THE SOLO DRIFTER: United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah and Sharjah)

This blog post was initially published on 23 September 2022. It was updated on 14 April 2024 for other locations and activities. It was further updated on 22 August 2026.

You read it right! Another entry for my ‘The Solo Drifter’ section, meaning I’m travelling alone again (at least in the tours)! And you read it right! I experienced one country with three different dimensions – United Arab Emirates. This is first of the Middle East series of ‘The Solo Drifter’. I’ve been planning to write a blog about my experience in the Middle East but I don’t have the luxury of time. By now, you already know that I moved from Asia to the Middle East. It’s a great experience travelling around this region. For now, I can only write two – UAE and Bahrain. I am also sharing my experience with you with the other countries here in this region – especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Table of Contents

What you need to know about United Arab Emirates

The UAE is a federation of seven emirates, formed in 1971.
The seven emirates are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.
It is an elective monarchy. Meaning, emirs (monarch) of each emirate elect a president and vice president from their group.
Abu Dhabi is the capital, while Dubai is an international hub
Islam is the official religion, Arabic is the official language
UAE has hot summer (July and August being the hottest with an average of 45 °C) and warm winter (January and February are between 10 and 14 °C)

What you need to know about Dubai

Dubai is ruled by the Al Maktoum family, which has governed the emirate since 1833.
Only about 15% of Dubai’s population is made up of UAE nationals, with the rest comprising expatriates, many of whom either have been in the country for generations or were born in the UAE
85% of the expatriate population is Asian (most Indian – 51%, Pakistani – 16%, Bangladeshi – 9%, Filipino – 3%)
Historically, Dubai and its twin across Dubai Creek, Deira (independent of Dubai City at that time), were important ports of call for Western manufacturers
Burj Al Arab is the only 7-star hotel in the world
Dubai Miracle Garden is the world’s largest flower garden
Dubai International Airport is the world’s busiest airport by international passenger traffic
Palm Jumeirah Monorail is the first monorail in the Middle East

What you need to know about Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is ruled by the Al Nahyan family.
The emirate is divided into three main regions: Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
Abu Dhabi possesses the majority of the UAE’s oil and gas reserves, which has played a major role in the country’s economic development.
Al Ain, known as the “Garden City,” provides a very different experience from Abu Dhabi City, with its oases, mountains and historic sites. The Cultural Sites of Al Ain are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Abu Dhabi consists of the mainland and numerous islands, including Saadiyat Island, known for culture and museums, and Yas Island, known for entertainment and theme parks.

What you need to know about Fujairah

It is the only emirate whose main territory lies entirely along the Gulf of Oman, rather than the Arabian Gulf, giving it a noticeably different landscape from much of the UAE.
Fujairah is surrounded by the Hajar Mountains, making it one of the UAE’s most mountainous and scenic emirates.
Ruled by the Al Sharqi family.
The emirate is also known for Al Bidya Mosque, generally regarded as the oldest surviving mosque in the UAE, dating to the 15th century.

Visa

Obviously, if you are a Gulf citizen, you are travelling visa-free to UAE. Same goes to passport holders from mostly in Europe and Latin America countries. Passport holders of the UK, Ireland, US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and others – they can get visa on arrival, while passport holders from many countries like the Philippines can apply for an eVisa. Passport holders from Georgia, Moldova and Sierra Leone are required to get a visa.

As a Saudi Arabia resident, it was easy for me to get a visa but I utilized the services of Pick Visa for the processing. I got the Tourist eVisa (30 days, single entry) package amounting to USD125. Multiple entry doubles the price, and also if you are getting a 60-day visa. If you are transiting in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, they also have 48 and 96-hour transit visa which would cost you between USD25-65. UAE is also offering a freelance visa that would cost you USD2,859, with a one year validity. I was able to get my eVisa in two business days.

Dubai

Transportation

Most of the time, I used the Dubai Metro. There is a Gold card which gives you a privilege to access the gold class cabin with double the regular fare. I only used Careem 4x during my stay. If you would be taking a taxi, each taxi has a device that would allow you to use your debit/credit cards.

Where to stay

Vintage Grand Hotel

My favorite about this five-start hotel is the pool area and the spa. An apartment room costed me around AED130 for a night. Some of their spa staff are Thais. A service of massage, body scrub and steam bath are worth AED500. If you are a regular there, the spa offers one to three-month.

ibis One Central

A good budget-friendly option in the One Central development, particularly for business travelers. It is around a 3-minute walk from World Trade Centre Metro Station, with easy access to Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), DIFC and the rest of Dubai through the Red Line. It has a small fitness center and restaurants including Wok & Co (for breakfast buffet) and Crown & Lion.

ibis World Trade Centre Dubai

Also a 3-star budget hotel, but located more directly within the Dubai World Trade Centre complex. This makes it particularly convenient if the main purpose of your trip is attending an exhibition, conference or event at DWTC. It also has easy Metro access and complimentary shuttle services to selected malls and beaches.

What is the difference? The two ibis hotels are very close to each other, so location should not be the sole deciding factor. ibis One Central feels more connected to the newer One Central business and social district and is a good all-around choice for business and leisure. ibis World Trade Centre is more directly geared toward travelers attending events at DWTC.

Novotel World Trade Centre Dubai

A 4-star step-up from the two ibis properties while keeping essentially the same convenient location. Rooms are larger—standard Superior rooms are around 26 sq. m.—and the hotel offers a swimming pool, bigger fitness center and spa. It has direct access to DWTC events and is also convenient for the World Trade Centre Metro Station. This is the better choice if you want more comfort and hotel amenities without moving away from the World Trade Centre area.

Jumeirah Al Qasr

If you want to experience the more luxurious side of Dubai while still having a strong Arabian-inspired atmosphere, Jumeirah Al Qasr is one of the hotels to consider. Its name translates to “The Palace,” and the property certainly lives up to it from its grand architecture and interiors to its palm-lined entrance and location along the waterways of Madinat Jumeirah.

Staying here gives you access to the wider Madinat Jumeirah experience. Instead of feeling confined to a single hotel building, you are surrounded by waterways, traditional abra boats, restaurants, landscaped grounds and Souk Madinat Jumeirah, all of which create the feeling of being within a destination of its own. The hotel also has a private beach with impressive views of the Burj Al Arab, while the waterways make getting around parts of Madinat Jumeirah an experience in itself.

What to do

Take a private Gyrocopter flight over Dubai’s iconic sites

If you’re looking for a thrilling experience that’s closer to the ground, take flight with Skyhub’s Gyrocopter. The two-seat, unique aircraft delivers an exclusive experience at 1,500 ft, as you are flown by a pilot. The standard package includes a 20-minute flight and costs AED 1,199. Pictures and an edited video of your experience are complimentary.

The flight route took me along the Dubai Marina coastline and past some of the city’s most iconic attractions, including Ain Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, The Palm, The World Islands, and the spectacular Burj Al Arab.

The View at the Palm

When I was travelling for the first time to the Middle East – that was in 2021. We were on our way to Bahrain. This palm view amazed me. I didn’t know what were those. When I was searching for places to visit in Dubai, I came to know that Palm Jumeirah was built from reclaimed land in a series of artificial archipelagos. It is shaped like a palm tree when viewed from above, especially when you are from the plane. The unique island is home to some of Dubai’s top luxury resorts. Construction of The Palm Jumeirah Dubai island began in June 2001.

I booked the “Fast Track + Next Level” non-prime hours package which costs AED175 thru Visit Dubai. I was the first and only visitor during that time in the morning, 9am. As a gift, though I paid for a souvenir photo frame, the reception also gave me another design. The View at The Palm is located on level 52 of The Palm Tower, which also houses a café, a creative exhibition that showcases the development of the island, interactive aquarium-themed tunnels and a gift shop. When I went back to my hotel, I was able to experience the Palm Jumeirah Monorail.

The best part here, I learned the history of Palm Jumeirah – for me, the highlight was how visionary UAE leaders are.

Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain

In the evening, I got to experience the beauty of Burj Khalifa. Outside the Burj Khalifa is the Dubai Fountain. I booked a Burj Khalifa 124 Dinner at Rooftop, The Burj Club at Get Your Guide amounting to USD80. The most challenging part here when you arrive at The Dubai Mall is how to get to the Burj Khalifa entrance. As a tip – look for an elevator/lift with a signage of “At the Top”. It will take you the Will Call counter where you need to show your pass.

Yacht Tour at Dubai Marina

I booked a yacht tour with breakfast thru Get Your Guide amounting to USD52. Xclusive Yachts has a luxurious boarding terminal. The members of the yacht crew are accommodating that they took photos of me.

Dubai Marina is an artificial canal city built along Persian Gulf shoreline. From Dubai Marina, we also had a view of Ain Dubai, the world’s largest and tallest observation wheel, and Burj Al Arab, one of my dream portrait backgrounds.

Shopping and exploring restaurants in Deira

Deira is one of the oldest and most established areas of Dubai. It is located at the northern end of the Dubai Creek. City Centre Deira is a known shopping, entertainment and leisure complex. Thankfully, shops are offering sale when I went there so I was able to buy some clothes. Also, the popular Pappa Roti from the US has a branch here. It is known for its coffee bun and I also tried karak tea – aromatic spices and herbs combined with condensed milk, cardamom and premium quality saffron – now my favorite. I had my dinner at Gazebo Restaurant – The Royal Indian Journey. You’ll be surprised, they have 36 variety of biryani. And one of the favorites is murgh maskawala, grilled chicken simmered in a butter and cream speckled tomato gravy.

Deira is a go-to place of every Filipino in Dubai. When I met ate Romalyn, a churchmate and family friend from Ilocos, we were supposed to have our dinner at Dampa Seafood Grill but it was full that time so we decided instead to try other Filipino restaurants there – they are lining up in one place!

Coffee and Cocoa Pairing Workshop and Tour at Mirzam Chocolate Factory

Middle Easterns like to drink coffee. It’s part of their lives. Though I am not a coffee drinker, I realized I need to learn and appreciate the art of coffee drinking so I decided to book a coffee and cocoa pairing workshop and tour at Mirzam Chocolate Factory. Through this workshop, I was able to learn the steps in drinking coffee, know how dark a dark chocolate is, how coffee beans are roasted, the right coffee and cocoa combination for me based on my taste buds, how to prepare a coffee using single drip V60. We were introduced to the coffees from El Salvador, Brazil and Ethiopia. Had a tour also at their chocolate-making section.

Not only that Mirzam is a factory, but a coffee shop. While people are drinking coffee, they are able to see how Mirzam’s products are manufactured. The entire production is in full view through the shop’s glass windows, taking you through every intricate detail, from roasting the cocoa beans to hand wrapping each bar. Mirzam’s single origin collection of chocolate is crafted from beans originating from Vietnam, Indonesia, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea and India. After the tour, the Master Barista gave chocolates and served hot chocolate drink. The workshop price is affordable which costed me AED200 for two – yeah, I didn’t have an option for one only so I asked JL, a colleague from KPMG in the Philippines who is now based in Dubai, to join me in the workshop. It was fulfilling.

Dubai Dhow Dinner Cruise

Dubai is also known for the historical souk districts located on either side of its creek. Traditionally, dhows from East Asia, China, Sri Lanka, and India would discharge their cargo and the goods would be bargained over in the souks adjacent to the docks. Dubai Creek played a vital role in sustaining the life of the community in the city and was the resource which originally drove the economic boom in Dubai.

These dhows are becoming popular tourist destination in Dubai themselves. They are used for a cruise. We had an international dinner buffet and experienced a live Tanara dance show. The best view that we were able to get was the Infinity Bridge which dons green, white and red colors at night – they represent the UAE flag.

And the best thing about (solo) travelling is meeting new networks. Here, I had a chance to join the dinner table with executives from Australia, they both own logistics and recruitment companies.

Shop, sip and play at La Mer

Bryan, former NFJPIA-NCR president, asked me where I want to visit. He was raised in Dubai but took his accounting degree in the Philippines. Now, he is an active PICPA member in Dubai. Bryan took me to La Mer per my request. It is an urban beachfront destination that combines sun and sand with shopping and style. With turquoise waters, white sands and funky murals, the leisure locale brings a splash of colour to the surrounding Jumeirah neighbourhood. Within the North and South sections you can browse more than 130 shops, cafés, restaurants and beach activities. Families can discover a variety of thrills with play areas for young ones and the impressive Laguna Waterpark – a one-of-a-kind waterpark featuring an exclusive surf attraction. A favourite among Dubai locals, La Mer’s picture-perfect views of the city skyline (including the Burj Khalifa) make it a must-visit.

Museum of the Future

Museum of the Future (MotF) is no ordinary museum, with ancient relics behind velvet ropes. It is a gateway to a future world, crafted by visionary designers, artists and filmmakers. The Museum combines elements of exhibition, immersive theatre and themed attraction. Each floor is like a film set from a future that you can inhabit, explore and interact with. The building facade is a canvas for the quotes of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum rendered in the calligraphy of Mattar bin Lahej. The building’s form is futuristic: it opens a new path away from the highrise towers that dominate skylines everywhere. Its form is symbolic: The circular building represents humanity; the green mound it sits atop represents the earth; the void represents the unknown future.

If you are planning to include MotF in your itinerary, ensure to book tickets as early as possible. And expect when you arrive there long queues. Before you line up, scan your ticket pass thru the machine and print your bracelet that will allow you to enter the first tour area of MotF. The reception uses a technology that can scan your bracelet. There are self-service machines that can print your bracelet, but you can also utilize the reception desk. Ticket price is AED145.

One Central Plaza

Located within Dubai’s One Central district, beside the Dubai World Trade Centre, The Plaza is an open-air space surrounded by offices, hotels, restaurants and cafés. I would recommend dropping by particularly if you are staying at ibis One Central or around the World Trade Centre area. It is not really a major tourist attraction, but a good place to walk around, grab coffee or dine, and see another side of modern Dubai outside Downtown and the Marina.

City Walk

One of my recommended places if you simply want to walk, dine and hang out in Dubai. City Walk is an indoor-outdoor lifestyle district combining restaurants, cafés, shops, street art and entertainment. It is also home to attractions such as The Green Planet, Coca-Cola Arena and Roxy Cinemas. I particularly like the open-air, urban feel of the area—it feels less like a conventional Dubai mall and more like a neighborhood where you can spend an evening walking around.

Souk Madinat Jumeirah

If you want something that combines traditional Arabian-inspired architecture with modern Dubai, visit Souk Madinat Jumeirah. It recreates the atmosphere of a traditional Middle Eastern souk, with narrow passages, lanterns, handicrafts, boutiques, restaurants and cafés built around Madinat Jumeirah’s waterways. One of the best parts is simply walking outside along the canals, where you can also get some excellent views of Burj Al Arab. You can even take an abra ride around the waterways. I would recommend visiting in the late afternoon and staying until evening, when the entire area becomes more atmospheric. During Christmas period, it is worth visiting there.

Al Fahidi Historical Area Walking Tour and Abra Ride

I booked an Al Fahidi Historical Area Walking Tour and Abra Ride package of Ocean Air Travels thru Get Your Guide. I must say that Ocean Air Travels, personally is one of the best tourism agencies in the world. Each tour guide is consistent with the values of their firm – passionate and knowledgeable. They know every detail of the areas they handle. Apparently, almost all packages I booked for Dubai, including Abu Dhabi (which didn’t push through because I tested presumptive positive for COVID-19), Ocean Air Travels handled them. The tourism agency and the tour guides know what their clients like and need. For example, Abdul, my tour guide for this specific tour knows the answer of every question I would throw. I was the only who joined their morning tour but the company still pushed through even though I declined their offer to join an afternoon tour as I had other plan that time. Abdul took photos of me. And the best part – I was able to experience Abra ride alone with him.

As a traveler, you can actually walk around Al Fahidi without a tour guide. But I still decided to book a tour package because I want to learn the history and culture of UAE and Dubai. Ocean Air Travels didn’t fail me. I was able to see how Dubai has transitioned and maintained history to the now and its future.

After visiting the heritage of Al Seef, I had an excellent opportunity to visit the Middle East’s largest Coffee Museum and knew more about how coffee has become a crucial part of the UAE’s history and culture. We walked around the Spice Souk and Gold Souk, breathing in the aromatic spices and admiring the colorful collection of gold jewelry. We took a traditional water taxi ride, Abra, to the other side of the Dubai Creek, witness the traditional architectures and old trading ships. I made use of this opportunity to take some stunning photos of the ever enchanting creekside.

Another good thing about Ocean Air Travels is how they communicate with their clients. The customer service agents are helpful and respectful.

I paid my tour package for USD31.64

Desert Safari, Quad Bike, Camel Ride and Camping

I had a tour package again with Ocean Air Travels thru Get Your Guide. This time, a 7-hour desert safari tour amounting to USD123. I just want to express my heartfelt thanks to Nazeed, the tour guide, for taking care of us and lovely photos! He knows how to take pictures and the best spot!

From the hotel, we had a one-hour drive to the Lahbab desert, offering us a chance to experience the thrilling adventures of the desert with a quad bike ride followed by an exciting dune bashing and sandboarding experience. Now, I have three quad bike experience with different backgrounds – white sand in the Philippines, mangrove forest in Indonesia, and the red sand in UAE!

We also had a camel ride and had a sunset view. A plus for Ocean Air Travels is that it has its own camp, Al Khayma. Upon arriving at the camp, we were welcomed you with Gahwa, Arabic coffee, Gaymat, sweets & dates and a falcon experience! We had our own area for refreshments and dinner. I engaged myself in various Bedouin activities like Henna tattooing and Shisha smoking. We were invited to a delicious Arabic style BBQ dinner buffet. There are also performers in the camp. One performed Tanoura dance, and a beautiful lady performed the “Ladies Khaliji Dance”. The camp lights were turned off, enjoying the typical desert night ambiance. I was also able to experience wearing an Emirati thawb.

Where to eat

Al Khayma Heritage House

Part of my Al Fahidi Heritage Area Walking Tour is visiting Al Khayma Heritage House. Here, I had the opportunity to meet the management of Ocean Air Travels which manages also Al Khayma Heritage House. I can also say one word – “humble”. My safari tour guide and heritage tour guide shared different, but consistent stories about him.

At Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant, I was greeted with Arabian welcome drinks, “Arabic Tea – with Dates”. They also served luqaimat, Ragag, and camel milk! While exploring the traditional Emirati architecture through this restaurant, I had the opportunity to learn more about the UAE’s journey, starting from the desert with the tents to reaching Mars through the photo walls in the restaurant.

Arabian Fish House Restaurant & Cafe

My former junior colleague Rina from KPMG in the Philippines, who is now working in Dubai, took me to Arabian Fish House Restaurant & Cafe. Located along Dubai Creek in the Al Fahidi–Al Shindagha area, the restaurant specializes in fresh seafood and Arabic and Middle Eastern dishes. Dining beside Dubai Creek feels very different from eating among the skyscrapers of Downtown Dubai or Dubai Marina. It fits perfectly with a visit to Al Fahidi and Old Dubai, where you can experience a side of the city that existed long before the Dubai most people know today. If possible, get a table overlooking the Creek, especially toward the end of the day or sunrise.

Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe

A journey into Dubai’s past could well begin through the door of a quaint tea house in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, once known as Al Bastakiya. As you step into the Arabian Tea House, you transported into the old times, authentic style with turquoise benches, white rattan chairs, lace curtains and beautiful flowers, enjoying your cup of gahwa (traditional Arabic coffee) in the shade of an old tree. They offer breakfast trays for breakfast and there is a kid’s menu.

Al Qbabh Seafood Restaurant

My Emirati friend Mohammed took me to Al Qbabh Seafood Restaurant in Al Awir. Thankfully, he happened to be in Dubai at that time from Abu Dhabi, so I had another opportunity to experience local Emirati food with someone who actually knows it well. Mohammed is also the same friend who later took me to Al Mrzab Traditional Restaurant in Abu Dhabi. Al Qbabh specializes in traditional Emirati seafood, with different kinds of fish and seafood served with rice and local flavors. It is particularly known for qbabh or qababa, a local name associated with tuna, alongside seafood platters, shrimp, squid and other catches. What I really enjoyed was the traditional atmosphere. Located away from Dubai’s skyscrapers and luxury dining districts in Al Awir, the restaurant has a heritage-inspired setting, including traditional seating areas and décor that give you a completely different dining experience from what many tourists normally associate with Dubai.

For me, this is one of the advantages of having Emirati friends take me around the UAE. Instead of experiencing only the Dubai that most visitors know, they have introduced me to places where I can experience more of the country’s local food, traditions and everyday culture.

Pierchic – Madinat Jumeirah

This is one of those restaurants where the location is as much a part of the experience as the food. Pierchic is located at the end of its own private pier extending into the Arabian Gulf from Jumeirah Al Qasr, giving you beautiful views of the sea and Burj Al Arab. It specializes in Italian fine dining and is particularly known as a romantic dining destination.

The Burj Club

After visiting the Level 124 of the Burj Khalifa, I was treated to a three-course meal in the Burj Club restaurant. It is located at the third floor of the Burj Khalifa. The best thing here – I had great view overlooking Dubai Fountain.

Madfoon Al Sadda

My Emirati friend Hassan took me to Madfoon Al Sadda in Jumeirah to experience a more traditional meal from the region. The restaurant specializes in Yemeni and Arabic cuisine, particularly madfoon, a slow-cooked meat served with fragrant rice, alongside other favorites such as mandi. It was a completely different dining experience from Dubai’s many international and fine-dining restaurants and a good opportunity to enjoy the kind of rice-and-meat dishes that are deeply rooted in the food culture of the Arabian Peninsula. For those wanting to try something more traditional while in Dubai, Madfoon Al Sadda is one of the places I would recommend. It was great sharing the meal with Hassan while we talk about his career and his progressions.

Zam Zam Mandi

After visiting La Mer, Bryan took me to Zam Zam Mandi Restaurant. It’s everywhere in UAE! Of course, we had mandi (chicken with rice). And the restaurant offered us free luqaimat, one of my favorite desserts in the Middle East, and sulem tea, a combination of a regular tea and mint – now my favorite!

Social House

I like this place in Dubai Mall because of its ambiance and fusion of different cuisines. The menu brings together flavors from different parts of the world, particularly Asian and Western influences, so it is a good choice when you are dining with friends who may all be craving something different.

Kimura-Ya Authentic Japanese Restaurant

Thanks to my former colleagues from KPMG in the Philippines — Ate Virna, Eka, and Kuya Reyban and JL — for taking me to Kimura-Ya, an authentic Japanese restaurant offering an izakaya-style dining experience in Dubai. Kimura-Ya currently has four branches in Dubai: Anantara Downtown Dubai in Business Bay (formerly The Oberoi Dubai), Habtoor Grand Resort in JBR/Marina, Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf, and Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel. During my 2022 trip, we decided to have our Japanese dining experience at its Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf branch.

Five years later, in 2025, I found myself back at Kimura-Ya. This time at its 1st Branch in Business Bay, located inside Anantara Downtown Dubai. My Saudi friend Hazim took me there, giving me another opportunity to enjoy the restaurant after my first experience with my Filipino friends in Dubai.

Kimura-Ya is particularly known for its Japanese hotpot and yakiniku (BBQ), alongside sushi, sashimi and other traditional and modern Japanese dishes. If you are looking for an authentic but relatively casual Japanese dining experience in Dubai, this remains one of the places I would recommend.

The Farm Al Barari

An oasis of calm, The Farm is the perfect place to escape the heat and enjoy fresh fare in front of an exquisite botanical and waterside backdrop. Founded in 2012 and set within the green surroundings of Al Barari, The Farm is more than a restaurant, it is a culinary, leisure and social hub for UAE residents looking to spend quality time and enjoy great food with family and friends. It has earned lots of awards like the BBC Good Food Awards for Casual Dining & Best Sustainable Restaurant. Before you go there, you are required to book for your seats.

For my breakfast, I had Healthy Breakfast (fresh bread with jam, butter or honey; yoghurt, granola, and a fruit platter) and a wellness organic juice, Green Paradise (green apple, lemon, kale, ginger and cucumber). I travelled from my hotel to The Farm for about an hour, but truly it was an amazing experience – from the view to the food.

Mundo Restaurant

Located inside Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Mundo Restaurant is perfect for those who are looking for buffet dinner. They have different themes weekly or daily. Plus, you can have it at only AED200.

Primi – City Walk

My friend Filip took me here for lunch. Primi is located in the C2 Licensed District of City Walk, serving freshly made pasta, pizza, seafood and other Italian favorites. It has a relaxed and contemporary atmosphere, making it a good place for lunch while exploring City Walk.

Za Za Slice

Filip also took me to Za Za Slice for dinner. Za Za Slice offered a much more casual experience for the evening. It specializes in New York-style pizza by the slice, making it a good option if you are looking for something quick and uncomplicated after a day of exploring Dubai. You can order individual slices and try different flavors instead of committing to just one whole pizza.

Abu Dhabi

I had been wanting to visit Abu Dhabi since 2022, when I first started exploring the UAE. However, during the pandemic, Abu Dhabi maintained stricter COVID-19 entry and movement requirements than Dubai, which made visiting the emirate more complicated at the time. I therefore kept postponing the trip. It was only in 2025 that I finally had the opportunity to visit Abu Dhabi, although not initially for leisure, I went there for a business trip. After waiting for several years, I was finally able to see another side of the UAE beyond Dubai.

And perhaps surprisingly, between the two, I prefer Abu Dhabi over Dubai. Dubai is undoubtedly exciting, cosmopolitan and full of things to do, but Abu Dhabi feels calmer, more spacious and more peaceful. It still has the impressive architecture, cultural attractions and modern lifestyle one would expect from the UAE, but without always feeling as busy and fast-paced as Dubai.