20 to try: Dubai's best tastes

We think back, scratch our heads, and salivate over our favourite tastes in Dubai. Anyone for a cheese manakish? Yes please, says Time Out. Discuss this article

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1 A Marshmallow and M&M-topped hot chocolate after snowboarding in Ski Dubai. (04 369 7378).

2 Cheesy dripping manakish from Al Reef Lebanese Bakery. After a long night out. Always. (04 396 1980, Karama).

3 The addictive taste of Bombay Chowpatty’s dahi batata puri. Sweet? Savoury? You decide. (04 396 4937, Bur Dubai).

4 Mint Lemonade from XVA Gallery. (04 353 5383, Bastikiya).

5 The taste of salt on skin after an early morning dip in the ocean (without sewage, of course).

6 A superb Colada at sunset from the outside veranda at the Vista bar. (04 701 1111, InterContinental Dubai Festival City)

7 The musty flesh of an Alphonso mango, taken straight from any hole-in-the-wall Karama fruit stand.

8 Spanish blue cheese strong enough to grow hair on your chest at Ossiano in Atlantis. (04 426 0770).

9 Fresh balmy air between 6pm-7pm, when you step out of the AC and into the evening sunset.

10 Sesame falafel balls at Al Mallah. (04 398 4723, Satwa).

11 Fizzy date juice in a flute. Surprisingly pleasant.

12 The flavour of lunacy in the form of orange juice served in a cup made of ice at Ice Bar – one of the more poorly conceived ventures in the city. (04 341 8121, Times Square Mall).

13 Eclairs, when they have them, at Paul Café (04 295 8404).

14 For those fasting, the first date at Iftar.

15 The creamy, preservative-free ice cream at Govinda’s (04 396 0088, Karama).

16 The nutty taste of camel milk, followed by the sweet taste of relief, knowing it won’t cause an indigestive flair-up.

17 Sample spoons of Emirati or Yemeni honey at Bee Kingdom. (Al Rolla Street, Bur Dubai, near Imperial Hotel, (04 352 2455)

18 Soba noodles so fresh they’re cooked in front of you at China Sea in Deira. (04 295 9816)

19 The sweet, smug taste of environmental responsibility when forgoing bottled water for tap.

20 Plump, juicy papaya with a sharp squeeze of fresh lime juice – available all over the city.

And five that make us gag...

1 The chemical undertaste of factory farmed eggs and meat (carried with too much frequency in Dubai’s restaurants and supermarkets).

2 The last mouthful of Turkish coffee.

3 The sea water near DOSC. With the recent sewage-dumping, it’s not the best place for a relaxing swim.

4 Overly greasy grilled ‘meats’ from cheap Arabic restaurants (and what kind of ‘meat’ is it anyway?).

5 Apple shisha – too strong for our lungs.

Got the saliva swilling? Email your ideas over to becky.lucas@itp.com.