A time in Old Dubai: what to take, where to buy and entertaining things to do

Traveling through time to the beginning of it all. Although it has been more than a few years, Dubai’s ancient town continues to stand strong and proud as a reminder of the city’s humble origins. Before all the fog- skimming towers, eight- street highways and beautiful haunts, Dubai had little in- lanes, history architecture and lovely spots. The city underwent a fairy godmother renovation, but the beauty of the old quarters is also present and accessible to everyone. Ok, there is not a dull moment, and you’ll find yourself appreciating the physical break from the glittering skyline. Of course, both are beautiful, simply in different ways. Here’s a list of ways to spend the best time if you’re heading out to explore the ancient city. The stunning shop and restaurant, located in the heart of the Arabian Tea House, has about 25 years of history behind it and still serves up real Emirati dishes today. The primary branch of the Arabian Tea House, which has since opened branches in different areas, like Jumeirah, is the very first one, and has preserved the original structure and everything. This is the place to socialize socially, which is how it should be done. It’s all very nice, the food is delicious, and the food is delicious. Arabian Tea House, Al Fahidi, Dubai, daily, 7am to 11pm, Tel: ( 0 ) 4 353 5071, arabianteahouse .comXVA CaféThis cafe serves up exquisite vegetarian and vegan food, featuring a full menu of plant- based main courses, salads, soups and desserts. The interior of XVA Café reflect the area it’s housed in – the XVA Art Hotel. Spread across three covered gardens, it speaks to the café romantic’s spirit, and what’s not to enjoy about Middle Eastern- inspired boot. XVA Café, XVA Art Hotel, Al Fahidi, daily 7am to 10pm, Tel: ( 0 ) 4 353 5383, xvahotel.comDoors Freestyle GrillView this post on InstagramBrought to you by acclaimed Chef Kemal Çeylan, Doors Freestyle Grill is located in the heart of the Al Seef district. It serves prime cuts of meat and shellfish grilled to perfection and has a free grill concept that is sure to be entertaining with a large crowd. Sandwiches, sides and desserts full the list. Windows is a waterfront location, and spanning 12, 000 square feet of space, it’s quite the scene. Outdoor balcony seating, a gastronomy lab, a sheesha cafe and a VVIP personal majlis – she’s expensive. Doors Freestyle Grill, Al Seef, daily, 3pm to 12am, Tel: ( 0 ) 4 204 9299, @doors. DubaiShawarma and Karak at…any restaurant or roads dish store. There’s plenty in the village and while it’s never exactly a gourmet dining encounter, the fundamental nature of it all is very lovely. As most citizens will believe, dish is a rite of passage in the UAE, and preserving the design means savoring a native speciality in the Old Dubai knowledge. The blend of Karak and Karak is while Dubai as it gets, and both have some sort of social component. Shop at Dubai Gold SoukThe Souk is a monument of great significance in the town and has a classic atmosphere with anxious vendors who bribe you for a sale. There’s a silver marketplace and a pepper market to discover, and even some stores with trinkets and souvenirs. The little lanes have quaint wooden archways, and some of them are open spaces. It’s a great way to get away from the glamour and glitz of the town and get a different side of it. Dubai’s historic city, Al Seef, is known as Dubai Gold Souk, Deira, and Al RasAl Seef. Although it popped up fairly recently, the construction of the opened- air destination resembles that of the older, more conventional times, with fort- like buildings, view towers and shallow stone facades. Stone-cobbled walkways and wooded fences complete the rustic appearance. If you’re looking for trinkets, souvenirs, traditional local fashion like jalabiyas and abayas, and thrifty fashion finds, there are plenty of shops to choose from here. The Naif Souq started out as an open-air market with thatched roof stalls and bare ground walkways. It is one of the oldest and most traditional souqs in Old Dubai. Although it has since been converted into an entirely air-conditioned building, you can still find local designers, vendors that call out to you, and little items they previously had on hand. It is most famous for having a wide range of abayas at very affordable prices. Naif Souq, DeiraExplore…Al Fahidi Historical NeighbourhoodThere are museums galore in the Al Fahidi Neighbourhood. The Dubai Museum is the city’s oldest building, located in Al Fahidi Fort. The fort was constructed in 1787 and has since been converted into a museum that exhibits all the city’s history and heritage, from how its people lived to how they engaged in trade and fought in wars. antiquity and other objects of historical importance before the oil boom. It is currently undergoing renovations, and we are eagerly awaiting its return. In the meantime, there’s the Dubai Coffee Museum, for all things local sources of caffeine, the Coin Museum in Bur Dubai and the house of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum. Within the XVA Art Hotel is the XVA Gallery. The sophisticated art gallery has contemporary pieces up for sale, making them ideal to complement or begin a fine art collection. They even offer art consultancy services, if you’re looking for that sort of thing, and host exhibitions on the regular. It’s a fantastic place to learn about culture while also soaking up the charm of the old city. XVA Gallery, XVA Art Hotel, Al Fahidi, daily 7am to 10pm, Tel: ( 0 ) 4 353 5383, xvahotel.comDubai AbraThe Dubai Abra is one of the oldest modes of public transportation in the city. For as little as Dhs1, it takes passengers across the Dubai Creek from Deira on one side to Bur Dubai on the other. At the dock, there will be a number of 150 traditional ferry boats waiting for you. The boats travel between four stations along Dubai Creek every few minutes throughout the day. Although the boats are now motorized, they still provide the most authentic experience possible. The rides start at 6am and each water taxi holds about 20 passengers. The crossing will only take you five minutes, but if you want to get a little more into the water, you can rent your own boat for an hour. Images: Supplied/Social