The Arabian Tea House.

Sometimes, there are hidden gems to uncover in your immediate neighborhood. As we walked just behind our hotel, the streets were lined with supermarkets, stores, pharmacies, and printing shops. We passed a building adorned with old cast-iron cannons, which are typically displayed during Ramadan celebrations. We then discovered a traditional Arab restaurant overlooking the Dubai Creek: The Arabian Tea House.

The decor here is inviting, with soothing white walls and simple, elegant furniture. The staff is friendly, and the venue also offers free Wi-Fi to its patrons. We shared the Arabic breakfast tray, which was loaded with tomatoes, olives, rose jelly, cheese, and honey. The dish was sumptuous and refreshing, setting the tone for a wonderful day. I highly recommend this place if you’re in the area.

Mega Mall

The Mega Mall is a short ride away from our hotel. It has a few interesting displays and the usual types of stores one expects to see at a mall. However, it’s not the place to visit after you’ve been to the Dubai Mall. The “Mega” in the mall’s name almost seems ironic. In our case, it was the pickup spot for our next adventure: the Desert Safari.