Al Quoz Was Unexpected and This Guide Will Show You Why
When you talk about Al Quoz, cranes, factories and hard hats almost always come to mind – and we can’t blame you.
This area is known for being an industrial zone, after all, and not a lot of people know that it’s also one of the best neighborhoods in Dubai.
I got curious about Al Quoz too, so I decided to spend a day exploring the area. Mind you, I was pleasantly surprised with what I discovered and I’m sharing everything in this guide.
What is Al Quoz?
Al Quoz is a neighborhood in the western part of Dubai bordered by Al Safa, Al Wasl, Al Manara and Umm Al Sheif.
This rectangular neighborhood covers 27.1 square kilometers of land stretching between Al Khail and Sheikh Zayed road.
Because of its massive size, Al Quoz is divided into four districts. Al Quoz 1, 2 and 4 are mainly residential areas that are concentrated on the northeastern part of the neighborhood.
Al Quoz 3, on the other hand, is an industrial and commercial zone that’s located on the southern part of the community.
This is the part of Al Quoz that’s most known by tourists, especially since the Al Quoz Industrial Area is one of Dubai’s oldest manufacturing hubs.
But there’s more to Al Quoz than just factories. In fact, the industrial zone is just a small part of this community.
Over the years, Al Quoz has become a bustling residential and lifestyle neighborhood where you can find some of Dubai’s best art galleries, beautiful cafes and shops.
Best Time to Go
You can explore Al Quoz at any time of the year because you have indoor and outdoor spaces to enjoy all year round.
But if you want to get a good glimpse of what this neighborhood has to offer, it’s best to go during winter when the weather in Dubai is at its best.
Things to Know
Al Quoz is definitely a pleasant surprise and here are some of the things we discovered while exploring this neighborhood:
- In 2004, the Dubai government launched the Al Quoz Creative District as part of its 2040 city plan that aims to allocate a space for creative related services in Dubai Here, designers, artists and other creatives have a space to work and do exhibits.
- Being a family-friendly neighborhood, you’ll find a lot of supermarkets and small marts around Al Quoz, so residents can easily shop for groceries and other needs.
- Al Quoz is home to both Emiratis and expatriates, so there are several mosques, temples and other places of worship within the community.
- Parents who want to send their kids to reputable schools have several options including the prestigious Clarion School that follows the US curriculum. Safa British School and GEMS Our Own Indian School are also excellent options.
- Al Quoz is ideally located near some vibrant neighborhoods in Dubai. Business Bay is located west of Al Quoz while Al Barsha and Al Manara are on the western side.
How to Get Around
Where to Stay in Al Quoz
Al Khoory Courtyard Hotel
Address: Al Waha Street – Al Quoz 3 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 492 7777
Pricing: $$$
The Al Khoory Courtyard Hotel is one of the best hotels in Al Quoz being centrally located minutes away from Sheikh Zayed Road but still far enough from the city that you can find peace and solace during your stay.
The hotel’s 158 rooms and suites are inspired by nature and you also get to enjoy modern amenities during your stay.
Revier Dubai
Address: Sobha Ivory 1 Building – Al Asayel Street – Business Bay – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 574 7555
Pricing: $$$
A few minutes drive away from the main Al Quoz area is Revier, a modern hotel in the heart of Business Bay that combines chic interiors with Swiss simplicity.
Here, you get to relax in a fully furnished accommodation, take advantage of modern amenities and just bask in the feeling of being at home in your private living space.
Revier is also just a few minutes away from the city’s top attractions and the Al Quoz neighborhood.
Where to Eat in Al Quoz
Tom & Serg
Address: Al Joud Center – 15A Street – Sheikh Zayed Road – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 56 474 6812
Pricing: $$
Tom & Serg brings the rich Melbourne cafe culture to Dubai with its industrial-style cafe serving excellent coffee and good food in a relaxing ambiance.
Located in a two floor warehouse, there’s plenty of space for you to enjoy that flat white and banh mi baguette any time of the day.
But it’s really the breakfast options that make Tom & Serg such a hit in Al Quoz. Whether you want a simple hazelnut bread or a sumptuous kimchi beef brisket, you’ll surely have a feast here.
Le Guepard
Address: Unit 57 – Alserkal Avenue – Al Quoz – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 56 687 8486
Pricing: $$
If you’re craving good French food, there’s no better place to enjoy it than Le Guepard. This chic French restaurant fits right in with the rest of the creative spaces in Alserkal Avenue.
But it’s really the food that stands out in this popular dining spot. We especially love their salad nicoise, pates aux truffes and basil risotto.
And what’s a good French meal without dessert? The restaurant’s vanilla panna cotta and profiteroles are to die for.
Boston Lane
Address: Courtyard 25 – 4B Street – Al Quoz – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 50 627 4799
Pricing: $$
Another Aussie import that’s been a favorite spot for breakfast, lunch and coffee dates is Boston Lane.
This beautiful cafe transports you to the sunny beaches of Australia with its summer vibe while you can enjoy some outdoor dining in the cooler winter months.
We love Boston Lane because of its simple and straightforward menu. Here, the Aussie favorite toastie is the star, but you also have some healthy breakfast options to choose from.
Of course, the coffee here is also highly recommended with the iced affogato as our ultimate favorite. But if you’re partial to tea, they also have several options to choose from.
Get the best start to your day with a hearty breakfast here or spend the afternoon lounging around with friends over a good cup of coffee.
What to Do in Al Quoz
Explore Alserkal Avenue
Address: 17th Street – Al Quoz Industrial Area 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 333 3464
In the middle of all those warehouses is a breath of fresh air, a creative space where some of the city’s best artists display their work.
Alserkal Avenue is designed to celebrate Dubai’s art and how it contributes to the city’s progress. Here, you can find everything from traditional art to more contemporary works that will surely inspire you.
And if you’re a fan of film, you have to enjoy a movie or two in Cinema Akil that regularly shows both local and foreign films.
Let the Kids Enjoy OliOli Children’s Museum
Address: 62 4 A Street – Al Quoz 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 702 7300
OliOli isn’t just your typical children’s play space because it’s Dubai’s first experiential play museum.
Here, the little ones can run free, let their imaginations run wild and just enjoy positive play in a safe creative space.
The museum has eight themed galleries: Water Gallery, Air Gallery, Incredi-Balls, Toshi’s Nets, Toddler Gallery, Cars and Ramps, Mission OliOli and Future Park.
Where to Shop in Al Quoz
The Courtyard
Address: Sheikh Zayed Road – 4B Street – Al Quoz Industrial Area 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 347 5050
The Courtyard combines good architecture with unique shopping to create a beautiful space that celebrates the diversity of Dubai.
This space features an art gallery, business center, a theater and different shops where you can find everything from little trinkets to home furniture.
But even if you’re not looking to spend, you can still enjoy walking around The Courtyard with its stunning architecture that makes you feel like you’re somewhere in Europe.
Which Neighborhoods to Visit in Al Quoz
Al Quoz 4
Al Quoz 4 is the most popular neighborhood in the Al Quoz district mainly because it has a lot of great residential options including beautiful apartment buildings and luxurious villas.
In fact, a lot of Dubai’s affluent crowd reside in this area where rent can cost you between AED 39,000 and AED 85,000 annually.
Al Quoz 4 is also ideally located near Business Bay, Safa Park and Kite Beach, and it has different amenities that let residents enjoy the best quality of life just far enough from the hustle and bustle of the city.
What to Expect from Weather in Al Quoz
Winter: From December to March, Dubai enjoys the best weather with temperatures dropping to 16 degrees Celsius at night. This is the best time to explore Al Quoz because you don’t need to worry about the heat.
Summer: From June to September, Dubai experiences its hottest season, making it difficult to spend a long time outdoors. With temperatures reaching up to 50 degrees during the day, most people stay indoors during the summer.
Transition period: In between winter and summer seasons, Dubai goes through two transition periods from April to May and October to November. During this time, the weather can be more unpredictable with extreme heat during the day and lower temperatures at night.
Apps to Download When Visiting Al Quoz
Visit Dubai: The official tourism app of Dubai, it’s a very useful tool in putting together an itinerary because it gives you all the information you need about the city’s best landmarks
Uber: The most important app to use for booking reliable private car service that will take you around Dubai
RTA Dubai Drive: If you’re planning to drive your way around Dubai, this app will help make navigating a lot easier with its extremely detailed maps and even some parking suggestions
Careem: This is Dubai’s local alternative to Uber when booking a private car service to take you around the city
S’hail: If you want to commute your way around Dubai, you can use this app to know about the different schedules and fares for the Dubai metro, bus, tram and even water taxi