If there is one thing that this city is an expert on, it is building third spaces that serve as cultural hubs. Malls in the summer and outdoor spaces in the winter, it makes anticipating the colder months not just a desire for a change of climate but a change of cultural tempo. From the gone-but-not-forgotten La Mer, to City Walk, Al Seef, and now Marsa Boulevard. Returning to Dubai Festival City for its second edition, it brings with it waterfront views, reimagined experiences and activations, and a new culinary landscape. It’s the latest spot set to bring the community together to lounge by the sun, soak in the sunset, and indulge in its vibrant nightlife. With temperatures only set to go down, here’s a complete guide on what you can do at the new open-air destination.
Shopping at the Boulevard
It isn’t Dubai if we don’t curate our experiences with a side of shopping. This season we see the return of The Charm Bar, the jewellery hub that singlehandedly brought the charm craze to Dubai. At Marsa Boulevard, The Charm Bar has collaborated with their sister brand Aglaiia, offering permanent jewellery to those looking for an everlasting everyday stack or a friendship bracelet.
For those looking for fashionable finds, Marsa Boulevard features plenty of concept stores and boutiques to shop around. You can take your pick from The Good Life, a concept store focused on urban, contemporary wear; Comptoir 102, a concept store with curations based around wellness, lifestyle, and home decor; Rosie’s, a boutique centred on eccentric fashion; Select by Niche, a space with a curation of up-and-coming designers as well as luxury pieces; and Maison de Mode, a concept store focused on fashion and sustainability.
Dining at the Boulevard
The dining scene at Marsa Boulevard returns with even more sophisticated concepts, emblematic of their ethos. The most anticipated one of them all is Carousel—a concept kitchen featuring a rotating lineup of regional and international chefs. Keeping things new throughout the season, you can only expect the unexpected here. Another highlight is the Middle Eastern debut of WatchHouse. Brewed in London, the acclaimed coffee house is bringing its beans and coffee-making expertise to the waterfront side.
Regionally, concept dining is at the forefront of Marsa Boulevard. Noodle spot Curly House is fronted by Emirati food-creator Mohamed Alhosani. He has taken his fusion recipes that we often see online to the noodle spot. Whereas, Kyoto coffee bar Kurasu has teamed up with Temple Creamery, bringing sweet treats with a Japanese state of mind through calm interiors that make you pause and reflect. Another collaboration to look out for is TORI x Around the Block—two culinary perspectives coming together, creating a vibrant gastronomic experience. On one hand, you have modern Japanese delights, from succulent nigiris to fresh handrolls. On the other, you have fusion flavours to take you “around the block”.
These concepts join a returning lineup of regional favourites—Sadeem, a dining spot best known for its desert cafe concept; FYND, a matcha house that literally has matcha on tap; Flat 12, a cafe bridging cars with the culinary world; Lost in Tokyo, an edomae sushi experience; The Grotto, a coffee house with Marsa Boulevard exclusive drinks; and Cocolily, a cocoa bar centered around sweetening dining experiences with chocolate.
Experiencing the Boulevard
The promenade is made to walk, matcha in hand. Fabric and mirror installations give the space a dreamy vibe as well as an Instagram-worthy moment. Speaking of, one of the highlights at Marsa Boulevard is their Banner Drop. Featuring art or a meaningful quote, last season, the banner would drop either weekly or daily. This season, the first banner is set to drop on November 7 at 8 PM.
Latest activations around the hub push for a more immersive experience. A phone booth, with a working phone, is set for anyone to pick up and talk, whereas a Marsa Merch pop-up and raffle box provide a keepsake of the season.
For those looking to indulge in fashion and art, multipurpose space Studio 152 has opened its doors, adding to the vibrant cultural hub. Their debut exhibition honours the legacy of Lebanese fashion designer Georges Hobeika, featuring 30 archival pieces. Over the season, Studio 152 aims to bring together like-minded creatives through a series of experimental exhibitions and activations.
