Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
German
(
02-596 7700;
www.abu-dhabi.diplo.de
;
Towers at the Trade Center, West Tower, 14th fl, Abu Dhabi
Mall)
Irish
(
02-495 8200;
www.embassyofireland.ae
;
19th St, off 32nd St, Khalifa Al Suwaidi Development)
New Zealand
(
02-441 1222;
www.nzembassy.com/united-arab-emirates
;
Villa 226/2, Al Karamah/24th St, btwn
11th & 13th Sts)
UK
(
02-610 1100;
http://ukinuae.fco.gov.uk/en
/; Khalid bin Al Walid/22nd St)
US
( emergencies only 02-414 2200;
http://abudhabi.usembassy.gov
;
off Airport Rd, btwn 29th & 33rd Sts , Em-
bassy District, nr Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre )
FOOD & DRINK
Filling your tummy in the UAE is an extraordinarily multicultural experience with a virtu-
al UN of ethnic cuisines to choose from. Lebanese, Indian and Iranian fare are the most
common, but you'll basically find anything from British fish and chips to German
sauerkraut and South African
boerewors
(sausage). For typical cuisine found throughout
the country,
Click here
and the Flavours of Arabia chapter (
Click here
)
.
By law, alcohol may only be sold in restaurants and bars in hotels or in members-only
clubs, such as golf clubs, which often admit paying nonmembers. Because of the 30% tax
on alcohol in the country, prices are high. Expect to pay around Dh25 for a bottle of beer,
from Dh40 for a glass of wine and from Dh50 for a cocktail. The only 'dry' (meaning al-
cohol is not permitted) emirate is Sharjah.
EATING PRICE RANGES
The following price ranges refer to an average main course. Prices may or may not include VAT and a service
charge, as this varies by emirate. Details are almost always spelled out (in fine print) in restaurant menus.
$
less than Dh30
$$
Dh30-Dh90
$$$
more than Dh90
GAY & LESBIAN TRAVELLERS
Homosexual acts are illegal under UAE law and can incur a jail term. You will see men
walking hand in hand, but that's a sign of friendship and no indication of sexual orienta-
tion.
Although no bars, clubs or cafes would dare identify themselves as gay-friendly for fear
of being raided and shut down, there are venues throughout Dubai and Abu Dhabi that at-
tract a sizeable gay and lesbian crowd.
