From Street Bites to Sky-High Sushi: Dining in the UAE Like a Rock Star

Let’s have it right—nobody comes to the UAE just to nibble on bland room service. Whether you’re out for Michelin-star madness or down for a messy shawarma at 3am, dining in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is a full-blown experience. You’re not just eating—you’re making an entrance, taking the pics, and leaving like a legend. And when you rent Toyota Dubai, going between taste-filled dining locations is half the fun. Smart vehicle, ac on point, and all your freedom to find the next bite.

Where Luxe Meets Lunch: The Fine Dining Game

First things first—sky-high sushi is more than a catchy phrase. At places like Zuma, Nobu, and Cé La Vi, you’re tucking into world-class dishes with skyline views that’ll make your nan cry. Tuna tartare with 360° views? Yes please. Just don’t show up in shorts—they’ll spot the Brit a mile off.

This is the sort of dinner where your sommelier has learned your star sign and dessert is served with dry ice. It’s more in the best sense. And if you turn up in your hire car Toyota? Sleek, subtle, and still sophisticated—not that it looks like trying too hard.

Banging Bites on a Budget

Not all meals should be tweezers-plated and presented on marble. The Emirates’ most delicious food is out on the street, hidden away in car parks or down backstreets that you might pass if you blinked. Have greasy, wonderful shawarma at Al Mallah in Satwa. Or seafood so fresh it could paddle you, at Bu Qtair by Jumeirah.

Sit down at a table (or your car hood), order, and eat like a local. These places don’t care about the ‘Gram—they care about flavour. And they deliver it in spades.

Brunch Like You Mean It

In the UAE, brunch is not a meal—brunch is an attitude. It begins at noon, comes with bottomless drinks, and usually concludes with someone dancing the Macarena on top of a couch. Restaurants such as Saffron, Bubbalicious, or Lock, Stock & Barrel go all out with buffets that would make Vegas proud.

You’ll find everything from oysters to lamb shank to sushi, and you’ll probably need a nap by 4pm. Good thing your Toyota has comfy seats and climate control, yeah?

Hidden Gems Off the Tourist Trail

Want to eat like a proper insider? Head to Deira’s backstreets for Iranian kebabs, or visit Karama for South Indian thalis that’ll blow your taste buds wide open. These places aren’t polished, but the food slaps, the portions are generous, and you’ll get change from a tenner.

With your own wheels, you’re not confined to hotel areas or overpriced tourist-trap restaurants. You can find the off-the-bewitched-path jewels—whether it’s a Sharjah’s legendary bakery or an Al Ain juice stand.

Late Night Rockstar Feasting

One thing the UAE nails is late-night eats. The city doesn’t sleep, and neither does its food scene. After a night out at WHITE, Soho Garden, or some secret rooftop spot with a saxophonist, you’ll need refuelling. Hit up Allo Beirut, Operation: Falafel, or a drive-thru Karak chai stand that’s still buzzing at 2am.

And when everyone else is queueing for a cab, you’ll be peeling off in your Toyota, playlist on, food in lap, air-con blasting. Bliss.

Final Course: Eat Big, Drive Smart

Dining in the UAE is not merely a matter of what you consume—it’s how you get there, how you enter, and what you gain. Whether dining on the clouds or slurping down biryani off a plastic table, you can be sure of one thing: the food game is on point here.

And so rent a Toyota Dubai, drive, and chase the flavors like a rock star. Bon appétit, or as people here would say—sahtain!