People know Dubai due to its shining skyscrapers, high-end shopping malls, and the future-forward attractions. But long before the skyscrapers, the city’s story began with Old Dubai. Centered around Dubai Creek, the bustling souks preserve the city’s legacy and heritage.
From traditional wooden abras and restored wind-tower houses to Al Fahidi Historical District and Emirati Cuisine, Old Dubai provides a glimpse into the city’s authenticity and original roots. So, dive into the guide to unveil what you have been missing on your visit to Dubai until now.
What to Eat in Old City Dubai?
1. XVA Café
XVA Café, located within the Historical Al Fahidi, blends art and cuisine. The café stands out for its lush courtyards and a Middle Eastern-inspired menu. Among the flavorful items you will find Turkish Eggs, Moreish Way, Mezze Platter, and XVA Thali. Its serene atmosphere further provides a quiet break from other buzzing souks in Dubai.
- Location: XVA Art Hotel
- Cost for two people: AED 180
- Phone: +97143535383
2. Ravi Restaurant
This is one of the best old Dubai restaurants and is also known as the Zareat. The restaurant has been in business for decades and is popular among the locals, expatriates, and tourists. Its location in the Satwa area is only a few minutes' ride through Old Dubai. Built on a simple setup and low prices, Ravi offers delicious curries, biryanis, as well as grilled meats in large portions. In case you want a perfectly authentic, cheap, yet South Asian-inspired eatery, Ravi will be the destination.
- Location: Al Satwa
- Cost for two people: AED 85
- Phone: +97143315353
3. Meena Bazaar
Meena Bazaar is not a dining outlet, but a vibrant shopping street within Bur Dubai. It is laced with textile shops, jewellery stores, and tailors, and commonly referred to as the Little India due to its South Asian vibe.
Within the narrow lanes of Meena Bazar, one can find a multitude of little eateries, food stalls, chaat stands, and dosa counters; sweet shops that keep jalebis and gulab jamuns.
- Location: Al Fahidi
- Cost for street snacks: AED 10
4. Arabian Tea House
Arabian Tea House is one of the most scenic cafés located in the Al Fahidi area of Old Dubai. Built within a refurbished wind-tower house, this instagram-worthy spot features turquoise benches, white pebbles in the courtyard, and bougainvillea-fixed walls.
The menu entails the Emirati food, breakfast options, and a selection of teas. To experience local Emirati culture, it is a must-visit spot in old Dubai.
- Location: Al Fahidi Street
- Cost for two people: AED 225
- Phone: +97143535071
What to See in Dubai's Old City?
1. Visit the Dubai Frame
With a height of 150 metres, the Dubai Frame is not just a photo op, but a real-life, literal window to the past and the future. There is also an enclosed museum that traces the history of Dubai in terms of development since it started out as a fishing village to a global city. Take a stroll on the glass-flooded high mission, walk out on the views, with Old Dubai on one side and New Dubai on the other.
- Location: Zabeel Park
- Ticket Price: AED 55
- Phone: +971 800 900
2. Explore Al Seef
Al Seef is a waterfront promenade extending around a 1.8-kilometer area along the Dubai Creek. It restages the appearance of an ancient Emirati town characterised by the architecture of wind towers and mixes them with cafés. Al Seef in Old Dubai is also featured with the lanterns and live music during the nighttime. It is also a fantastic site where one can browse through souvenirs, eat Emirati food, walk around, and walk around.
Key Places to visit:
- Starbucks Al Seef
- Doors Freestyle Grill
- Museum of Illusions
- Al Fanar Restaurant & Café
- Kava & Chai
3. Al Fahidi Historical District
Entering Al Fahidi is like travelling back in time. Alleys, a bisect, sand-coloured wind-tower house, and courtyards take you back to the 19th century. Nowadays, the area is full of artistic galleries, cultural museums, and small cafés.
Visiting the Dubai Museum (which is found within the Al Fahidi Fort) and the Sheikh Mohammed Centre of Cultural Understanding is a must. These destinations offer guided tours and traditional meals, providing an insight into the practices of the Emiratis.
Key Places to visit:
- Al Fahidi Fort
- Coffee Museum
- Arabian Tea House
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding
4. Abra Creek Crossing
One of the most appealing and easy things to do in Old Dubai is the abra ride. You can cross the creek in the wooden boat ferrying locals and travellers. The ride is brief - just a couple of minutes of view, but with interminable scenery - dhows, souks, and a skyline of the city in the background. The best ambience comes when it is tried at sunset.
- Ticket Price: AED 1
5. Gold and Spice Souks in Deira
The souks at Deira are stimuli in a good sense of the word. The Spice Souk is a rainbow of colours and smells, with sacks of saffron, cinnamon, and withered roses spilling onto the small streets. Negotiations are welcome, and though not talking of shopping, taking a walk around these markets is an invaluable experience.
- Location: Diera
Things to Do in Old Dubai
1. Frying Pan Adventures
If you really want to eat your way through Old Dubai, then you can book a food tour with Frying Pan Adventures. Such tours explore the very basics of Deira and Bur Dubai inner city and are organised by three sisters who first grew up in this area, revealing the most hidden secrets and restaurants without clear advertisements, where an entire family cooks behind the stove. You will also want to taste everything, ranging from Emirati and Indian street food, Iranian kebabs and fresh Arabic desserts.
- Pricing: Starts from AED 350
- Phone: +971 56 471 8244
2. Explore Al Fahidi Fort
Al Fahidi Fort is one of the oldest remaining buildings, making it a historical site among tourists in Dubai. The fort was established in 1787, and it now features the Dubai Museum, where people can explore displays that turn back time. The structure of the fort is made impressive with its coral stone walls and wooden beams, which provide insight into the architecture of the city in the past. It is also an ideal destination to contextualise the whole Old Dubai experience.
- Location: Al Fahidi
- Pricing: Free of cost
- Phone: +971 800 33222
3. Visit Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Sheikh Mohammed Centre of Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) in the Al Fahidi Historical District is among the most viable places to explore the ways of life and culture of the Emirati. The cultural meals are held at the centre where guests can sit on the carpets and eat Emirati food. Visitors can also inquire about customs and religion, as well as history.
- Location: Al Mussallah Rd, Al Fahidi
- Phone: +971 4 353 6666
4. Enjoy Coffee Deliciousness at Coffee Museum
Coffee plays the leading role in Emirati hospitality, and it is also thrilling to have coffee in its Coffee Museum at the Al Fahidi Historical District. There are several centuries-old coffee pots, grinders, and artefacts, which are connected to the history of the beverage in Ethiopia and the Arabian Peninsula to other parts of the world.
Tourists may observe live traditional brewing practices, and afterwards, the taste of freshly brewed Arabic gahwa, which is lightly spiced with cardamom and served along with dates.
- Location: Historical Neighborhood, Bastakiya
- Ticket Price: AED 10
- Phone: +971 4 353 8777
Closing In!
Old Dubai remains the city’s cultural heartbeat. It has the souks where the smell of spices permeate, a busy creek, and houses built in older architectural models. Everything is old but authentic. Whether you are sipping an Arabic cup of coffee in Al Fahidi, negotiating saffron in Deira, or a rash ride in a traditional abra, explore Old Dubai to immerse yourself in its seamless transformation from historical archetypes to a cutting-edge hub in the world.
Add to it an eclectic ecstasy of multicultural food, hospitality, and warmth, and Old Dubai is more than a sightseeing location; it is a voyage in the livelier history of the city. No trip to Dubai is complete without it.
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