Global Village

Global Village is a seasonal attraction (October to April) that is part world's fair, part street food market, part theme park, and part shopping bazaar. AED 25 entry (about $7) gets you into a massive outdoor complex where over 90 countries have pavilions selling food, crafts, clothing, and souvenirs. The Turkish pavilion sells baklava, the Indian pavilion has biryani, the Moroccan pavilion has tagine, and the whole place is a chaotic, colourful, delicious mess.

The food is the real draw. Each country's pavilion has its own kitchen, and the range and quality of street food here is staggering. You can eat Korean fried chicken, Emirati machboos, Filipino halo-halo, and Peruvian ceviche in the space of 100 metres. Most items cost AED 15-40. The trick is to graze: buy one thing from each pavilion you pass and assemble a meal from six countries.

There are also rides (a Ferris wheel, rollercoasters, bumper cars), live performances on multiple stages, and a fireworks display on weekends. The rides cost extra (AED 15-30 per ride or AED 100 for an unlimited wristband) and are aimed at families. The overall energy is festive, loud, and completely unlike anything else in Dubai.

Global Village is on the outskirts of the city with no metro access. Taxi from Downtown is AED 40-60. It opens in the late afternoon (4 PM) and runs until midnight or later. Go on a weekday evening for smaller crowds. The October opening is the freshest, by March the pavilions are more tired.