8 Activities
The Diverse Gastronomy Scene of Dubai
Starts from
Dubai
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
8
Duration
13 hours
Length
63 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Dubai
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
13 hours
Length
63 mi
Rahma Khan
Blogger
- Indulge in the diverse cuisines Dubai offers reflecting the diversity of its people.
- Explore the hidden eateries in Dubai off the touristy route.
- Drive through the heart of Downtown Dubai to the suburbs.
Home to people from more than fifty nationalities, Dubai is a cultural hub where people from different countries brought their own culture and food to shape the city. From Indian and Arabic fusion to food to Korean BBQ, and Texas Steak, Dubai has adopted authenticity in gastronomy from all over the world. In this Dubai gastronomy guide, explore the diversity of Dubai through its food that reflects the multi-nationalities of the people and the culture they brought to the city.
The food scene in Dubai caters to all kinds of travellers, meat-lovers and vegans, the luxury traveller and the backpacker - there are great places to eat at for everyone. The many roadside 'Coffee Shops' are the go-to places for a quick cup of Chai and shawarma on the go. On the other hand, there are eleven Michelin star restaurants to serve the people who enjoy a fine dining experience.
Explore the places where the residents of the city eat their everyday meals and see a side of the city away from all its glitter and glamour.
The food scene in Dubai caters to all kinds of travellers, meat-lovers and vegans, the luxury traveller and the backpacker - there are great places to eat at for everyone. The many roadside 'Coffee Shops' are the go-to places for a quick cup of Chai and shawarma on the go. On the other hand, there are eleven Michelin star restaurants to serve the people who enjoy a fine dining experience.
Explore the places where the residents of the city eat their everyday meals and see a side of the city away from all its glitter and glamour.
Categories
Home to people from more than fifty nationalities, Dubai is a cultural hub where people from different countries brought their own culture and food to shape the city. From Indian and Arabic fusion to food to Korean BBQ, and Texas Steak, Dubai has adopted authenticity in gastronomy from all over the world. In this Dubai gastronomy guide, explore the diversity of Dubai through its food that reflects the multi-nationalities of the people and the culture they brought to the city.
The food scene in Dubai caters to all kinds of travellers, meat-lovers and vegans, the luxury traveller and the backpacker - there are great places to eat at for everyone. The many roadside 'Coffee Shops' are the go-to places for a quick cup of Chai and shawarma on the go. On the other hand, there are eleven Michelin star restaurants to serve the people who enjoy a fine dining experience.
Explore the places where the residents of the city eat their everyday meals and see a side of the city away from all its glitter and glamour.
The food scene in Dubai caters to all kinds of travellers, meat-lovers and vegans, the luxury traveller and the backpacker - there are great places to eat at for everyone. The many roadside 'Coffee Shops' are the go-to places for a quick cup of Chai and shawarma on the go. On the other hand, there are eleven Michelin star restaurants to serve the people who enjoy a fine dining experience.
Explore the places where the residents of the city eat their everyday meals and see a side of the city away from all its glitter and glamour.
Rahma Khan
Blogger
- Indulge in the diverse cuisines Dubai offers reflecting the diversity of its people.
- Explore the hidden eateries in Dubai off the touristy route.
- Drive through the heart of Downtown Dubai to the suburbs.
Day Itinerary
8 Activities
Day 1
63 mi0.5 mi
Diversity on a Plate
Once a small fishing village, the emirate of Dubai has been a massive transformation during the 1990s that made the city of the most futurist cities in the world. Dubai is popular for the lavish lifestyle it offers, from spectacular skyscrapers to award-winning restaurants and a blend of Arabian culture with modern values.
Diversity is deep-rooted in the foundation of the city, which was built by labourers from neighbouring South Asian countries. This multicultural presence in the city has shaped its gastronomy too. Until now, 89% of the city's population is based on foreign working-class people, who with them brought their food and flavours to the city. Beyond the glittering skyscrapers that tower Dubai's skyline, there are many hidden gems, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and eateries where the residents of the city eat their everyday meals. Affordable, authentic, and full of flavours, this is the guide to the diverse gastronomy scene of Dubai.
Diversity is deep-rooted in the foundation of the city, which was built by labourers from neighbouring South Asian countries. This multicultural presence in the city has shaped its gastronomy too. Until now, 89% of the city's population is based on foreign working-class people, who with them brought their food and flavours to the city. Beyond the glittering skyscrapers that tower Dubai's skyline, there are many hidden gems, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and eateries where the residents of the city eat their everyday meals. Affordable, authentic, and full of flavours, this is the guide to the diverse gastronomy scene of Dubai.
09:0045 min
Allo Beirut - City Walk
Lebanese Restaurant
Open Details
Breakfast at Allo Beirut, which is a restaurant that serves Levantine cuisine from Beirut, Lebanon. The elaborative menu includes an all-day breakfast with Levantine snacks and delicacies to delight from! The restaurant has a vibrant interior decor and the menu has plenty of options from quick bites like shawarma, and soujok to stuffed lamb meals for the hungrier customers.
5.8 mi
20 min
10:151 hr 30 min
Kite Beach
Beach
Open Details
Kite Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Dubai, which both residents and tourists visit. The beach offers a spectacular close-up view of the Burj Al Arab. A jogging track loop across the beach gets quite busy during the morning and evening with runners and slow strollers.
There are plenty of water activities to indulge in at the beach.
Kayaking is for those who enjoy cruising with the waves.
For adventure lovers, the calm waters of the Persian Gulf make it ideal for Wakeboarding and Jet skiing.
If you want to take the adventure to the next level, try snorkelling to explore the underwater wonders that the Arabian Sea holds.
There are plenty of water activities to indulge in at the beach.
Kayaking is for those who enjoy cruising with the waves.
For adventure lovers, the calm waters of the Persian Gulf make it ideal for Wakeboarding and Jet skiing.
If you want to take the adventure to the next level, try snorkelling to explore the underwater wonders that the Arabian Sea holds.
0.5 mi
10 min
12:0030 min
SALT Kite Beach
Burger Joint
Open Details
Right adjacent to Kite Beach is an outdoor sea-facing restaurant, SALT. The menu at SALT ranges from American quick snack meals like hotdogs, and burgers, to ice creams, crêpes, and fresh slushes. On hot summer days, a refreshing smoothie at SALT after a stroll by the beach helps in beating the humidity and heat of Dubai.
The restaurant was launched as a pop-up food truck in 2014 by two young Emirati entrepreneurs, Deem Al Bassam and Amal Al Marri in hopes of bringing the American food truck concept to the city. The rapid massive success of the venture quickly turned the pop-up food truck into a full-fledged beach-facing restaurant. There are occasional musical events at SALT and karaoke sessions during the cooler months of the year and the place is always buzzing with people, and good food.
The restaurant was launched as a pop-up food truck in 2014 by two young Emirati entrepreneurs, Deem Al Bassam and Amal Al Marri in hopes of bringing the American food truck concept to the city. The rapid massive success of the venture quickly turned the pop-up food truck into a full-fledged beach-facing restaurant. There are occasional musical events at SALT and karaoke sessions during the cooler months of the year and the place is always buzzing with people, and good food.
9.9 mi
20 min
13:0030 min
Karama Street Art
Landmark
Open Details
Continuing on about the influence of American culture on the city, it is impossible not to mention street art, which is becoming more and more popular in the city.
After the beach, visit the less-known street art in Al Kamara, where huge images decorate residential buildings and stores. This area is known as one of the oldest in the city.
After the beach, visit the less-known street art in Al Kamara, where huge images decorate residential buildings and stores. This area is known as one of the oldest in the city.
5.8 mi
15 min
13:451 hr 30 min
Kohantei
Japanese Restaurant
Open Details
Dubai hosts the greatest Japanese community in the Arab world. More than 2,000 expats from the Land of the Rising Sun live here, which cannot but influence the culture and gastronomic diversity of the city.
Dine at this authentic Japanese restaurant that offers a wide variety of Japanese traditional dishes. Kohantei offers an exclusive Kaiseki dining experience. They serve multi-course meals made from the Japanese ingredients in a serene setting.
Dine at this authentic Japanese restaurant that offers a wide variety of Japanese traditional dishes. Kohantei offers an exclusive Kaiseki dining experience. They serve multi-course meals made from the Japanese ingredients in a serene setting.
16.6 mi
25 min
15:451 hr 30 min
Ibn Battuta Mall
Shopping Mall
Open Details
In the suburbs of Dubai, Ibn Battuta Mall was one of the most visited malls in the city before the mighty The Dubai Mall was built. It may not be as big as The Dubai Mall, but this outlet mall is a great place to spend some time shopping without hoards of crowds, unlike other tourist popular malls in Dubai.
The Indian Quarter at the Ibn Battuta Mall is a great place to experience mini-India while in Dubai. This section in the mall reflects the strong historic relations of India with the UAE and will take you down to the time when the Indian rupee used to be the official currency of the country. You can also experience the rich Indian culture here by shopping for authentic goods from India while in Dubai.
There are live performances and events at the mall, where artists, calligraphers, and sculptors all gather in the main foyer to perform.
The Indian Quarter at the Ibn Battuta Mall is a great place to experience mini-India while in Dubai. This section in the mall reflects the strong historic relations of India with the UAE and will take you down to the time when the Indian rupee used to be the official currency of the country. You can also experience the rich Indian culture here by shopping for authentic goods from India while in Dubai.
There are live performances and events at the mall, where artists, calligraphers, and sculptors all gather in the main foyer to perform.
15 mi
25 min
17:451 hr 30 min
Riverland Dubai
Theme Park
Open Details
Riverland Dubai is a themed recreational hub with plenty of dining, shopping, and fun activities to experience. Designed uniquely with replicas of famous spots from around the world, you can experience a gondola ride in the Venice of Dubai, and walk over the replica of Mostar bridge among other attractions. Unlike other theme parks in the city, Riverland Dubai is free to enter, which makes it a popularly visited spot by families and tourists alike.
Riverland is divided into four sections - The Peninsula, India Gate, Boardwalk, and the French Village. The Peninsula has international brands shops and multi-cuisine restaurants. India Gate and French Village offer dining and shopping experiences from India and Europe respectively, and the boardwalk has all the unique replicas and fun activities like concerts, live shows, stand-up comedy shows, and many different activities throughout the year.
Riverland is divided into four sections - The Peninsula, India Gate, Boardwalk, and the French Village. The Peninsula has international brands shops and multi-cuisine restaurants. India Gate and French Village offer dining and shopping experiences from India and Europe respectively, and the boardwalk has all the unique replicas and fun activities like concerts, live shows, stand-up comedy shows, and many different activities throughout the year.
10 mi
20 min
20:001 hr 30 min
Kinara by Vikas Khanna
Indian Restaurant
Open Details
For a great fine dining experience in the city, Kinara by Vikas Khanna offers authentic Indian cuisine but with a modern twist. The menu includes the bestsellers like biryani, tikka, and butter chicken, but the traditional recipes are moulded by chef Vikas Khanna to suit the diverse customers based in Dubai.
The restaurant accepts walk-ins, but it gets filled up quickly during the lunch and dinner hours, so it is best to make a reservation beforehand.
The restaurant accepts walk-ins, but it gets filled up quickly during the lunch and dinner hours, so it is best to make a reservation beforehand.