The Ultimate First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Dubai

This is a traveler’s cheat sheet!
Share this handy list with your friends and family visiting Dubai!
- Recommendations are split area-wise to make the planning process easier
- Browse voucher websites such as GroupOn and Cobone for deals on attractions
Downtown Dubai
Known for being home to the tallest tower in the world and The Dubai Mall
Sightseeing & Activities
? At The Top, Burj Khalifa Observation Deck
? Dubai Fountains, Dubai Mall
? Dubai Mall
? Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Boulevard
? Dubai Opera
Casual Dining
? The Cheesecake Factory, Dubai Mall
? Katsuya, Dubai Mall
? Parkers, Dubai Mall
? Salt, Dubai Mall
? Huqqa, Dubai Mall
? Galleries Lafayette, Dubai Mall
Formal Dining
? La Serre, Vida Hotel
? Amal Armani, Armani Hotel
? Sean Connolly, Dubai Opera
Desserts & Coffee
? Sprungli, Dubai Mall
? % Arabica, Dubai Mall
? Laduree, Dubai Mall
? Ben’s Cookies, Dubai Mall
? Papparoti, Dubai Mall
? Yamanote, Dubai Mall
? Nutella Bar, Eataly, Dubai Mall
Family-friendly
? VR Park, Dubai Mall
? Kidzania, Dubai Mall
? Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Dubai Mall
? Ice Rink, Dubai Mall
? Candilicious, Dubai Mall
? Reel Cinemas, Dubai Mall
Shopping
?️ Dubai Mall
?️ Souq Al Bahar
Nightlife
? Ting Irie, Manzil Hotel
? Downtown Toko, Vida Hotel
? Armani Prive, Burj Khalifa
? At.Mosphere, Burj Khalifa
Popular Hotels
? The Address, Boulevard
? Vida Hotel
? Armani Hotel
? Palace Hotel
? The Address, Downtown
Palm Jumeirah
Known for being the largest manmade island in the shape of a palm tree with the most luxurious hotels in the world
? Palm Monorail
? Guerlain Spa at One & Only The Palm
? Water Sports
? Talise Spa, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
? Club Vista Mare
? Restaurants at Golden Mile
? Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay, Atlantis
? Nobu, Atlantis
? Maiden Shanghai, FIVE
? Ossiano, Atlantis
? Social by Heinz Beck, Waldorf Astoria
? Mekong, Anantara
? Aquaventure Water Park, Atlantis
? Lost Chambers, Atlantis
? Dolphin Bay, Atlantis
? El Chiringuito, Rixos
? Atlantis
? One&Only The Palm
? Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
? Waldorf Astoria
? Rixos
? FIVE
? Anantara
?️ Golden Mile
Sheikh Zayed Road, DIFC, Business Bay
Known for the hustle and bustle of the city, the nightlife, and the best restaurants
? Level 43, Four Point Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road
? Hotel Cartegena, JW Marriott Marquis
? Vault, JW Marriott Marquis
? La Petite Maison, DIFC
? Robertos, DIFC
? Zuma, DIFC
? Tresind, Sheikh Zayed Road
? Carnival by Tresind, DIFC
? Morimoto, Renaissance Hotel
? Waka, Oberoi
? Novikov, Sheraton Grand Hotel
? Matto, Oberoi
? BASTA! by David Myers
? BB, DIFC
? The Sum Of Us, Sheikh Zayed Road
? Pantry Cafe, Business Bay
? Parlour Boutique
? Miss Lily’s, Sheraton Grand Hotel
? Weslodge Salon, JW Marriott Marquis
? Iris, Oberoi
? La Cantine du Faubourg, Emirates Towers
? The House Party, Fairmont Dubai
? Cirque Le Soir, Fairmont Dubai
? 40 Kong, H Dubai
? VII, Conrad
? Rodeo Drive, Sheikh Zayed Road
? Billionaire Mansion, Taj
? Conrad, Sheikh Zayed Road
? Sheraton Grand Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road
? Fairmont, Sheikh Zayed Road
? Shangri La, Sheikh Zayed Road
? JW Marriott Marquis, Business Bay
? The Oberoi, Business Bay
? Taj Business Bay
? Renaissance Downtown Hotel
? Steigenberger Hotel Business Bay
Madinat Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah
Known for the most luxurious beachside hotels and residences
? Boat ride at Madinat Jumeirah
? Burj Al Arab from Folly, Madinat Jumeirah
? Etihad Museum, Jumeirah 1
? Pierchic, Al Qasr Madinat Jumeirah
? Il Borro, Jumeirah Al Naseem
? Pad Thai, Madinat Jumeirah
? Coya, Four Seasons Jumeirah
? Scalini, Four Seasons Jumeirah
? McGettigans, Madinat Jumeirah
? BOA, Al Habtoor Hotels
? Trader Vic’s, Madinat Jumeirah
? Black Tap, Madinat Jumeirah
? Prime Grill, Wasl
? Kaftan, Jumeirah 3
? 3 Fils
? Tania’s Teahouse, Jumeirah 3
? 21 Grams, Jumeirah 3
? Hamptons Cafe, Jumeirah 2
? Vibe, Jumeirah 2
? Drop, Dar Wasl
? Sugarmoo, Dar Wasl
? Alchemy, Wasl Road
? Wild Wadi
? Kite Beach
?️ Madinat Jumeirah Souks
? Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah
? Burj Al Arab
? Jumeirah Al Naseem
? Bvlgari Hotels
? Four Seasons Resort Jumeirah
Dubai Marina, JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence), JLT (Jumeirah Lake Towers)
Known for being an affluent residential neighbourhood often referred to as “New Dubai”
? The Beach, JBR
? Flying Cup, JBR
? Pier 7, Dubai Marina
? Sky Diving
? The Observatory, Dubai Marina
? Couqley French Bistro & Bar, JLT
? Indigo By Vineet, Grosvenor House
? Ruya, Grosvenor House
? Pier 7
? Marina Social, Intercontinental Dubai Marina
? Nola, JLT
? Bait Al Maryam, JLT
? Blaze Burgers, JBR
? Mythos, JLT
? Luigia, JBR
? Bombay Bungalow, JBR
? Bouchon Bakery, JBR
? Friends’ Avenue Cafe, JBR
? Bentley Cafe, JBR
? Inner City Zoo, JBR
? Pier 7
? Ramusake, JBR
? Stereo Arcade, JBR
? Zero Gravity, JBR
? Barasti, Dubai Marina
? Industrial Avenue, Dubai Marina
? Toro Toro, Grosvenor House
? Westin Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina
? Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina
? Rixos Premium, JBR
? The Address, Dubai Marina
?️ Dubai Marina Mall
?️ The Beach, JBR
? The Walk, JBR
? Splash Pad, JBR
? Tiny Town, JLT
City Walk, La Mer, D3 (Dubai Design Destrict)
Known for the coolest outdoor and indoor shopping & entertainment boulevard
? City Walk 1 & 2
? La Mer (Beach Side)
? Dubai Design District
? LIMA, City Walk 2
? Toro & Ko, City Walk 2
? Grape Skin, La Ville
? Galvin Dubai, City Walk 2
? Masti, La Mer
? Kaftan, La Mer
? Salt, La Mer
? Molecule, D3
? Cupaghawa, La Mer
? Cocoa Kitchen, City Walk 2
? Farzi Cafe, City Walk 2
? Hola, La Mer
? Craft Cafe, D3
? BLK Cab Coffee, City Walk 2
? Jolie Cafe, City Walk 2
? Double B Coffee & Tea, City Walk 1
? Papparoti, City Walk 1
? Izu Brasserie, City Walk 2
? Stars & Bars, La Mer
? La Ville Hotel & Suites
?️ City Walk 2
? Green Planet, City Walk
? Hub Zero, City Walk
? Laguna Water Park, La Mer
? Roxy Cinemas, City Walk 2
Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha, Barsha Heights, Al Serkal Avenue, Al Quoz
Known for housing the top shopping destination, art districts, and edgy nightlife
? Mall Of The Emirates
? Ski Dubai, MOE
? Al Serkal Avenue Art Galleries
? Shine Spa, Sheraton MOE
? Brunswick Eatery, Bar & Terrace, Sheraton MOE
? Bait Al Mandi, Barsha
? Arrows & Sparrows, The Greens
? % Arabica, MOE
? Shakeism Milkshakes, Barsha
? Common Grounds, MOE
? Tom & Serg, Al Barsha
? Cabin, Dubai Science Park
? A4 Space, Al Serkal Avenue
? Nadi Al Quoz, Al Serkal Avenue
? Boston Lane, Al Quoz
? Hapi, Al Serkal Avenue
? Barbary, Barsha Heights
? Lucky Voice, Barsha Heights
? Lock Stock Barrel, Barsha Heights
? Belgian Beer Cafe, Barsha Heights
? Sheraton MOE
? TRYP by Wyndham, Barsha Heights
?️ Mall Of The Emirates
? Ski Dubai
? Bounce, Al Barsha
? Magic Planet, MOE
? Adventure HQ, Times Square
Bur Dubai, Karama, Jaddaf, Deira, Mirdif
Known for traditional markets, authentic meals and cultural experiences
? Bastakiya Art Galleries
? Dubai Museum
? Abra Ride
? Deira Spice Market
? Deira Gold Souk
? Sheikh Mohammad Centre for Cultural Understanding
? Al Seef
? Dubai Airport
? Pierre’s Bistro & Bar, Intercontinental DFC
? Vanita’s, Palazzo Versace
? TOMO, Raffles Hotel
? Giardino, Palazzo Versace
? Al Ustad Special Kabab, Bur Dubai
? Maharaja Bhog, Karama
? Spice Klub, Bur Dubai
? The Meating Room, Karama
? Gazebo, Mankhool
? Arabian Tea House, Bastakiya
? Filli Cafe, Hudaiba
? XVA Cafe, Bur Dubai
? Magnolia Bakery, DFC
? The Acai Spot, Deira
? Bar Baar, Majestic Hotel
? Miss Tess, Majestic Hotel
? Hard Rock Cafe, DFC
? Belgian Beer Cafe, DFC
? Zabeel House, Al Seef, Bur Dubai
? Palazzo Versace, Cultural Village
? Intercontinental, DFC
? Crowne Plaza, DFC
? Raffles, Oud Metha
?️ Burjuman
?️ Deira City Center
?️ IKEA
?️ Dubai Festival City
?️ John Lewis, DFC
?️ Robinson’s, DFC
?️ Mirdiff City Center
? Magic Planet, Burjuman & DCC
? Faby Land, DFC
? iFly, MCC
Amusement Parks & Outdoor Activities
? Dubai Parks & Resorts
? IMG World Of Adventure
? Global Village (seasonal)
? Zabeel Park
? Dubai Miracle Garden
? Dubai Butterfly Garden
? Ripe Market (seasonal)
? Dubai Safari Park
? Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary
? Desert Safari