Places to go in Dubai

The 30 places in Dubai SquadAbroad travelers want to go, most wanted first. Filter them by category and tag.

9 places

  • Photo: Al Ustad Special Kebab

    Restaurant

    Al Ustad Special Kabab

    Operating since 1978, this Bur Dubai institution is famous for its yogurt-marinated Persian kababs served with fragrant saffron rice and warm flatbread. The dining room is an attraction in its own right, lined from floor to ceiling with vintage photographs, banknotes, and memorabilia accumulated over decades. It is an essential stop for travelers wanting to experience authentic old-world Dubai hospitality and hearty culinary heritage.

  • Photo: AMANY

    Restaurant

    Arabian Tea House

    Tucked within Dubai’s historic Al Fahidi quarter, Arabian Tea House invites diners into an airy courtyard shaded by trees and framed with white rattan chairs and turquoise benches. The cafe is celebrated for authentic Emirati fare, serving generous traditional breakfast trays, fresh khobz flatbread, and fragrant pots of karak tea. Visitors seek it out to slow down and experience classic Gulf hospitality inside a beautifully preserved slice of old Dubai.

  • Photo: Bait Maryam - Dubai

    Restaurant

    Bait Maryam

    Tucked away in Jumeirah Lake Towers, Bait Maryam offers comforting Levantine home cooking inspired by the family recipes of Chef Salam Dakkak. The Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded bistro captures the warmth of an Arab grandmother's living room, serving deeply flavorful clay-pot stews, fragrant fattehs, and fresh-baked flatbreads. It is a beloved destination for travelers seeking soulful hospitality and authentic regional flavors in Dubai.

  • Photo: Bu Qtair Restaurant

    Restaurant

    Bu Qtair Restaurant

    Originally a humble beachside shack, Bu Qtair is a legendary Dubai institution famous for its unpretentious, coastal-style seafood. Visitors select fresh catches like hamour and king prawns by weight, which are marinated in fiery South Indian spices and deep-fried to order. Paired with flaky parottas and rich coconut curry sauce, it offers an authentic, flavor-packed alternative to the city's upscale dining scene.

  • Photo by Darcey Beau on Unsplash

    Restaurant

    CÉ LA VI Dubai

    Perched high above Downtown Dubai at the Address Sky View, CÉ LA VI is renowned for its open-air terrace overlooking the Burj Khalifa. The venue blends contemporary Southeast Asian dining with a high-energy lounge and poolside bar scene. Guests visit for elevated cocktails and sunset dinners framed by striking, panoramic views of the city skyline.

  • Photo by Timo Volz on Unsplash

    Activity

    Dubai Marina Walk

    Dubai Marina Walk is a seven-kilometer waterfront promenade lined with palms, moored yachts, and towering skyscrapers. Visitors come to stroll along the paved path, cycle, and dine on open-air terraces serving cuisines from around the world. The area is particularly vibrant after sunset, when the illuminated city skyline casts bright reflections across the water.

  • Photo by Darcey Beau on Unsplash

    Activity

    Global Village

    Global Village is an expansive open-air cultural and entertainment park featuring dozens of country-themed pavilions from across the globe. Visitors come to sample authentic international street food, shop for regional artisan goods, and watch nightly live performances. It provides a lively evening outing that brings diverse global traditions, dining, and carnival attractions into a single destination.

  • Photo by Ondrej Bocek on Unsplash

    Restaurant

    Museum of the Future

    Housed in a striking, calligraphy-covered torus structure, Dubai's Museum of the Future is an architectural marvel dedicated to exploring humanity's next chapter. Visitors journey through immersive, multisensory exhibitions that tackle themes from space travel and bioengineering to ecological restoration set decades ahead. It offers an inspiring, thought-provoking encounter with cutting-edge technology inside one of the world's most complex modern buildings.

  • Photo: Zuma Dubai

    Restaurant

    Zuma

    Located in the Dubai International Financial Centre, Zuma is renowned for its sophisticated, contemporary take on Japanese izakaya-style dining. Guests visit for precision-crafted sushi, robata-grilled specialties, and the iconic miso-marinated black cod served in a sleek, multi-level setting. The buzzing bar and stylish lounge make it a premier destination for both refined dinners and lively late-night cocktails.

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