Dubai Restaurant Tips by Siddha3th Top 5 Page for this destination

QDs: ALL HANDS ON QUARTER DECK

There's a lot to be said for the simple joys in life. Me - I'm happiest when surrounded by shimmering water, fragrant shisha, good food, and a glass of heady wine – preferably in the company of an intimate group of friends. QDs (short for Quarter Deck) manages to tick all the right boxes for me, without too much fuss at all. I've found myself happily whiling away evenings by the Creek's calming waters here, and without realizing it, a few carefree hours would have passed me by.

The food at QDs leans towards quick 'n cheerful Lebanese fare, with the cheese and meat manakeesh getting especially high marks. There's a small but pleasing wine selection to go with the food, with a bottle of white Sauvignon Blanc hitting all the right notes, thank you very much. The shisha is standard fare, nothing particularly exciting, but intoxicating enough to do the job.

The location's beautiful beyond a doubt though, presenting you with front row seats to an unending stream of brightly lit wooden dhows making their way along the creek. Spaciousness abounds, giving you the option to dine at wooden tables and chairs by the water's edge, snuggle into cushioned divans lined up by the pier, or lounge back in one of the verdant tent arrangements strewn all around. My only gripe with this place is that the music selection's just too fu*king stupid for the most part. A lovely winter night with the breeze blowing along nicely doesn't really beg for cheese-pop and bouts of hip-hop, does it? That apart, an invitation to another evening at QDs would definitely be music to my ears :)

Comparison: about average

Directions: The Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, next to Park Hyatt.

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Middle Eastern

TRADER VIC'S: BEST WAYS TO GET A HEADACHE 101

There's a Polynesian theme in here somewhere, but good luck finding it. Especially after a bowl or three of rum mixed with vodka and lime. And yes, you heard me right – I did say BOWL. Trader Vic's certainly aren't shy about their cocktails, and with good reason. These monsters are as sinful and potent as they come – including the legendary Tiki Puka Puka (basically a raunchier Mai Tai) other staples like the Zombie, and the aforementioned bowls of rum delights.

Rumour has it that these guys also do some decent food, but I'll be damned if I know, since I've never felt the need to make it past the alcohol :) And to make things a bit easier for us alcoholics, there's 2 Trader Vic's in town – one at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and the other at Madinat Jumeirah. The MD outlet scores easily in terms of atmosphere and charm, but it lacks one very important ingredient that the bar in Crowne Plaza boasts of – a daily Happy Hour from 6-8! Another good thing that this outlet has going for it are the two very pretty women from Havana who sashay and salsa their way through a lively set of Spanish songs.

Fun, lively and infectious. Trader's Vic's follows a pretty simple template, one that pretty much guarantees a good time. Just make sure you have some OJ and panadol at hand for the morning after.

Comparison: about average

Directions: Madinat Jumeirah & Crowne Plaza Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Rd.

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Other

ALMAZ by MOMO: CAUGHT IN THE SWIRL OF MOROCCAN MAGIC

Until my craving for Morocco gets sated by an adventure to the sheesha 'n sheesh tawook filled roads of Marrakech itself, Almaz in Dubai's distinctly non-provocative environs is just going to have to do. Following the template laid down by its wildly successful London-based predecessor, Almaz by Momo delivers little doses of Maghreb magic... and does so with considerable charm. Accessed through the slightly patience-testing location of Harvey Nics at Mall of the Emirates, this lovely little restaurant sheds all the unwanted baggage of being within a shopping mall of all places – choosing to revel instead in its location, cocking a half-arrogant snook at those not adventurous enough to come bounding through its doors.

Lively Arabic music filters through the air, friendly waiters rush by confirming orders excitedly (even breaking into impromptu song and dance routines on occasion), and the lights begin to get lowered gently as the night wears on. Which is as good a time as any to order that first cocktail... which will sadly though, be a non-alcoholic one, since the restaurant is unlicensed. The disappointment of having to sip on a pricey faux Merlot disappears almost the second the food arrives on your table though. Succulent lamb kebbeh, ridiculously tasty merguez sausages and fragrant salads jostle for space with cute little spinach fatayers and expertly cooked jasmine rice. All very reasonably priced, all very memorably delicious.

Which leaves you in just the right frame of mind to depart from your table, with its starry night beneath a desert sky lighting theme, and slide inside Almaz's darker Shisha cavern - a cozy space for lazing back into the night. With an accompanying atmosphere that refuses to be dampened, even by the large screens showing the premier league! It's a lovely way to end an enchanting experience. Only problem is, it's taken my wee craving for Morocco and turned it into a borderline addiction.

Comparison: about average

Directions: Mall of the Emirates - Level 3, Harvey Nichols.

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 5

Theme: Middle Eastern

THE ANTIQUE BAZAAR: GREAT FOOD WITH AN INTERESTING FLOURISH

In the foyer leading up to the entrance, lies a large collection of ethnic trinkets, pendants and the like brought down from Rajasthan. Right next to the front door, hangs a huge, beautiful portrait of a princess. And stepping inside, you're greeted by the faint strains of a sitar. Ok, so you're clearly stepping into an Indian restaurant. But where does Antique Bazaar stand with respect to Dubai's seemingly endless array of Indian eateries?

Well, pretty close to the top tier actually. While the restaurant's decor milks that whole 'exotic' thing unashamedly, it manages to do so in a pretty classy, unobtrusive way. In fact, you feel warm and comfortable seated beneath the lovely subdued lighting, surrounded by ornate furnishings. The husband and wife duo whispering out slow Hindi ghazals I could do without, but atleast they're soft enough not to annoy you away from your conversation. Ok, that being settled, onto the main stuff - the food!

Here's where Antique Bazaar scores really high. The curries are mild, delicious affairs while the biryanis are brimming with spiced-up flavour. Not grandiose displays of Indian culinary treats, but a softer, more satisying approach. I especially freak out over the mutton ghosht korma and the very well-done desserts, gulab jumans included. And I'm not the only one, since the Bazaar has packed in plenty a Readers Favourite award from What's On Mag and the like. Good stuff!

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: 4 Points Sheraton, Bur Dubai

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 4

Theme: Indian

SHAKESPEARE & CO.: COFFEE WITH A CLASSIC TWIST

I have Maysa (Miso80) to thank, for making me fall in love with this place again. I had almost given up on Shakespeare earlier, thanks to the pathetically moronic service at the café. But now I've decided that it's got more than enough good things going for it, to make you dismiss the lethargy of the waiting staff as an irrelevant oversight.

For one, the cozy atmosphere makes you feel as though you're in a parallel universe - one where the likes of Starbucks & Co. with their by-the-numbers ethos simply don't exist. I'm talking a lazily graceful Victorian-meets-cosmopolitan sorta' vibe, accentuated by comfy sofas, beautiful lamps, elegant drapes, and more of the same. There are lovely little nooks scattered all over, and you can easily find yourself a quiet place where conversation won't be drowned out by the sometimes bewilderingly cheesy choice of music.

Shakespeare also spreads the magic, by laying the charm right across three avenues - a dimly-lit indoors café, a serene outdoor courtyard with its very own forest of bird-life, and a warm glasshouse-like enclosure where long hours of shisha are the order of the night. Whichever you choose, with Shakespeare... you're pretty much guaranteed to be in good company.

Comparison: about average

Directions: At the Kendah House, Al Mattar Business Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road.

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Coffeehouse

THE CELLAR: A DARKLY SATISFYING AFFAIR

A stone's throw across the lake from The Irish Village, The Cellar throws up relatively more stylish appeal than that beloved 'ol Dubai institution. It's a darkly intimate little affair, where you can choose to sip your wine al fresco by the water's edge, or step indoors to dine in a haunting Gothic surrounding... all high Church-like ceilings, beautiful stained glass windows, and cozy corners where conversation remains at a hush.

The food here's come on in leaps and bounds. They have a particularly excellent selection of seafood, and you can't go wrong with grilled salmon helped along by one their excellent beers. The starters which accompany the alcohol list are curiously much better than those on the main menu itself, so choose between some fantastic chicken rolls and calamari.

Food and alcohol cravings memorably sated, be careful you don't fall into the lake on your way back past the cobbled pathway. It would be a damp end to what would most likely have been a very charming evening.

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Across the lake from The Irish Village in Garhoud.

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Eclectic/International

APPLEBEE'S: PRETTY SWEET, BUT NO REAL BUZZZ

Hey, this is pleasant enough. Walls strewn with vintage Americana, pleasantly amiable staff, and comfy couches offering respite from the high speed adventures on Sheikh Zayed road. And it's cozy enough to allow for some decent conversations with friends. But it doesn't really go above & beyond the 'American Eating Experience' - everything's pretty much by numbers, and there's a distinctly non-buzzy feel to Applebee's.

Food-wise, it pretty much sticks to the fast food pattern. Huge portions of whatever you order, topped off with humongous fries and accompanied by really large shakes. The starter platter is filled with tasty spring rolls, onion rings and pieces of skewered meat. The burgers are really vulgar affairs, huge to the point of being family meals all by themselves. Due to its location, Applebee's is heavily patronized by the Sh. Zayed Rd. exec. massive, but if don't happen to be one - you wouldn't really want to make it all the way down here from any other part of town.

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Sheikh Zayed Rd, next to Etihad Airlines.

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 3

Theme: American

AROMA GARDEN CAFÉ: STRANGE & STRANGERER

It's like you'd stumbled into a rejected set from Willy Wonka & his ol' chocolate factory. You would recognize the surreal setting of course, but only if you'd had previous experience with the words L, S and D. The Aroma Garden Café is a strange, strangely wonderful, even more strangely forgettable restaurant tucked away in the Oud Medha part of town. A sprawling, cavernous beast of a restaurant, the interiors of this place are stacked with faux fountains,
giant sculptures of flowers and animals, and other bizarre attractions.

Oh wait, you'll want to hear about the food. Sorry, can't help you there. Have only been able to contain myself for the time it takes to down a hot, strong Turkish coffee or a langurous apple sheesha, before being consumed with the urge to scream - "I've found Neverland!" Thankfully, for my own sake and that of the other patrons around, it's never come to that.

Comparison: about average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 2

Theme: Middle Eastern

TCHE TCHE CAFÉ: A PUFF LACED WITH LOCAL FLAVOUR

At the corner where seemingly all of Dubai comes crashing into Khalid bin Waleed Street, shines the gaudily proud neon red sign welcoming you into Tche Tche. Small, weird - and none too worse for any of it - this Arabic café thows up a nice little experience packed with local flavour.

You'll find groups of men huddled around an animated discussion, as you will the carefree ingenué come for her daily fix of sheesha. Speaking of which, potent old must-tries these are too - I especially recommend the mint, double apple and grape varieties. A little bit of rough with the smooth, and a heady aftertaste which lingers, this is sheesha the way it was meant to be. Some strong Turkish coffee on the side is optional, but certainly doesn't hurt.

Throw yourself into the conversation. Or pretend you understand the highly sermonised Al Jazeera lectures being fed through the TV screens. Or better still, simply sway along to the latest tune from Nancy Ajram, or some such. It's all very Middle Eastern, and it's all good.

Comparison: about average

Directions: Bank Street, at the 'crossroads' traffic lights.

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Middle Eastern

COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF: A QUIET, REFRESHING CUPPA'

Case of the late-night munchies? A sudden coffee craving perhaps? Or maybe you've been bitten by the creative bug, and need a quiet, secluded place to pour your thoughts/ writing/ art out. The Coffee Ben & Tea Leaf at Burjuman 2 can quite justifiably raise it's hand and say 'aye' in fulfilling all the above requirements.

The café's location on the uppermost level of the otherwise bustling mall, sees it become almost an oasis of peace and calm, slipping above the radar of the throngs which frequent Burjuman. Cozily quiet, it's more intimate and spaced out than your joe regular coffee joint.

My current apartment's all of 3 minutes away, and I find myself nestled in one of the Coffee Bean's comfy couches quite often. A nice steaming cup of Java, the company of funky free-form murals, stacks of magazines in case you hit writer's block, and smooth soft music filtered through the sound speakers... the trappings of a most likeable caffeine pit-stop indeed.

Comparison: about average

Directions: Level 3, Burjuman 2, Bur Dubai.

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Coffeehouse