Dubai's sprawling Marina is one of the city's most popular spots. Thanks to its pedestrian walkways, scenic views and abundance of cafes and eateries, it's the perfect place to while away a day.
And if you are looking for somewhere to grab a bite during your next visit, here are some of The National's favourite spots.
Although this is not all the destination has to offer foodies, it's a selection of the best, newest and most popular.
Asia Asia
The Marina’s Pier 7 complex is known for its multi-restaurant offerings, but perhaps the most famous is Asia Asia. This upmarket restaurant and lounge serves up – you guessed it – pan-Asian cuisine, with a side of chic decor and impressive views over the Dubai Marina. Its Friday brunch and ladies' nights remain among some of the city’s most popular, so it’s best to book well in advance.
Daily, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, 6pm-1am, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 6pm-2am; Asia Asia, 6th floor, Pier 7; 04 276 5900; asia-asia.com
tasha’s
Tasha’s is well known around Dubai, and for good reason. This casual cafe and bistro’s Dubai Marina Mall branch is the perfect place for a lazy weekend breakfast. With an outdoor terrace that backs directly on to Marina Walk, you can take a break from shopping and watch the world go by outside. On the menu are all-day breakfast dishes, sandwiches and salads, as well as fresh cakes, so you’d be hard pushed not to find something you fancy.
Daily, Saturday to Wednesday, 9am-11pm, Thursday and Friday, 9am-12am; tasha’s, Marina Mall; 04 458 5611; tashascafe.com
Bistro Des Arts
This chic restaurant brings a slice of 1970s Paris to Dubai Marina. It serves bistro-style fare, from breakfast through to late-night supper, in a relaxed and laid back environment. It also hosts an excellent weekend brunch (not Dubai brunch, but proper brunch), with a mixture of fresh pastries, breakfast dishes and a cheese table.
Daily, 8am-11pm; Bistro Des Arts, Marina Promenade, Dubai Marina Mall; 04 551 1576; bistrodesarts.ae
Marina Social
For a modern twist on British classics paired with waterside views, head to Marina Social. With a menu from Michelin-acclaimed chef Jason Atherton, you can expect strong yet unpretentious culinary fare. Be sure to try the Marina Social tomato and burrata on the starter menu – the restaurant’s signature – and if you’re craving a weekend roast, you’ll find a mean one here.
Daily, Sunday-Thursday, 6pm-10.45pm, Friday and Saturday, 1pm-10.45pm; Marina Social, InterContinental Dubai Marina; 04 446 6664; marinasocialdubai.com
Iran Zamin
If you want to sample authentic Persian fare against a Marina backdrop, check out Iran Zamin. This family-run spot is a long-running favourite along Marina Promenade, serving up classic dishes including tahdig, baghali polo ba morgh and biryani.
Daily, 9am-2am; Iran Zamin, Marina Promenade; 04 432 9661
The Scene
British celebrity chef Simon Rimmer is behind the menu at Pier 7’s The Scene restaurant, which gives classic home-cooked food a contemporary twist. From chip shop fish and chips to a classic chicken Kiev, there are plenty of British staples that will bring on a sense of nostalgia.
Sunday to Thursday, 3pm-12am; Friday and Saturday, 12pm-12am; The Scene, Pier 7, Dubai Marina; 04 422 2328; thescene.xyz
Toro Toro
Located in Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai, Toro Toro brings the taste of South America to Dubai Marina. This fine-dining spot, set across two floors, features an open kitchen, ensuring the whole restaurant is filled with the aromas of the food being cooked up. Menu favourites include ceviche, crispy prawns, and of course, plenty of Brazilian-style meat fresh from the grill.
Saturday to Thursday, 7pm-1am; Fridays, 1pm-4pm, 8pm-1am; Toro Toro, Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina; 04 317 6000; torotoro-dubai.com
Counter Culture Cafe
This casual cafe is tucked away on the ground level of the Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites. Serving from early breakfast right through to dinner, it’s a great spot for a leisurely morning bite, a day of co-working or an after-work catch-up. Try the stewed apple pancakes for a great morning pick-me-up. And its outdoor terrace is pet-friendly, so expect to see plenty of dogs here.
Daily, 7am-10pm; Counter Culture Cafe, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, Dubai Marina; 04 319 4000; marriott.com
The Butcher
An import from Amsterdam, The Butcher is known for its famous patties, chunky chips and cool vibes. The restaurant started life as a pop-up in 2012 in Amsterdam’s bustling De Pijp neighbourhood, before quickly expanding across the city. Its popularity led the chain to open restaurants in Berlin and Ibiza, and Dubai Marina is its first outpost outside of Europe.
Daily, 12am-12pm; The Butcher, Marina Gate 1; 04 554 9245; the-butcher.com
Read more
Bluewaters Island restaurant guide: 9 of the best places to eat at the Dubai hot spot
About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
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Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Results
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Aatebat Al Khalediah, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer).
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Dubai Avenue, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: My Catch, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Golden Goal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
Pakistan squad
Sarfraz (c), Zaman, Imam, Masood, Azam, Malik, Asif, Sohail, Shadab, Nawaz, Ashraf, Hasan, Amir, Junaid, Shinwari and Afridi
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
Dubai World Cup Carnival Card:
6.30pm: Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.05pm: Handicap $135,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.40pm: Zabeel Turf Listed $175,000 (T) 2,000m
8.15pm: Cape Verdi Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap $135,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap $175,000 (T) 1,600m
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The Little Things
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto
Four stars
DUBAI WORLD CUP CARNIVAL CARD
6.30pm Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 2,410m
7.05pm UAE 1000 Guineas Listed $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.40pm Dubai Dash Listed $175,000 (T) 1,000m
8.15pm Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions $100,000 (D) 1.900m
8.50pm Al Fahidi Fort Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,400m
9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (D) 2,000m
The National selections
6.30pm: Gifts Of Gold
7.05pm Final Song
7.40pm Equilateral
8.15pm Dark Of Night
8.50pm Mythical Magic
9.25pm Franz Kafka
HOW TO WATCH
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The Two Popes
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce
Four out of five stars
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All or Nothing
Amazon Prime
Four stars
Results
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m; Winner: Faiza, Sandro Paiva (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer).
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,400m; Winner: Greeley, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi.
6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 1,600m; Winner: Marzaga, Jim Crowley, Ana Mendez.
6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 1,600m; Winner: Jawaal, Jim Crowley, Majed Al Jahouri.
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m; Winner: AF Ashras, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi.
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
