Dubai, the City of Gold, beckons with its charms.
The oasis of the Arabian desert is home to Dubai, a city of opulence, culture, and ambition. This is a city that does not know the word ‘impossible’, often challenging itself to rise above and doing so in style.
This week, KHAMSA takes a tour around Dubai with a detailed travel guide by Hassan Ali (@casa.cascou on Instagram). Popularly known by his stage name ‘Cascou‘, Hassan is a creative consultant and DJ who lives and breathes music. His association with Dubai is a close one, with the city giving him some of his best and most memorable moments.
Dubai is a bustling city of excellence, almost a map that keeps getting updated every day, as Hassan will tell you. Here, luxury isn’t just a lifestyle; it’s the very air that fills every room. Indeed, Dubai is a world where the lines between reality and fantasy blur, a metropolis that dreams big and then builds even bigger.
Top must-visit food spots in Dubai?
Breakfast?
Usually skip breakfast, but this is the spot if you’re craving traditional.
Cafés
Go for their ice-tea, stay for the brutalism.
THAT new spot!
Nice and intimate.
Great musical programming and ambiance, DJs playing throughout the week. But it’s the duck toastie for me.
Lunch?
Authentic Palestinian street food, my go-to spot to take the international DJs I have over for my parties.
That rowdy hole in the hole kebab shop.
Highly recommend after a beach day.
Sunday cookout, the spot round the corner after chilling poolside at the Upside.
Everyone’s favourite spot, and for good reason.
Dinner?
Honeycomb Hi-Fi
Izakaya style dining coupled with a sophisticated sound system. For International selectors and new sounds, go there when I present my party Paradisea.
– Hassan Ali
Best places for sundowners?
Tagomago
“I’d love to play my Balearic favourite tracks there; who do I have to talk to?”
Bungalo 34
Best places for shopping?
Offline – Flipside for records, Goodlife across the street for curated Japanese and Scandinavian streetwear and the obvious Dubai Mall for one-stop shop-all. For online, Precious-Trust and SN3 Studio for streetwear garments and Dastaangoi for scented candles.
– Hassan Ali
Must-visit cultural spots?
“Road trip to Abu Dhabi to visit the Louvre, Bayt Al Mamzar, Serkal Avenue, Cinema Akil film screenings, and Jameel Art Center.”
Best boutique hotels to stay in?
“The Upside – nice community and an even nicer poolside Burj view.”
What should you avoid?
Rush-hour and renting a Lambo!
– Hassan Ali
Must-pack items?
“Sun protection and water!”
