What’s interesting about Dubai Design District
Located adjacent to Business Bay, in proximity to Downtown Dubai, Dubai Design District (D3) is one of the most avant-garde, glitzy areas of Dubai. The region is known for high-end galleries, chic fashion outlets, and unparalleled design festivals. D3’s streets boast the most eclectic and visionary art you’ll see anywhere in Dubai. Most of the district is dominated by the work and creative marvels of up-and-coming artists and designers.
What’s most appealing about the Dubai Design District is the fact that there is always something exciting happening here. The community brings together fashion, design, and art enthusiasts to keep the neighbourhood upbeat and alive by conducting regular events throughout the year. But that’s not the only good thing. This place is also home to a few of the trendiest stores, cafés and restaurants in Dubai.
Popular Restaurants in Dubai Design District
YUi
If you want a wholesome bowl of lip-smacking ramen, YUi is certainly the place to be. This Japanese restaurant in Dubai Design District is part of a lifestyle store called FRAME, that highlights Japanese aesthetic with the food, furniture, and other items on sale. Coming back to the ramen, you might wonder what makes it so special. The answer is freshly made ramen noodles crafted from imported Japanese flour. These noodles are so succulent and delicate that they immediately melt in your mouth. Plus the simmered-for-10-hours broth adds the perfect flavour to your bowls. The restaurant also serves vegetarian options. Another interesting feature of this D3 restaurant is the unique ‘water-bar’ which showcases some of the most interesting bottles of water. Staying hydrated becomes a lot more trendy with YUi!
- Timings: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Contact: +971-4-513-4727
One Life Kitchen and Café
One Life Kitchen and Café is a family-owned restaurant that serves delicious, fresh and healthy ‘all-organic’ food. The menu is an amalgamation of some of the simplest dishes, including Turkish delicacies that pay homage to the restaurant’s origin. The taste component is on point and this is the place you need to be at if you want delicious comfort food that is homey and good for your heart and soul. Visit this cool restaurant in Dubai Design District for a soul-satisfying meal!
- Timings: 08:00 am – 09:30 pm
- Contact: +971-4-243-4217
Lighthouse
Matching the ultra-trendy outlook of Dubai Design District, Lighthouse emerges on Dubai’s culinary scene as one of the finest concept restaurants in the city. Complemented by a lifestyle concept store, the restaurant orchestrates harmony among all things up for sale – even the items on their menu. The restaurant serves a Mediterranean-inspired menu that includes everything from quick and delicious tapas to fresh bakery items and delectable desserts. Lighthouse also serves an impressive cocktail menu for those of you looking for a nice bar in Dubai Design District to have a good time.
- Timings: 09:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Contact: +971-4-422-6024
Molecule
Tucked away in the grandeur of Dubai Design District, Molecule is the brainchild of Udo Moreau – the executive chef who has 8 Michelin Stars to his name. This restaurant follows the ‘Bistronomy’ philosophy, basically a fine-dining experience in a casual setting. Similar to other restaurants run by Moreau, Molecule brings something different to the table. Each dish reflects the freshness of its ingredients, the expertise of its maker, and the art of gourmet kitchens with no crazy price tags or waiting lines.
- Timings: 10:30 am – 02:00 pm
- Contact: +971-52-949-2202
Nightlife and Clubs in Dubai Design District
What’s an urban development without a hip and happening nightlife? The answer is – boring! And D3 is anything but that! The district is home to two fantastic party places that you can’t miss out on.
BASE
Launched in September 2017, BASE took the road straight to mega-fandom with its state-of-the-art sound, pyrotechnic systems, and efficient club lighting. It’s all about the ambience they say, and BASE nightclub kills it with unbeatable music paired with a fire and ice visual experience that makes the surroundings electrifying. This award-winning club in Dubai Design District is an absolute haven for partygoers like you. You’d love BASE when you bust some moves at your favourite tunes for as long as the night is young.
SKY 2.0
One of the 5 new clubs in Dubai that opened or will open this year, SKY 2.0 was inaugurated on March 13, 2019. This swanky club is a brand new addition to Dubai’s already impressive clubbing scene. Offering panoramic views of Dubai from its vantage point in D3, SKY 2.0 flaunts an expansive outdoor space for you to let loose under the stars. The party starts at 10:00 pm every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and goes on till 04:00 am. Sometimes even later than that.
There’s More!
LEGO
With the rise of the tech and creative sector in Dubai, the city has seen numerous embryonic partnerships taking shape with international businesses. With D3 at the forefront of creativity in Dubai, it is no surprise that the latest business addition to the sector is none other than LEGO. The Dutch toy brand launched its first office in the Middle East to connect with fans of all ages based in the region. The main attractions are what you’d expect from any LEGO workplace. There are literally hundreds of LEGO brick constructions adorning the walls, halls, and desktops including miniatures of Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab. This place is an absolute haven for LEGO fans.
D3 Pop-Up Shops
Whether it is D3’s popular art market or the Naqqash interior designers weighing in on the latest design trends through The Unit – pop-up shops are popular and widely appreciated. These outdoor installations reflect the collective will of the D3 crowd to make art and creativity accessible for all. The pop-up shop initiative is largely dedicated to encouraging young artists and design enthusiasts to showcase their work and talent. Since the items on these shops are for sale, it helps them earn both appreciation and money!
The Block
The Block in Dubai Design District is a unique space that allows you to unwind and escape from routine life. This recreational facility features climbing walls, a skate park, an urban beach, volleyball and basketball courts. It also has entertainment areas with al fresco seating. Located on the D3 waterfront The Block adds a recreational spunk to the already vibrant Dubai Design District community. The Block stands only minutes from the Design Quarter that is home to several Dubai Design District cafés and restaurants. The facility opens daily at 07:00 am and is accessible throughout the day till 11:00 pm.
DIDI
The regions very first dedicated design university is located in D3. Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation or DIDI as it is popularly called is the regions first institution exclusively for aspiring designers, artists and other creatively inclined folks. Offering an accredited Bachelors in Design program, students can choose from Product Design, Multimedia Design, Fashion Design and Strategic Design Management. The Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation has also partnered with two of the world’s leading universities for design innovation. These include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Parsons School of Design.
D3 is a breeding ground for creative minds. The district’s design is based on Smart City principles to promote digital connectivity and fuel innovation-led economies. Art, in all its uninhibited forms, thrives here. Whether you pick up a random street art or pieces from the ingeniously designed stores in Dubai Design District, everything here screams creativity. This is one community where you can truly connect with your artistic side and blossom among people that promote you.
Bayut’s own home is located in D3. This district is symbolic of our own creative approach to solving property related challenges in the UAE. The Bayut office in D3 is a reflection of the high energy, vibrant team that is committed to excellence and innovation.
In addition to Bayut, there are also several other prominent companies with offices in D3.
D3 is an urbanised commercial area that bolsters Dubai’s economy with fresh ideas and creativity. This is one of the major reasons there are no residential options in the region. If you are looking for homes near Dubai Design District, consider the apartments for rent in Downtown Dubai. Alternatively, you can even buy a studio apartment in Business Bay.
