What’s On has details of the Downtown neighbourhood in Dubai – part of the What’s On neighbourhood guide – including hidden gems and old favourites.

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– Complete neighbourhood guide

This ‘hood needs little introduction. Home to the tallest building, largest mall and the biggest fountain show on the planet, Downtown Dubai is the city’s cultural nerve centre just begging to be explored.

DINE: Karak House

A fantastic little place that’s always busy. The menu is Indian and Emirati, which tosses up combinations such as beetroot falafel with raita, spicy hummus, and a fiery lamb kofta served in a pan.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Sun to Wed 9am to 11pm, Thur to Sat 9am to midnight. Tel: (04) 5516852. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall

Karak House1

SHOP: Gold from a vending machine

Purchase anything from a 2.5-gram, 24-carat gold coin to a one-ounce gold bar.

Burj Khalifa Observation Deck At The Top, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, daily 8.30am to 5pm, 7.30pm to 11pm. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. gold-to-go.com

DO: Dive with sharks

The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is home to more than 20,000 fish and 90 sharks including sand tiger sharks, black and white-tip reef sharks, and leopard sharks. You can book a 40-minute diving date with these predators of the deep.

The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, Dhs675 (certified divers). Tel: (04) 4485200. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. thedubaiaquarium.com

DO: Ride the Dubai Trolley

The pretty San Francisco-style tram will eventually run for 7km along Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard and around surrounding areas, servicing Burj Khalifa, Souk Al Bahar, Dubai Fountain, The Dubai Mall and the upcoming Opera District. For now, it spans just over one kilometres and you can hitch a ride between The Dubai Mall Vida Downtown Dubai.

emaar.com

Dubai Trolley1