48 hours in DXB

[PNH2ATL]

I've got 48 hours in DXB later this month. We stay at the Sofitel City Center. Any EK folks have any suggestions for some good food off the beaten path?

Thanks

[ratpoison]

Try the numerous Jingili cafes in Satwa or the Chale on Beach Rd!

[411A]

Wizz on over to the Astoria Hotel and dine, Mexican-style, at Pancho Villa's.
Was there just a couple of weeks ago. superb grub, and the Marguaritas ain't bad, either.
Hasn't changed much in twenty five years, still worth the trip.

[Con Catenator]

Try the York hotel - the most amazing menu in Dubai. The black velvets are absolutely unforgettable.

A memorable night out that you won't forget in a hurry.

[Wiley]

...and after you've tried that, (at the York), there's the food and drink!

[LLuke]

Offbeat path would be down town, instead of a mall or those tourist villages like Old Dubai. Lebanese food is always ok, with Mediterranean and Asian food my mileage varied. But if you want to see what makes DXB 'special', I'am not sure if 'offbeat' is the way to go...

[thefoxandfirkin]

...and after you've tried that, (at the York), there's the food and drink!

Lol, you won't have any money left for the food and drink after trying the black velvets .

I would have recommended 'Cyclone' but sadly......

Keep Discovering

[Payscale]

Stay in your room with a good book...

[drop kick]

Try the "meat co" in the Madinat, not that cheap but great food (steaks) ect. great to take a crew, plenty of bars + night life around

[papajuliettango]

for Lebanese Food

Try the Hallab in Garhoud, 5 mins in Taxi from the Sofitel (just accross he road) but due to roadsystem get a taxi and into the bargain its just round the corner from the Irish village!!

[Panther 88]

Or better yet, just ask your double digit seniority F/As who do the trip weekly. They have already done all the touristy stuff and probably have an idea of what's what. Or ask your speaker, they ususally have a decent idea of what's off the beaten path. Take a taxi to the new Jumeriah Residence Beach Walk and try out the Butcher Shop and the S. African beef. Nice outside dining. Nice talent around too.

[S.F.L.Y]

Meat Co and Butcher shop !?!? He was asking for unbeaten paths not for western cholesterol distributors . I guess he can already find all this where he comes from.

If you really want something authentic in Dubai you have to dig deep... I would recommend to take a taxi, go to Sharjah and find the Sanobar sea food restaurant. It's a small family run business serving excellent seafood and Lebanese Mezze for reasonable prices. The boss/chef is warmly welcoming and helping you through the menu and I'm sure most of the guys posting in this thread doesn't have any clue about such places.

Sanobar | Restaurants | SHARJAH | BBC Good Food Middle East

Sanobar, Sharjah Restaurants : Reviews and Location of the Sanobar - MSN Travel Destinations

PM me if you need more details.

[KNIGHT OWL]

It depends on what you'd like to eat. Just good food? Remember in Dubai if you want to drink along with your food, you'll only get that at restaurants attached to a Hotel. However as someone mentioned the Irish village, close to where you are staying and next to the EK's aviation college across the road from you are staying. There are a number of restaurants in the complex along with outdoor relaxed seating and you have a choice of different cusines. Very resonable as well. Also you could try the Le Merridian close to you and opposite the airport, with seating inside or outside, and fixed price buffet, all u can eat and drink. If you want to go off the beaten track there are various restaurants, with reasonably good food, but for that you'd have to forgo the alcohol, but you can always visit the pub afterwards. Dubai does not have an outdoor food street with rows of small restaurants or cart cooking like BKK or HKG if that what you are looking for. Thats what we all miss here. If u need more info let me know.

[Wiley]

I'm surprised no one's mentioned Ravi's.

[KNIGHT OWL]

Do you want the poor chap to get sick. I've been there sometimes and eaten tasty, oily and cheap food served quick but you got to dodge the cockroaches. He'll got a longer layover than 48 hrs after that maybe.

[Wiley]

Despite all the horror stories I've heard, (and none of them first hand), I've never encountered "Ravi's Revenge", and can only assume it's now in "Lonely Plant" or some such publication, [or the financial crisis is really biting], for these days, you see as many pink faces, (most of them obviously tourists, and not "local" expats), filling the tables, whereas a few years ago, the pinkie diners were an (aventurous) few and far between the predominently sub-continential clientale.

If you're after good, cheap Indian scran, (although they do all sorts of other stuff as well) and you're even mildly adventurous in your culinary tastes, Ravi's in Satwa Road is well worth a visit. (It's across the roundabout from Rydge's Plaza, where there are good and varied restaurants as well - Italian, Tex Mex - and you can get a beer). At this time of year, sitting outside is usually very pleasant if you don't mind the (many) other diners very close alongside you nor the cars going by only a metre or so away from you.

[Bus429]

Is "The Kitchen" still open in Satwa?