Dining Out in the United Arab Emirates: Some Ideas

Officially I have been to the United Arab Emirates 5 times, but only 3 times did I actually leave the airport and get my stamps. In fact for a while, the UAE was destined to become the country I visited only through airports, especially given the crazy history I had with it. In 2008, at University I stupidly broke my leg and turned down a sponsored trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. You know what? I still haven’t been to Abu Dhabi! Then, my Dad went to Abu Dhabi to work. I still hadn’t been. Then my brother Marko went there to watch the Formula One Grand Prix! In the meantime though, I did manage to visit 2 of the 7 Emirates – Sharjah and Dubai. Dubai was the one I spent most time in – yet still only 3 nights on one trip and a day trip on another…

Dining out in United Arab Emirates can be made easy using websites such as squaremeal. Here are a few dining options for the UAE.

1.Decent Restaurants

So you heard that food in the Middle East is distinctive, spicy and very memorable. With this in mind and using Squaremeal to book your table, head to a truly decent restaurant to sort this out. The range of restaurants is quite incredible. Ras Al Kaimah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi all have totally excellent restaurants available to book through Squaremeal. This includes:

• Steakhouses
• Kebab joints
• Textbook Middle Eastern food
• Chinese restaurants
• Japanese sushi venues
• Italian pizza restaurants
• Vegetarian options

So splash out and get that table booked for fine dining in Ras Al Kaimah, Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

2.Souqs and Markets

Head down to the souqs and markets down by Dubai Creek in the Bir Dubai – Old Dubai region. It is here that you can get the real bargain basement food and buy from vendors and chefs who have been cooking for generations. Yes, generations. Dubai is not the modern metropolis only – it had to start somewhere and here on the banks of Dubai Creek you can find cheap market food and little vendors selling local food, spices and even an influx of Indian, Mediterranean and Chinese options. Get lost in the souqs and markets and try some fruit juices too.

3.Shopping Malls

The heat of Dubai is enough to make you sweat rivers. Luckily, the range of swanky shopping malls is huge and you will never be far from a venue with good air conditioning so you can eat in comfort. Of course the huge Burj Khalida has a massive shopping centre at its foot. It is here, where there is a huge international food court. I didn’t go too mad though – I ended up with chicken and chips and I was budget bargain loyal. But there are some swanky restaurants here too and some good seafood options. Beyond that, there are many many more shopping malls with top notch restaurants and cosy food courts.

4.On the rip – drinking in Dubai

You can drink alcohol in the United Arab Emirates?? Surprisingly yes you can! I ended up in quite a few bars here. There was even an Irish Pub called Healys! I drank here with Neil from Northern Ireland and we toasted to the Northern Irish legend David Healy!

So have fun in the United Arab Emirates and be sure to get a decent restaurant booked for dinner options!