Natasha Amar

While growing up in Dubai in the early 1990s, our family's culinary adventures were mostly limited to shawarma and falafel takeaways, dining at Indian and Pakistani restaurants, or American fast-food chains.
Today, as a travel writer living in Dubai, I’m completely in awe of its wildly exciting dining scene filled with innovative restaurants, avant-garde concepts and bold chefs keen to show off their creative genius in a city where original ideas are favored and quickly accepted over old-fash...

Go on a cultural food tour
Best for peripatetic food-lovers
The majestic minarets and vibrant souks of Old Dubai, the ancient pearl-diving and trading hub that sprawled around Dubai Creek before the oil boom, are a striking contrast to the city’s shimmering skyscrapers. Culinary influences from Iran, the Indian subcontinent and as far as East Africa shape Emirati cuisine and Dubai’s food culture. A walking food tour of Old Dubai reveals the diverse cuisines that define the city today.
Begin i...

With its dazzling architecture, meticulous design and obsession with detail, Dubai rewards creativity, innovation and ambition at every turn. This is a place where bold ideas are not only welcomed — they’re expected.
The result is a cityscape that constantly impresses, where every structure, space and skyline seems engineered to leave you in awe. But Dubai’s beauty isn’t just for show. Beneath the surface of its superlatives lies depth — thoughtful nods to heritage, reinterpretations of tradi...

With its dazzling architecture, meticulous design and obsession with detail, Dubai rewards creativity, innovation and ambition at every turn. This is a place where bold ideas are not only welcomed — they’re expected.
The result is a cityscape that constantly impresses, where every structure, space and skyline seems engineered to leave you in awe. But Dubai’s beauty isn’t just for show. Beneath the surface of its superlatives lies depth — thoughtful nods to heritage, reinterpretations of tradi...

The United Arab Emirates isn’t short on showstoppers. Beyond the record-breaking skyscrapers and glittering shopping malls, though, lies a trove of unforgettable experiences that are worthy of your bucket list. Whether gazing at starlit skies in the world’s largest sand desert, mountain biking through emerald wadis in the Hajar Mountains or partaking in a sophisticated afternoon tea at the Burj Khalifa, the country delivers activities as diverse as its landscapes.
From immersive fine dining i...

The United Arab Emirates isn’t short on showstoppers. Beyond the record-breaking skyscrapers and glittering shopping malls, though, lies a trove of unforgettable experiences that are worthy of your bucket list. Whether gazing at starlit skies in the world’s largest sand desert, mountain biking through emerald wadis in the Hajar Mountains or partaking in a sophisticated afternoon tea at the Burj Khalifa, the country delivers activities as diverse as its landscapes.
From immersive fine dining i...

An underrated destination in the Middle East, Oman wows visitors with its rose-gold desert dunes, rugged mountains, crystal-clear waters, pristine islands, terraced farms and white-sand beaches. Brimming with character, capital city Muscat is home to cultural attractions that offer a glimpse at the country’s profound connection to its heritage while embracing a nuanced approach to modern progress.
Omani culture also thrives in atmospheric souqs (markets), ancient forts and quiet agricultural ...

An underrated destination in the Middle East, Oman wows visitors with its rose-gold desert dunes, rugged mountains, crystal-clear waters, pristine islands, terraced farms and white-sand beaches. Brimming with character, capital city Muscat is home to cultural attractions that offer a glimpse at the country’s profound connection to its heritage while embracing a nuanced approach to modern progress.

Omani culture also thrives in atmospheric souqs (markets), ancient forts and quiet agricultural ...

Your guide to the best time to visit Dubai that suits your travel style.
While news of its record-breaking summertime temperatures travels around the globe every year, Dubai truly has transformed into a year-round destination in recent years. Its many indoor attractions are just as enjoyable as going on a desert safari or chilling at a beach club. In fact, it’s easy to forget about the brutal heat when you’re shopping at local boutiques at a mall, exploring the homegrown coffee scene at cool ...

Nuanced and diverse, Dubai’s cultural scene offers rewarding explorations–if you know where to look.
Often mistakenly labeled as a city with no soul, perhaps by visitors who dare not venture beyond its swanky shopping malls, observation decks, and luxury hotels, Dubai’s robust culture scene is every bit as deliciously diverse, vibrant, and dynamic as you’d expect from a city home to nearly 200 nationalities.
Art galleries, immersive theaters, and creative spaces thrive among commercial and in...