Anna Khambata, a personal assistant from Finland, arrived in the UAE in August 2013. She tells us her favourite spots in the capital
Which local restaurant serves the best Finnish cuisine?
I’m yet to find a Finnish restaurant, but Ikea does good Swedish meatballs. It’s AED 15 for 10 meatballs – bargain!
Yas Island. Contact: 02 493 5888 www.ikeauae.com
Where do you buy Finnish groceries from?
Ikea’s Swedish food market. I also buy Finncrisps and Finnish liquorice from Spinneys. Sometimes I resort to the Finnish website www.suomikauppa.fi for salty liquorice and rye bread.
Spinneys, Khalidiya, behind Al Hilal Bank. Contact: www.spinneys-dubai.com
What’s your favourite bar?
I usually end up dancing to cheesy 80s and 90s songs till the early hours of Friday in Sho Cho. I can’t leave when they’re playing ‘The Final Countdown’ by the Swedish band Europe.
The Souk, Qaryat Al Beri, between the bridges. Contact: 02 558 1117
[email protected] www.sho-cho.com
What’s your favourite café?
I like the décor and atmosphere of Shakespeare and Co in Central Market on Hamdan Street and the new one in Yas Mall.
Town Square, Yas Mall. Contact: 02 565 0170 www.shakespeare-and-co.com
Where do you play sport?
I love barre classes in The Room and bikram yoga (hot yoga) at The Hot House.
The Room, Zayed Sports City. Contact: 056 331 0310 www.theroom.ae
The Hot House, Al Zeina, Al Raha Beach. Contact: [email protected] www.thehothouseuae.com
How do you spend your weekends?
I love hiking in Oman’s Hajar mountains and camping in the Abu Dhabi desert. Oman Off-Road and UAE Off-Road by Explorer Publishing give tips and route suggestions. AED 125 from Magrudy’s. Al Wahda Mall. Contact: 02 443 7172 www.magrudy.com
Which bloggers do you follow?
My friend writes An Expat Abroad, about expat life in Abu Dhabi. She also tells her followers what’s going on in the capital through An Expat Abroad on Facebook.
Are you a member of a local community group?
I’m a member of a few on www.meetup.com – they’re a great way to make friends. When I arrived I played volleyball on the Corniche with the Language and Culture Exchange Group and hiked with UAE Trekkers.
Which apps do you recommend for residents?
The Entertainer app is packed with discounts and it means you’ve got vouchers with you all the time. It’s free with the book, which costs AED 395.
Tell us about a local hidden gem
The food at the Arabic restaurant Bait El Khetyar is different to usual, and its warm, fresh bread is to die for. A meal for four costs AED 100.
Najda Street, opposite Nissan showroom. Contact: 02 633 3200.
