During the Christmas holidays, our eldest daughter came to Dubai from Paris. Whenever the family is together, we naturally feel like going out somewhere. That day, we headed toward Dubai Marina.
The Marina was, as always, congested. Traffic there is almost part of the experience โ โthe usual Marina,โ you might say. We left home leisurely and arrived around 3 p.m. It was windy, and the temperature wasnโt particularly high. Not quite a day for swimming, but perfect for a relaxed seaside walk. With evening approaching, there were hardly any swimmers left in the water.
The beachfront at JBR was lively, lined with cafรฉs and restaurants. At times, it almost felt like the American West Coast. Living inland, we donโt often experience this side of Dubai, so it felt refreshing โ a different face of the same city.
We continued walking toward Bluewaters Island, home to the world-famous Ain Dubai, one of the largest observation wheels in the world. Up close, it is simply massive. We briefly considered going for a ride, but the line was already long, so we decided to save it for another day. Seeing Palm Jumeirah from above will be something to look forward to next time.
As night fell, the wheel lit up beautifully, its reflections shimmering across the water. It was stunning โ and almost impossible to capture properly in a photograph. It was simply too big to fit into the frame.
๐ฝ๏ธDinner on the Terrace
After admiring the view, we returned to JBR and chose a restaurant with a terrace overlooking both the beach and Ain Dubai.
The wind had picked up and it was quite chilly, so we were especially grateful when blankets were brought to our table. Wrapping ourselves in blankets while dining outdoors in Dubai was not something I had imagined โ yet it turned out to be surprisingly comfortable. Even better, we were seated immediately without waiting, which felt like a small New Yearโs miracle.
We started with guacamole. Smooth avocado with a bright hint of lime โ fresh and clean in flavor. Paired with a non-alcoholic mojito, it was wonderfully refreshing.
Our eldest ordered a shrimp and avocado salad. It looked light at first glance, but it was surprisingly generous in portion โ substantial enough to be a meal on its own. The grilled shrimp added a lovely smokiness, balanced beautifully with the creamy avocado and a squeeze of lemon. It was so good that I found myself thinking, I must recreate this at home someday.
Our younger daughter chose a truffle cream pasta. The aroma of truffle rose immediately as the dish arrived at the table. The rich sauce clung perfectly to the pasta โ exactly the kind of comforting dish you crave on a cool evening.
I opted for a chicken and mushroom cream pasta. The sauce was deeply flavorful, coating the tender chicken beautifully. After the chilly sea breeze, the warmth of the dish felt especially satisfying.
My husband went for a burger. It was more compact than expected โ a comfortable portion size โ but the juicy patty and crisp fries delivered that reliable, classic satisfaction.
๐ฐAnd of Course, Dessert
We couldnโt resist ordering dessert as well.
I chose a kunafa-inspired cheesecake. Generously topped with pistachios and lightly scented with sweet syrup, it carried a subtle Middle Eastern touch. The cheese inside had a flavor reminiscent of a sweet Camembert โ slightly unusual, yet pleasantly addictive.
My husband ordered a rich chocolate cake. It arrived in a mold, which was removed at the table, revealing a dense slice generously coated in chocolate sauce. The chocolate flavor was incredibly intense. โThis is really goodโฆโ he said softly, closing his eyes as he savored each bite. It was even more indulgent than it looked โ a deeply satisfying dessert.
Our eldest daughter chose a fruit bowl โ berries, kiwi, banana, and granola โ a refreshing and lighter way to end the meal.
By the time we finished dessert, we were completely full. Despite our seaside walk, I doubt we had burned enough calories to compensate. โGood thing we walked first,โ we laughed โ though none of us were in a hurry to stand up.
Winter in Dubai is often described as the most pleasant season, but evenings by the sea can be surprisingly cool. Still, sitting under blankets, sharing warm dishes together, made for a wonderfully cozy experience.
Next time, we may finally ride the observation wheel โ but that shrimp salad and chicken cream pasta are dishes I would happily return for, and perhaps even attempt to recreate at home.
For visitors to Dubai, the stretch from Dubai Marina to JBR and Bluewaters offers a perfect balance: a scenic seaside walk, spectacular night views, and excellent dining options all in one area. If youโre looking to enjoy both the atmosphere and the food, this is definitely an area worth exploring.
