10 must-try restaurants in Dubai

Visiting Dubai is always exciting, and the UAE makes it easy for tourists to drop by. After getting your Dubai visa (you can even get your Dubai visa online) you start packing for your trip and making an itinerary of places to visit. But apart from making a stop at all the touristy jaunts in Dubai, there is one vital factor about Dubai that will pull you in forever – the sheer variety of food!

Dubai visa

Dubai is every foodie’s dream destination, serving up cuisines from around the world in the most stunning locales. Besides, you can try eating different types of food at a variety of budgets. What’s more, the hospitality of the best restaurants in Dubai will leave you spellbound.

Here’s presenting, in no particular order, the 10 best restaurants in Dubai that every foodie must check out:

1. Zatar w Zeit: Located at Dubai Marina, this restaurant is a must-visit for the most authentic Arabic food experience. The ingredients are always fresh and the food is prepared keeping the health-conscious in mind (think wheat rotis and khaboos). Once you seat yourself, dive right into the restaurant’s wraps, shawarmas and their extremely popular manakish.

2. The Farm: Situated at Al Barari, this restaurant serves up wholesome meals that fill the belly and sate the palate. Their food is simplicity itself – try their coconut chicken soup (which will remind you of your mum’s cooking, it’s so homely and good) and rolls. If you like eggs, this restaurant is the best place to be in: you can get a variety of egg preparations here, and you can safely order any of them.

3. Asado: This restaurant attracts a lot of foodies looking for authentic Argentinian fare. Apart from serving up delectable empanadas and a succulent beef rib eye steak, you will be enchanted by the views from Asado: you get a look at the Burj Khalifa and musical fountains as you eat.

4. Wokyo Noodle Bar: This Japanese-inspired restaurant also serves up Chinese food, but it largely brings to mind the flavours of Tokyo. Its excellent food notwithstanding, it is known for quick delivery (you can order in if you’re too tired to go out, and the food is always hot on delivery) and very friendly service. Try their heavenly noodles with shrimp or Bangkok sauce.

5. Nayaab Handi: A piece of India and Pakistan in Dubai, you can try their curries if you have a yen for something a little spicy. While you get excellent Afghani pulav and the kebabs are to die for, patrons drop by regularly for their aloo naan and gulab jamun dessert. The restaurant is located at Satwa.

6. Atmosphere: A quirky name for a scenic restaurant aside, it offers wonderful views and a well-planned décor. It is popular amongst couples looking for some quiet time as they eat, and also those wanting to celebrate a special occasion. Located at Downtown Dubai, it offers a large selection of wines and plenty of eating options even for vegetarians, such as risotto, berrata and salads.

7. Texas de Brazil: Located at Mall of the Emirates, this restaurant serves up a large variety of grilled meats. Patrons often flock to this restaurant to eat grilled chicken, ribs, filet mignon and sausages. Apart from these best sellers, there are also tasty sides like mashed potatoes and fried bananas to go with your meal. Plus, it is situated next to cinema theatres, so you can eat here after you’ve watched a movie.

8. Nola Eatery & Social House: For those interested in the pure American food experience, head straight to this quaint restauranted located at Jumeirah Lake Towers. You can sample every kind of American staple here, but you will be particularly taken by their succulent crab and tuna ceviche, the famous Nola burger and jambalaya. Try Mississippi Mud Moelleux for dessert.

9. Pai Thai: No gastronomy trail is complete without a taste of Thai food. And Pai Thai more than lives up to the promise of tangy and spicy Thai food on a bed of tasty rice or noodles. Located at Madinat Jumeirah, you will be more than enamoured of the commute to the restaurant: you have to take a dreamy boat ride there! When you’re in, dive into their wide selection of mocktails and wines while you wait for your food. For mains, try their famous spicy green curry, tiger prawn red curry and jasmine rice.

10. Pierchic: An explosion of flavour and texture greets the seafood lover at this restaurant situated in Madinat Jumeirah. Run by a three-star Michelin chef and serving up Mediterranean flavours in their preparations, you will be thrilled with the stunning views as you have your meal seated over pristine blue water. Tuck into their ever-popular toothfish roast, oysters and scallops in tapioca sauce. 

Plan a trip to watch your favorite English football club play live

It’s all very well to sit up late at night to watch English Premier League matches on the television. You may have even brought home the best LED TV to get as virtually close to the action as possible. Some of you may even head down to the local pub with a big TV to watch the matches with your friends. Whatever the setting, you love watching football matches with a group of fans cheering as lustily as you!

So just imagine how supremely awesome it would be to watch your favorite football stars battle it out on a field near you! Nothing compares to watching a football match live in England. English football fans are the most gregarious and passionate fans of the sport anywhere in the world. When their team is winning, they back their players to the finish. But when their team is faring badly, the average English fan first shows support – then comes back with brickbats!

Watching football live in a stadium full of shouting, cheering fans is a high like no other. And there is really no reason why you should miss out on this stupendous action. If you think travelling to England and paying for prime tickets is expensive, you’re partly right! But you will end up spending more if you book your flight tickets and game tickets late. So the smart thing to do is to book early.

Start by pacing your bookings, and begin with flight tickets. Most airlines offer a good discount on booking flight tickets early, so keep a lookout for match dates in the UK and book your air tickets as soon as you can. You stand to get early bird discounts or if you book UK travel packages, your tickets and stay will be accommodated together. If you are booking hotel rooms, look for cheap lodgings close to the grounds so that you won’t have to travel far. Or else look up the cab or train route to reach the venue from your digs.

Once you’ve booked your tickets, it’s time to apply for your UK visa .The procedure to book the UK Visa from India is fairly standard, and you should face no hassles while doing so. In the meantime, be on the constant lookout for online bookings of match tickets. The earlier you buy, the higher your chance of securing tickets, maybe even at a good rate.

Get your friends and/or family members to book at the same time – you might get a group discount on stay and flight tickets, too. After your bags are packed, the tickets and passport put inside your holdall and your UK visa ready, all you have to do now is take along your team’s jersey and head to the UK for the best match experience ever. A sports match is best enjoyed with a group, and when you’re watching your favorite football team take the field, it’s a memory that will stay with you for a lifetime.

The early bird always gets the worm!

So you are planning a holiday. Isn’t it exciting? Looking up likely spots to visit, asking around for information before compiling your itinerary, shopping for essentials…it’s all very thrilling!

But have you overlooked one important thing? It’s all very well to shop and book your hotel stay for your holiday, but the most important task is to book flight tickets. Most people pay scant attention to this task, though it is the most important one. Booking tickets well in advance of your holiday will save you a lot of money and also land you with great airline deals.

domestic flight offers

Booking your flight tickets at least three months before your holiday will ensure that you beat the last-minute dash for tickets. Also, airlines price tickets on the higher side during peak holiday season, so you can get excellent domestic flight offers if you book before the rush begins. Airlines are happy to extend confirmed bookings on their flights much earlier than peak demand picks up. Not only will you get an early bird concession, the airline might also reward you with additional benefits like discounts on your return journey or free flyer miles.

Some airlines also extend hotel deals as part of their domestic flight offers. This works out excellently – you do not need to look up accommodation separately, and you get a good all-in-one travel and stay package.

Try and time your departure and arrival times for weekdays. Airlines’ weekend fares are higher and you will lose a lot of money on tickets. Your tickets will still be expensive if your trip coincides with the holiday season in Diwali or Christmas. Also, compare fares between different airlines before you make a choice. Instead of scouting for the best fares on individual airline websites, take the help of aggregate websites to compare all flight fares for your desired trip period and make your selection.

Another way to reduce the cost of your flight tickets is to look for special domestic flight offers that offer a good discount on round trips. If not, you should book single trips with different airlines, because round trips with the same airline will cost you more.

Lastly, a fool-proof way to get good discount on tickets is to book late night flights that are not very popular. Most airlines operate these flights (known as ‘red eye flights’) with some percentage of seats empty. Bookings are normally lower for flights that leave very late in the night or arrive in the early hours of the morning. You are bound to get cheaper deals on these flights. 

Here’s toasting Sri Lanka!

If you are looking for an ideal holiday with the best of food, sightseeing and local residents, you need not look beyond Sri Lanka. The beautiful island country was recently racked by civil violence, but it is completely safe to visit now. Also, the visa application process is simple. As long as visitors respect the local customs and traditions, they can have the most enjoyable stay in the country.

Beautiful Sri Lanka

The procedure for applying for a Sri Lanka visa is:

- Sri Lanka insists on Electronic Travel Authorization before entering Sri Lanka. You can get more information on this by logging on to www.eta.gov.lk. This authorization is deemed complete with the relevant form filled out and the stipulated payment made.

- Your Sri Lanka visa will be granted only when you furnish complete details of your purpose of visit (tourism or business), length of stay, place of accommodation in Sri Lanka and arrival and departure dates. Your Sri Lanka visa can be categorized as Visit Visa (for tourism or business), Residence Visa (for non-Sri Lankan nationals who wish to reside in the country for temporary or permanent purposes), Transit Visa (for those passing through Sri Lanka on their way to another country and Gratis Visa (given to holders of diplomatic passports).

-  The visa will be granted to you if you have a confirmed return ticket to your country of residence and if you have enough funds in your bank account to finance your stay and return journey from Sri Lanka,. Please note: Your passport must be original and valid, and your purpose of entering Sri Lanka is approved by the visa issuing authorities.

India shares some major cultural mores with Sri Lanka – both countries believe, for instance, that warm hospitality must be extended to all visitors. Like Indians, Sri Lankans are welcoming towards visitors, and they are also quick to offer assistance when they see a tourist in distress. You will be surprised by how gentle a Sri Lankan resident can be with foreign travelers.

Solo women travelers can freely explore public spaces and use the local transport without fear of being harassed by men. Young couples on honeymoon can also explore the country without fear of any threat or persecution by the locals.

Also, Indians visiting Sri Lanka will confess to being struck by the cleanliness of the streets. Sri Lankans take utter pride in presenting a clean image of themselves. They have excellent garbage disposal systems, and their public toilets are many in number and properly maintained. 

Visiting Dubai? Pick the most ideal months

Dubai is literally the land of sun and sea! There is so much to see, do and eat in Dubai that even a month of travelling to all the hotspots and eateries may not be enough. Plus, this international city is blessed with the best in transport and the most hospitable people this side of the Middle East. With all of these factors combining together, your stay in Dubai is guaranteed to be the most memorable one in your life.

But wait – despite the best of everything that Dubai offers, you might not be able to make your peace with one unavoidable aspect. We’re talking, of course, of the famous Dubai heat. The desert-city becomes a veritable oven in the summer months, with hot winds likely to scorch your skin and the blinding sunlight making you quite light-headed. Though air-conditioned malls, cinema theatres, hotels and restaurants can keep you cool and collected during the hot months, it is better to time your visit in the more weather-friendly months. After all, the actual charm of Dubai is on its streets, not inside air-conditioned edifices.

Dubai visa

We recommend that you book your Dubai visa to time your visit from the months of November to April. Every year, the temperature begins to dip in November and remains fairly steady from February to April. April onward, you will notice that the air becomes warmer and drier. Thus, it is better to book your trip after November.

In these four to five months, the temperature normally hovers between 25 to 35 Degrees Celsius in the mornings, which is pleasant for day-time intra-city travel. You can book yourself on a camel safari, or go window shopping with friends or take an off day for a picnic with family. However, night-time temperatures can drop as low as 12 Degrees Celsius, so if the cold weather makes you uncomfortable, it is best to stay indoors. You can relax at a spa, or have a leisurely dinner with a special someone or even watch a movie.

You can also catch up with the famous Camel Races, while shopaholics can delight in excellent bargains and steals during four weeks of the Dubai Shopping Festival during this time.

If you’re the outdoorsy kind, we recommend that you postpone your Dubai trip to another month, in case your visit coincides with the holy month of Ramadan. Though you will get excellent shopping deals during this time, you must respect the local culture and religious sentiments – you cannot eat or drink in public, you must be dressed modestly at all times and you must not disturb anyone’s prayer time. Working hours of most shops and restaurants are also changed to coincide with the Iftar hours.

Dubai starts getting really hot in the summer months beginning from May. The heat begins to taper after September, but it is still quite warm and the sunlight is very severe. Day time temperatures may rise up to an uncomfortable 40 Degrees Celsius, so staying indoors is the only alternative.

How does a river cruise in Singapore sound?

For all intents and purposes, Singapore is truly a visitors’ ultimate paradise. The world weary traveler, the ambitious go-getter, the Young Turk or the jaded senior citizen…every category of tourist finds solace in Singapore.

That’s hardly surprising, considering that Singapore has attractions and experiences for everyone. There are sights galore and so much sumptuous food to eat, you will never be able to sustain your diet on your trip. There are moments of sudden activity followed by spells of tranquil peace. You can find your soul or lose your mind in Singapore in equal measure, no questions asked.

Once you’ve seen all the sights and done the rounds of the shopping markets and recommended restaurants, it’s time to kick your feet back and relax. But don’t do this in your hotel room or a street-side café, though those are excellent ideas, too. How about if you sit back and take a peaceful ride down a river? More specifically, how about if you make your way to the famed Singapore River for a cruise?

Why?

Because it is one of life’s unforgettable experiences.

Because your trip to Singapore is incomplete without it.

Because there is so much to see along the way. And you’re doing so much on the water.

Include this unforgettable cruise in your Singapore package and you’ll thank yourself later.

The boat you take for the cruise is called a ‘bumboat’. It was traditionally used to transport goods and merchandise for sale in the port side markets in Singapore, right from the 1600s onward. Today, they add a charming touch to the beautiful Singapore River, though they may appear to be less elegant than cargo ships with sails. These boats are slightly blocky in appearance, but it is thrilling to ride along the river in them given their historical past.

Your ride along the Singapore River will be an excellent lesson in the making of a civilization: you can see first-hand how a large part of Singapore grew along the periphery of the river. Take in the sights such as the Raffles Landing Site, old traditional shops adjacent to Boat Quay, Singapore Esplanade, Merlion Park, Asian Civilizations Museum, Singapore Flyer and the truly beautiful Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort.

Plus, you can choose the cruise for the day or the night, depending on how much of the sunlight you can take. We suggest taking the night variant if you would rather relax under the stars – it’s a hypnotic, romantic cruise on the water best enjoyed with your better half. You can buy tickets at the booths located on Boat Quay. As suggested earlier, ask your tour operator to fit the river cruise in your Singapore package if it’s not already listed. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss.

How does a river cruise in Singapore sound?

Singapore is as much a business destination as it is a tourist destination. Over the 50 odd years of operating independently, Singapore has become the melting pot of multiple cultures. Large museums, amazing adventurous activities, shopping destinations make it a place of unique attraction. This tiny island city has something to offer to each of the groups. Singapore- a perfect family vacation place.

How does a river cruise in Singapore sound? Apart from its many tourist attractions, a must do activity in Singapore is to take a river cruise between its three Quays and the Marina Bay. This is not only a unique, one of its kind experience; it also provides a full view of the rich cultural heritage of Singapore. A river cruise can be taken as a day cruise or a night one. While soaking the golden sun and unfurling the mystics of diverse Singapore during the daytime is quite enjoyable, a night cruise is an exhilarating experience in itself. It is essential to keep yourself well-informed about the Singapore packages to have a mesmerizing experience.

Hey! Planning to explore Singapore? Search for economical Singapore packages that offer Resort+Meal+Cab+Sightseeing. 

Boat Quay

Boat Quay

Boat Quay is a fascinating place with its neon lights beckoning the pedestrians to all the components that will make your visit to Singapore a memorable one. The streets are lined with exciting culinary experiences of different cuisines and pubs. What used to be a commercial hub not too long ago has been converted to a merriment place now.

Clarke Quay

Clarke quay during the day displays the rich heritage of Singapore with refurbished houses to museums and a shopper’s paradise. By night, it transforms into a lively night bazaar with multiple dining options and shopping experiences.

Robertson Quay

Robertson Quay is another interesting place though this is little more quiet and peaceful as compared to the other two quays. The place is full of international restaurants and al fresco dining experience. If you are interested in exploring art and culture then this is the place for you.

Bum Boats

What lends uniqueness to the river cruise in Singapore, along with the other things mentioned above, are the unique bum-boats. These antique boats have been used for centuries for the commercial purpose when Singapore used to be the trading hub for South East Asia, now they have been converted to the heritage tourist attraction. They run on electric motors now and have both indoor and outdoor seating arrangement. If you ask any person who has visited Singapore-‘ How does a river cruise in Singapore sound?’ the answer is going to be an emphatic ‘yes’, bum boats have a part to play in that too.

Enjoying the many attractions of Singapore through a river cruise is a unique experience that is worth a try for everyone. You may sign up for a full long trip or a curtailed one if you are pressed for time. You are sure to remember it as one of your really special moments in life.