Ibn Battuta Mall

Ibn Batuta / Ibn Battuta Shopping Mall, IBM / IBSM) not as large as MOTE, but much more fascinating to walk through (if a shopping center can ever be called fascinating). Several themed areas - Andalusia, China, Egypt, India, Persia, Tunisia which reflect the travels of a 14th century Arab explorer named Ibn Battuta. Scattered throughout the mall are displays of documents and other artifacts related to Mr Battuta's travels and history of those regions. All items are reconstructed but look authentic if you squint your eyes a bit.Instead of the ubiquitous Carrefour, Ibn Battuta Mall has Geant, another French superstore selling groceries and cheap underpants. Otherwise, mostly the same shops you'd find anywhere but less crowded. The only Lego shop in Dubai is here, also the only IMAX cinema in Dubai (if you don't know what that is, it's similar to sitting in the front row of a normal cinema). Food court at Jebel Ali end has fast junk food. Food court at Dubai end has slow junk food. Both areas have a good selection and there's a couple of posher restaurants in the China Court area. Several Starbucks with one in a spectacular atrium in the middle of the mall. There are electric golf carts to ferry you from one end of the mall to the other, costs 5 dhs. Usually easy to find car parking. Developer is Nakheel. Ibn Battuta phase II expansion will double the size of IBM with additional themed areas based on Hejaz, Morocco, Turkey, and Yemen. In March 2009, Nakheel announced expansion