Dubai’s often called the gateway between East and West, not just because it’s geographical location between Europe, Asia, and Africa, but because it’s the world’s biggest cultural smoothie. A few years back, Instagram was buzzing with the line, “Dubai is the God of Las Vegas,” which sounds like a divine endorsement for all things flashy and fun. But here’s the plot twist — the’ International City’ isn’t just about flashing bling and runway-ready poses. It’s where you can go from looking like you just stepped off a fashion magazine to dancing like nobody’s watching, even though, spoiler alert, everyone totally is. Beyond the sparkle and selfies, Dubai knows how to kick back, chill out, and flip the switch to Zen mode faster than you can say shisha lounge. Who knew the city of gold could be so laid-back?
Dubai culinary delights: I survived to tell a delicious tale
Forget oil—real fuel is food in a burger form, and Dubai serves up some of the best. After a long day, you just want to unwind, hide from the city’s glitter, and eat something that won’t make your gym trainer cry. Enter Pickl, where ‘healthy fast food’ isn’t an oxymoron, it’s a juicy reality. No hormones, no preservatives, just burgers so fresh they practically cluck at you.
Meat lovers, the New Yorker Cheeseburger will send you to flavour heaven with its double-patty magic. Vegans, don’t feel left out—the Impossible Cheeseburger is so good, you’ll question if it’s actually healthy (spoiler alert — it’s still a burger, but let’s pretend). Either way, your taste buds win, and your conscience survives another day. Now that’s a happy meal.
If you’re into fancy dining with the glistening Jumeirah Fishing Harbour in the background, then 3Fils is your spot. The place has indoor seating, but why sit inside when you can enjoy Dubai’s pleasant weather, when summer is not beating down on you.
Now, let’s talk about the dish that had us questioning reality, Charcoal. Obviously, not made with charcoal, butt certainly inspired by charcoal. The staff played it cool, refusing to reveal its secrets, only confirming it was vegetarian. Spoiler. When it arrived, we half-expected the server to hand us a grill and say, ‘Here, cook your own food’. Instead, we got these suspiciously coal-like crispy spheres sitting on actual charcoal. We cracked it open and took a brave bite. Surprise! It was burnt eggplant masquerading as a BBQ accident. Points for creativity, minus points for making us question whether we were eating or committing arson.
But fear not, seafood lovers. The Hamachi Handroll was fresh, and the spicy Hamachi was a flavour bomb, and the seaweed was crispier than my patience after Dubai traffic. Absolute perfection. So if you love seafood, enjoy guessing games with your food, and don’t mind eating something that looks like it was salvaged from a bonfire, 3Fils is a must-visit.
Water therapy
Need speed and zen? Jet skiing is basically therapy with a throttle. Solo rides turn you, your water scooter, and Jumeirah’s Fishing Harbour into a blissful bubble. Just don’t forget sunscreen unless you want to glow like a lobster. If you have no bike skills, then it’s not a problem. The controls are easier than your ex’s excuses, and yes, you will grin like an idiot when waves (or your instructor’s splash attacks) hit you.
Prefer a slower escape? Kayaking in Hatta is like nature’s Xanax. Nestled in the mountains, it’s the perfect “I need to adult less” activity. My first time in a solo kayak was a comedy of errors—rowing skills? Zero. Serenity? Surprisingly, 100%. The water was so still, even my stress couldn’t make waves,
