Dubai

Basta Art Cafe

Set in a lovely garden courtyard in a restored house. Great place to take a breather with a cold drink and write some postcards. The sandwiches-and-salads menu is aimed squarely at tourists, but if you are sick of kebabs, they will cater to your salmon-avocado wrap and mango smoothie cravings. The "Basta Special" drink of mint and lemon is also excellent.

City Centre Mirdif

A large mall with more than 500 stores, over 80 restaurants and cafés and plenty of entertainment and recreation sites inside it.

Sun–Wed 10AM–10PM, Thu–Sat 10AM–midnight

Computer Plaza @ Al-Ain Centre

A mall specializing in computers, laptops, computer parts and computer add-ons like monitors, VoIP phones, hard drives, etc. Prices aren't particularly low, even after haggling, and choices are limited (for example very few shops sell AMD hardware). There used to be an internet cafe here and it may return in 2014. Other malls in this area are also good for computers and computer equipment.

Sat–Thu 10AM–10PM, Fri 2PM–10PM

Dubai Marina

The Dubai Marina is to be the popular nightlife area of Dubai in the future. This multi-billion-dollar development is designed for tourists and water sport. The bars and cafés along the marina are popular gathering points for families and younger people. Most restaurants offer shisha and oriental food but food chains are fast entering too. The "Marina Walk" along the yachts is especially popular on Fridays and Saturdays. Yacht agencies offer services to explore the coastal region and Palm Islands.

Mall of the Emirates

It was largest shopping mall outside of North America until the Dubai Mall opened in 2008. Over 200 shops, cinemas, plus the Ski Centre. Has many international high street chains as well as luxury brand stores, including Harvey Nichols. Many restaurants and cafés, though cafés tend to be much more crowded than at other malls. It's attached to a Kempinski hotel, which has restaurants licensed to serve alcohol that are accessible from the mall. Very large Carrefour hypermarket attached, next to the Kempinski Hotel. Arabian/Middle Eastern souvenir shops upstairs. It's known for Ski Dubai and it other spectacular attractions. There are all High Street shops around and is very popular with families.

Outside Ramadan: Sun–Wed 10:00–22:00, Thu–Sat 10:00–00:00; Ramadan: daily 10:00-01:00

Souk Madinat Jumeirah

Includes 75 shops, numerous bars, restaurants and cafés, a nightclub, theatre. More expensive and targeted directly at tourists than other, general malls where residents go. Most bars and restaurants are licensed for alcohol. Nice to wander through as it has been designed to resemble a "traditional" souq, but with the modern comforts of air conditioning. Lots of souvenir-type shops.Dubai - Souk Madinat Jumeirah - panoramio.jpg

10:00–23:00

Town Centre Jumeirah

With a bright, open and spacious atmosphere, it is a place to shop, relax and casually dine at a wide selection of eateries like Sumo Sushi, Cafe Ceramique, La Cafette by Carpe Diem and Simply Healthy. It also houses an extensive range of ladies' beauty outlets like the Nail Station, Paris Gallery, Kaya Skin Care Clinic, Wax Lounge and SOS Salon.

Sat-Thu 10:00-22:00; Fri 13:30-22:00

Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe

Authentic Emirati cuisine, in the ambience of Dubai recreated from the 1960s.

30-200 dirhams

More Cafe

Serves breakfast, lunch and light continental and oriental meals. Good service and big portions.

Al Bait ALqadeem Restaurant and Cafe

A traditional restaurant