Zagat released its first-ever Dubai City Guide, covering 484 restaurants, 71 nightspots, 527 shops and 37 sites and attractions.
The results are based on the opinions of 5,751 avid, local consumers and are available as a printed guidebook in local bookstores and for free across Google Search, Maps, Google+ and mobile when signed into a Google Account.
Restaurants: Taking honors for Top Food in Dubai is the Fairmont Hotel's Spectrum on One, which earned a near-perfect 29 rating on Zagat's 30-point scale, while also taking the award for Top Service, thanks to an "amazing staff." In a "dreamy, fantasy location" at the end of a long pier in Jumeirah, seafood restaurant Pierchic won for Top Decor. The "welcoming" settings and "tasty" Pakistani cuisine of Barbecue Delights earned it Most Popular honors.
Here's a full list of winners:
Food 1. Spectrum on One
2. Nobu
3. P.F. Chang's
4. Kabalen
5. Spice Island
Decor 1. Pierchic
2. Khan Murjan
3. Al Iwan
4. Tribes
5. Spectrum on One
Service 1. Spectrum on One
2. Al Iwan
3. Emporio Armani Caffθ
4. Tribes
5. Al Mahara
Popularity1. Barbecue Delights
2. Lemongrass
3. Asha's
4. Al Qasr
5. Al Ibrahimi
The top-rated restaurants by cuisine (with their food ratings) are:
- Arabic Mezza House (27)
- Chinese P.F. Chang's (28)
- Eclectic Spectrum on One (29)
- Indian Calicut Paragon (28)
- Japanese Nobu (28)
- Lebanese Al Hallab (27)
- Pan-Asian Bamboo Lagoon (27)
- Seafood Bice Mare (27)
- Steak JW's Steakhouse (28)
- Thai Royal Orchid (27)
Sites and Sounds: Among the many sites and attractions in Dubai, voters gave Burj Khalifa, the tallest manmade structure in the world, boasting "breathtaking" views from its 124th floor observation deck, highest marks for Popularity and Appeal in Dubai. The Palm Jumeirah's Aquaventure won for Top Facilities and Service, featuring an "unparalleled water park," "thrilling" water slides and a variety of aquariums and lagoons for visitors to enjoy.
People looking to learn more about the region's history cite the Heritage & Diving Villages, the historic district of Bastakiah and the Dubai Museum. Rounding out the lists for Popularity and Appeal are:
Most Popular Attractions
1. Burj Khalifa
2. Aquaventure
3. Al Mamzar Park
4. Wild Wadi Waterpark
5. Madinat Jumeirah
Top-Rated Attractions
1. Burj Khalifa
2. Aquaventure
3. Ski Dubai
4. Madinat Jumeirah
5. Dubai Aquarium
Shop till you Drop: Within the Shopping establishments and mega-malls in Dubai are luxe brands such as Louis Vuitton, rated No. 1 for Quality and Display, and Marc Jacobs, taking Service honors. Among the many internationally known brands, Adidas was named Most Popular.
Those looking for items available only in Dubai can find them in the Deira Gold, Perfume and Spice Souks, providing a great "cultural experience" while offering "exotic fragrances" and "mind-boggling" displays. In addition, there are two annual festivals in the city the Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises which both offer great deals for locals and visitors. Here's a full list of the Most Popular and top rated shopping establishments:
Most Popular Shopping
1. Adidas
2. H&M
3. Sharaf DG
4. Zara
5. Splash
6. Damas
7. Forever 21
8. Jacky's
9. Marks & Spencer
10. Body Shop
Top-Rated Shopping (by category)
- Apparel Louis Vuitton
- Beauty M.A.C.
- Department Store Harvey Nichols
- Gifts Al Jaber Gallery
- Home Decor National Iranian Carpets
- Jewellery Cartier
- Shoes & Accessories Puma
- Specialist Food Hershey's Chocolate
After Hours: Nightlife survey winners include 360 Degrees, a dance club named Most Popular, Cavalli Club, which won for Decor, Warehouse, which won for Service, and Irish Village, which was top-rated for Atmosphere. Rounding out the list of Most Popular and Top rated nightspots are:
Most Popular Nightspots
1. 360 Degrees
2. Barasti
3. Buddha Bar
4. Irish Village
5. Hard Rock Cafe
Top Rated Nightspots (Atmosphere)
1. Irish Village
2. Cavalli Club
3. Buddha Bar
4. Nasimi Beach
5. Barasti
Zagat's Dubai City Guide ($13.95) was edited by Bill Corsello and local editors James Brennan and Shannon Wylie. Ratings and reviews are available in guides wherever books are sold, and for free across Google Search, Maps, Google+ and mobile when signed into a Google Account.
About Zagat
Known as the "burgundy bible," Zagat is a trusted source for consumer-generated survey information. With a worldwide network of surveyors, Zagat rates and reviews restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, shopping and a range of other leisure activities. Zagat content is integrated throughout Google, including Maps, Search, Google+ and mobile. Guidebooks are also available at all major retailers. In September 2011, Zagat was acquired by Google Inc.www.zagat.com 
