Updated March 2024

I have been visiting Dubai for the past 25 years. I have probably been to Dubai more than 40 times and have lived in 3 different parts of the city. I have lived in the JBR area, DIFC, and Downtown. What fascinates me is how much Dubai has changed from visit to visit.

In this post, I will highlight my favorite Where to Stay, Where to Eat, and Photography Locations & Gear Recommendations in this city of the future. Dubai is always a fantastic place for a long weekend or as a stop-over destination.

Where to Stay in Dubai?

All the hotels in Dubai are quite good since they are relatively new, and the service is always good. Rather than suggesting a particular hotel, which will depend on your budget, my recommendation is to stay nearlifeh, DIFC area, or near the Burj Al Arab Hotel. A few places you cannot go wrong are the Mandarin Oriental, Bulgari, Waldorf Astoria in DIFC, St Regis in the Palm, the Burj Arab, The Atlantis The Royal, and The Grosvenor.

One hotel that you cannot go wrong with is the Kempinski Downtown (it use to be the Address Downtown). The reason I like this hotel is that the location not only has fantastic views of the nightly Fountain Show and the Burj Khalifeh but there are 100s of restaurants within walking distance. It is also connected to the Dubai Mall which is an experience in itself.

The 2 other hotels I would recommend for Photography are the Shangri-La Hotel and the Four Points Sheraton. The Shangri-La has a viewing platform on the 42nd floor that allows you to capture incredible images of the Skyscrapers. The Four Points Sheraton has a bar on the 37th floor with the perfect angle to take a photo down the Sheikh Zayad Road.

Our Favorite Places to Eat...

There are so many great restaurants in Dubai.

We tried a lot of restaurants during our stay since our apartment was not conducive to cooking. While this may seem fun, it does get old to eat out all the time. However, the one good thing in Dubai is that you can have everything delivered, even fuel for your car! The best delivery service is Deliveroo followed by Talabat. Here are a few of our favorite places to eat.

Our Favorite Everyday Recommendations

1. Tasha's-a South African chain with locations all over the City. We probably ate there once a week. The food is fresh and delicious with great service.

2. Comptoir 102- this is more of a healthy cafe with lots of Vegan options. There is also a fun concept store attached. It is a perfect place to also have a coffee and get some work done.

3. Scarlet Patisserie and German Bakery located on Blue Water Island -this is a 100% legit German Bakery. It is the perfect place for breakfast and one of the best bakeries in Dubai.

4. The Maine - this is a Canadian seafood restaurant that is one of the most beautifully decorated restaurants in Dubai. Fantastic seafood and service.

5. Myocum - another healthy food cafe that is perfect for breakfast or lunch.

6. Tom & Serg - we absolutely love this place. Fantastic food and service. We probably visited at least once a week. Pro-Tip the Fish Tacos and Basque Cheesecake are amazing.

7. The Bagel Yard - the best Bagels in Dubai. The bagels are made fresh everyday.

8. Sushi Art --with locations all over the city this is a good Sushi restaurant

9. Krave -- just good all around food especially burgers

10. Ladurée Dubai - the iconic French Cafe is always a good option and conveniently located in all the Malls

11. Allo Beirut - very good Lebanese food with fantastic service

12. Arabica Cafe- just fantastic coffee with locations all over Dubai

13. Al Reef Bakery - the best Lebanese Bakery in Dubai--it feels like you are in Lebanon

14. 3Fils - a wonderful fish restaurant located in the Dubai Fishing Harbor

15. Mama'eesh - traditional manaesh flatbreads--a wonderful spot for breakfast. 

Some Higher-End Special Occasion Restaurants

1. Il Borro in the Naseem Hotel --one of the best Italian Restaurants in Dubai

2. Avli -also my the Tasha Group, but this one has beautiful Greek dishes

3. Zuma is probably my favorite sushi restaurant in the world, and you cannot miss it. The location in Dubai is better than London, where it started

4. Hutong - fabulous decor and food--my favorite Chinese restaurant in the City

5. Bull & Bear - an all-around good choice for burgers, steaks

6. Em Sherif - our favorite Lebanese Restaurant in Dubai with fantastic service

7. Sushi99 - fantastic sushi with views of the Burj Al Khalifeh. I might like it even better than Zuma.

8. GAL - a Turkish/Mediterranean fusion with fantastic views in downtown

9. Bebabel - excellent Lebanese food with a fantastic view of the Dubai Fountain

10. Pierchic - an Italian restaurant set on the end of a pier. The views and food are outstanding. This is my one of my favorite restaurant in Dubai.

11. The Bay - in the Mandarin Oriental is my favorite restaurant in Dubai--great good, relaxing, wonderful service. Just perfect

12. Ruya -a new restaurant we discovered in 2023. The best Turkish food I have ever eaten. The location is also stunning

13. Nobu in the Atlantis - the iconic Nobu in the Palm is excellent--the decor, views and food are also fantastic.

Photography Gear & Advice

The first thing to be aware of in Dubai is that Drones are not allowed. Your drone will be confiscated at the Airport. The second thing to know is that many locations require you to get a permit prior to taking photos. For example, if you want to take photos in the DIFC area (where the Burj Khalifa is located) you need a permit. Luckily, a permit is very easy to obtain. For most permits you just go to the website of the location you want to shoot (i.e., DIFC Photo Request Form ) and request permission. The final bit of advice is that it is forbidden to photograph locals, and police or military locations.

In terms of gear, I have a photo of the gear that I brought with me below. After being there for a few months I would not change anything. My recommendation is 1 body ( i.e., Canon EOR R5, Nikon Z7), and 2 lenses (a very wide lens like the 15-35 mm and a medium telephoto 70-200mm). In order to capture the extremely tall buildings you really need a very wide lens. I would also bring a Tripod since the city is really fun to capture at night.

Photography is best in Dubai during the winter months. In February, if you are lucky, you might be able to capture a photo of the clouds below the tops of the skyscrapers.

Pro Tip: For more tips on Dubai this Youtube Channel by Alpha Spotting has a lot of good advice.

What to Photograph in Dubai...

One of the easiest ways to find the locations I will talk about below is by using my Google Map. Just Click on this Link to see my Map

1) Burj-Al Arab

The iconic 7-Star Hotel is probably the most recognizable location in Dubai. Photographing it from the Beach is difficult unless you are willing to pay $150 for beach access at a local hotel. The one spot to get a clean shot of the Burj is from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah. Right in front of the hotel is a boardwalk where you can set up a tripod and take a photo.

Capturing the Burj Al Arab at night is also a good idea.

From the restaurant Pier Chic, you can capture a unique view of the Burj Al Arab.

2) The Grand Mosque in the DIFC

I love the architecture of this modern mosque. It is located on Gate Avenue in the DIFC. It is really beautiful at sunset.

3) The Pointe on The Palm Jumeirah

From this location you can take a perfect photo of the Atlantis Hotel located at the end of the Palm. There is also a Fountain show every night at 7 pm.

4) Tolerance Bridge on the Dubai Canal

Tolerance Bridge is just a 3 minute walk down the sidewalk of the canal. There is a third bridge, called the Pedestrian Bridge, that is just 3 more minutes down the sidewalk towards the building. The Pedestrian Bridge provides a great shot of the Dubai skyline.

5. The Twisted Bridge

The Twisted Bridge is better to shoot during the day when you can see the Shadows inside the bridge.

6) Dubai Creek

It probably offers the best location to capture the Dubai Skyline. There is a promenade with lots of photography locations.

7) The Eye on The Blue Water Island

Blue Water Island is a man-made island with a replica of the London Eye. From the JBR beach, you can take nice photos of the Eye. And finding camels on the beach is just icing on the cake.

There is even a Casino on the Island, which I did not expect.

8) The View on Palm Jumeirah Island

You will need to buy tickets to access The View. The view is located in the Nakheel Mall so the parking is very easy. There is a dedicated elevator up to the 52nd floor. Of course, they charge you more for tickets at Sunset :). From the top, you get a 360 degree view of the Palm which allows you to take photos of the fronds of the palm. *Please note you are shooting through Glass but it looks like it has been polarized to reduce reflections.

9) The Dubai Marina

Sunset offers a fantastic view of the incredible architecture of Dubai. I found the best place to take photos is next to Nando's Cafe. But the bridges over the Marina also offer an excellent view.

It is worth walking around the area to find different views of the Dubai Marina.

10) Ras al Khor Flamingo Hideaway

Yes, there is a Flamingo wildlife preservation area in the center of Dubai. It is well worth a visit. They even have a photo blind, allowing a perfect vantage point.

With a longer lens, you can take nice, detailed shots of the Flamingos.

11) The DIFC Area

Offers a lot of photography options for Architecture Photos. But you will need a Photography Permit, which I discussed above. If you walk through the DIFC, you will see Gate Avenue, The Grand Mosque, and the Emirates Towers, and once you get to the end, there is a great view of the Burj Khalifa.

12) Burj Khalifa

Is one of the most iconic buildings in the world. The Burj Khalifa is the tallest skyscraper in the world and is located next to the Dubai Mall Downtown.

It is 828 meters in height and forms the heart of the downtown. There is a nightly fountain show that is well worth visiting. 

13) The Museum of the Future

Is another stunning building in Dubai. The museum, which opened in late 2021, is an architectural and engineering marvel.

I love the entrance of the museum

From the Emirates Hotel you can get a reflection of the Museum of the Future

14) Graffiti in Dubai

Yes, there is some good Graffiti artwork in Dubai located along the Jumeirah Road near the Burj Al Arab. This came as a complete surprise to me. There is even a Banksy Exhibit in the Mall of the Emirates. That's the Mall that has an indoor Ski facility.

15. Meydan Bridge -

This bridge was made for Photography. It is just stunning at Sunset.

16. Business Bay Architecture

Business Bay in Dubai is a thriving hub of modern architecture. With its impressive skyline dominated by sleek skyscrapers, innovative designs, and state-of-the-art infrastructure, Business Bay stands as a testament to Dubai's status as a global business and financial center.

17. The Love Lakes

Located in the middle of the desert, The Love Lakes in Dubai offers a serene oasis for both locals and tourists seeking tranquility and natural beauty. These interconnected lakes are shaped in the form of two intertwined hearts, symbolizing love and unity. Surrounded by golden sands and framed by lush greenery, the lakes provide a picturesque setting for romantic strolls, picnics, and peaceful contemplation. Visitors can enjoy the stunning views, spot wildlife, or simply unwind in this unique and romantic destination in the heart of Dubai.

18. The Architecture of DIFC

Located in the heart of Dubai, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) stands as a testament to modern architectural brilliance. This financial hub boasts a striking skyline adorned with sleek skyscrapers and avant-garde structures that harmoniously blend the worlds of business and design. From the iconic Gate Building to the elegant Index Tower, each edifice in the DIFC showcases innovative architectural styles that redefine the cityscape.

With a mix of glass, steel, and concrete, the buildings in the DIFC not only symbolize progress and prosperity but also serve as a visual representation of Dubai's unwavering ambition and vision for the future.

19. Deira (Old Dubai)

Deira Old Dubai

Experience the rich tapestry of the past in Deira Old Dubai, where history comes alive amidst the bustling present. Meander through narrow alleyways lined with traditional souks offering exotic spices, intricate textiles, and glittering gold. The aroma of freshly brewed Arabic coffee mingles with the sounds of merchants haggling in the vibrant streets. Explore the iconic Dubai Creek, a vital waterway that has been the lifeblood of this historic area for centuries. Immerse yourself in the authentic charm of Deira Old Dubai, a place where the ancient and the modern seamlessly intertwine, creating a captivating blend of tradition and innovation.

20. From the Address Hotel Bar on the 63rd Floor

From the Bar on the 63rd Floor of the new Kempinski Hotel Downtown. It is attached to the Dubai Mall.

21. The Shangri-La Hotel

The Shangri La Hotel in Dubai has a deck on the 42nd floor with an amazing view.

22. The Four Points Sheraton 43rd Floor Bar

There is a bar on the 43rd Floor with an amazing view of Sheikh Zayed Road.

A Trip Outside of Dubai to the Desert Conservation Area

It is definitely worth the trip to the Desert Conservation area outside of Dubai. It is only about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the center of Dubai, but you feel that you have driven for hours and hours since the scenery is so completely different.

We stayed at the Al Maha Resort, which has been on my Bucket List for years. Yes, it is expensive, but all your meals are included. The food is also really generous and delicious. If you want to relax, this is the place for you since it is so peaceful and quiet. Each bungalow includes a small dipping pool. Not only are the surroundings stunning, but there is a lot of wildlife to see. I would highly recommend a trip to Al-Maha, which means the Oryx in Arabic.

A Day Trip to Abu Dhabi

It only takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach Abu Dhabi. There are 3 things to see in Abu Dhabi if you are going for the day. The first is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is probably the most famous location. The third location is the beautiful Louvre Abu Dhabi. Yes, the Louvre from Paris has opened in Abu-Dhabi. The UAE and France formed an unprecedented partnership for cultural exchange, and the highlight of this was the establishment of the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island.

I hope you have enjoyed this Travel & Photography Guide to Dubai. If you enjoyed this guide, I have many more guides at this link.