Dubai's Little Venice: Madinat Jumeirah

Introduction

Welcome to the Arabian mini-city and ‘Little Venice’ of Dubai: Madinat Jumeirah! Dubai is the metropolitan hub and socialite mecca of the United Arab Emirates, and indeed of the Middle East region. This effectivey renders Madinat Jumeirah a destination within a destination! It is a luxurious affair and is home to five-star hotels, ornate souks and beachfront hotspots. Also keep your eyes peeled for one of the best views in Dubai of the Burj Al Arab! However, Madinat Jumeirah’s truly authentic feature is the 5km river system that runs through its heart, taking guests on traditional abra boats along its palm-fringed waterways. You’ll travel past grand hotels, traditional summer houses, mansions, the souk and other visitors enjoying a meal and a glass of wine in the sun on the Arabesque terraces outside of the many restaurants.

The souk and its multi-level restaurants with outdoor seating come alive as the sun sets in Madinat Jumeirah. People flock to the bars and restaurants and the sound of laughter and casual conversation is intoxicating as the gentle orange and yellow glow descends behind the hotels and restaurant canopies. With over 50 bars and restaurants onsite, there’s something for everyone!

I’ve written briefly about Madinat Jumeirah in my post Dazzling Dubai in 4 Days but this post endeavours to share more of its charm for visitors who have the luxury of a day (or more) here.

Central restaurant terrace at Souk Madinat Jumeirah

For other wonderful ideas in Dubai and Madinat Jumeirah, click here to see TripAdvisor’s trusty reviews and options! You’ll find more details on the best bars and restaurants in Souk Madinat Jumeirah!

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For the best rates on hotel bookings and other returning-customer perks, click here to visit Booking.com where you can compare all the amazing hotels in Madinat Jumeirah!

Itinerary for a day at Madinat Jumeirah

Explore the Souk & find a special momento
Take a photo of the Burj al Arab outside The Meat Co. Restaurant
Wander up and down the multilevel displays
Afternoon specialty beer at Belgian Beer Cafe
Discover the waterways in an Arabian gondola
Sundowners at a rooftop bar
Outdoors terrace dinner at Taverna Greek Kitchen
Nightcap at Trader Vic’s

The Venetian styl waterways and gondola at Souk Madinat Jumeirah

Explore the Souk & find a special momento

First things first: take in the unique surroundings! A souk (or souq) is an Arab marketplace or bazaar and Souk Madinat Jumeirah is an exciting modern take on the traditional version you’ll find in Old Town Dubai. The buildings replicate an old Arabic town and within the ornate entrance, you’ll find an endless maze of tiny alleys and high-arched wood framed walkways. A colourful treasure trove awaits, with vendors selling all manner of jewellery, souvenirs, garments, fabrics, spices, paintings and local trinkets.

Locally made arts and pottery at Souk Madinat Jumeirah

Take a photo of the Burj al Arab outside The Meat Co. Restaurant

Once through the main entrance, turn right and continue along the alleyway of the souk. Eventually you’ll come to an outdoor exit and around the corner is one of the grandest visions of The Burj Al Arab you’ll see in Dubai. (It also happens to be outside The Meat Co., a modern aesthetic treat within which some of the best steaks in the city are carved up).

Framed by the canals, palms and bridges, make sure to stop off here for a glam selfie!

Iconic images of Burj Al Arab from Meat & Co, Madinat Jumeirah

Wander up and down the multilevel displays

From here you can circle around the outside perimeter of the souk, marvelling at the variety of restaurants and cafes, until you will eventually come to a terrace clearing. In the centre are a few restaurants which you can scout for your dinner later!

First though, I’d recommend returning inside the souk and checking out the various levels to the market.

The narrow wood-arch alleyways of Souk Madinat Jumeirah

Afternoon specialty beer at Belgian Beer Cafe

On the first floor is the Belgian Beer Cafe and this has some epic views across the terrace below, as well as the waterways. Watch the tourists on the abha boats whilst trying a specialty Belgian Beer! We went with a strawberry flavoured beer which was uber sweet but well received in the warm sun. Other patrons were participating in the Belgian Beer Cafe brunch (Saturdays 2-5pm), which serves up traditional Belgian dishes, as well as a premium lobster option.

Specialty beers from Belgian Beer Cafe, Madinat Jumeirah

Discover the waterways in an Arabian gondola

If you’re a tourist in Dubai, then there’s no shortage of unique (albeit somewhat kitsch) opportunities for fun. Why not hop aboard a Madinat Jumeirah abra boat ride and discover the magic of souk from the water. Tickets can be purchased from the central abra taxi station, adjacent the Taverna Greek Kitchen. The tranquil canals allow a breath of fresh air away from the busy souk.

Exploring the Madinat Jumeirah waterways on an Arabic gondola (abra boat)

Sundowners at a rooftop bar

Evening at Souk Madinat Jumeirah brings with it a magical vibe, with guests milling about at the end of a day shopping, ready to enjoy the sunset and a good meal. Fortunately there are a few rooftop bars where you can enjoy ‘predrinks’. Quite a few have great happy hour deals, so its worth checking these out. We found our way to Newton, a delightful cocktail bar perched above the central terrace, which allowed for some great people watching.

Enjoying a glass of wine at dusk, Newton Bar, Madinat Jumeirah

Outdoors terrace dinner at Taverna Greek Kitchen

Undeniably my favourite moment at Souk Madinat Jumeirah was the sumptuous meal we enjoyed at Taverna Greek Kitchen.

After travelling to Greece last year (read more about our epic adventures in Greece here), it’s been difficult finding Greek food that truly replicates the quality and flavours we experienced there. Enter Taverna!

From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable and our waiter was affable, informative and attentive. The setting was a picture straight from Greece: white tables, decorative green vines and sturdy potted plants under a canopy of fairy lights.

The menu brewed some definite excitement as our eyes glossed across words such as taramosalata, tirokafteri and soutzoukakia. With a penchant for a Greek salad, we could not go past this as our first choice. Accompanying this we went with:

Appetiser: a perfectly grilled garlic oil pita bread, freshly made tzatziki and olives
Entree: Slow cooked & char-grilled octopus tentacles with paprika, lemon oil, Santorini fava bean salad & salicornia & extra virgin olive oil
Main: Taverna Special Grill – Marinated & woodfired mixed grill of beef, lamb & chicken, with chips

Of course these were all washed down with a fine pint of the iconic Greek beer, Mythos!

In the summer months, the interior of Taverna Greek Kitchen is equally as enchanting, mimicking the inviting nature of traditional family run kitchens in Greece.

Nightcap at Trader Vic’s

Notorious internationally and particularly in the Middle East, there’s no better place than Trader Vic’s for a post-meal nightcap and Madinat Jumeirah is no exception!