A Guide to 84 Hours in Dubai
To me, Dubai is a city that is ever-changing. Having moved from Dubai to Milan just over 2 years ago, I find myself discovering new places every single time I go back. In this guide, I will refrain from stating the obvious places to visit – such as Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, or the indoor ski slope – since I know for a fact that you will inevitably see these sights on your own. Instead, I’d like to focus on curating a holistic guide for your visit to Dubai, and take you on a fantastic culinary journey, which is – quite frankly – the best part.
DAY 1
ZouZou
Dubai is vastly different from the majority of European cities for two main reasons – first, the weather is unbearable between May and October, so make sure to plan your visit around these months. Secondly, Dubai is a big city, so you’ll need a car to get around. Side note, since we currently have no COVID-19 restrictions, this guide would apply at any time.
To start off your first day in Dubai, I would recommend grabbing a classic Arabic/Turkish breakfast at ZouZou in La Mer – make sure to get a table outside with a sea-view. Breakfast is served until 1 pm (you’re on Arab time here) so take your sweet, sweet time to get there. After your meal, take a small stroll on the boardwalk, and if you’re in the mood for dessert, head over to Salt and try their Lotus Soft Serve (please trust me on this).
For your activity of the day, we’re going to take a drive to the older side of Dubai – starting with Bur Dubai. Take a walk around the historical districts of Al Bastakiya Quarter and Al Fahidi and admire the architecture of the oldest residential quarter in Dubai. Al Shindagha Museum is another must see to learn more about the story of the Dubai Creek – the oldest part of the city.
Al Shindagha Museum
Next, you can either take the Deira Old Souk Marine Transport Station (traditionally known as Abra) or drive to the other side of the creek. There, you can experience a more authentic traditional shopping experience, at the Old Souk – where you’ll be a surrounded by a diverse set of bazaars with lots of shopping to do. The items you can purchase here range from shopping for spices, teas and cultural clothing pieces.
For your lunch, drive back into the city and head towards Souk Madinat Jumeriah where you’ll be met with an endless array of restaurants to choose from. Walk around the souk and then head over to Jumeriah Al Naseem right next doors to grab lunch at Flamingo Room by Tasha’s.
Flamingo Room by Tasha’s
For dinner, Al Safadi in the Pointe Palm Jumeriah offers an incredible Lebanese dinner with a view of the Atlantis. Every time I am back home in Dubai, this restaurant is at the top of my wishlist, so trust me on this. On your way back to the hotel, make a necessary pit stop by any cafeteria (Antar cafeteria is the most popular one) and order a Chai Karak and Paratha Nutella to end your night on a high note. You’ll be served efficiently in your car and you’ll be on your way back in no time.
DAY 2
For your activity of the day, you’ll have two options to choose from.
Option 1 - You can go for a relaxing beach day to get some sun. The most frequently visited beaches in Dubai are Kite Beach, JBR, and La Mer. If you’re visiting on a weekend, I would avoid JBR and opt for Kite Beach instead.
Option 2 – Given that you’ve rented a car for your vacation, you can take a road trip to Hatta Dam for the day. There, you will be surrounded by beautiful mountainous terrain – a stark contrast to the desert plains you’ll pass on your way to Hatta. Here, you can go kayaking or hiking or paragliding.
Kite Beach, Dubai
In either case, you’ll need to have a good substantial breakfast in the morning. If you’re going for the beach day option, you’ll have a little bit more time to spare in the morning so I would recommend Common grounds and Operation Falafel in JBR offering comprehensive breakfast/brunch menus. If you’re going on the Hatta Road Trip, grab a quick manaaesh at Al Arz or any local bakery.
For lunch, I’ll provide you with some amenable plans. If you’ve chosen the beach day, go for a seafood lunch at Bu Qtair in Umm Suqeim. Definitely opt for the masala fish and fried prawns if you choose to try it out. Alternatively, you can grab some of the best sliders in town at the Salt food truck. If you’re in Hatta, go for a BBQ lunch instead in the Hatta Hill Park.
Miss Tess
Your nighttime plans will be in Downtown Dubai at Miss Tess – a lively Asian street-food restaurant with an unobstructed view of Burj Khalifa (make sure to ask to be seated outside. Please note that in Dubai, alcohol is only served in hotels. So if you’d like to grab drinks after dinner, stay in this area.
DAY 3
For day three, you’ll also have two options to choose from as for how you’d like to spend the day.
Option 1 – Book a Desert Safari for the afternoon. You’ll be picked up by cars and driven to the camp site. There you can spend the afternoon partaking in various activities such as riding quadbikes, sandboarding, getting a henna tattoo or riding camels.
Option 2 – If you’re with your family and/or have younger children with you, I would recommend visiting Atlantis waterpark for the day to satisfy every family member.
Maison Mathis