Time Out Dubai wants to know about the hidden gems of Dubai. The places you’ve discovered that are off the well beaten path. Your insider tips about the best places to go and things to do.
The quiet family restaurant with the best home-style food or the back street club with the best party DJ. The snorkeling spot with the most interesting fish or the shop with the best bargains.
Whatever your best Dubai Secrets are we want to know about them.
Maybe your favourite schawarma spot is the best in the city? Or perhaps you’ve uncovered the number one place for head massages in all of Dubai?
Leave your tips in the comment boxes below and Time Out will feature a selection of the best in our upcoming Secret Dubai cover story. This is your chance to show off your knowledge about the city we all call home.
I’d say the best schawarma spot is the one in nasr leisure land. Not sure if its still there but it has to be the best i’ve had in dubai. price is a little more than normal schawarma spots but is definately worth it. and the best coffee shop i’d say is central perk in Uptown Mirdif. The staff is very friendly and the coffee/food is just like in the pictures in the menu.
Comment by Saad — Wednesday, 13 August, 2008 @ 10:32
Couple of decent cafeterias:
Al Ijaza down the beach road and Bel Jafla, opposite burj al arab in the middle of a sandpit
Bab Al Shams AKA. Al Qudra road, nice road to drive on without having to worry about other cars around you, as this road is almost always empty… Make sure to drive there before the proper construction of Al Bawadi begins ;)
Comment by Omar — Thursday, 14 August, 2008 @ 05:10
The best “mallu” shawarmas in town can be found near Safa Park. Have no doubt, there is a huge difference between an Arabic Shawarma and then the Kerala take on it. If you like your shwarma juicy, filled with onions & other salad veggies and lots and lots of tahina - then this is the shawarma for you.
Just drive down to Safa Park, past the Choitrams and right next to the Al Reef Lebanese Bakery (whose manakesh is legendary in its own right). There you’ll find a tiny little restaurant called Eat & Drink, that has a shawarma stand outside.
It will be packed with punters and the buying experience is quite something and sometimes confusing. Its worth it though.
Get back to your car, allow those aromas to tantalise you while you switch the AC and radio on and then…. sink your teeth into one of the greatest institutions of Dubai! Ladies and Gentlemen - I give you - The Mallu Shawarma!
Comment by Rainigade — Thursday, 14 August, 2008 @ 09:57
Hii!!!I know of a place making the best of shawrmas which is actually a cafeteria, its called LOVE BIRD CAFETERIA situated in Karama Behind Avenue. It serves yummy and spicy shawrmas which are mouth watering!!! If you wish to know more then just go visit it, You will love it!!
Comment by Mamta.Wagh — Thursday, 14 August, 2008 @ 10:01
You guys may not know this but the Italian restaurant names Pizzeria at the Al Khaleej Hotel (NOT al Khaleeh palace) opposite the Deira creek is a real gem. It is out of this world. Has the best lasgna ever, the best seafood grill, excellent pasta and risottos and the best chocolate mousse cake….. its a cozy joint and is always bustling. this restaurant gets a lot of customers through simple word of mouth, since i have been there i have gotten my freinds hooked on to it, u really need to check this restaurant. Their phone no. is 042211144.
Comment by Radhika — Thursday, 14 August, 2008 @ 12:08
Try the Falafil and Hommos of Al Dimyati Restaurant in Kamara, the oldest yet the best in town.
For seafood lovers, I strongly recommend The Fish Basket behind Lamcy Plaza, great value for money and finger licking delicious. Hammour fillet, grilled spicy shrimps & fried calamari is my every Friday lunch menu there. Really worth trying!
And for a very cheap yet yummy bite while driving you must try Jabal Al Nour Sandwiches & cocktails, they have branches in Al Diyafa, Oud Mitha and many more. I am sure you will love it!
Comment by S. J. — Thursday, 14 August, 2008 @ 12:41
There is this place in Bur Dubai called Tasty Bite you get good shwarmas there and even this place near computer plaza called Lebanese Village. Always try Mexican for spicy lovers. For shish tawook i would recommend Labneh wa Zaatar its the best i have ever had till now and worth the money.
Comment by Sunita — Thursday, 14 August, 2008 @ 01:32
The best cold coffee I’ve had is the Caramalized Date Frapp at Blends and Brews, they have it in Rashid Hospital and Healthcare City (and other locations?)
I use to like cold coffee but now that I’ve tried this… I’m OBSESSED!!
Comment by Fatema T — Thursday, 14 August, 2008 @ 02:31
Ive worked at the best seafood restaurant in town but I have to confess that my personal favourite is this little Mangolian restaurant, Canara. Tucked behind Pizzahut in Burdubai it has the yummiest and the spice-est squid chilli fry and prawn chilly fry. A must for all those who love the indian way of seafood.
Comment by Aisha — Thursday, 14 August, 2008 @ 10:19
If you never tried kabab rolls then it is worth trying. mainly it seekh kabab, tangdi kabab. prices are also very good.
They are located on alwasal road behind first Emarat petrol station if you are driving from Safa park towards belhasa driving institute.
tip: to have the real taste it is best to have it in the restuarant itself
Comment by muhammad Irfan Khan — Friday, 15 August, 2008 @ 10:37
best sheesha - hakawati (means storyteller in arabic) on sheikh zayed… initally recommended by a lebanese friend, this joint behind applebees on sheikh zayed is perfect for an afternoon of backgammon or cards and is one of the best sheesha there is in town..
best ambience in an indian restaurant (aside from the famous ones) - rasoi at coral deira.. brilliant color combinations, lighting and authentic indian decor aside from the great cuisine..
best ambience in a sheesha cafe with decent juices and mocktails - zyara (means trip in arabic) again on shk. zayed.. originally syrian, this place has great iced tea and very cosy decor.. with patchwork couches, quilts and chairs, its very comfortable for a night out to catch up with ur girls or an after party lounge..
hope this helps! whats best about all these places tho, is that they’re not ‘famous’… and because its only a matter of time b4 they become, enjoy them now :)
Comment by Jasmine — Friday, 15 August, 2008 @ 04:52
One of my favourite shops in Dubai is Scarabee at Souk Madinat Jumeirah. It is a miniature jewel box of a boutique glittering at every turn with silver and unusual decorative pieces. One cannot resist the exqusite silver jewellery it sells.
Comment by Eliane Tisserant — Saturday, 16 August, 2008 @ 07:41
Midnight Cafe in Karama (opposite Karama Center) is a small, unassuming place with only outdoor seating, but the menu belies it’s size….star attraction being the juicy kati rolls (minced meat, chicken or even paneer wrapped in an egg paratha, livened up by chopped onions and green chilis)…their burgers, bakes and pizzas deserve a mention as well…they even have an online menu (www.midnightcafe.ae)
A hidden gem of Dubai in a musical sense is the Happy Mondays night every (funnily enough) Monday night at Submarine in Dhow Palace Hotel…all the indie, alt rock, and old-school electronica that most DJ’s in Dubai wouldn’t play for fear of looking cool….
Comment by Vishal — Sunday, 17 August, 2008 @ 10:09
One of my favorite restaurants in Dubai is Al Hallab (Emirates Mall) it is worth every Dirham to pay, the food in all is great amazing shawerma excellent and fresh, and everything there is great. On the whole a great place for good Arabic cousin, don’t miss it, especially in Ramadan they have the greatest buffet. My favorite Friday’s brunch is in Sloan restaurant in Grosvenor Hotel.
Wafi mall has a nice restaurant it calls khan Merjan.
My favorite store is Harvey Nichols (Emirates Mall) and Debenhams (emirates mall).
Comment by Noor — Tuesday, 19 August, 2008 @ 10:40
Ive been here in UAE for 5 years and still looking for the best Biryani in town without luck. Any suggestions, the best Ive had so far is the one I make myself.Thats my wife saying not me.and the outsiders who have tried it…leaves them sweating and smouldering.
Comment by Nauman — Saturday, 20 September, 2008 @ 04:35