Dishes are attractively presented and the
most popular include a succulent murgh
tikka lababdar (chicken in a spicy yogurt-
based sauce) and birianis. Reservations
recommended.
b saTa arT cafe Ca Fe$
Map p 210 ( -Fahidi St, al bastakia quarter; mains
Dh30-45; c) A cool respite while exploring
the Bastakia Quarter. Lounge back in a
white-wicker sofa in this sun-dappled gar-
den, surrounded by pots of crimson bou-
gainvillea and colourful abstract art. It’s
great for breakfast or a light lunch, with
an 18-plus salad choice, plus filled baked
potatoes and similar cafe fare. Don’t miss
the small gift shop selling a variety of
souvenirs, including locally made delicate
jewellery inset with semiprecious stones.
And don’t miss the mint lemonade.
s ra a Vanaa bhaVan i an, VenDi GeTarian $
Map p 210 (4-5 kahlifa bin Saeed bldg; mains Dh13-
15) Head a block back from the Bur Dubai
Abra & Water Bus Station to find this su-
perb no-frills place, one of the best Indian
vegetarian restaurants in town. If you
thought vegetarian was restrictive, think
again. This vast menu includes wonderfully
buttery paneer vegetarian dishes, rogan
josh, birianis, dosas and a medley of side
orders.
l banese Villae Ge
resTauranT l banee Se $
Map p 210 ( -Mankhool al rd; mains Dh30-65) Eve-
rything tastes very fresh at this Lebanese
restaurant, even though the menu is so
lengthy that it reads like a book. For a start,
there are 17 different salads, including a
succulent parsley-laden tabouli. Sit under a
shady umbrella on the street-side terrace,
which is more appealing than the bright
diner-style interior. Alternatively, you can
order a takeaway, which is handy if you’re
staying in one of the numerous, surround-
ing hotel-apartment blocks.
p ula Fren Ch $
Map p 214 (Wafi Mall, Sheikh rashid rd; sand-
wiches & salads Dh35-55, mains Dh70; c) This
French cafe is an upmarket mall staple.
It’s packed with expats who come for the
scrumptious croissants (especially the al-
mond ones), ample-sized breakfasts and a
small, but selective, choice of salads, sand-
wiches and mains. It’s a bit pricey but a
reliable standby. There are additional
branches at several other malls.XV a cafe Ve GeTarian $
Map p 210 (XV a hotel, bastakia quarter; dishes
Dh20-35; W) Escape Dubai’s bustle at this
artsy courtyard cafe in the historic Basta-
kia Quarter, located just off Al-Fahidi St.
The menu eschews meat in favour of offer-
ings such as aubergine burger, tuna salad
and a vegetarian croque monsieur. Wash it
down with intensely green mint-lemonade –
a must-order.c rry u leaf Sri lankan $
Map p 210 ( -Mussalla Tower, al bank St; mains
Dh15-30; h11.30am-midnight; c) Hoppers
(crispy rice-flour pancakes with fried egg)
go well with the smoky-hot, spice-rich
curries at this Sri Lankan place in an
electronics mall food court. A few Dutch
colonial dishes round out the menu; try the
lumpries (spiced rice baked with meat, egg
and aubergine). By the time you read this,
the menu will have expanded to include
some Thai and Indian dishes.b saTaKiah niGhTs l banee Se $$
Map p 210 (%04-353 7772; bastakia quarter;
mains Dh50-75; h11.30am-midnight) One of the
city’s most romantic restaurants, Basta-
kiah Nights occupies a restored courtyard
with fabulous old Arabian-style atmos-
phere. The menu is mainly Lebanese but
includes a few Emirati dishes. Although
the food isn’t the best in town, the atmos-
phere is terrific, especially for dinner when
the courtyard is candlelit and the indigo
night sky is overhead. Be wary of the over-
priced set menu – you’re better off ordering
a couple of à la carte dishes. No alcohol.
Reservations recommended.n ble o house Chine Se $$$
Map p 214 (%324 8888; raffles Dubai, Sheikh
rashid rd; mains Dh110-150; hTue-Sat 7pm-
11.30pm) Marvel at the stunning skyline
views from the 17th floor while you sam-
ple some of the finest and most original
Szechuan and Cantonese dishes in Dubai.
The decor is stylish and clubby with plush
high-back tasselled chairs, and the waiting
staff love to show off, especially pouring
sauces from aloft with perfect aim into tiny
glasses. Get into the mellow mood with a
pre-dinner cocktail at the adjacent Red
Lounge. Reservations recommended.b
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