Al Diyafah Street, Al Satwa

Al Diyafah Street is tucked inside Al Satwa, bordered by Jumeirah and Bur Dubai. The street is 2,500 metres long and stretches from Union House (Dar Al Ittihad) to the World Trade Centre roundabout. The street has historic importance as the UAE declaration was passed here on December 2nd. 1971. Up until December 2011, the street was called Al Diyafah. The name was then changed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai to “2nd of December Street.”

• One of the oldest streets of Dubai
• Part of Al Satwa
• Dotted at the centre of the city
• Considered as the landmark of the area

Al Diyafah Street is a busy neighbourhood with one of the country’s most important landmarks, the Union House. The community population comprises UAE nationals as well as expats.

Key points of the community are:

• Busy city lifestyle
• Pet-friendly area
• Every amenity at an arm’s length
• Affordable properties

The street is lined by low-rise buildings, popular roadside eateries and small shops.

The district is full of residential buildings comprising apartments ranging from studios to 2-bedroom units. All the apartments have different infrastructure and amenities. Some buildings have a well-equipped gym and a swimming pool.

A 2-bedroom apartment on Al Diyafah Street span from 760 sq. ft. to 1,590 sq. ft. Most apartments have built-in wardrobes. Some apartments have two while some have three bathrooms. The kitchen has pre-installed appliances and built-in cabinets.

Parking spaces on Al Difayah Street Dubai are plenty including paid parking lots. Most residential buildings offer parking space for one vehicle.

Being one of the oldest districts in the city, transportation on Al Diyafah Street isn’t tricky to find. Plenty of public buses shuttle through the street such as bus 32C, 7, 15, 55, 88, 93, C26, F09, F12 and X28.

Nearest bus stops include Al Dhiyafa, Road 1, Al Dhiyafa, Road 2, Jumeirah Rotana Hotel 1, Satwa Roundabout 1, Satwa Roundabout 2, Satwa Post Office and Satwa, Post Office. These are not more than 5 minutes away.

Those who prefer to travel through metro can drive for about 5 minutes to reach World Trade Centre Metro Station is at a 10-minute drive.

There are many small grocery stores and mini-marts throughout the neighbourhood. These include Al Aqsa Grocery LLC, Al Jafilia Corner Grocery Store, Great Grocery and Al Sharqi Star Grocery.

Some well-known supermarkets can also be spotted on the street such as West Zone Supermarket in Al Karama a 6-minute driving distance from Al Diyafah Street roundabout. Emirates Cooperative Society is at a 7-minute drive away.

There are many mosques on Al Diyafah Street Al Satwa Dubai. Some well-known mosques are near the area such as the Jumeirah Mosque, at a 6-minute drive. Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque and The Late Omar Ali Bin Haider Mosque are 11 minutes away.

An array of churches near Al Diyafah Street Dubai are dotted in Oud Metha including St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Dubai Central Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Christian Fellowship Church and the Dubai City Church. These are at an 8-minute drive from 2nd of December Street.

Hindu believers can find Sai Baba Temple Jumeirah at an 8-minute drive by car. Whereas, Bur Dubai temples such as Shrinath Ji Temple, Shiva Temple, Shree Krishna Haveli are at a 14-minute drive.

Residents can choose from the following pre-schools/nurseries for their toddlers and preschoolers.

• New Dubai Nursery
• Cambridgeshire Nursery
• Little Kingdom Early Childhood Centre

New Dubai Nursery is the nearest option located at a 3-minute drive by car. Cambridgeshire Nursery is at a 7-minute drive and located in Bur Dubai, Street 35A, Al Mankhool. Little Kingdom Early Childhood Centre is another option located at Villa 57 – 57 35 B Street, Al Mankhool.

Some well-reputed schools near Al Diyafah Street are the following ones

• Dubai Gem Private School
• Dubai International School
• The New Indian Model School
• Al Maktoum Primary School

Dubai Gem Private School is 8 minutes away. It has four computer laboratories, a multi-purpose hall, three art rooms and two libraries. It is a leading school in Dubai that follows the British curriculum. Dubai International School is at a 10-minute drive. It was founded in 1985 and has classes from KG to year 12. The school follows the American curriculum.

For healthcare issues, residents can go to one of the hospitals near Al Diyafah Street. The options include the likes of

• Belhoul European Hospital
• Aster Hospital
• Mediclinic City Hospital

Belhoul European Hospital was established in 1996. It is just 2 minutes away from 2nd of December Street and provides comprehensive medical care. It has a well-developed radiological and diagnostic departments. Aster Hospital is managed by Aster DM Healthcare and is dotted 7 minutes away from the street.

Al Diyafah Street is bordered by some of the most well-known residential and commercial districts in Dubai. The list includes

• Al Jafiliya
• Al Badaa
• Jumeirah

Towards the east is the Trade Centre while the luxurious residential community of Jumeirah is dotted on the west. Al Jafiliya, Al Hudaiba, and Al Badaa community are next-door neighbours of Al Diyafah Street.

• City Centre Deira
• Wafi Mall Main Hall
• BurJuman
• The Dubai Mall

City Centre Deira is one of Dubai’s first mega malls. Located at an 11-minute drive, this mall redefined the concept of malls for the region. It has 371 retail stores, a 20-screen cinema with almost 3,000 seats and Magic Planet.

There are various different things to do at Burjuman Mall. The mall has become a popular destination for both locals and tourists due to its diverse range of activities. Kids can enjoy themselves for hours at Magic Planet, while adults can browse through a wide selection of high-end and mainstream stores. Additionally, visitors can grab a bite to eat and shop before catching a movie at Vox Cinemas, which is located on Level S3.

Dubai Mall is also at the same distance, i.e., an 11-minute drive away. The mall is the second-largest mall in the world with parking space for over 14,000 vehicles. It houses the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.

Al Diyafah Street is one of the most vibrant districts in Dubai so there are many small and large cafeterias and well-known eateries. In the late hour at night, one can easily stop by at an open restaurant. Some very old and popular restaurants near Al Diyafah Street are:

• Al Mallah
• Beirut
• Ravi Restaurant
• New Sagar Restaurant
• Picnic Restaurant
• Firas Sweets
• The Noodle Bowl
• Ruan Thai
• Bamboo
• KFC
• Pizza Hut
• Pars Iranian Kitchen
• Tipanan

Al Mallah is where one should go when the craving for shawarma, falafel or fresh fruit juices. The restaurant is mostly packed with diners till the late hour of the night. It has authentic Lebanese specialties such as freshly baked manoushe (flatbreads) covered with zaatar and olive oil.

Beirut and Sidra are the other two Lebanese restaurants just a few steps away from Al Mallah. Ravi Restaurant is dotted just opposite to Union Co-Op Supermarket. Ravi Restaurants was opened almost three decades ago on Al Diyafah Street. It is one of the most well-known Pakistani restaurants in Dubai. It has an indoor and outdoor seating area.

Sweet lovers can go to Firas Sweets where they can find Kunnafah and Palestinian dessert made with semolina flour. For fast food, people usually drop at KFC or Pizza Hut dotted near Al Diyafah Shopping Centre.

People living on Al Diyafah Street get easy access to the beaches in Dubai. One of the closest beach near Al Diyafah Street is Jumeirah Beach. It is 9 minutes away. The Kite Beach is at a 17-minute drive. JBR Beach and Marina Beach are almost half an hour away from 2nd of December Street.

Al Diyafah Street is a buzzing street in the city. It has a number of landmarks including the following

• Union House
• Al Diyafah Shopping Centre
• Civil Defence Station Al Ittihad

Union House, more commonly known as Dar Al Ittihad is on Al Diyafah Street. The UAE national flag on Dar Al Ittihad can be seen miles away.

For outdoor activities, people living on 2nd of December Street can easily reach out to Zabeel Park and Dubai Garden Glow. Zabeel Park is at a 6-minute drive. The entry fee is AED 5 per person. There are small cafeterias inside the park and a dedicated kids’ play area. The park is also home to Dubai Frame, opened in 2018. Visitors can also take the train ride which is charged AED 2 per person.

Dubai Garden Glow is made with millions of energy-saving bulbs. It has the biggest Dinosaur Park and an eco-friendly art park.

To stay fit, residents can drive for 15-17 minutes to find these gyms.

• Gold’s Gym
• Embody Fitness
• The Gym

Salon and beauty centres near Al Diyafah Street include the likes of

• N Style Beauty Lounge
• The Grove Salon
• N Bar Nail Spa & Salon

Men can find some small salons within the street such as Code Men’s Salon which is 6 minutes away from Al Diyafah roundabout. At the same distance is Hair Crafts Men’s Salon near Jumeirah Street. Near Oud Metha are Amaya Men’s Salon and Special Salon for Men.

In the honour of National Day of the UAE on 2nd December, there are some events held on Al Diyafah Street each year that residents can enjoy.

Al Diyafah Street is a busy district close to the elite residential areas like Jumeirah and some commercial hubs like World Trade Centre. Those who prefer living in a quiet place might not want to move here.

Al Diyafah Street is tucked inside Al Satwa, Dubai.

Al Diyafah Road is home to residential buildings comprising apartments ranging from studios to 2-bedroom units.

• Dubai International Airport is 11 minutes away
• Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) is at a 23-minute drive
• Downtown Dubai is 12 minutes away