UAE: Enjoy Dubai

Eating Out in Old Dubai

Approximately one-third of Dubai’s population is of South Asian origin—the ties between the United Arab Emirates and India and Pakistan date back to the 19th century, when the Emirates (then known as the Trucial States) were administered by the British Raj. Indian immigrants started coming to Dubai in larger numbers in the 1960s. From its historic role as a city connecting the Middle East and India, to the skyscrapers of today, South Asian immigrants have been central to Dubai’s history. One of their most popular contributions to Dubai’s culture has been the spicy curries and the variety of breads that are characteristic of South Asian cuisine. The streets of the neighborhoods Deira and Satwa, in Old Dubai, are lined with Indian and Pakistani restaurants like Ravi where diners can enjoy a delicious meal al fresco on one of Dubai’s warm evenings.

The United Arab Emirates is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, and its most cosmopolitan city, Dubai, is no exception. Locals and expats might dine on Thai or Korean at a simple neighborhood eatery, feast on British fish and chips by the beach, or tuck into Russian or Ethiopian takeout at home. Away from the hotels, eating out is very affordable.

Dubai is all about sun and sand for many visitors. Its year-round sunshine and perfect blue skies are a big pull for a large population of expats, too. While vacationers intent on working on their tans tend to book stays at beach resorts, expats and locals favor public beaches, such as Sunset Beach (with Burj Al Arab views) and Um al Suqeim (with squeaky-soft sand) or private parks with amenities for the kids, like Jumeirah Beach Park.

Dubai appears to be a modern city with its towering futuristic architecture, tangle of freeways, and high-tech infrastructure. Yet it's also a very old city—or rather, a former fishing and trading village with evidence of settlements dating to the Bronze Age. It's steeped in tradition based on a rich Bedouin culture, the Islamic religion, and a conservative yet tolerant Emirati society. You can experience the oldest and most fascinating parts of the city around Dubai Creek.