The Yum List recently spent four fabulous days in the city of the future, Dubai. Based on our fav experiences from the trip, here’s our run down of where to eat in Dubai, where to stay in Dubai, and what to do in Dubai.
The Best of Dubai
(click on the bold links for complete details)
Getting There and Around
Emirates has direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai, and with their own dedicated terminal, arrival is a breeze. We had less than a five-minute wait at immigration and by the time we were through our bags were ready too.
For the ultimate in airport transfers we suggest ConnectionChauffeur. With a comprehensive range of luxury vehicles, you can choose from a classic such as a Bentley or Rolls Royce, or opt for an outrageous Stretch Party Limo.
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| Connection Chauffeur – LA Stretch Party Limo |
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| Connection Chauffeur – Phantom Rolls Royce |
Where to Stay in Dubai
Shangri-La Hotel Dubai is ideal for both business and leisure travelers. Located only five minutes from the downtown, and with a complimentary shuttle bus to and from the city centre, it’s the ultimate in convenience. Besides location however, the hotel offers some of the best views in Dubai. Rooms either overlook the sea, or the spectacular city skyline, and from the rooftop, you have sweeping panoramas of both. With great food options, gracious service and quality rooms, the Shangri-La is our choice of stay.
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| View from Shangri-La Hotel Dubai |
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| Shangri-La Hotel Dubai |
Where to Eat in Dubai
Being a five star property, the Shangri-La Hotel Dubai has numerous dining options. Dunes Café offers what must be one of the best buffets in the city. Recently seeing a complete overhaul, the comprehensive line-up of food is sure to satisfy any craving. With a dedicated noodle chef and French patissier, these two stations are must visits. For cravings from the East, the hotel’s Vietnamese restaurant Hoi An, run by a 100% Vietnamese staff, serves up some of the best Pho we’ve eaten, and Shang Palace, with its newly appointed chef from Beijing, promises a mouth-watering experience of contemporary Chinese cuisine.
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| Dunes Cafe |
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| Hoi An Restaurant |
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| Shang Palace |
Dubai is certainly not known for a temperate climate, and to cope with the sweltering heat Fruteiro do Brasil provides a refreshing oasis. Frozen exotic fruits from Brasil are used to make healthy smoothies and sorbets. The coconut sorbet on a stick dipped in dark chocolate is as close to heaven as we can imagine.
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| Fruteiro Do Brasil |
Coffee addicts will be pleased to hunt down Café Rider for its specialty coffees prepared by dedicated baristas. Located in an industrial zone, this hidden café doubles as a custom motorbike workshop, and is the place to be for a chance to rub shoulders with one of the most exclusive motorbike clubs on the Persian Gulf, Shaheen.
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| Cafe Rider |
What To Do in Dubai
An individual’s membership to Shaheen Motorcycle Club can only be attained if 100% of the riders in the group approve. Composed of some of the most influential people in the country with a shared passion for powerful motorbikes, The Yum List was humbled and thrilled to score a ride with the club. Setting off on a road trip between Dubai and Abu Dhabi on a brilliant stretch of highway framed by desert we partook in a breathtaking (literally – zooming along at high speeds on the back of a Harley Davidson is a ‘face-lifting’ encounter – imagine a skydiver’s wind swept face for three hours – it’s sure to become the next non-surgical face lift) experience. For us the ride was the ultimate stimulation of the senses.
Video courtesy of Niheb B Photography
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| Shaheen Motorcycle Club |
After conquering the highway, we suggest taking in the city via air, and HeliDubai is the company to do it with. Owned by royalty, with stringent security systems, it’s the company of choice for superstars who often contract the helicopters for private routes. Us commoners however can get a little taste of the ‘high’ life with a Heritage or Explorer Tour, which gifts passengers with a bird’s eye view of the amazing engineering feats the country has accomplished.
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| HeliDubai |
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| View Over Atlantis and The Palm from HeliDubai |
Desert safaris come out near the top of most lists of recommended things to do in Dubai, and as such, there are a plethora of companies offering tours. An unrivalled lux experience however is found with Platinum Heritage. Museum quality vintage Land Rovers take guests for a gentle jaunt across the dunes, followed by a number of cultural experiences including a falconry demonstration, camel rides, henna tattoos, dance performances and an authentic Bedouin meal prepared by Emirati chefs.
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| Platinum Heritage Desert Safari |
Roads, skies and dunes, traversed, the only thing left is to head out on the water. Bateaux Dubai is the crème of the crop when it comes to dinner cruises along the Dubai Creek. Aboard the glass walled luxury vessel, a gourmet a la carte meal with beverages to match is enjoyed while gliding atop the gentle waters.
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| Bateaux Dubai |
And, after all of that gallivanting about, some relaxation time and pampering are in order. For an urban experience, The Spa at the Shangri-La Hotel Dubai provides a convenient and professional service. Heading out of the city to The Spa at JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort presents gadabouts with a wondrous look at how anything can be achieved with enough money and commitment. A 40-minute drive from Dubai sees the arid landscape transform into a lush tropical beachside resort that leaves your jaw gaping and wondering what magic wand was used to transform the barren sands to luxuriant greenery.
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| JA Jebel Ali Resort – where did all of that green come from? |
Four days is hardly enough time in Dubai. Foodies, shoppers and pleasure seekers could spend weeks probing the city and add two new places to their list to visit for every one they cross off. Please let us know your lux recommendations for Dubai, as this city of wonder will for sure see The Yum List again.
Amazing! Especially considering the fact that this is desert region. That's the tallest building in the world there, eh?
That thought was going through my head during the whole trip – where did all of these buildings come from?!
Impressive – just goes to show what OIL RIGS can buy.
Might be nice for an overnight or two stop on your way to Europe
or vice versa to Australia / NZ and that would satisfy me.
No wonder certain big power countries in the World "kow-tow" to
the Emirates and we know what countries they are.
What you have shown Moncia in the photos is incredible.
I'd take Australia any day plus my other favourite destinations
of long ago – Spain, Denmark and Austria.
Cheers
PS: Day 9 and still fantastic August weather!!! A miracle in climatic
terms for here – ha ha.
Ooops – really double Ooops.
Will my older twin and the junior one forgive me???
The younger one being "your other half", Monica,.
El Colin Cordobes – the middle one!
Truly impressive. We were constantly surprised by what had been achieved during our visit – even more so when we listened to stories of expats who had lived there around 20 years ago. The changes that have occurred in the last two decades are nothing short of impressive.
It certainly looks a lovely place built in the desert.
I recall seeing photos of just nothing.
Artificial lawn is that?
You won't believe it – REAL lawn!
the first dish you are sharing is making me hungry!!! It looks divine! I love fruit popsicles! Beautiful photos, ambiance and great food!
The fruit popsicles were delicious – and perfect for the summer heat.
Wow, gorgeous views of Dubai. The resort look fabulous! And the food looks delicious. Wonderful tour and photos. Thanks for sharing. Have a happy new week ahead!
It's certainly an incredible city.
Gosh, I would definitely love to revisit Dubai again! Must've changed a lot since my last trip there more than 20 years ago!!
Oh my, I bet you'd hardly recognize it!
short but yet interesting trip 😉
We seemed to pack a lot into a few days. 🙂