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Ali Khalil, founder and Creative Director of LEVUMA, a high jewelry house established in Antwerp in 2016, is a Dubai-based authority in rare natural diamonds. He shares his favorite addresses in Dubai, a city much discussed but not always fully understood, and describes how insiders and creatives can get the best from this "magnetic" place.

BY ALI KHALIL | CABANA TRAVEL | 12 FEBRUARY 2026

Dubai is a city you fall in love with once you live there, not with one visit. I wasn’t convinced at first. Like many people, I only saw the surface: the glitz, the scale, the spectacle. It was only after moving here, settling in, and allowing myself to experience the city beyond short trips that I began to understand its magnetism. People are here to build something. There is an ambition in the air that feels contagious.

Over the past four or five years, the city has changed dramatically. The quality and diversity of the populace has improved enormously. Young creatives, founders, designers and entrepreneurs from all over the world have made Dubai their home. It’s increasingly international, but in a grounded and lived-in way.

My Favorite Places to Stay

I’m drawn to places where the architecture and atmosphere feel considered and quietly refined rather than overtly grand. The Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah has a beautiful sense of proportion and calm, but also offers a more vibrant energy. The beach club carries a subtle buzz that feels lively and social without losing elegance.

When I’m looking for something more secluded, I gravitate towards the Bulgari Resort. It feels almost residential in spirit, quieter, more architectural, and slightly removed from the city’s pace. There’s an intimacy and restraint there that I find grounding. 

More recently, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab reflects Dubai’s contemporary confidence: sleek, luminous and forward-looking, yet thoughtfully designed.

My Favorite Café

I love to stop at The Grey Coffeeshop in Al Wasl for a V60 made with Yemeni beans. A small ritual before heading to the office or answering emails from the café. I soon discovered these non-touristy places, which belong to the city’s everyday life. That is when living in Dubai becomes truly enjoyable.

My Favorite Restaurants

For a midweek lunch I often go to Bungalo34 at J1. Sitting right on the sand, it has excellent food and an infectious holiday feel. One of my favourite places dor dinner is 3Fils, a small, no-reservations restaurant by the old marina in Jumeirah.

It is a homegrown concept, mostly locals rather than tourists, with exceptional sushi and unexpectedly good smashed burgers. It is relaxed, unfussy and very “Old Dubai” in spirit.

Thursdays take me to Alserkal Avenue, Dubai’s arts district, which is similar in spirit to East London. I love Middle Child, a recently opened restaurant created by a former Google employee who spent years researching and perfecting her recipes. It has a Lower East Side energy, attracts a cool crowd and is vibrant without trying too hard.

My Favorite Cozy Pub or Bar

For date nights, I love Bar des Prés, set on the 51st floor with sweeping views across the city. It is a very sensual, groovy space, with deep royal blue tones, warm wood interiors and a low-lit atmosphere. The food and cocktails are exceptional, and it feels intimate despite the scale of the city below.

My Favorite Shop

For clothing, I frequent Orient 499 in Alserkal. Founded by a Lebanese and French duo, the brand reinterprets traditional Arabic and Levantine garments using exceptional fabrics, including Loro Piana, all crafted by artisans from the region. It’s deeply rooted in heritage while remaining entirely contemporary, much like Dubai itself.

My Favorite Museum or Gallery

I love The Museum of the Future, which is wonderful, but some of my favorite museums in Dubai are just an hour away by car. The Louvre Abu Dhabi, in particular, is a place I return to often, for the architecture as much as the art. Seeing works like Cy Twombly’s blue paintings in that setting is a powerful experience.

My Favorite Park or Green Space

My mornings often start early at Kite Beach, where I go for a run before the city fully wakes up, often followed by a quick dip in the sea. It’s Dubai’s version of Venice Beach: relaxed, a little retro offset with social ease. There is something about the rhythm of the sea and the openness of the space that instantly calms me.

My Favorite Way to Relax

After long workdays, I like to reset at Contrast in City Walk. I go twice a week with two of my best friends for sauna catch up sessions and ice baths. Dubai has developed a strong ecosystem around longevity and wellness, from advanced recovery spaces to cutting-edge longevity clinics, and it has become natural to integrate these practices into daily life rather than treat them as occasional indulgences.

My Favorite Way to Spend a Weekend

On Saturdays I go to the beach at the Mandarin Oriental. On occasional weekends, we escape inland into the desert, setting up carpets and rugs around a bonfire, sharing food and conversation under the stars. The stargazing is extraordinary and reminds you how close nature always is, even in a city defined by architecture.

Padel is impossible to avoid in Dubai and impossible not to love. Everyone plays. Matcha Club is a favorite, with its jungle-like setting that brings together sport, design, a great café and even Pilates. I love Dubai by day. There is a strong culture of wellness and movement. People walk, jog, play padel and hike in the desert. The city feels active and intentional, with a real emphasis on health and lifestyle.