Kosher Travel In Dubai Any Time of Year

I had been wanting to go to Dubai for a while. Ever since I heard about the fancy hotels and incredible architecture, it looked like a really unique place to visit and I added it to my bucket list. But living in Israel meant it would be a difficult and longer journey despite being so close. That was until September 2020 when Israel and Dubai signed an agreement that has rapidly changed the relationship between the two countries and has brought over a half a million Israelis to visit Dubai in just 2 years.

Dubai is one of the most popular cruising ports of call in the Middle East, as well as a must-do stopover on flights between Europe and Asia and Australia. Although brash and glitzy, it has evolved far from its roots as a small trading and fishing port, and a gateway on the Arabian Gulf. Today, however, it has plenty of sights to see beyond shopping and flashy hotels; the trick is to look beyond what catches your eye initially, then scratch beneath the surface and be prepared to be surprised.

Dubai is the ultimate Winter destination and the best time to travel there is November to April with pleasant temps in the low 70’s and high 80’s. The summer is unbearably hot with temps pushing 120F, and many locals head to cooler climes. But I say, don’t let that stop you. I went to Dubai in the Summer and I would do it again.

Yes, it was extremely hot, but the hotels are amazing with great deals. Taxis are cheap so you don’t have to walk anywhere in the heat. The pools are cooled down so they are actually refreshing and you will never find them too cold. At our hotel at least they even gave us ice buckets with cold towels and water spritzers to keep us cool and if you stay in the shade and take frequent dips in the pool you won’t even notice the heat.

I’m not saying I don’t want to go back to enjoy some of the more outdoor sites, but if you find yourself with some free time at the last minute you can find some great deals in Dubai to make it worth traveling there any time. They’re also known for the best malls including one with an aquarium and another with a full on roller coaster.  They have water parks and quite a few amusements parks, some with large indoor areas. So there are no shortage of options to keep you in doors when you can’t take the heat. 

View of the aquarium from the mall, you don’t even have to pay to see this. 

Now I want to answer a few of the most popular google searches related to Kosher Dubai.  

Can Jews Go To Dubai?

I think I already answered this one with a resounding yes.  Jews were always allowed to go to Dubai, but Israelis were not.  That didn’t stop a small Jewish community from forming over the years, it was just a little more hidden. Now they are growing exponentially and are more free to express their identity in public as you can read about in the NYT about the recent Challah Bake. 

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Is There Chabad in Dubai? 

Of course! Chabad has been in Dubai for almost a decade, but now they have been expanding.  With Dubai’s Jewish community growing as hundred of families relocate to the city, Chabad is there to offer religious services and community. They also offer prepaid Shabbat meals for tourists at a very high level in the center of town. 

When I was there in July I enjoyed a gourmet Shabbat dinner at a 5-star hotel where I met other Jewish tourists who braved the heat to vacation in Dubai in the Summer.  One couple from Israel were starting a long travel journey starting in Dubai and the other from the U.S. stopped in Dubai on their way back from Israel. 

Does Dubai Have Kosher Food?

Not only does Chabad offer kosher food, there are several kosher restaurants now in Dubai including Armani Kaf, the first one to open which just happens to be inside the iconic 5-star award-winning luxury Armani Hotel and the world’s tallest structure Burj Khalifa.  If you are there for dinner you can watch the famous Burgh Khalifa water show. And there are more kosher restaurants opening all the time. 

Inside Armani Kaf

View from Armani Kaf

What to do in Dubai? 

There are many lists out there with tons of sights you should see on your trip to Dubai.  If you’re going in the Summer like me, you will find tons of indoor options with everything from malls, the the Museum of the Future, to indoor skiing, to scuba diving in the deepest pool.  

If you like tall buildings, going to the top of the Burj Khalifa is an experience, here is the view from the top.  

If you like adventure there are no shortage of rollercoasters, rides, and amusement parks. 

If you like to relax you can simply stay at the pool.