Book excerpt: Both famous and infamous, Dubai features burgeoning financial districts, waterfront high-rises, and tax-free shopping malls right alongside the serene Gulf coast. But as the city charges into the future, it keeps a watchful eye on its Arabian legacy. Themed hotels and desert resorts celebrate cherished notions of local hospitality, while new art galleries, theaters, and performance venues tap into a newfound thirst for cultural stimulation. Written by knowledgeable locals, Time Out Dubai profiles a wealth of options for the visitor, from haute hotels and elegant restaurants to modest digs and street food stalls. The book covers every inch of the city and its often extraordinary surroundings, from the iconic The World islands to quirkier districts including historical Bastakia, cut-price Karama, and the ever-bustling Sheikh Zayed Road.