Current Issue

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.

Categories
BLD
Column
Consume
Local Knowledge
Lunch With
Main
Mapped
Neighbourhood
Place
Stay
Taste Of
The Street
Destinations
Addis Ababa Auckland Beijing Boston Buenos Aires Chennai (Madras)Copenhagen Dublin Frankfurt Hanoi Istanbul Kuala Lumpur Los Angeles Maldives Melbourne Moscow Nairobi Orlando Phuket São Paulo Singapore Taipei United Kingdom Washington
Ahmedabad Bali Beirut Brisbane Cairo Chicago Dar Es Salaam Durban Geneva Ho Chi Minh City Jakarta Larnaca Luanda Malé Mexico Mumbai (Bombay)New York Oslo Rio de Janeiro Seattle St Petersburg Tokyo United States Yangon
Amman Bangkok Bengaluru (Bangalore)Brussels Cape Town Christchurch Delhi Edinburgh Glasgow Hong Kong Johannesburg Lisbon Lyon Manchester Miami Munich Newcastle Paris Rome Seychelles Stockholm Toronto Venice Zagreb
Amsterdam Barcelona Bologna Budapest Casablanca Colombo Dubai Entebbe Hamburg Houston Kolkata (Calcutta)London Madrid Manila Milan Muscat Nice Perth San Francisco Shanghai Sydney United Arab Emirates Vienna Zürich
Issues
April 2020
Read
March 2020
Read
February 2020
Read
January 2020
Read
December 2019
Read
November 2019
Read
October 2019
Read
September 2019
Read
August 2019
Read
July 2019
Read
June 2019
Read
May 2019
Read
April 2019
Read
March 2019
Read
February 2019
Read
January 2019
Read
December 2018
Read
November 2018
Read
October 2018
Read
September 2018
Read
August 2018
Read
July 2018
Read
June 2018
Read
May 2018
Read
April 2018
Read
March 2018
Read
February 2018
Read
January 2018
Read
December 2017
Read
November 2017
Read
October 2017
Read
September 2017
Read
August 2017
Read
July 2017
Read
June 2017
Read
May 2017
Read
April 2017
Read
March 2017
Read
February 2017
Read
January 2017
Read
December 2016
Read
November 2016
Read
October 2016
Read
September 2016
Read
August 2016
Read
July 2016
Read
June 2016
Read
May 2016
Read
April 2016
Read
March 2016
Read
February 2016
Read
January 2016
Read
December 2015
Read
November 2015
Read
October 2015
Read
September 2015
Read
August 2015
Read
July 2015
Read
June 2015
Read
May 2015
Read
April 2015
Read
March 2015
Read
February 2015
Read
January 2015
Read
Next
Previous

Dubai

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

Local Knowledge

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

Local Knowledge

Last Look, Dubai

Bahal Abdul Rasheed, 28, owner of Bambah, Beach Road, Jumeirah, has lived in Dubai for 17 years. Her clothing store mixes comfort with elegance. She says: “Dubai is my home away from home, and I love being here. There is so much room for innovation, and I appreciate how Dubai becoming a melting pot of cultures has enabled me to interact with different people

Place

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

Local Knowledge

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

Local Knowledge

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

Local Knowledge

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

Local Knowledge

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

Local Knowledge

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.

Local Knowledge

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.

Local Knowledge

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.

Local Knowledge

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.

Local Knowledge

Dubai Butterfly Garden, Dubai

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

Local Knowledge

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.

Local Knowledge

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.

Local Knowledge

Magnificent Sevens

With sides from all over the world competing at events such as the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, not to mention its Olympics bow under a year away, sevens is gaining some serious traction.

Main

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.

Local Knowledge

Creekside, Dubai

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

Local Knowledge

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.

Local Knowledge

Lunch With Gordon Ramsay, Bread St Kitchen

With 36 restaurants, 16 Michelin stars, countless TV credits and more than a few curse words, he’s been a full-frontal assault on the culinary world for 28 years.

Lunch With

Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

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

Local Knowledge

Tribe, Dubai

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

Local Knowledge

Last Exit

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

Local Knowledge

Yadawei

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

Local Knowledge

A Dubai Shark Tale, Dubai

With shark populations in the wild at critical levels, Dubai Aquarium And Underwater Zoo is at the forefront of groundbreaking work to revive, not only numbers, but also a hard-bitten reputation.

Main

For The Love Of Odd

Jon Ronson has made a career out of peeking into life’s dark corners.

Main

Lunch with Maximilian Büsser

The man behind the MB&F watch brand talks dreams, selling out, and the day that changed his life.

Lunch With

Palazzo Versace

There’s a mosaic on the lobby floor of Dubai’s Palazzo Versace hotel. It’s made up of 1.5 million tiles and depicts the classical Medusa head.

Place

The Downtown escape

There’s something quite relaxing about Renaissance Downtown Hotel

Stay

Loft living in old Dubai

The opening of a second Zabeel House puts the Al Seef district firmly on the map

Stay

The Middle East’s Radical Green Designs

How green could the UAE really be? With a renewed desire for ecological sustainability and the credentials to back it up, a new breed of architects are slowly turning over a new leaf in the country

Main

The dancers of Dubai

From viral challenges to heritage dances, the artform has taken off in the city

Main

A historical port of call

Stay on one of the most famous ships in history

Stay

A revamped coastal stay

A seaside resort in central Dubai celebrates five months of transformation

Stay

Head over hills

The legendary JA Hatta Fort Hotel is a charming resort in the shadow of the UAE’s Hajar Mountains

Stay

It’s spring, and culture is in the air

From a Creekside ode to the contemporary to monumental sculptures at the Louvre, this is the season of culture in Dubai. Laura Egerton, local cultural commentator and curator, makes a case for why art around the region has never been so vibrant.

Main

Kings on the coast

There’s more than meets the eye to this regal resort in the Northern-most emirate

Stay

Local luxury

Dubai has a tradition in tailoring that spans decades. Now, the city is branching out to embrace every kind of fashion

Main

The age of influence

How the influencer phenomenon could alter luxury travel marketing forever.

Main

A palace for the modern age

Updates to Jumeirah Al Qasr offer a refreshing luxury in the heart of coastal Dubai

Stay

Get the shot

For Dubai’s wildlife photographers, an unlikely city proved the perfect jumping-off point to capture some of the rarest animals on earth

Main

One year to go

192 Countries. Millions of people. The world's greatest show is only 12 month away.

Main

What does it take to make a million dollar company?

Dubai’s potential unicorns and the viability of the city’s startup scene

Main

Get the look

In Dubai, a new city aesthetic abounds

Main

Home to roast

Meet the artisans behind Dubai’s homegrown coffee brands – stamping their own unique signature on a centuries-old coffee culture

Main

Eating with our eyes

The digital era has reinforced the reign of food visuals. But is there hope beond rainbow bagels?

Main

Hippie chic

At Dubai’s Nikki Beach, a lively lifestyle brand adapts to a unique customer

Stay

A designer palace

This creekside, neoclassical hotel sits in the heart of Dubai’s newest cultural hub

Stay

Wasl Square, Dubai

Wasl Square, in Dubai’s Al Safa district, beside the beachside neighbourhood of Jumeirah, is both a highly sought after collection of modern apartments and a haven for shoppers and foodies. The small but diverse community, adjacent to the sprawling garden oasis of Safa Park, hosts an eclectic collection of independent shops, restaurants and cafés. Entire days can easily be lost strolling the grounds

The Street

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

Local Knowledge

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

Local Knowledge

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.

Local Knowledge

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

Local Knowledge

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

Local Knowledge

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

Local Knowledge

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

Local Knowledge

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.

Local Knowledge

D.Tales, Dubai

In what is seemingly an unlikely path for a design aficionado, Swedish native Lars Narfeldt was a UN peacekeeper in war zones across Africa and Afghanistan before settling in Dubai to pursue his dream of bringing Scandinavian design to the Middle East.

Consume

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.

Local Knowledge

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.

Local Knowledge

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.

Local Knowledge

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.

Local Knowledge

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.

Local Knowledge

Ready To Fly: Jetman Dubai

You might have seen a video recently. A crazy video of two men flying over Dubai alongside an Emirates A380. Here’s where you find out how.

Main

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.

Local Knowledge

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

Local Knowledge

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.

Local Knowledge

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.

Local Knowledge

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.

Local Knowledge

Dubai Walls

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

Local Knowledge

Cultural Capital

We examine what’s driving the lit-fest boom, starting with the Emirates Airline Festival Of Literature.

Main

St Regis Dubai

The St Regis Dubai doesn’t really do ‘small scale’, so the dimensions of its penthouse (9,828 square feet) should really come as no surprise.

Stay

Four Seasons Hotel, DIFC, Dubai

It’s not just the prime location that marks out the Four Seasons Hotel DIFC as one that should be on your list of must-visits.

Stay

Nick and Scott

Situated in the Madinat Jumeirah on the site of the old Rivington Bar and Grill, Folly is the new venture by Price and partners Nick Alvis and Viktorija Paplauskiene.

Place

A Dubai Adventure

How a theme park rose out of the desert to save your summer.

Main

Inside the mind of Franco Dragone

“I know that I have to come to see the show tonight. And that I’m scared,” says Franco Dragone, the man behind Dubai’s first ever permanent theatrical production.

Main

Open Skies catch up with Nick Rhodes and John Taylor of Duran Duran ahead of their gig in Dubai

Open Skies speaks to Duran Duran on playing at the Emirates Airline International Jazz Festival and dealing with fame

Lunch With

Rebuilding an institution

The Address Downtown has reopened after two years. What’s new for the mall-centric property?

Stay

Both beach and city break

At Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa, soak up the atmosphere of Dubai’s most famous island whilst also enjoying a laidback beach retreat

Stay

An event for the world

When Dubai was confirmed as host city for Expo 2020, the announcement kickstarted a massive project to prepare the emirate for the staging of the biggest event ever seen in the Middle East. With two years to go, how is the region’s first ever World Expo shaping up?

Main

Take a stroll around the city

Life began to take shape in Dubai by the 18th Century. Now, modern and ancient neighbourhoods alike serve to parcel up the city – each with their own distinct flair.

Main

Beyond diamonds

A taste for rare gemstones and royal provenance encapsulates the palate of Dubai’s collectors. But in a market where physical auctions haven’t taken off, how can the UAE establish itself as a jewellery hub?

Main

In Sharjah, a look back in time

Historical wonders fill every corner of the regal Al Bait Sharjah

Stay

Building the tallest tower on earth

Can a record-breaking skyscraper be discreet? Santiago Calatrava’s idea for a new structure, and resultant city-form in Dubai, pays credence to the theory

Main