Arabian Travel Market - Places to unwind

After your visit to the Arabian Travel Market this year, you'll be looking for places to unwind. And that's where Time Out Dubai, Arabian Business' sister publication for social events in the Emirate, can help. If it's worth eating and drinking at, Time Out Dubai gets their first, reviews it, filtering Dubai's best from its good. These are some of the best places to eat and drink according to your mood:

* Ten to try on Sheikh Zayed Road - from cheap eats, mid-range to blowing the budget
* For amazing décor
* For a hearty breakfast
* For al-fresco dining
* For late night eats
* For a waterside meal
* For something completely different
* For great cocktails

So, without further adieu, Time Out Dubai and ArabianBusiness.com present 'Places to Unwind' in Dubai:

Ten to try on Sheikh Zayed Road

Cheap eats

Noodle Sushi: They didn't go to town with the name but this is one of the unsung champions of Dubai's eating scene. Expect to find a feast of authentic, affordable Japanese food.

Saj Express: Impressive chicken shawarmas and a variety of basic Lebanese snacks in a pleasant outdoor setting.

Shakespeare & Co: A quirky, yet sophisticated, spot for grabbing a light lunch or a lazy weekend bunch. Service can be a bit erratic but this small chain is a good spot for solo dining or group visits.

Mid range

Marzano: Situated in one of Dubai's newest souks this Italian restaurant will have you hooked from start to finish. Try the seafood linguine - it is filled with delicious prawns, mussels and clams.

Nezesaussi: The pronunciation will never be easy but you can rest assured that this bright, frenetically busy sports bar is a great spot for grabbing a bite to eat while catching up on the latest sports match.

Oscar's Vine Society: This venue resembles a French wine cellar with its cavernous feel, roughly plastered walls, upturned wooden barrels and rustic menus.

Blow the budget

The Exchange Grill: It may be pretentious to wax lyrical about a humble lump of meat, but chances are you'll be grasping for superlatives after a visit to this peerless steak emporium.

Thiptara: A visually stunning Thai restaurant situated in the shadow of the world's tallest building. Thankfully the excellent food matches the scale of the soaring prices.

Vu's: Attitude and altitude from this 51^st floor restaurant which still offers one of the best views in Dubai. If you can tear yourself away from the panoramic cityscape enjoy the top quality European food.

The Rib Room: Phone ahead and reserve a table as this busy steak joint can often get busy with businessmen enjoying the benefits of a company credit card and long lunch hours.

For amazing decor

Al Mahara: Take a short submarine ride from the Burj Al Arab and you will find yourself in the giant aquarium of the Al Mahara restaurant. As you dine you will be surrounded by exotic fish - on your plate and behind the glass.

Buddha Bar: Getting into this Dubai Marina bar is no easy task. The perennially popular nightspot is always crammed with the city's "it crowd" the food is surprisingly good and yo can follow up your meal by dancing the night away.

The Noble House: An unprecedented triple-award winner at the recent Time Out Dubai restaurant awards this Chinese restaurant is situated near the peak of the pyramid of the Raffles Hotel.

For a hearty breakfast

Lime Tree Café: This Jumeirah café's not-so-secret weapon is its glorous food. Fresh, wholesome and inventive - the menu is further spiced up with regular culinary curveballs.

More: One of Dubai's more popular cafes now has branches in Garhoud and Sheikh Zayed Road. Famed for the generosity of its portions as well as the quality of the food on offer.

Saladicious: The salad bar here could well be the freshest and most enticing in the city. For just Dhs40 you can pile your plate as high as you like with a healthy goodness.

For al fresco dining

The Irish Village: The ever popular pub has become something of an institution in Dubai. Situated in the walls of the Dubai Tennis Stadium it is a popular spot for all-day dining and all night partying.

QD's: Location is the main part of this creekside eatery's appeal.When the weather is fine you'll be hard pressed to find a more chilled out spot for sheesha, drinks and snacks.

The Terrace: Another spot for looking out over the creek. Resident DJs play trendy music to appreciative crowds as they shovel caviar and salmon down their necks.

For late night eats

Al Mallah: An old stalwart on the bustling Al Diyafah Street scene. Al Mallah is the place to go for simple Arabic fast food.

Ravi Restaurant: Not only is this Satwa restaurant one of the most popular in Dubai it is the home of some of the best Pakistani and Indian food in the Middle East. Not bad considering an average meal for two will cost less than Dhs40.

Zataar W Zeit: The buzzy, funky atmosphere and friendly service here lends itself best to groups of friends and casual late night snacks.

For a waterside meal

The Boardwalk: There's something ineffably magical about creekside dining: the experience of kicking back with some food as abras and dhows chug along the waterway ranking as one of Dubai's ‘must-do' activities.

Majlis Al Bahar: You need to call the Burj Al Arab to book here, but Majlis Al Bahar isn't actually inside the iconic hotel at all. Jump in a golf buggy at the front door, and the driver will whisk you back up to the coast, scoot under the small bridge that leads to the island the Burj sits on, and drop you at a nearby beach.

Pierchic: Built on its own exclusive pier and looking directly up at the Burj Al Arab this is an idyllic setting. Especially as the sun sets over the Arabian Gulf. Look the other way and you can see the sparkle of the Madinat Jumeirah.

For something completely different

Pinoy Grill: If you're feeling brave, try the halo halo, essentially a mix of ice, jackfruit, red and blue jelly cubes, sweetcorn, mung beans and mashed purple yam in evaporated milk. This mixed-up dessert-cum-drink is a popular choice among Filipinos.

Samad: You'd be well advised, however, to plump for the traditional Iraqi shammi. What looks like an inflated pillowcase of crisp batter arrives on a base of bread and a scattered salad of white cabbage, onions, cucumber and crimson tomatoes.

Xiao Wei Yang Hotpot: Eating in Deira's Xiao Wei Yang Hotpot restaurant can make you do the strangest things. You may find yourself munching on grilled lamb's gonads from a wooden skewer or Mandarin fish balls. It's that kind of place.

For great cocktails

Apres: Kick back at the bottom of the Ski Dubai piste and enjoy drinks and a snack as you watch skiers tumble down the artificial slope.

Cin Cin: A sophisticated wine bar in the Fairmont hotel. Light meals and snacks are as much as you can eat but the extensive cellar and cigar menu will make you feel like a millionaire. Even if you aren't.

Lotus One: Lotus One is the catwalk of Dubai's restaurant scene. Stylish, filled with beautiful people and fashionable music. Look beyond the cool decor to the imaginative, accomplished and impressive menu and you'll be glad you came.

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