveningSpots most visitors miss
Al Seef heritage waterfrontFree
A modern stroll built to look like old Dubai along the Creek.
culture · about 2 hrs · best in the eveningJebel Hafeet mountain driveFree
A winding road above Al Ain with beautiful views.
scenic · about 3 hrs · best in the eveningAl Qudra LakesFree
Desert lakes where flamingos and cyclists gather at dawn.
nature · about 2 hrs · best in the morningDubai Frame and Zabeel Park≈ ₹1,000
A giant golden picture frame with views of old and new Dubai.
scenic · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: Zabeel Park — A free park beside the frame; no skyline view from the top.
Mangrove kayaking at Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi≈ ₹2,500
Paddle through calm mangrove channels that few visitors see.
nature · about 3 hrs · best in the morningEntry fees and times are approximate, per adult, and change often — we confirm everything before you book. Last reviewed November 2026.
Specialities
What Dubai is famous for
food
Shawarma and Emirati machboos
Street wraps and spiced rice with meat or fish.
food
Dates and luqaimat
Sweet dates and fried dumplings with date syrup.
drink
Karak chai and Arabic coffee
Spiced milk tea and cardamom coffee.
craft
Souk gold and spices
Gold jewellery by weight and saffron in Deira.
souvenir
Oud perfume and pashmina
Rich attars and shawls from souks.
experience
Desert dune safari
Dune bashing, camel rides and a sunset camp dinner.
experience
Abra ride across the Creek
A tiny wooden boat for a few coins.
Where to eat
A taste of Dubai
From the stalls locals queue at to the tables critics travel for — chosen for flavour, character and a warm welcome.
Must try
- MachboosEmirati spiced rice with chicken, lamb or fish, scented with dried lime and baharat.
- Luqaimat vegCrisp, saffron-cardamom dumplings drizzled with date syrup - the classic Emirati sweet.
- Hummus, moutabal & mezze vegLevantine dips, salads and breads - an easy vegetarian feast.
- Shawarma / falafel wrapThe city's favourite quick bite; falafel versions make it vegetarian.
- Kunafa vegShredded pastry with melted cheese or cream, soaked in syrup and topped with pistachio.
- Karak chai & gahwa with dates vegStrong spiced milk tea from roadside cafeterias, and cardamom-scented Arabic coffee served with dates.
Street food trail
Old Dubai Deira–Bur Dubai creek food walk
- Best time
- After 5 pm (Nov–Mar is best; summer evenings are very hot)
- Takes
- 3 hours
- Start at
- Al Ras / Deira Spice Souk metro area (Al Ras station)
- Budget
- AED 60–100 (~INR 1,450–2,400)
- Deira Spice SoukDeira, by the creek
Try Dates, saffron tasting, Arabic coffee (veg)
Shopkeepers will pull you in; be friendly but firm and compare prices.
AED 10–20 (~INR 240–480)Map
- Deira cafeterias around the old souksDeira, Al Ras / Sikkat Al Khail area
Try Chai and samosa (veg), falafel sandwich (veg)
Cafeterias (Indian/Pakistani/Kerala) are the true street food of Dubai — cheap and quick.
AED 10–20 (~INR 240–480)Map
- Abra across the creek (AED 1)Deira Old Souk to Bur Dubai abra stations
Try —
The traditional boat ride is the highlight; pay the boatman cash.
AED 1 (~INR 24)Map
- Meena Bazaar & Bur Dubai (Little India)Bur Dubai, near the Hindu temple
Try Pure-veg Gujarati/South Indian restaurants, chaat (veg)
Excellent for Jain food — several Indian veg restaurants offer Jain menus.
AED 20–40 (~INR 480–960)Map
- Al Fahidi / Al Seef waterfrontBur Dubai
Try Luqaimat (fried dough balls with date syrup) (veg), karak chai (veg)
Prettiest at night; Arabian Tea House-style cafés in Al Fahidi are calm for seniors.
AED 15–30 (~INR 360–720)Map
Eat smart · every traveller
Diets & dietary needs
- Vegetarian
- Very easy — huge Indian community; Bur Dubai and Karama have many pure-veg restaurants.
- Vegan
- Easy in Lebanese (hummus, falafel, moutabal) and Indian food; watch ghee.
- Jain (no onion, garlic)
- Very realistic — many Indian restaurants in Bur Dubai and Karama serve Jain menus.
- Halal
- Default everywhere — the UAE is Muslim; pork only in licensed areas, clearly labelled.
- Gluten-free
- Moderate — rice dishes, grills and salads; bread and luqaimat are wheat.
- With children
- Shawarma, falafel, luqaimat, fresh juices, Indian chaat (mild); food courts in malls are very clean.
- Spice level
- Arabic food is mild; Indian food can be adjusted — just ask 'less spicy'.
Say it like a local
Useful phrases
- I am vegetarianAna nabatia-na na-baa-tee
- No meat, no fish, no eggBidoon laham, bidoon samak, bidoon baydbi-doon la-ham, bi-doon sa-mak, bi-doon bayd
- Not spicy, pleaseBidoon har, min fadlakbi-doon haar, min fad-lak
- How much?Bikam?bee-kam
- Delicious!Lazeez!la-zeez
- Cards everywhere; UPI QR payments work at many Indian-owned shops and the dirham is easy to carry. Keep coins for the abra.
- Tap water is safe but most people drink bottled; food hygiene inspections are strict.
- During Ramadan (dates vary), eating and drinking in public in daylight is restricted — plan around it.
- Abu Dhabi: Al Mina fish & date market and Mushrif Mall area are good food stops; the Grand Mosque requires modest dress.
Trail stops, hours and prices are approximate and stalls move — check locally. Pronunciations are simplified guides. Last reviewed 9 November 2026.
Where to eat, by budget
Street food, markets and humble legends
Local FavouritesBib Gourmand (Michelin Guide Dubai 2026)
Khadak
A lively, good-value Indian canteen-style restaurant from chef Naved Nasir (ex-Dishoom) - a hit with Indian families.
Order Chaats, kebabs, curries and Indian breads
Local FavouritesBib Gourmand (Michelin Guide Dubai 2026)
Bait Maryam
Warm, family-style Palestinian and Levantine dishes with plenty of vegetarian mezze.
Order Mezze, musakhan, home-style stews
Acclaimed cafés and celebrated mid-range tables
Smart & StylishBib Gourmand (Michelin Guide Dubai 2026); Abu Dhabi branch Bib Gourmand + Opening of the Year (Michelin Guide Abu Dhabi 2026)
3Fils
A buzzy harbour-side spot with inventive Asian small plates and no-fuss vibes; book or queue.
Order Signature small plates, creative maki
Smart & StylishMichelin Guide Dubai 2026: 2 stars (promoted)
Orfali Bros
Three Syrian-born brothers cooking playful modern Middle Eastern food in a casual room - relaxed, despite its two stars.
Order Shish barak 'soup dumplings', Middle Eastern small plates, desserts
Smart & StylishBib Gourmand (Michelin Guide Abu Dhabi 2026)
Almayass (Abu Dhabi)
Generous Lebanese-Armenian sharing plates - an easy, vegetarian-friendly group meal in the capital.
Order Mezze spread, Armenian manti, grills
Award-winning tables, tasting menus and grand hotel dining
Fine Dining & SplurgeMichelin Guide Dubai 2026: 3 stars
Trèsind Studio
Dubai's three-star Indian restaurant, reimagining regional Indian dishes as an intimate, theatrical tasting menu.
Order Chef's tasting menu
Fine Dining & SplurgeMichelin Guide Dubai 2026: 1 star (first vegetarian Indian restaurant to win a Michelin star)
avatāra
A fully vegetarian Indian tasting menu by chef Rahul Rana - the stand-out splurge for vegetarian clients.
Order Vegetarian degustation (vegan/gluten-free on request)
Fine Dining & SplurgeMichelin Guide Abu Dhabi 2026: 1 star
Erth (Abu Dhabi)
Modern fine dining rooted in Emirati and wider Gulf heritage - a strong pick for a capital-city special dinner.
Order Tasting menu of reimagined Gulf flavours
Fine Dining & SplurgeMichelin Guide Abu Dhabi 2026: 1 star
Talea by Antonio Guida (Abu Dhabi)
Warm, home-style Italian cooking in a palace setting; easy to make vegetarian.
Order Handmade pasta, family-style Italian dishes
Restaurants change hours, menus and prices often; awards are as published at the time of checking. Approximate — verify before you go. Last reviewed 9 November 2026. All our food picks
Time it right
Festivals & events
DecAsia
Dubai Shopping Festival
Dubai, United Arab Emirates · Usually mid-December to late January (confirm on the official site)
Weeks of discounts, nightly fireworks, concerts and drone shows across Dubai's malls and creek-side promenades. It is a good time for shopping, with the cooler weather suiting outdoor evenings.
Tip: Compare prices before buying and book hotels well ahead of New Year.
Local tip: Summer heat is intense; book outdoor sights early and keep indoor attractions for the afternoon.
Make Dubai yours
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