Treat your taste buds at Dubai Design District’s top eateries
Dubai Design District, or ‘D3’, is one of the city’s most vibrant and exciting commercial districts. Bringing together art, innovation and design, it has captured people’s attention around the UAE for its unique concept and for being the first art district in the Middle East. We at MyBayut have a special spot for D3, the location of Bayut and dubizzle’s offices – our home turf!
One of the things Dubai Design District is known for is the sheer variety of fantastic food. A gastronomical treat for all the UAE foodies, many restaurants and cafes in Dubai Design District offer cuisines from all over the world and culinary delights that are not to be missed.
So, if you’re considering heading to D3 this week, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our countdown of the best Dubai Design District restaurants and cafes.
Cafes in Dubai Design District
1Life Kitchen and Cafe
With its fresh and outdoorsy vibe, 1Life is an ideal place for breakfast in Dubai Design District. Their menu includes fresh juices and smoothies, along with delicious food. Shakshoumi, Reuben sandwich, parfait, and falafel are show stealers from the menu.
Apart from being a restaurant and cafe, 1Life also offers a co-working space for customers wanting a change of scene while working. They also provide catering for events, with separate menus for each occasion. Oh, did we mention that they have a great breakfast menu all day – making it one of the best breakfast places in Dubai?
Their Soup of the Day is highly recommended, where they offer a specific soup for 25 AED. Visitors love Onion Soup on Fridays!
- Location: Building 5, Dubai Design District
- Average cost: AED 165 for two people
- Timings: 08:00 am to 10:00 pm
- Contact: +971-4-513-4727
Home Bakery Kitchen
Visitors to Home Bakery Kitchen adore the cosy, dark-ish ambience it offers. Tucked away in Building 7 of D3, many people gush over their memorable coffee and desserts.
They also have fantastic service, with their servers known for being very attentive and friendly. Their menu includes cake, avocado toast, tiramisu, brownie crumble and more. In fact, they’ve built a reputation for being one of Dubai’s best places for cookies.
If you’ve always got a sweet tooth, Home Bakery Kitchen is your place!
- Location: Building 7, Dubai Design District
- Average cost: AED 165 for two people
- Timings: 07:30 am to 12:00 am | Friday and Saturday 08:00 am to 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-241-1422
Smat Restaurant and Cafe
You can’t say you’ve had a culinary journey in the UAE without trying Emirati cuisine. Smat gives you a chance to enjoy the culinary delicacies of the nation in a gorgeous Dubai Design District cafe/restaurant.
Along with the Emirati delicacies on their menu, they have great coffee and a selection of desserts that perfectly complement their other offerings. Some popular dishes on the menu include shakshuka, chicken alfredo pasta, lamb tikka gyro and more.
- Location: Building 10, Dubai Design District
- Average cost: AED 200 for two people
- Timings: Sunday, Thursday, Saturday 08:00 am to 10:45 pm | Monday to Wednesday 08:00 am to 10:00 pm
- Contact: +971-52-980-8320
List of Restaurants in Dubai Design District
Akiba Dori
Akiba Dori is Dubai Design District’s top-rated Japanese restaurant. It is known for its quirky interiors, with neon aesthetics and anime references inspired by the buzzing nightlife of Tokyo.
Their menu offers Japanese food with an urban twist, such as truffle strata Pizza, wagyu gyoza, shrimp dynamite and more. There are also a variety of desserts to choose from, including the lotus cheesecake, panko-crusted brownies and Hakata cheesecake. They also serve alcohol, with exciting cocktails and shots, for those who seek that extra ‘kick’ when having meals.
- Location: Building 8, Dubai Design District
- Average cost: AED 280 for two people
- Timings: 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-770-7949
Mohalla
This popular Indian restaurant in Dubai Design District offers classic Indian dishes with an urban touch.
Along with traditional Indian food items such as Biryani, prawns curry and Butter Chicken, the menu includes exciting fusion items such as avocado with chaat and crab tacos. Their menu also features Indian ‘sandwiches’ (if we’re categorising pav as a sandwich element), such as Pav Bhaji and Vada Pav, making it one of the best sandwich shops in Dubai.
- Location: Building 8, Dubai Design District
- Average cost: AED 255 for two people
- Timings: 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm
- Contact: +971-4-427-2855
Bistro Royale
Bistro Royale (previously Molecule Royale Bistro) is more than just an area for dining; it’s an experience, a fusion of art and food in the most beautiful way possible. Art is in every corner of the restaurant, from the stunning artwork on display to the crafted tableware in which your food is served. With fairy lights lit up in hues of orange and cute floral arrangements around the restaurant, Bistro Royale is the ideal place for date night!
Their Mediterranean menu offers pizzas, pasta and burgers that are lip-smackingly good…and at reasonable prices. There is also a fun drinks menu with several interesting cocktails and spirits. This place is one of the Dubai Design District’s restaurants for business lunch in Dubai and for art enthusiasts!
- Location: Building 6, Dubai Design District
- Average cost: AED 250 for two people
- Timings: 09:00 am to 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-52-949-2202
The Lighthouse
If you are a bibliophile, you’d probably get the reference to Virginia Woolf’s novel ‘To the Lighthouse’ in the Name of this dining space. A well-lit restaurant and one of Dubai’s concept stores, visitors adore the bright, calmness-inducing interiors. At the end of the Lighthouse restaurant in Dubai Design District is a concept store where you can explore a variety of exciting books, accessories and other cute handcrafted items.
A fresh breakfast menu and a separate lunch/dinner menu offer various delicacies worth trying. Spicy Shakshouka and Eggs Benedict are must-try. The lunch menu comprises a variety of exciting options for you to choose from, including grilled prawns, tuna tartare, grilled sea bass and more.
They also have a great drinks menu; the non-alcoholic section offers mocktails, smoothies, teas and coffees, and the alcoholic menu offers a host of spirits and cocktails.
- Location: Building 6, Dubai Design District
- Average cost: AED 440 for two people
- Timings: 08:00 am to 10:00 pm | Friday to Saturday 08:00 am to 11:00 pm
- Contact: +971-4-422-6024
Vicolo Italian Street Food
Mamma Mia! Vicolo is D3’s most famous Italian restaurant, bringing the authentic taste of Italian street food to Dubai. Bask in the urban beauty of Dubai, as the food served at Vicolo takes you to the alleyways of Rome.
Their menu has a host of pizzas, pasta and street food specials such as bruschetta, mozzarella impanate, parmigiana and more. You can also try some exciting varieties of salads.
- Location: Building 4, Dubai Design District
- Average cost: AED 190 for two people
- Timings: 09:00 am to 11:00 pm | Sunday to Saturday 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
- Contact: +971-50-800-4841
Mum’s Table
Mum’s Table gives you the taste of home-cooked Middle Eastern cuisine. The ambience inside the restaurant makes you feel extra cosy, with the antique decor and design inspired by houses in the Middle East.
On the menu, there are several mouth-watering breakfast items, including Fatta Shamia and shakshouka served with cheese, meat or mushroom (you can choose based on your preference). On the lunch menu, you have multiple grilled items and fajita options. You’ll be spoilt for choice!
- Location: Building 7, Dubai Design District
- Average cost: AED 190 for two people
- Timings: 24 hours
- Contact: +971-4-244-1331
Otaku
Otaku is a Japanese-inspired cafe in Dubai Design District that offers dishes that can be described as ‘fusion’ – a fusion of Japanese and international dishes. This restaurant is known for its all-day breakfast, Japanese pancakes, otaku benedict, acai and granola, bruschetta and more.
The interiors in Otaku are pretty minimalistic, echoing the aesthetics the Japanese are known for. Although hues of grey and off-white surround you, the giant windows make the space seem bright and refreshing. If you decide to dine at Otaku, don’t forget to try their desserts – cakes, creme caramel, tiramisu and more!
- Location: Building 7, Dubai Design District
- Average cost: AED 220 for two people
- Timings: 7:00 am – 10:30 pm
- Contact: +971-45-833-020
The Name
If minimalism in art speaks to you, The Name is the place for you. This restaurant-cafe slash co-working space’s interiors bring minimalism and art together, creating a unique experience for visitors looking to either sip their lattes or have a productive afternoon.
The Name’s menu offers a range of Mediterranean dishes, leaning toward the Levantine flavours. You can sink your taste buds into a cheesy cheddar sandwich spicy black Angus or soak in the space with a nice steamy cuppa (or an iced coffee that wakes you up instantly).
You can also check out their Concept Store, which sells a range of unique artsy wares, from keychains to Bluetooth speakers. A great place to spend your time, that’s for sure!
- Location: Building 9, Dubai Design District
- Average cost: AED 175 for two people
- Timings: 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Contact: +971-56-344-4565
G.O.A.T Burger
G.O.A.T Burger is an American restaurant located in The Block, Dubai Design District’s recreational area, away from the bustle of the buildings. If you’re looking for a little calorie splurge, you’d be delighted at the menu offering many mouthwatering varieties of burgers, wings and fries.
You can also explore the low-calorie burger options or burgers with calories below 600 kcal. Enjoy your fabulous view of the park or the Dubai Canal with your meal at G.O.A.T Burger.
- Location: The Block, Dubai Design District
- Average cost: AED 120 for two people
- Timings: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-588-600-200
Joe & The Juice
Joe & the Juice is a renowned Danish concept brand that has launched one of its two Dubai branches in the Dubai Design District (the other being in the Mall of the Emirates). As the name suggests, the menu offers a range of drinks – shakes with unique names like ‘Joe’s Green Mile’ and coffees.
The shakes at Joe & The Juice set themselves apart for the ingredients being freshly sourced and made on the spot and the exciting combinations of flavours. Don’t be surprised to see ingredients like broccoli or blue spirulina in their shakes – that makes them healthy!
Another interesting twist is that Joe & The Juice Design District is one of the first cafes to have a retail section selling coffee mugs, beans and capsules. You can also try out the food items on the menu, such as salad bowls and sandwiches.
- Location: Building 6, Dubai Design District
- Average cost: AED 120 for two people
- Timings: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Contact: 8006-636-255
Other Dubai Design District Restaurants
Dubai Design District restaurants listed above aren’t the only restaurants in this iconic location. Being a tourist attraction and hosting the corporate offices of many high-profile companies in Dubai (such as Bayut & dubizzle, Chalhoub, Adidas, Lego and more), new restaurants are constantly opening up.
Here are some more restaurants and cafes you can visit while you’re in Dubai Design District:
- Acai Berry – The Amazon Boost
- Rare 22 Cafe
- Starbucks
- The Espresso Lab
- The Host
- Toss & Co
- YUi
- The Host
- Bageri Form
FAQs about Dubai Design District restaurants
Where is Dubai Design District?
Dubai Design District is situated between Al Ain-Dubai Road (E66) and Financial Centre Road (D71), with Ras Al Khor Road (E44) on the south. The closest metro station to the Dubai Design District is the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station. Business Bay is not too far from the area.
What other places of interest are in Dubai Design District?
Dubai Design District has some of Dubai’s best restaurants, making it one of the city’s gems. But aside from the fabulous eateries, there are several other places of interest in the Dubai Design District.
Dubai Design District is also a shopper’s paradise, with many fashion boutiques and niche stores in the area. All Things Mochi, Asics Middle East, and Hessa Falasi are some brands in D3.
You also have The Block, which has a skate park, volleyball court, and many places to chill. Stepping into Dubai Design District is like walking through a futuristic artsy area with a prevalent ‘hip’ vibe.
