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Welcome to a world of travel, entertainment and culture, curated from a global collective of writers, photojournalists and artists. Each article of our award-winning magazine is sure to inspire, no matter which of our destinations you call home.

Local Knowledge

Sharjah Art Foundation

Sharjah Art Foundation is based in the heart of the city’s heritage area. It is a maze of alleyways, and the walls, constructed from natural coral, once provided homes to earlier generations; that was before the discovery of oil changed everything and the residents of Sharjah moved to brand new villas in other parts of town. Today, arrows direct visitors to a series of courtyards and gallery spaces.

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Dubai: The Making of a Culinary Capital

Following a decade that has seen Dubai’s restaurant scene make a name for itself on the world stage, its reputation is still growing. The star names that have nurtured it are being joined by a multitude of celebrated chefs keen to be associated with the city that has become the Middle East’s foremost dining destination. Prior to 2001, eating out in Dubai was an enjoyable experience

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Raw Coffee Company, Dubai

New Zealanders Kim Thompson and Matt Toogood run a coffee roaster in the industrial area of Al Quoz in Dubai with a commitment to ethical business practices and the city’s emerging independent food and drink community. Hidden among the warehouses, in a quiet, dusty lane, local connoisseurs of a ‘cup of Joe’ have discovered the Raw Coffee Company

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Dubai Street Art

Despite debate about its direction, Dubai’s street art scene is growing, bolstered by government backing for public art, high-profile supporters, residencies from world-renowned artists and a small but committed community of local talent. Dubai has made a name for itself in the art world in the last decade. Art Dubai is widely regarded as one of the highlights of the Middle East’s art calendar.

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The Building of Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai

The Madinat Jumeirah’s official opening took place in October 2004, and it is now one of the most iconic resorts in the world. This month marks the 10th anniversary of Madinat Jumeirah’s opening. Here CEO of Mirage Leisure And Development, Dene Murphy, President and Group CEO of Jumeirah Group, Gerald Lawless, and founder of KCA International, Khuan Chew, recall the project

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Ibiza in the Middle East, Dubai

Last summer Pacha parted ways with many of its big-name DJs and the musical director who booked them. It marked the beginning of a new era for Ibiza’s most famous brand. The changes continue this month with a new club opening in the heart of Dubai. Pacha Ibiza Dubai is quite unique compared to the other Pachas around the world

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Bookshop Dubai

Tucked away amongst the glistening towers of Dubai’s financial district, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), devotees of the printed page will find Bookshop – a veritable treasure trove of difficult to source books exploring Middle Eastern and North African culture. The independent store-café specialises in both new and used publications in Arabic and English, including vintage fiction and non-fiction finds

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Friends Avenue Cafe, Dubai

The menu at Friends’ Avenue Café features a fresh blend of Australian, English and European favourites, all competitively priced. The carefully selected breakfast menu features a wide variety of dishes, ranging from brioche French toast to the Friends’ Breakfast Board, which incorporates sautéed mushrooms, smoked salmon, asparagus, tomato confit, two poached eggs, feta cheese, pesto and toasted rye

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The Sum of Us, Dubai

How to find the best coffee in Dubai, by the duo that brought a touch of Australian café culture to town and never looked back. Filled with a tantalising aroma of fresh baked sourdough bread and roasting coffee, The Sum Of Us, Dubai’s newest gourmet café, is proving irresistible to the city’s foodies and coffee lovers.

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A4 Space and Café, Dubai

Dubai’s dusty industrial area is an unusual place to discover a communal hub dedicated to fostering the local creative community, but Al Quoz is fast-emerging as the city’s newest arts district and A4 Space workspace and café rests at its heart.

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Al Bastakiya, Dubai

A small heritage quarter of cobbled stones, secluded courtyards and art galleries, has been welcoming visitors and shaping the city since the 1800s.

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Dubai Butterfly Garden, Dubai

Dubai’s newly opened indoor Butterfly Garden offers a fantastical respite from the city’s end-of-summer heat.

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Akin Barber & Shop, Dubai

With a nod to tradition, architectural styling and a community feel, this is the only place that you should take your beard for a tune-up in Dubai.

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Cafe Rider, Dubai

A combination of serious coffee and specialist motorbikes might sound unusual (it is unusual), but it could well be Dubai’s most intriguing cafe.

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Made By Native, Dubai

While Dubai is often associated with bright lights and bling, the artisanal skills at Made By Native are creating contemporary handmade leather goods that last a lifetime.

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Creekside, Dubai

Art, culture and heritage combine with locally inspired food at Creekside, an ambitious cafe concept alongside the historic Dubai Creek.

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Corcel Collective, Dubai

While a bustling Sheikh Zayed Road might dominate the city, a slower pace is emerging on side roads and cyclepaths. Less a mode of transport, more a way of life, this is how you really navigate Dubai.

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MB&F M.A.D Gallery, Dubai

Curated by founder and creative director Max Busser, MB&F M.A.D. Gallery combines mechanical and kinetic sculptures and devices.

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Ismaili Centre, Dubai

An oasis amid Bur Dubai’s sprawling office towers, the Ismaili Centre and its verdant gardens, Dubai Park, offer welcoming respite from the busy city streets.

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Dubai Walls

The project has seen some of the world’s top street artists take to the city.

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Yadawei

If you’re in town this month, make like a creative and get your hands dirty at Dubai’s new community ceramics studio.

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Middle East Film and Comic Con

Arafaat Ali Khan, co-founder of the Middle East Film and Comic Con, talks cosplay, unique art and geeks

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Benedict Cumberbatch: the life of a superhero

The British actor on wearing a cape, Comic Con and keeping Marvel secrets ahead of the latest blockbuster, Avengers: Infinity War

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Dubai Design District

Explore the cool hipster spot that's putting Dubai design firmly on the map

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Emirates Hydroponics Farms, Dubai

Situated halfway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in the sleepy desert village of Al Bahia, is Emirates Hydroponics Farms, a farm that has adapted modern technology from Holland to the arid UAE climate, and is actually able to grow fresh produce year round in an environmentally conscious way. The brains behind it all, Rudi Azzato, greets us in a sharp tie and dress shoes

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Ghaf Kitchen, Dubai

Ghaf Kitchen, a mobile kitchen in a restored 1962 Citroën van, is the first high-end restaurant on wheels to appear in the UAE, popping up at large public events to serve quality street food, at beach-side villas to cater parties, and helping creatives host meals in surprising locations from construction sites to warehouses. Ghaf launched at Dubai Street Night Art, an outdoor festival featuring 50 local artists

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Creekside, Dubai

A new cultural space beside Dubai Creek aims to celebrate and preserve Emirati culture with good coffee, a menu inspired by traditional Emirati flavours, and a packed cultural programme of workshops and events

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Marta's Kitchen, Dubai

In a short time, Marta Yanci has turned a passion for natural, home-cooked food into a thriving catering business, Marta’s Kitchen, and appeared on television in both Dubai and her native Spain. Her latest venture, Marta’s Workshop, has wowed Dubai foodies with its natural ingredients, simple cooking and fuss-free eating. The European-style restaurant has brought the charm of Europe’s modest, family-owned restaurants to Dubai

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Taste Kitchen, Dubai

Chefs Nick Alvis and Scott Price met while working at Gordon Ramsay’s Claridge’s restaurant in London, before leaving to run Ramsay’s Verre at Hilton Dubai Creek in Dubai, and then taking over the space in 2011 and transforming it the award-winning Table 9 by Nick and Scott. Now, they have launched their own café concept, Taste Kitchen

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The future of Old Dubai

The area beside Dubai Creek, known to many as old Dubai, will forever be rooted in the city’s past, but, boasting an abundance of creative cultural enterprises, it is now looking towards the future. This area beside Dubai Creek is where the city began. It’s where tribesmen first settled and transformed a small fishing village into a thriving community of pearl traders

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The Movement, Dubai

Not all bike shops are created equal, says Rooman Latif, owner of independent bicycle store The Movement, as he polishes a 1950s-inspired Linus bicycle. The UK expat is only half joking. Latif and his wife, Julie, opened The Movement in Dubai Garden Centre four months ago, because they had struggled to find the retro-styled bikes and urban riding community that they hankered for in Dubai

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Deira Fish Market, Dubai

A wonderful, noisy hive of activity, Deira Fish Market and its surrounding streets in Old Dubai have long been the beating heart of the city’s traditional trading district; a multicultural community where generations of disparate nationalities have lived and worked side by side in the markets and souks.

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La Serre, Dubai

Having garnered critical acclaim as the chef behind La Petite Maison in Dubai, Izu Ani’s magic touch is now bringing fresh, homemade food to the city’s Downtown district at his own La Serre Bistro And Boulangerie.

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Al Mallah, Dubai

Down in Dubai’s old garment district of Satwa, you’ll find that one of the city’s oldest restaurants is still also a favourite. Al Mallah in Dubai’s old garment district of Satwa has been serving some of the city’s favourite Arabic food for almost three decades.

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Lobos Tailors, Dubai

A Bur Dubai mainstay since 1978, Lobo Tailors is a city institution, clothing generations of local dignitaries, famous cricketers and high-flying businessmen.

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Stereo Arcade, Dubai

If you’re a fan of retro arcade games like Pac-Man, Mario Bros and Street Fighter II, come and relive your youth in Dubai Marina.

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Home Bakery, Dubai

There’s a rumour that, here, you’ll find the best cookies in Dubai. You’ll also find Emirati, Hind Almulla, who’s turned her passion into a thriving business.

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Vintage Watch, Dubai

Luxury watches are easy to find in Dubai, but if you’re looking for something a little different and with a story to tell, this is the man you should meet.

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Al Souq, Dubai

For a glimpse into the beating heart of Dubai, a trip to the newly renovated Al Souq at Umm Suqeim 2 Fishing Harbour is a must.

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Kite Beach, Dubai

The completion of Dubai’s 14km long beachside corniche has brought hip cafes and food trucks to the city’s laidback Kite Beach

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Culinary Boutique, Dubai

To stand out in the crowd among Dubai’s rapidly growing foodie set, you need to offer something a little different. At Culinary Boutique you don’t just eat, you learn how to cook it all too.

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Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue is all grown up and has become an eclectic hub for the city’s creative community.

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Tribe, Dubai

Bohemian, eclectic and socially responsible, Jo England’s design studio in Dubai supports local artisans.

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Last Exit

A kaleidoscope of colour emerging out of the desert, Dubai’s new 1950s-inspired truck stop is refuelling hungry travellers in style.

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Art Dubai

Since its launch in 2007, Art Dubai has grown into the most prominent art fair in the Middle East, helping drive Dubai’s rapid evolution into a cultural powerhouse in the region

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Stoke Newington, London

Situated in the north-east London borough of Hackney, Stoke Newington has undergone a process of gentrification in recent years.

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District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Explore the relatively tranquil District 3 at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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