From desert to the city of the future: my Dubai experience
In this post, you’ll find ideas for things to do in Dubai, a quick intro to Arabic cuisine, and a guide on how to buy authentic Dubai chocolate from the original spot.
Hi guys,
I promised to share a little about our trip to the UAE and here it is! I’ll tell you about what we did, what surprised me, and why this destination turned out to be such a great experience.
📍 Why Dubai?
We went to Dubai for a week to celebrate my husband’s birthday. To be honest, I never had a big desire to go there before. I thought it would be too expensive, too hot, and just not for me. But our friends visited recently and convinced us to try, and I’m so glad we did. It was also our first time visiting an Arab country, which made it even more special.
🗓️ Best time to go
We went at the end of March, and it was the perfect time, sunny and warm (around 25–27°C), but not too hot. The sea was warm enough for swimming, and the weather felt great all day. In comparison, July can get super hot (around 40–45°C), so spring is definitely more comfortable.
🐪 What to Do in Dubai
Burj Khalifa + Fountain Show
Yes, it’s touristy, but still worth it! Seeing how this city grew straight out of the desert is amazing. And the fountain show at night? Way better than I expected!
Desert Safari
We booked through a local agency on Tripadvisor, and it turned out to be a great experience - riding quad bikes in the sand, sandboarding, feeding baby camels, and even seeing wild camels walking through the desert! As someone who grew up in a snowy place, this felt unreal.
Museum of the Future
Definitely check it out. The design is beautiful, and while some exhibits are already a little outdated, the space itself is inspiring and fun to explore.
Aquaventure Waterpark
One of the biggest waterparks in the world! So many slides (some are really wild!), including a slide that goes through an aquarium full of sharks. That was a highlight for sure. Everything was clean, fun, and really well-organized.
Old Dubai (Al Seef)
This part of the city is designed to feel like the “old Dubai,” and it’s done so well, really charming and authentic, not fake or plastic-looking. You can walk around, see local crafts, grabbing coffee at one of the most beautiful Starbucks I've ever seen and enjoy globalization (just kidding).
Shopping
Dubai malls are on another level, you’ll find all the brands in one place, including ones that are hard to find in Europe (like Alo, Lululemon, etc.). Plus, tons of fast food chains from around the world (Joe & The Juice, Shake Shack, Chipotle). And yes, you can get tax-free refunds right at the airport!
Dubai Marina
Such a beautiful area to walk around, especially in the evening. Good restaurants, boats, lights, and a relaxed vibe by the water. Perfect for a sunset stroll or a dinner with a view.
Palm Tower Observation Deck
We visited the Palm Tower observation deck in the evening, and the view was amazing. The man-made palm islands are incredible to see and really show the potential of human engineering. I think the view would be even more stunning during the day.
🍽️ What About Arabic Cuisine?
Arabic cuisine is all about flavor, warm spices, and fresh ingredients. Think cumin, coriander, cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, sumac, all working together to bring depth and warmth to every dish.
Meals are often shared and centered around mezze - small plates like hummus, labneh, tabbouleh, baba ghanoush, falafel, and stuffed grape leaves. There’s always fresh flatbread on the table, and a big focus on hospitality, food is meant to bring people together.
Some of the most iconic dishes across the Arab world include:
Shawarma – marinated meat cooked on a spit and wrapped in pita bread
Mansaf – lamb cooked in fermented yogurt sauce (a Jordanian specialty)
Kibbeh – spiced ground meat with bulgur, often fried or baked
Makloubeh – a flavorful upside-down rice dish with vegetables and meat
Kunafa – a beloved dessert made with shredded pastry and cheese or cream, soaked in sweet syrup
I was absolutely delighted by Luqaimat & Karak Chai Masala!
Luqaimat are traditional sweet doughnuts popular in the Arab world, fried until golden and soaked in sweet syrup. They are soft and gooey on the inside, with a crispy exterior. A real treat, especially when paired with a cup of tea. Similar versions of this dessert can be found across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Southeast Asia, each with its own twist.
Karak Chai Masala isn’t originally Arabic, it’s from India. However, it’s impossible not to mention it, as it’s become incredibly popular in the UAE. This rich, spiced milk tea, made with cardamom and other spices, is enjoyed throughout the Middle East and South Asia. Often paired with Luqaimat, it’s the perfect combination to experience something warm and aromatic!
🇦🇪 And What About Emirati Food?
Emirati cuisine is a mix of Bedouin traditions and influences from Persian, Indian, and East African cuisines - a result of centuries of trade routes that passed through the Arabian Gulf.
Typical ingredients include saffron, rosewater, cardamom, dates, tamarind, and dried limes. Meat (mostly lamb and chicken), rice, and fish are staples.
🍫 The Viral Dubai Chocolate — The Hype Explained and How to Try It
Okay, this deserved its own section.
Of course, one of my missions while in Dubai was to try the famous “Dubai Chocolate” and let me tell you, it lived up to the hype!
For those who haven’t seen it on TikTok, this chocolate went crazy viral about a year ago. It’s a milk chocolate filled with crunchy pistachios and kataifi pastry (that golden, shredded filo dough you often see in Middle Eastern desserts). It was created by British-Egyptian pastry chef Sarah Hamouda and has since become a global obsession.
You can now find “Dubai chocolate”-inspired products everywhere — I’ve even seen shower gel with the same scent 😅 The impact this dessert has had on both the food world and tourism is honestly wild.
As a big fan (and someone who now gets weekly requests from my husband to make it at home), I just had to try it from the original spot: FIX Café — the birthplace of this iconic treat.
At the time of writing, you can’t walk into a shop and buy it — it’s available only via Deliveroo app, and they drop fresh batches at 2 PM and 5 PM daily. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend trying the dark chocolate version, that was my personal favorite. Crunchy, nutty, not too sweet, and perfectly balanced. Genius!
Good to Know
Public transport in Dubai isn’t the most convenient. The metro is clean and modern, but the routes are limited, so we often had to switch to buses or trams, which doubled the travel time and effort. Most of the time, we ended up using taxis, we used Uber, Bolt and the prices were pretty similar to Europe.
Final Thoughts
Dubai turned out to be way more interesting than I expected. It’s a modern and fast-growing city that reminded me a bit of New York, but with its own unique vibe. We managed to see almost everything we planned during the trip, but we’re definitely open to coming back, maybe for shopping (Apple products are actually cheaper there!) and to enjoy the beach again.
You won't find beautiful mountains here, but you can see the vast desert and wild camels roaming through it. It’s fascinating to see the world in a different way and to experience various cultures.
You can start your day here with a swim in the sea and end it with a walk among the impressive skyscrapers. Maybe it’s this unique mix that made me fall in love with this place. 🥰
Thank you for reading this post, I hope you found it helpful!
Best,
Dasha