5 TOP TRAVEL TIPS

Dine with locals

Emiratis are famously private people, but as part of an initiative for outsiders to understand more about the local way of life, HH Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai, set up a cultural understanding programme which offers travellers the opportunity to dine with an Emirati family. cultures.ae

Alcohol restrictions

As a general rule, only restaurants inside hotels can legally serve alcohol in Dubai. Alcohol is on sale at the city’s hidden-away liquor stores, but only expat residents with a liquor license (stating that they are not Muslim), can shop there. Up to four litres of beer, wine or spirits can be bought by tourists landing at Dubai International Airport, at the duty-free shop in the luggage collection hall.

Check religious dates

Check the Islamic calendar to see if your trip overlaps with any religious dates. Some religious holidays mean that the city will be dry (meaning no alcohol served), whereas during the holy month of Ramadan, many of the city’s cafés and restaurants shut down completely during daylight hours when Muslims are fasting.

Get walking

To get a real feel for the city’s food scene, go on a walking tour. Frying Pan Adventures offer a Middle Eastern food tour, covering Palestinian, Lebanese and Emirati hole-in-the-wall outlets, as well as routes covering the city’s Indian food heritage. fryingpanadventures.com

Explore the Asian food scene

There is a rich and diverse Asian food scene in Dubai, largely thanks to the sizeable expat Indian and Pakistani communities. Ravi restaurant – serving up delicious Pakistani chicken kadai and mutton peshawar – is an institution, and a bargain at around £10 per person. Shop 245, Satwa Road, Al Satwa (+971 4 331 5353).