Bon Appetit

Khazana The devilishly spicy creations of chef Sanjeev Kapoor are the star of the show at this authentic, atmospheric and easy on the wallet Indian restaurant. Al-Nasr Leisureland, +971 336 0061 Pars Iranian Restaurant Take advantage of the cool winter weather with an al fresco feast at this hugely popular Iranian restaurant. Enjoy a well-priced selection of traditional Persian cuisine beneath the stars. Al-Dhiyafha Road, +971 4 398 4000 Al-Qasr Visit for banquets of epic proportions at which vast quantities of flawless Lebanese food accompanied by live Arabic music, dynamic belly dancing and a permanent fruity mist of shisha smoke. Dubai Marine Beach Resort, +971 4 346 1111, www.dxbmarine.com Rhodes Mezzanine With mouth-watering dishes such as smoked eel, braised oxtail and jam roly-poly on the menu at this striking new restaurant, UK celebrity chef Gary Rhodes is proving to Middle East food lovers that British cuisine is no longer an oxymoron. Grosvenor House Dubai, +971 4 399 8888, www.starwoodhotels.com Verre by Gordon Ramsay The foul-tempered British chef’s Dubai outpost remains the finest restaurant in the emirate. Try the spectacular lobster ravioli. Hilton Dubai Creek, +971 4 227 1111, www.hilton.com

Suitcase Fillers

Five Green This cutting-edge boutique and art gallery showcases the work of local designers and artists alongside a savvy selection of international brands. Check out Pink Sushi’s quirky accessories, Mona Ibrahim’s designer jewellery, or the playful pop-art of the Brownmonkeys for a unique Dubai souvenir. Behind Aroma Garden Caffe, Oud Metha, +971 4 336 4100 Ajmal Emiratis have been creating perfumes for centuries. At Ajmal you can sample traditional oudh or bakhoor or speak to the in-store perfumer about customising a scent to your specifications. Deira City Centre, +971 4 295 3580 Wafi Gourmet Piles of nuts, herbs, spices and olives lure visitors through the doors of this enchanting Lebanese delicatessen. Stock up on gift platters of locally- grown dates and gooey Arabic sweets – perfect presents for friends and family back home. Wafi City Mall, +971 4 324 4433

At Your Leisure

Dubai Drums For something more stimulating than the average desert tour, join Ghanaian percussionist Atsu for an evening of dining, dancing and lots of drumming in a secluded corner of the sands. Dubai Drums organise regular full moon drum circles and occasional all-night drumming marathons. www.dubaidrums.com Ski Dubai A little hot outside? Cool down in style on the slopes of the Middle East’s only indoor ski resort. Covering an area the size of three football fields, the five runs cater for all difficulty levels while the world’s largest snow park will keep children entertained for hours. Sheikh Zayed Road, exit 39, +971 4 409 4000, www.skidxb.com

Out of Town

Fujairah Only a couple of hours’ drive from the towers and traffic jams of Dubai, this sleepy east coast emirate is perfect for an overnight retreat. Journey through the striking Hajjar mountain range until you reach the sands of Al-Aqah, where you can enjoy some of the best snorkelling and diving opportunities in the Gulf. Text_Matthew Lee

Buying Up the World

Indulging in speculation over who’s buying into the artifical island development known as The World remains the city’s favourite pastime. The developers are notoriously tight-lipped but local gossip alleges that Rod Stewart’s singing for Britain, Tommy Lee’s up for Greece and Angelina Jolie’s set to adopt Ethiopia.