Dubai

A young, playful, design-forward hotel near DIFC, with co-working corners and busy restaurants. A smart, characterful base for meetings and nights out.

A calm, sunlit restaurant inside the Jameel Arts Centre, championing hyper-seasonal Emirati produce with Nordic restraint. Quietly innovative.

Deira's working souks — gold, spice, textiles — still trade as they have for generations along the Creek. Haggle with humour and leave with a story.

Refined Indian leather craft — bags, luggage, travel accessories — with a restrained, European-leaning aesthetic. The steamer suitcase is a highlight.

A glass-walled, Creek-side arts centre focused on artists from the Middle East, South Asia and Africa, with a quiet sculpture park. Time it for golden hour.

Dubai's first serious listening bar, pairing a deep vinyl collection with izakaya plates and well-judged cocktails. A stylish, sound-led night out.

A breezy beach club from the Gaia team, serving elegant Greek dishes and good wine. Refined but relaxed — ideal for a long lunch.

A no-reservations beachside institution serving excellent fresh fish, fried prawns and curry, cooked to order. An unfussy taste of the city's coastal roots.

Kelvin Cheung's thoughtful 'borderless' cooking, blending North American and Asian flavours with confidence. Try the congee or the Macau-curry pani puri.

Dubai's torus-shaped, calligraphy-etched landmark, with immersive exhibitions on climate, AI and life in space. As much an architectural statement as a museum.

A theatrical landmark on the Palm, delivering sky-high pools, Michelin-starred dining and bold, sculptural suites. The city's appetite for glamour, distilled.

A dhow-inspired venue with excellent acoustics and a wide-ranging programme, from opera and ballet to touring productions. A cultural anchor downtown.

The UAE's leading independent cinema, championing arthouse films, documentaries and retrospectives. A passion project with a global outlook.

Jumeirah's newest flagship, channelling yacht-club elegance and contemporary Arabic touches with flawless Gulf views. Discreet service and a polished, international crowd.

A spirited, family-run bistro where three Syrian brothers filter global influences through a modern Levantine lens. Playful, technical and one of the city's most original kitchens.