25 things that every newbie needs to know about Dubai

2. If your favourite way to have an avocado is to drink it, try the one at Antar Cafeteria – it’s the stuff dreams are made of.

3. To save yourself from hypothermia…okay we’re exaggerating… but to save yourself from freezing in the malls and cinema, it’s best to carry a jumper or shawl.

4. Dubai has pink cabs – driven by women for women.

5. Ditch the overpriced tins of nuts in the supermarkets for fresh ones sold in the Bank of Baroda building lane in Bur Dubai.

6. Row A, seats 20 and 21 are the two best seats at Dubai Opera.

7. Irrespective of the effort you put into your outfits, you are going to feel underdressed at some point, somewhere.

8. You will never go to bed hungry. Everything delivers and there are tonnes of restaurants open 24 hours a day.

9. A visit to the old Gold Souk in Deira has become a lot easier with the opening of the multi-storey car park.

10. The best Nutella ice cream and milkshake is served at Ice Lab in Al Quoz.

11. The cheapest way to get from Bur Dubai to Deira or vice versa is the abra. It’s just AED1. And, the ride is quite nice. 

12. You can personalise your nol card with a design of your choice or Dubai-inspired designs. Fancy shmancy.

13. Tuesdays = ladies’ nights = free beverages = a slow start to Wednesday.

14. Don’t dispute a traffic fine. It might land you with another one.

15. Never worry about missing buttons on your shirts, pants or coats – the shops in Satwa have them in all sizes, shapes and colours.

16. Camel meat burgers are a thing, just as camel milk is. Want to give it a shot? Go to Local House restaurant in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.

17. There’s an entire market in Bur Dubai that sells fabrics, traditional Indian wear and jewellery. The best part: you can bargain your heart out.

18. For a distant but ‘jaw dropping’ view of the skyline against the creek, head to Dubai Creek Harbour.

19. Craving German pastry? Try out Brothaus Bakery, tucked in a corner of Steigenberger Hotel in Business Bay.

20. Lime Tree Cafe is the undisputed champion of carrot cake. 

21. Delivery service isn’t just restricted to restaurants. Supermarkets and pharmacies in Dubai also do home deliveries.

22. The Courtyard at Manzil Downtown serves HANDS DOWN the best shisha in town.

23. There’s a hospital in Dubai, built at a cost of a cool AED40 million, just for camels.

24. If you have money to spare, opt for a luxury desert safari with Platinum Heritage. You’ll thank us later.

25. Candypants is the brunch for party people.