Dubai
Eat
- There are restaurants from all over the world in Dubai. As with other things, a lot of the restaurants are overpriced chains, hardly ever run by the actual owners.
- The best food is regional, such as Lebanese, Iranian, and Pakistani food. In areas such as Bur Dubai and Deira, shawarma, hummus, and falafel are readily available at cheap prices (expect around AED 25 or USD 8). Elsewhere, you may have to search harder to find a good place. For Lebanese, try Abdel Wahab (Souk Al Bahar, first floor, overlooking the fountain), Zahr El Laymoun (Souk Al Bahar), and Shami Gourmet (Dubai Marina). For Iranians, try Iran Zamin (in Dubai Marina). For Pakistani food, try Ravi Restaurant (Al Satwa Road).
- Other options include Chef Lanka in Karama (Sri Lankan food, difficult to find, cheap, very spicy), Dim Tai Fung (Taiwanese food, Mall of the Emirates), and Mayrig (Armenian food, Downtown). Indian food is decent at Gazebo (branches in Media City, DIFC, and elsewhere). For expensive fine dining, Le Petite Maison (DIFC) is the best option (make reservations).
- Prices for a dinner can easily amount to AED 50–AED 70 per person (around USD 15–USD 20).
Sleep
- In a city renowned for luxury hotels, it can be challenging to find cheap accommodation. Surprisingly, a few hostels have opened up, mostly in the Burjuman/Bur Dubai area (charging around AED 90/USD 25 a night for a dorm). For private rooms/apartments/hotel rooms, expect to pay at least USD 40 per night. Or if you know people in Dubai (which is quite possible, given how international it is), you may be able to crash at their place.
- The cheapest accommodation is generally in the Bur Dubai and Deira areas, which can feel far removed from the glitz and glamour of Dubai. To be closer to the malls, beaches, and exclusive clubs, try to go for Business Bay, DIFC, Dubai Marina, or Palm Jumeirah. There are few affordable hotels in those areas, but you may be able to find apartments through Airbnb and other sites open to private owners.
- Warning: using couchsurfing may seem like an attractive alternative to steep hotel bills, but bear in mind that the Gulf States do not have a strong reputation when it comes to protecting female travelers. If something happens, you have to assume that you have limited possibility to report it.
Transport
In town:
The heat and the long distances make Dubai an unfriendly city for pedestrians. The metro is a reasonably fast and convenient way to get from A to B. Short distances cost as little as AED 1.80–AED 2.00 (prepaid card/single ticket) (about USD 0.50). Two zones cost AED 4.10–AED 4.50 (about USD 1.10). You would rarely need more than 2 zones. No metros run after 1 am or on Friday mornings.
The main drawback of the metro is that it doesn’t get you everywhere. In Dubai Marina and the Palm Jumeirah, the tram brings you closer. Elsewhere, buses are a cheap alternative. But be aware that both buses and trams can be very, very slow.
Luckily, metered taxis are relatively cheap. Meters start at AED 5 (around USD 1.35), even though AED 12 is the minimum fare (about USD 3.30). A half-hour trip should take around AED 50 (about USD 15).
- Airport:
Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport are connected to the metro, but Terminal 2 and the smaller Dubai World Central/Al Maktoum International Airport are not. In the daytime, buses leave from all terminals and airports. Taxis are also available with a higher starting rate of AED 20 (about USD 5.50).
- Out of town:
Buses are the cheapest option to go to Abu Dhabi (AED 25/USD 7) and Sharjah (AED 10/USD 3). Shared taxis to Abu Dhabi are available from Ibn Battuta station. If you are more than one person or traveling to smaller destinations, it quickly becomes cheaper to rent a car (around AED 80/USD 22 a day).
- Danger: White Lexus taxi drivers often approach tourists to drive. They are official taxis, but their rates are higher (typically double the normal rate). Although the price is open to negotiation, they will never take you for less than the normal fare. Unless you are in a very big hurry, wait for a normal taxi.
Insider Guide to Dubai: Live, shop, and eat like a local
Al Bastakiya
Al Bastakiya is one of my favorite neighborhoods. Here you can visit the Dubai Museum, which is less than £1 and interesting to see. It's not a big museum, but it tells Dubai's history in a very interactive and visual way through sounds and puppets. Al Bastakiya is a very cute area with all of its alleys, cafes, art studios, and art galleries. Once you get out to the side of the river, you have restaurants and cafes with food along the river. It is very beautiful and tranquil and gives the real feel of the Middle East. You can take the boat for less than £1 across to Deira, which gives off beautiful views from both sides.
Alserkal Ave
A small area where there are art galleries, an art-house cinema, and an expat theater. You can have a very nice view of the Burj Khalifa. I would recommend going there on the weekend when more events are going on. Locals hang out here. Events as well—open-air cinema.
JBR
JBR is very similar to waterfronts in California and Florida. You have beautiful shops, restaurants, and cafes outside and a cinema. You can either walk along a long, white, soft-sanded beach or along the street next to the beach, which is filled with restaurants and chains such as Starbucks and Tim Horton’s. It is very pleasant to walk around here in the evening as everything is open.
Global Village
Global Village is a feast of cultures and amusement. It is part market, part amusement park, and part riverside with restaurants. The entrance fee is 30 AED. There are a lot of different pavilions from different countries. You can buy art from Iraq, carpets, and jewelry from Afghanistan, honey from Palestine, and shea butter from Africa. There are pavilions from many different countries, each one featuring the products and artists from those countries. Each pavilion also has cultural performances, such as dancing or singing. On the main stage are also Bollywood performances. It is a place for all types of people, for families and solo. You can eat fantastic food, such as from the Bosnian restaurant, and also authentic Indian chai. There are a lot of different food trucks, restaurants, and food stalls. Global Village is an amusement, eating, and shopping paradise.
Ibn Battuta Mall
Ibn Battuta Mall doesn’t have any specific sights, but it is worth mentioning that you can shop here like a local. It has a very big Carrefour with everything imaginable, from clothing to groceries to towels. But it is also a big shopping center with a lot of different shops. Ibn Battuta Mall would be cheaper than Dubai Mall or Mall of the Emirates. It also has a very good selection of cafes and restaurants and also has a cinema.