Dubai: The Place Where West Meets Middle East

• Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, with 160 stories and 828m in height, is holding a few other world records like the elevator with the longest travel distance or the highest outdoor observation deck. Make sure you book tickets about one week in advance to find a time slot you prefer.

• The Dubai fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain, with choreographed music and light, has over 22,000 gallons of water in the air at any given moment during the performance.

• While you’re there, you cannot skip The Dubai Mall. Home to not only many designer stores, but a real 24 meters long dinosaur skeleton, about 150 million years old, an Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, an Ice Rink, or the “edutainment” concept Kidzania, a mini-city with streets, buildings and shops where kids can experience different real-life jobs.

• Mall of the Emirates, for the many shops, but also for the indoor winter and the ski experience, which feels pretty real, and it is worth trying.

• Dubai Safari Park: I was surprised it wasn't recommended by many travel guides. It is a little out of the way, about half an hour drive from Burj Khalifa. It is definitely worth the time, especially if you’re traveling to Dubai when temperatures are a little cooler. It is pretty wide and split into villages: African, Asian, Arabian and Explorer Safari Village. It is practically a drive-through safari through African and Asian wild animals' habitats.

• Ain Dubai: The largest and tallest observation wheel in the world, almost twice the height of the London Eye.

• Waterparks: Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark is the world’s largest waterpark. Located between Atlantis the Royal and Atlantis the Palm, with access included in the stay rate for both of them. Or Wild Wadi in Jumeirah, beside Burj Al Arab, is fun for kids.

• Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park are great theme parks for kids aged 2 to 12.

• Dubai Helicopter Experience: There are different tours, with a duration between 12 to 25 minutes. They offer a nice view over the palm, and other areas of Dubai for the longer ones.

• The View Palm Jumeirah: The 240 meters height observatory at level 52 offers a nice 360 degrees panoramic view over the palm.

• Red Dunes Safari tour, which usually includes camel caravan, sandboards, dune bash and for longer one's dinner, BBQ and dance shows.

• Dubai Butterfly Garden, featuring over 50 species. Around 15,000 butterflies fly over visitors' heads, who can also experience touching them and putting them on their heads. It is located very close to the better-known Dubai Miracle Garden, a large natural flower garden displayed in different shapes. I personally found it too commercial, but is still fun for visiting with kids.

Day Trips:

Day trip to Abu Dhabi: If you don’t plan to visit the UAE anytime soon, this is an interesting trip. The drive to this other Emirate is less than two hours, and there are nice places like the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum or the Grand Mosque that deserve to be visited. Otherwise, Abu Dhabi may be a vacation destination itself. There are a few good hotels. It’s less busy and quieter than Dubai. And even if there are not as many good restaurant options, there are still a few very good ones, like Hakkasan or Zuma.

• Orfali Bros: Awarded a well-deserved Michelin Star (considering so many Michelin stars were easily awarded in Dubai) and ranked No. 1 in The World's 50 Best Restaurants Middle East and North Africa. The restaurant is owned by three brothers. Led by the self-taught Syrian chef Mohamad Orfali, who’s creativity blends Middle Eastern cuisine with Western styles for a unique culinary experience. There are so many interesting dishes, like the reinterpretation of the "Turkish bayildi eggplant" (pictured above) and the amazing, decomposed chicken wings filled with rice.

• La Mar by Gastón Acurio: Located on the first floor of Atlantis the Royal. It is an authentic Peruvian gastronomic experience. Among other dishes, their ceviche and tiraditos are amazing.

• Toro Toro: Another great South American restaurant serving amazing ceviches. The beef tiradito, grilled cauliflower and beef anticucho are a few of their must-try dishes.

• Amazonico: Located in the buzzing DIFC, this is the place to go if you only have one evening in Dubai. Many reasons to love it: the interior design, the atmosphere, the music and, of course, the food. It is an eclectic combination of the best Spanish, South American and Japanese kitchens have to offer. Menu offers dishes like Hamachi Tiradito, Beef Tataki, different types of maki, and many more, all very good. For dessert I found really interesting their multicultural baklava, with roasted nuts, dulce de leche and passion fruit cream, heaven in your mouth. I prefer to eat my calories, but I’ve heard their cocktails are amazing, too.

• Ibn Al Bahr: I mention it not only because you should try an Arabic restaurant when traveling here, but also because it is considered the best Lebanese and fish restaurant in Dubai. The traditional dishes like hummus and tabbouleh are amazing. Ibn Al Bahr also serves perfectly prepared and very fresh fish, as they are fishermen. There are two outposts, the first one in Palm, and the newer one, more elegant, at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Dubai Creek.

• Tasca by José Avillez: Located on the rooftop of the exquisite Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah and awarded a Michelin star, this is not to be missed. Even if you’re not familiar with the Portuguese cuisine, you’ll surely be amazed by the fresh seafood and vegetables, perfectly cooked and beautifully presented.

• Torno Subito: This is the only Michelin-starred restaurant outside Italy aside from Massimo Bottura, the famous 3-Michelin stars chef of Osteria Francescana. The menu is comprised mostly of classical Italian dishes slightly reinterpreted. They are elevated to a more exquisite version, lighter but still delicious. From amuse bouche to “Tiramisubito”. The atmosphere is relaxed and cheerful. The beats of 60s and 70s Italian songs and the friendly service lead to a truly enjoyable dinner.

• Hakkasan: It is up to the level of other Hakkasan restaurants in the world and to the Michelin star it was awarded. Dishes like the Peking duck, especially with the XO sauce for the second serving, and the crispy duck salad with pomelo are memorable.

• Scalini Dubai: Located at the Restaurant Village at the Four Seasons at Jumeirah, Scalini is one of the go-to places when craving authentic classical Italian. They specialize in dishes like melanzane alla parmigiana, beef lasagna, lobster spaghetti, tagliatelle with fresh truffles or tiramisu. The place is also lively and elegant with friendly service.

• Il Borro Tuscan Bistro: Voted best restaurant in Dubai for a couple of years, this is very good. For example, the maltagliati ai gamberi are some of their best dishes. Located within the premises of Jumeirah Al Naseem Hotel, outdoor sitting by the lagoon is lovely, but the indoor atmosphere is also appealing.

• The Maine Oyster Bar & Grill: With an NYC vibe, this is a must in Dubai and one of the few restaurants I have returned to many times. Some of their outstanding dishes are hamachi ceviche, oysters, of course, lobster tagliatelle or grilled cauliflower with a delicious dressing.

• Nusr-Et: It doesn’t need too much presentation. This is probably the best steak I have ever had. I dined here a few times and it never disappointed. And if it happens that Nusr-Et himself is there, you’ve got the “salt sprinkle” table show included for some of their steaks. Leave room for the baklava! They also have a more casual outlet, Saltbae Burger DIFC, where the burgers are delicious and top quality.

• Bosporus: I am not really a Turkish food connoisseur. But Bosporus is where I first tried the adana kebap, and came back for it many times. I couldn’t find a better one on my trip to Istanbul. The baklava with ice cream and lots of pistachios is one of the best and they also serve a good kunefe (warm cheese with pastry, honey and pistachios). They have a few locations, like The Beach -JBR or Dubai Mall. Not too fancy but worth giving it a try.

• Cipriani Dolci: Located in the Dubai Mall, it serves among other things their famous vanilla meringue cake, which is very good. (I wouldn’t recommend The Cipriani restaurant in DIFC, though the pasta there has nothing to do with what I have experienced in other Cipriani restaurants.)

• L’Eto caffe: With different locations in the malls and other areas, serves many beautiful and delicious desserts, like Dulce De Leche, my favorite.

• Bateel: Coffee shops serve delicious desserts and also some interesting light dishes. They also have boutiques in malls and many locations throughout the city. You should definitely try some of their organic dates' specialties. My favorite, the ones filled with pecan nuts.