National Geographic Traveller India – July 2019

JULY 2019 | NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER INDIA 33

PHOTO COURTESY

: QUEEN ELIZABETH 2

(BUFFET),

ELENA BARSTAD/SHUTTERSTOCK

(FISH), PHOTO COURTESY

: ATLANTIS, THE PALM

(SHRIMP)

Emirati dishes over a traditional belly

dancing show. Dig into a plate of shrimp

kunafa, made of deep fried zaatar

prawns wrapped with kunafa dough, or

try the lamb ouzi, or puff pastry stuffed

with spiced lamb rice, and mixed kebab

grill for mains.

SHOP FOR ARABIC SPICES

AND BLENDS

In the old city, the Dubai spice souk in

Deira is as vibrant as it is flavorsome.

Brace yourself for a sensory overload

as you walk past mountains of herbs

and spices spilling from large baskets

at every turn. Here, masalas are sold

both by weight and in packets. Vendors

expect you to haggle as you contemplate

the vast selection of whole nuts, dates,

oils, fragrances (including the famous

oud) and teas on offer. Though saffron

from Iran rules the souk, the many

exotic Arabic spice blends are worth

looking out for. Buy some bzar, the

Arabic version of garam masala, and

loomi, those dehydrated black lemons

that impart a citrusy twang to just

about anything.

GO ON A LOCAL FOOD WALK

If you wish to truly immerse yourself in

Dubai’s authentic flavours, book a four-

hour walking food-and-culture tour

with Frying Pan Adventures. All about

hidden gems and good storytelling,

these curated tours show you what

old-timers would vouch for in the

less touristy parts of the city. Options

include Dubai souks and creekside

food walk, Emirati cooking session and

lunch, ME food pilgrimage and Little

India on a Plate. Interactive cooking

demos and experiential meals with the

local Sufra community are among

the highlights.

GET A WHIFF OF COFFEE CULTURE

Qahwa or Emirati coffee, which reflects

the cherished hospitality rituals of

the Bedouins, is a quintessential

Dubai experience. The cardamom-

flavoured brew, poured from dallah, a

traditional coffee pot, is best enjoyed

at a local’s home. Or try it at Café

Bateel, where it arrives with a plate of

dates. Tucked away in Al Fahidi village,

Dubai’s Coffee Museum devotes several

rooms to artifacts of coffee making

and consumption. The ground floor

showcases the traditions of different

coffee drinking cultures, while upstairs

are texts related to coffee from the 18th

century to the present day.

SIP ON GOLD CAPPUCCINO

While on the subject of caffeine, don’t

pass up the opportunity to quaff a

gold-flavoured coffee in the city of

bling. Dubai’s famous Burj Al Arab, one

of the swankiest hotels in the world,

flaunts the Ultimate Gold Cappuccino

sprinkled with 24-carat gold flakes.

Served at its Sahn Eddar lounge, located

within the hotel’s atrium, the coffee is

made using 100 per cent Arabica beans,

mixed with foamed milk, which is then

blended with 24-carat gold. Armani

Hotel Dubai located in Burj Khalifa also

serves a gold cappuccino adorned with

23-carat gold flakes, as does Mocca Art

Cafe located in downtown, in the Souq

Al Manzil market area.

GORGE ON FRESH SEAFOOD

The local food scene stands apart

with stellar seafood. Order the grilled

whole version of Hamour, or orange-

spotted grouper, at Wafi Gourmet.

For a posh dining experience, head to

Rockfish at Jumeirah Al Naseem. The

marine-themed restaurant opens out

to a terraced deck, with views of the

Arabian Gulf. Order their famed crudo

platter—an assortment of Tasmanian

The buffet at Lido (top) on board Queen Elizabeth 2 offers mesmerising views of the ocean;

Whole-grilled hamour (bot tom lef t), or orange-spotted grouper, is the fish of choice across

the U.A.E.; Shrimp kunafa (bottom right), is sought after at Ayamma in Atlantis, The Palm.