Short answer

• Mall of the Emirates (MoE) is a large, indoor, full-service shopping-and-entertainment mall built for mass retail, family attractions and year‑round climate‑controlled comfort. Best if you want lots of stores under one roof, an iconic attraction (Ski Dubai), big cinemas and heavy-duty dining options. (en.wikipedia.org)
• City Walk is an open‑air, design‑led urban precinct (retail, restaurants, public plazas, street art and residences) with a boutique/upscale feel — more walkable, public-space oriented and lifestyle‑focused. Best if you prefer outdoor dining, designy boutiques, events and an Instagrammable stroll. (citywalk.ae)

Detailed comparison (quick categories)

1. Concept & vibe

• Mall of the Emirates: Indoor, multi‑level megamall — busy, climatized, very commercial. Big anchor stores, department stores and family entertainment zones. (en.wikipedia.org)
• City Walk: Outdoor, pedestrianized “urban street” with landscaped plazas, public art, cafés and mixed residential/commercial development — more of a lifestyle neighborhood than a conventional mall. (citywalk-dubai.com)

2. Size & retail mix

• MoE: Hundreds of shops (commonly reported 600–900+ retailers depending on counting method), major international brands, luxury concessions and big food courts. It’s a major regional shopping hub. (en.wikipedia.org)
• City Walk: Smaller footprint focused on curated boutiques, concept stores, and a mix of mid‑to‑upscale F&B. It’s not about scale but about ambience and curated offerings. (citywalk-dubai.com)

3. Signature attractions & entertainment

• MoE: Ski Dubai (indoor ski slope and snow park), Magic Planet family center, large VOX cinema complex and periodic large retail events. Ski Dubai is a unique draw. (en.wikipedia.org)
• City Walk: Outdoor events, street art, The Green Planet biodome (nearby/part of Meraas portfolio), Mattel Play!/family attractions and Reel Cinemas multiplex — emphasis on immersive, experiential urban entertainment. (meraascitywalk.com)

4. Dining & nightlife

• MoE: Dozens of restaurants and fast‑casual outlets concentrated indoors and in the Fashion Dome — good for a wide range of budgets and families. (en.wikipedia.org)
• City Walk: Trendy al‑fresco restaurants, cafés and bars along pedestrian streets — better for relaxed outdoor meals, people‑watching and evening strolls. (emirates.com)

5. Location & accessibility

• MoE: On Sheikh Zayed Road (Al Barsha), directly served by Mall of the Emirates Metro station and major bus/taxi routes — easy to reach from many parts of Dubai. (en.wikipedia.org)
• City Walk: In Al Wasl/Al Satwa area close to Downtown Dubai and Jumeirah — walkable to Downtown for many visitors and often combined with Burj Khalifa/Downtown visits. Parking and short taxi rides are easy; it’s more central for leisure around Downtown/Jumeirah. (homeland.ae)

6. Crowds & timing

• MoE: Very busy, especially during summer (escape the heat), weekends and sales periods. Good for all‑weather family days. (apnews.com)
• City Walk: Busy at evenings and weekends but feels less mall‑crowded because of open spaces; best late afternoon to evening for the street scene. (emirates.com)

7. Price level

• Both have a wide price range. MoE carries everything from mid‑market brands to luxury; City Walk leans slightly more premium/hip on dining and boutique retail. (en.wikipedia.org)

8. Who each is best for

• Mall of the Emirates: Families, big shoppers, tourists seeking one‑stop indoor entertainment (Ski Dubai), or when you need variety in one air‑conditioned place. (en.wikipedia.org)
• City Walk: Couples, design/food lovers, photographers and people who want a relaxed outdoor urban vibe with cafes, events and boutique shopping. (emirates.com)

Recent context / practical note

• Mall of the Emirates is undergoing a major expansion/renovation program announced by its operator (Majid Al Futtaim) to add more retail and lifestyle space; it also reported very high visitor numbers in recent years. That expansion reinforces its role as a flagship, large‑scale destination. (apnews.com)
• City Walk continues to be developed as a mixed‑use lifestyle precinct by Meraas, with residential towers and periodic new F&B/experiential openings — its appeal is the “city street” atmosphere rather than a single monumental attraction. (meraascitywalk.com)

Which should you choose on a visit?

• If you want indoor attractions (Ski Dubai), many stores under one roof, family rides/cinema and guaranteed climate control: Mall of the Emirates.
• If you prefer an outdoor, designy stroll, boutique shopping, alfresco dining and photo‑friendly public spaces: City Walk.
• If you have time, both complement each other well: do MoE for the big‑mall experience and Ski Dubai; then head to City Walk in the evening for dinner and the atmosphere.

If you want, I can:

• Suggest a three‑hour itinerary for each (family / couple / shopper versions).
• Check current events, restaurant openings or cinema showtimes right now.