Caligula
Caligula becomes a nightclub at around 11pm, but before then it offers one of the most enjoyable dining experiences in Sharm. A hot volcanic rock is delivered to your table, and you cook your meat or seafood by placing it on the rock until it’s ready. There’s no oil involved, so it’s a really healthy way to cook. The veal is particularly delicious, and if the meat’s not perfect – well, you’ve only got yourself to blame. Savoy Hotel & Resort, +20 10 160 9544
Sushi Bar & Teppanyaki
This Japanese eatery is divided in two, with a conveyor-belt sushi bar and a teppanyaki grill. For freshly made food the teppanyaki – cooked to order salmon, steak and seafood – is the best bet. Soho Square, +20 10 160 9544
Suitcase Fillers
Il Mercato
If you’re after a mall with all the big-brand clothing stores and coffee shop franchises, head here. The owners stress the novel (to Egypt at least) concept of hassle-free retailing. Hadaba, +20 69 366 5254
The Globe
The Globe is the iconic glass dome at the top of the Norman Foster- designed Kingdom Tower. It’s also the best restaurant in the city. The German chef uses high-quality ingredients from around the world to create minor masterpieces, such as the Asian-influenced tartare of king crab, coconut, avocado and chilli. The wagyu beef, meanwhile, is oven-roasted to a perfectly pink medium-rare. And the views, as you’d expect, are quite fantastic. Al-Faisailiah Hotel, +966 1 273 2000
Spazio 77
Knock-out high-altitude dining at 77 floors up. World-class French and Italian cuisine (plus a sushi bar) competes with the vertiginous views for diners’ attention. Kingdom Centre, King Fahad Highway, Olaya, +966 1 211 1888
Hezaardastan Traditional Teahouse Wooden beds heaped with Persian carpets, large cushions for lounging and murals from Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh make this a beautiful place to eat. Jannat Mall, 6 Jannat Avenue, +98 511 222 2943
Moein Darbar Restaurant
This beautiful Mashhad restaurant is justly famed for its splendid interior, replete with an aquarium, The star of the Iranian menu is the shishlik kebab. Near Mellat Park, Bezrekrah Shahid Klantre St
At Your Leisure
Ferdowsi Mausoleum Ferdowsi wrote the Shahnameh, the Epic of Kings, in the 10th century. His old home town, Tus, is now a shrine to the work, and the poet is buried under a tombstone carved with scenes from the poem. It’s well worth a visit if you’re in the area.
1886 Restaurant
Smart dress is required, but 1886 – housed in a classic old Luxor institution – really delivers on the fine European delicacies. It’s the perfect place for a business lunch or a special celebratory dinner. Old Winter Palace Hotel, Corniche El-Nil, East Bank, +20 95 238 0422
Oasis Café This atmospheric eatery brims with colonial elegance, which is reason enough to savour a frothy cappuccino at least. Sharia Dr Labib Habashi, +20 95 336 7121
At Your Leisure
Hot-air ballooning
The best way to beat the crowds among the tombs and temples of Luxor’s West Bank is to travel by air. Fix up your trip through your hotel or a travel agent.
Bundu Khan is one of Lahore’s most upscale Pakistani restaurants. You’ll spend a little more money here, but you get what you pay for. The tandoori chicken is superb and the kebabs all melt in the mouth. Fortress Stadium
Cuckoo’s Cafe
This beautiful art gallery and restaurant in the old city boasts a rooftop dining room and fantastic views over the old city. The Pakistani cuisine is excellent, too. Fort Road
Food Street Every Pakistani city has its own food street and the one in Lahore is the first and the best. Everybody in town will be able to direct you to Gawalmandi and its dozens of restaurants and stalls representing the varied cuisine of Pakistan and the Indian subcontinent. Over the past few years, Food Street’s continued existence has been under threat. Gawalmandi
Ayyame
The competition is tough, but Ayyame is currently our favourite restaurant in Kuwait. The setting, at the very edge of Marina Crescent, is as good as it gets with beautiful views of the ocean and Kuwait City. Yet the food still manages to be the star of the show with brilliant versions of dishes from across the Middle East and North Africa. Our favourite mezze include the Iranian- Lebanese spinach houmous, the Libyan pumpkin dip and the Syrian muhammara. For mains, we adore the Moroccan lamb tagine and the muhallabia will bring proceedings to a sweet dénouement. Bonus points for getting some Kuwaiti dishes on the menu, too. Marina Crescent, +965 2571 2189
The Early Bird The Early Bird is the most unexpected of discoveries, an authentic American breakfast restaurant in Fahaheel. It’s owned by Bianca Simonian, a Los Angeles native who’s mastered the all- American breakfast: pancakes, biscuits and gravy, waffles and omelettes – yum. Healthier options include yoghurt and muesli. There are board games on the tables, works by local artist Ghadah Alkandari on the walls, and good music on the stereo. Fahaheel, +965 2392 5814
Ginger
Entering this friendly and hospitable vegan Thai restaurant, one escapes the cement corridors that tend to characterise Kuwait City. It is the valiant endeavour of two Kuwaiti sisters to acquaint their community with the life- giving power of food, which is made in accordance with Hindu sattva philosophy. The ginger vegetables with coconut is a typically wholesome, healthy and tasty dish. Al-Muthana Complex, +965 2249 5097
Living Room Lounge
The soft luminosity of this well- located hangout creates the aura of comfort and familiarity one would find in an actual living room. Unlike most living rooms, however, this one opens out to the sea. A huge range of inventive soft drinks complements a menu dominated by fresh sandwiches, salads and pastas. Marina Waves. +965 2224 4653
Melanzane
Some time ago, two Kuwaiti cousins met Italian masterchef Nino Trapani, who trained them lovingly in the secrets of Sicilian cuisine. They return to Kuwait and after two years of hard work Melenzane is born. At this inventive Sicilian eatery, one can really feel the authenticity of its inception. It’s refreshing and a delight to go to a restaurant where the chefs are clearly so passionate about the food they’re serving. Al-Bidaa. +965 9729 9288. Al-Noukhasa This tasteful seafood smorgasbord boasts 35 salads, nine different hot dishes (not just seafood), two soups which change daily, a host of fresh breads, an exceptional main course – the chef’s platter with hammour, shrimp, and lobster prepared according to your specifications – and over a dozen selections for desert. Best of all, it’s all available for a very reasonable all-inclusive price. Crowne Plaza Hotel, Farwaniyah. +965 2475 7775.
Salad Boutique With over 75 salads on its menu, Salad Boutique more than lives up to its name. And if they don’t have the right salad for you, they can customise one to your liking. We recommend the generously- proportioned steak salad. Sandwiches, mini-burgers and risotto are available. Branches in Jabriya and Al-Shaab, +965 2535 5755, saladboutique.com
Suitcase Fillers
Mubarikiya
Kuwait’s Old Souq has recently been polished up and modernised, all without sacrificing any of its traditional flavour. Shop here for herbs, spices and jewellery. Old Souq, Downtown
At Your Leisure
Tareq Rajab Museum
This is the nation’s foremost collection of art, calligraphy, textiles, jewellery and musical instruments. Mr Rajab has assembled one of the world’s finest collections of Islamic artefacts, making this a must-visit for tourists. Tareq Rajab incorporates a museum of Islamic calligraphy, while Dar El-Cid, an art gallery, is around the corner. Jabriya, +965 531 7358
Al-Baik
Al-Baik is a Saudi institution with Jeddah as its heartland – and a global following of fans. At first sight it looks like just another fast food restaurant, but once you’ve spoken to customers there and seen people driving away with enough takeaway food to feed an army, you’ll start to appreciate what a big deal this is in Jeddah. The fried chicken, as you’d expect, is excellent. Corniche Road, +966 2 606 4635
Al-Khayam
We asked around and the concensus was clear – Al-Khayam is the best Persian restaurant in Jeddah. We can see why it’s so popular. It’s a beautiful space, lavishly decorated with Persian rugs, lamps and billowing silk. More importantly, all the food tastes magnificent. We adore the kebabs here, which melt in the mouth and zing with saffron, while the kashk e-badenjan is particularly wonderful. It’s highly recommended. Jeddah Hilton Hotel, +966 2 659 0000
Vertigo Vertigo is easily one of Saudi Arabia’s hippest joints. It’s a shisha place with a rock music theme (check out the guitars, saxophones and violins on the wall) and a smart international menu. It’s also one of the few shisha cafés where families can visit together. Palestine Street, +966 2 664 5687
Yildizlar
Yildizlar is an institution in Jeddah, having served Turkish, Lebanese and Syrian cuisine to appreciative customers for decades. The mezze is excellent – treat yourself to muhammara, kibbeh nayeh and moutabal with steaming-hot bread. The adventurous can try raw liver or brain salad. Dishes such as lahmacun (mini-pizzas) are complimentary. Rawdah St, +966 2 653 1150
At Your Leisure
Old Jeddah
A maze of winding streets full of tiny shops and eateries, Old Jeddah is a glimpse of a vanishing Arabia. Exquisite wooden latticework balconies and façades cover the traditional houses, some of which are being restored. Al-Balad, start at Maydan Al-Bayal
A’jia
Settle down by the Bosphorus to sample the Mediterranean delights of A’jia. It’s the most tranquil restaurant in town. Ahmet Rasim Pasa Yalisi, Kanlica, +90 212 381 4000
Don’t Miss This
U2 & Snow Patrol
Bono, The Edge and the lads, otherwise known as The World’s Biggest Band, play the Ataturk Olympic Stadium on 6 September. Support comes from Snow Patrol, who’ve sold a not unimpressive ten million records of their own. biletix.com
Ozzy Osbourne The Black Sabbath main man and self-styled Prince of Darkness isn’t very scary these days, but he still knows how to put on a show. At the Turkcell Kurucesme Arena on 30 September. biletix.com
FIBA World Championships
The biggest event in basketball, the FIBA World Championships come to Turkey for the first time (28 Aug to 12 Sep). Games will be played in Ankara, Izmir and Kayseri as well as Istanbul. Our fingers are crossed for Lebanon, Iran and Jordan, who’ve all entered teams. www.fiba.com
Abdel Wahab
Not only does Abdel Wahab successfully recreate the special ambiance of the original Beirut restaurant, it also has jaw- dropping views of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain. Only the fine traditional Lebanese food and convivial atmosphere will lift that jaw back up into chewing and chatting mode. Dubai Mall, +971 4 339 0988
Abou El-Sid You’re in a mall and you’re hungry – do you go for a burger, or a pizza? What about a stuffed pigeon? You can get it at this newly opened and colourful Egyptian restaurant. It’s rare to find such authentic Arabic food among all the burger chains, so sit back, have a traditional kobeba meat ball, and be thankful it’s not a Big Mac. Mirdif City Centre, +971 4 284 0040
Amal The signature restaurant in the The world’s first Armani-branded Indian restaurant successfully combines the smooth understated elegance of the Italian brand with the exotic vibrancy of subcontinental cuisine. Armani is all about cool, so expect first-rate service from impeccably attired waiters and subtly nuanced food, rather than wild, hot spices and pungent flavours.Burj Khalifa, 800 276 264
Ember
With its seasonal menu and the promise of authentic grill cuisine from around the world, Ember is guaranteed to set your taste buds aglow. Whether you opt for the Australian beef or the Japanese robatayaki, you can be sure of expertly cooked food in an elegant and contemporary environment. The Address, Dubai Mall, +971 4 438 8888
PF Chang’s
Pretty fantastic, possibly fabulous or positively fun – whatever the PF stands for, this Chinese restaurant is well worth a visit. The American chain has arrived in Dubai with all the favourties that made it such a hit in the States. Signature dishes like the lettuce wrap – chicken yuk sung by any other name – and dynamite shrimps are all here in a bright and breezy open-plan restaurant at this brand new mall. Coronation Street, Mirdif City Centre, +971 4 231 6660
Piccolo Mondo The Italian section of International City comes alive with this vivid and vivacious restaurant. It’s certainly a colourful spot, and its international menu follows suit with a range of fresh and tasty dishes. International City, Italy Cluster, +971 4 420 0788
Ping Pong Dim Sum
Imagine a traditional Chinese tea house with a healthy dose of 21st-century London chic, and you’ve got Ping Pong right off the bat. With all of the glamorous flourishes that made the British chain such a success, the Dubai Mall location makes it the perfect place to nibble on dim sum after an arduous shopping trip. Dubai Mall, +971 4 339 0988
Rococo
The most recent addition to Dubai’s Italian restaurant scene, Rococo doesn’t go for gimmicks – just highly sophisticated and beautifully presented food in elegant surrounds. The leather- seated booths and ornate lighting provide an intimate atmosphere to enjoy a wide range of delicately crafted antipasti and classic pasta dishes, not to mention some stunning Italian desserts. Sofitel Jumeirah Beach Residence, +971 4 448 4848
Sun Tour
Whisper it quietly, but some of the best Chinese food in Dubai can be found in a huge indoor market shaped like a mythical creature. Dragon Mart is home to Sun Tour, an unpretentious restaurant that serves authentic Chinese food at a price that won’t cause you to breathe fire. Dragon Mart, +971 4 368 7321
