Forget what you think you know about Dubai. Beyond the world’s tallest towers and over-the-top brunches, this is a city of stories: shawarma eaten under streetlights, galleries hidden in warehouses, desert drives where the sky feels impossibly big.
Dubai thrives on contrast. One moment you’re watching the sun set behind the Burj Al Arab from a candlelit bar; the next, you’re sipping tea by the Creek as abras glide past wind towers. Old and new, glamour and authenticity, intimacy and scale – it’s this mix that keeps surprising and delighting us.
This guide opens the door to the Dubai we know and love. Come with us – souks, street snacks and slow moments by the Creek included.
- 01. Favourite hotels in Dubai: where we love to check in (or just linger)
- 02. Coffee & bunch in Dubai: slow mornings, local rituals
- 03. Favourite restaurants in Dubai: our go-to tables
- 04. Favourite bars in Dubai: sundowners to nightcaps
- 05. Beaches in Dubai: sand, sea and skyline
- 06. What to do in 24 hours in Dubai
- 07. Dubai's hidden corners & unexpected finds
We continuously choose these hotels for their setting, atmosphere and service – whether creekside, on the coast or out in the dunes.
Along the coast, Jumeirah’s Mina A’Salam and Al Qasr remain timeless favourites. They evoke old Arabian allure with winding canals, peaceful courtyards, fountains, turrets, and archways opening onto the sea. Add the picture-perfect view of the Burj Al Arab, and you can’t help but feel on holiday the moment you arrive. It still feels like pure magic every time we go!
One&Only Royal Mirage is another classic – elegant, low-rise, and quietly luxurious, it feels a world away from the city’s buzz. Park Hyatt Dubai sits on the Creek away from the hustle and bustle. Opened in 2005, it certainly isn’t the newest, but it’s beautiful and serene: think whitewashed, Andalusian-inspired lines, lush gardens and Creek views. A haven of peace in the city. It’s also home to a wonderful spa and the most elegant seafood brunch at Noepe, which overlooks Dubai Creek. Lovely in winter when the air is cooler.
Then there’s The Dubai EDITION in Downtown – stylish and intimate, with one of our favourite lobbies in the city and a clutch of excellent bars and restaurants. For something more low-key, XVA Art Hotel in Old Dubai is a little hidden gem. It reveals a slower, more unpolished side of the city, with a tiny gallery and a leafy courtyard where you can sip coffee under creeping vines. It’s tucked into the historic Al Fahidi neighbourhood, with Al Seef and its museums, souks, and Creekside dhow rides a short stroll away. Nearby, Al Seef Heritage Hotel by Hilton is another good option if you want a taste of old-world Dubai with a touch more luxury.
When you want to swap skyline for sand, Bab Al Shams is perfect for a dose of desert glamour. Just 45 minutes from town, its design is inspired by a desert village, with winding pathways, courtyards and traditional falaj water channels that give it a wonderfully authentic feel. The pool is a highlight – perfect for a day soaking up the desert sun. Evenings are atmospheric: lanterns flickering in the sand, dinners with live entertainment, and traditional red cushions to sink into. Bab Al Shams is also great for desert activities – camel or horse rides, or even dune bashing. Like many hotels in the city, Bab Al Shams offers pool day passes, so you can escape for a few hours with a friend. Even if you’re just coming for supper, Nader advises arriving an hour before sunset – the dunes glow and the whole place feels cinematic.
Favourite hotels in Dubai: where we love to check in (or just linger)
Coffee & bunch in Dubai: slow mornings, local rituals
Weekend rituals begin at the beach. Single Fin Café, tucked inside Surf House Dubai, is Romy’s go-to for the best açaí bowls in the city. Her order never changes – açaí with dollops of homemade peanut butter, coconut flakes, granola and cocoa nibs. A meal, a snack, a cure-all! The place is wonderfully laid-back – a rarity in Dubai – set in a classic old Dubai villa. Barefoot regulars wrapped in towels, laptops beside post-surf coffees, dogs snoozing under tables – a scene you don’t often find in the city. The crowd is runners, cyclists and surfers, all fuelling up between swims.
Dubai’s food scene is absolutely booming right now, but these are the places we love, trust, and return to.
Kinoya is a home-grown, female-run gem that’s so good it made its way to Harrods in London. Start with the comforting ramen, and don’t skip the tempura.
From secret supper club to a moody, red-hued restaurant with cool art and an Asian hawker-inspired menu, Hawker Boi is great for date night or a chic catch up with friends. The drunken noodles and Asian greens are Romy’s go-to, while Camille loves the Peking duck and gyozas.
Favourite restaurants in Dubai: our go-to tables
Favourite bars in Dubai: sundowners to nightcaps
There’s no shortage of sunset spots in Dubai – but these are ours.
At.mosphere, perched at the top of Burj Khalifa, is cosy, sophisticated and really special at sunset. The views over the city are spectacular.
Above Eleven is where Peruvian meets Japanese on Palm West Beach, with a rooftop terrace offering 180° views over the Marina and Palm fronds. The sundowners, the cocktails, the vibe – it feels effortlessly cool without being over the top. The first time Romy came here, she actually gasped, it was so magical.
Bahri Bar at Mina A’Salam is another nostalgic favourite. Watch the sun drop behind the Burj Al Arab, with the turquoise canals in the foreground. Classic, timeless, and very, very Dubai.
Much of Dubai’s coast is now privatised, but Nessnass Beach remains a rare holdout. It’s wonderfully simple – no rows upon rows of loungers, just kite surfers and locals pulling out fold-up chairs. There’s a mutual appreciation among those who go: an unspoken understanding that this is one of the last “real” beaches in Dubai. From here, you get brilliant views of the Downtown skyline – the perfect contrast: city glitz in the background, simplicity in the foreground. It’s also where you’ll find Romy on early runs, finishing with a dip and a coffee on the sand.
When you want something calm and genuinely enriching, paddleboarding in The Palm’s lagoon offshoots is one of our favourite escapes. Head to Ignite Water Sports and glide through the still, lagoon-like waters between the fronds. It’s equal parts workout, skyline-gazing, sun-soaking and dream-house window shopping.
When you want to float above it all, head to AURA Skypool– set on the 50th floor, the world’s highest 360° infinity pool. If you’re in the mood to do something lavish, it’s worth it. Get a day pass and be sure to book well in advance, as the beds get snapped up. There are countless pool and beach clubs in the city – this just feels like the most unique.
Beaches in Dubai: sand, sea and skyline
What to do in 24 hours in Dubai
MORNING:
Begin at Alica Bakery – slow coffee, sea breeze and warm pastries as the marina awakens. Or go Creekside to Mazmi Café – sit on the terrace, watch abras slip past wind towers and let the day find its rhythm.
MID-MORNING:
Wander Old Dubai – Al Fahidi’s lanes and Deira’s spice and gold souks. Here you can forget the skyscrapers for a day – this is where we gently debunk Dubai’s “all glitz and glam” myth and show the city’s multicultural heartbeat in its most authentic, rustic light. Take a 1 AED abra across the Creek. At the Deira fish market, pick your catch and take it to YahYah Restaurant to have it grilled just how you like it. Pause for a steaming karak tea from a street-side kiosk and a quick pani puri fix in Deira. If you’re hungry later, tuck into kebabs at Al Ustad Special Kebab. Nader’s tip: detour via Meena Bazaar for fresh sugarcane juice before crossing back to Al Fahidi.
MIDDAY:
Mooch around Alserkal Avenue – Dubai’s creative playground – galleries, an independent Palestinian cinema, concept stores, chic cafés and boutique fitness studios all tucked into raw industrial warehouses. There’s always something new to discover, from pop-up restaurants to experimental exhibitions, so give yourself time to wander and follow your curiosity.
AFTERNOON:
Trade concrete for calm and paddleboard among The Palm’s fronds – glassy, lagoon-like water, skyline views and a gentle workout rolled into one. Rinse, reset, then drift towards sundowners at Above Eleven on Palm West Beach – 180° views over the Marina and Palm fronds, Peruvian–Japanese plates and that soft, golden light that makes everything feel cinematic.
EVENING:
Choose your mood. For elegance, book Mimi Kakushi or La Petite Maison – polished service, beautiful rooms and menus that reward lingering. For something more low-key and utterly Dubai, go casual with a curry at Ravi's or find a spot at 3Fils by the harbour – unfussy, flavour-first and guaranteed good vibes.
NIGHTCAP:
Stroll the Marina promenade with gelato – boats bobbing, city lights on the water – or slip out to the desert for stars and silence. Top it all with an ascent to At.mosphere for a quiet drink while the city sparkles below.
Jumeirah Mosque – One of the few mosques open to non-Muslims. The guided tours are informative, friendly, and a beautiful way to connect with Islamic culture.
Chukpalu – Beside Mazmi Café, this beautiful rug shop is full of treasures. Set in a traditional house on the Creek, it sells colourful rugs and textiles from Afghanistan, and it has the friendliest atmosphere.
Al Ustad Special Kebab – A beloved, no-frills institution near Al Fahidi; charcoal-grilled kebabs, plastic chairs, big flavours, happy crowds.
Louvre Abu Dhabi – We love to head to Louvre Abu Dhabi for night tours. Not only is the building by Jean Nouvel very impressive, but the atmosphere at night is very special – you feel as if you have the museum to yourself.
Sunset desert picnic – A sunset trip to the desert dunes is always a good idea. Take a 4WD, pack camping seats, a gourmet picnic and drinks, and watch the sun set.
Musandam (Oman) – The perfect day trip or overnight stay, just over the border into Oman. Musandam feels like stepping into another world: rugged mountains, crystal waters, dolphins, snorkelling, and cruising on traditional wooden dhows. A total reset from Dubai’s skyscrapers and a snapshot of the region’s fishing heritage.
Wadi Ajali – Just an hour or two outside Dubai, the neighbouring emirates offer a bit more authentic Emirati culture, along with striking landscapes to explore. From mountain hikes to hidden wadis, the scenery is far removed from the city’s concrete glamour. One of our favourites is Wadi Ajali, known for its natural pools and quiet corners.
Dubai's hidden corners & unexpected finds
Whether you’re here for 24 hours or planning a longer stay, Dubai rewards curiosity. From rooftops to alleyways, desert drives to dockside dinners, this city offers a mosaic of vivid memories. And once you find your rhythm, Dubai reveals its soul. Speak to our specialists to plan your own tailormade Dubai holiday.
Photography credits: Hotels' & restaurants' own, all other images by Romy Hunt
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