At 167 feet (51 meters) long, the Rustar holds the world record for the largest floating restaurant. The ship, which is equipped with lateen sails, has three levels; the lower deck has a bar, the middle level features the main dining hall, and the upper level is an open-air dinner deck. Its lavish interior is made up of predominantly glass and teak wood, and there’s even a small rock waterfall to add to the ambiance. Dinner is a buffet of international and continental cuisine, while the live entertainment includes singing, dancing, and other performances.
The Rustar Floating Restaurant experience lasts for two hours and reservations should be made in advance. There are various types of tours to choose from, some of which include roundtrip transfers from select Dubai hotels.
The Rustar leaves from the landing at Deira Creek. Some bookings include roundtrip transportation from Dubai hotels. It’s about a 10-minute drive from the Dubai International Airport and a 10-minute walk from Union Station, the city’s main subway station. Taxis are also readily available throughout the city. You can download the Makani app to help you navigate around Dubai.
Boarding for the Rustar usually begins an hour before scheduled departure. On New Year’s Eve, book a special 3-hour cruise and ring in the new year in style with a fireworks display on the water. Also keep in mind that during Ramadan, the nightlife in Dubai is quieter, and Muslims do not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset.
Dhows are wooden boats with long, thin hulls and lateen-rigged sails on one or more masts that power the boats. In addition to hordes of tourists, dhows haul all kinds of cargo, from air-conditioners to tires, along the creek. You can watch crews load and unload shipments in the mornings and afternoons.
