We Think the Al Rashidiya Library Might Cure My Phone Obsession
I usually cringe whenever I think about my younger years because I was this geeky, awkward kid. But if there’s one thing I miss from my childhood, it’s the freedom to read endless books in my room—well, it helped that I didn’t have a phone until I was 13.
This makes sense why my greatest fantasy was to become Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and meet a prince who’d give me the biggest library in the world! Well, my life didn’t exactly go that way, but at least I now have the means to find something close.
My sister told me about the Al Rashidiya Library and how much she and my nieces love it, so I got curious. When I finally visited them, I made sure to note everything down (even the kids’ thoughts) and it turned out to be a pretty neat guide. See for yourself!
What is Al Rashidiya Library known for?
Al Rashidiya Library is known for offering access to plenty of books and stories by some of the most popular global authors. It’s also very kid-friendly, with a reading hall, activity room, and advanced audio-visual facilities.
Best Time to Go
The best time to go to Al Rashidiya Library is usually in the morning as it opens or late in the afternoon (a couple of hours before closing). This way, we believe you can avoid peak times and enjoy a more serene environment.
Things to Know
How to Get Around
What to Do in Al Rashidiya Library
Chill at the Reading Halls
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Studying for an exam or catching up on a new romance or mystery novel? We think the reading halls provide a peaceful setting so you’d be able to focus all day.
There are thousands of books and stories available here, including fiction and nonfiction. We say expand your horizons and check out everything from history (history of Dubai), religion, geography, and literature to medicine, economics, and management.
But if you’re interested in current affairs, you can get your hands on some newspapers and magazines in both English and Arabic too.
Consider Getting a Subscription
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While public libraries in the city are usually free to enter, we feel you can always step it up to take advantage of some extra perks. Subscription fees for an individual is AED 50 for 5 years with a AED 150 security deposit.
The benefits involve free internet use and computer access, as well as reduced service fees and sweet deals from selected publishers when you buy something great!
Bring the Little Ones
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One of the most popular things about the Al Rashidiya Library is the kids’ section! We believe this is a wonderful way to encourage the kids to read and love learning. Otherwise, you can just read them some adorable animal stories and bond!
We also love that you’ll find many colorful books in Arabic, English, Chinese, French, and Hindi. Who knows? This might inspire your children to be open to learning a second language.
And if you want to suggest new materials, we recommend letting the library staff know via their website or app to help keep everything fresh.
Let the Kids Join Summer Camp
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The library offers various exciting workshops and interactive sessions for kids ages 4 to 9 and older ones from 11 to 15. Registration fees start at AED 210 for members and AED 420 for non-members.
The activities include a bunch of artsy stuff like drawing and handicrafts which we think they’ll enjoy. A fun yet still productive break from school, in our opinion. So if you’ve got the means for it, we say let the kids embrace their inner Da Vinci or Van Gogh!
Where to Eat near Al Rashidiya Library
Bait Al Shay Al Aseel Cafeteria
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Address: Mohiuddin Market – Al Rashidiya
Contact Details: +971 4 285 1885
Pricing: $
Bait Al Shay Al Aseel Cafeteria is a small dining spot where you can go for sandwiches, burgers, or wraps and karak (strong) tea. In our book, this is ideal for a quick bite after a day of reading at the Al Rashidiya Library.
We also recommend the mixed samosa (triangular pastry) box to get a bit of everything, with the cheese, potato, chicken, and veggies. Sweet fanatics may enjoy the crepes, waffles, and pancakes too!
If you want cool drinks, we like the passion fruit mojito and the mixed fruit cocktails as well. Plus, we feel it’s a bonus that there’s shaded outdoor seating for relaxation after parking your car nearby.
Kabab Al Rashedyah
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Address: 42 49C St – Al Rashidiya
Contact Details: +971 4 220 0545
Pricing: $
Kabab Al Rashedyah is a little restaurant near the Al Rashidiya Library serving some of the tastiest kebabs (skewers) around!
The highlights for us are the lamb (yogurt or lemon) and the chicken variety. We think these are great snacks in the car, since the kebabs look like they can be finished in as fast as 5 minutes.
But if you want something more filling, we suggest the white rice or the kebab sandwich. There aren’t any desserts, but there’s always the cucumber yogurt for a healthier option.
Saad Al Weraani Al Rashidiya
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Address: Al Kahf Building – Al Rashidiya
Contact Details: +971 4 285 1062
Pricing: $
Saad Al Weraani Al Rashidiya is another cafeteria near the library known for its shawarmas or wrapped thin meat slices.
The hassan mathar (a blend of the traditional shawarma and grilled cheese sandwich) caught our attention firsy. We also loved the hamdan (wrap) with cheese, fries, chicken, or beef!
You may also combat all the savory tastes with the sweet falak (fruity drink) with a blend of mango, passion fruit, and strawberry. Just keep in mind that there’s limited indoor seating, so this spot seems best for takeaways.
Rashidiya Clinic Cafeteria
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Address: 43 44th St – Al Rashidiya
Pricing: $
Hungry for bread and all kinds of filling? Rashidiya Clinic Cafeteria has some of the longest lists of sandwiches we’ve seen near the literary spot!
We won’t judge you if you just want the classic cheese sandwich. Although, there’s also cheese tomato, cheese potato, cheese oman chips, and cheese jam to explore!
The samosas look crispy if you want that kind of texture as well. You can wash it all down with regular or black tea, and we reckon you’re all set for the day.
Um Robyan Restaurant
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Website: https://www.talabat.com/uae/um-robyan
Address: Umm Ramool Opp Rashidiya Civil Defense – Al Rashidiya
Contact Details: +971 50 662 3282
Pricing: $$
Um Robyan Restaurant is an Iranian eatery specializing in Arabic food, mainly grilled fish and seafood. From the get-go, we like salmon, seabream and king fish!
The Mandi rice was amazing for us too. We think it’s fragrant, fluffy, and filled with subtle spices that we believe complements the fish dishes well. This comes with a complimentary salad too!
But don’t skip the dates drizzled with peanut butter for dessert. For us, this pairs incredibly with the traditional sulaimani (spiced black tea without milk).
Where to Shop near Al Rashidiya Library
Al Rashidiya Hub
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Address: 69GM+CCJ – 29A St – Al Rashidiya
Al Rashidiya Hub is a mini-market near the library where you can get everything from fresh fish, meat, spices, and the like. There’s a few Desi restaurants around. But if you want to cook at home, we think this is a great place to stop by.
There are many stores for other essentials as well, like pharmacies, appliances, and repair shops, making it a one-stop destination every time you visit.
Nad Rashid Complex
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Address: 69GP+967 – 26th St – Al Rashidiya
Contact Details: +971 54 333 7342
Nad Rashid Complex is another budget-friendly (and amazing last-minute) store to buy some fresh ingredients such as veggies and meat for your cookouts at home.
In our opinion, this place is pretty handy since it’s got almost everything. Besides groceries and snacks, it’s got clothing, tailoring materials, electronics, and even optical shops!
And if you’re in a bit of a pickle with low cash, don’t fret yet! We love the accessible ATM here, making your transactions more convenient.
Dubai Library Distributors
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Address: Bin Sougat Center, Ground Floor Shop 28-33 – Dubai Airport Road
Contact Details: +971 56 544 0289
Dubai Library Distributors at Bin Sougat Center is a stationery shop with all-things bookworm-approved. If you didn’t find anything you like at the Al Rashidiya Library, you can search for other books and educational materials here.
On top of that, it offers many colorful and useful items to replenish your stationery and art collection at home. You can also shop for the kids, because we believe there are numerous aisles of cute bags and school items worth checking out.
But if you’re not into all that, we think the print and photocopy services here still make it very useful for some last-minute work stuff.
Al Kabayel
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Website: https://www.alkabayel.com/
Address: 4 33 A St – Al Rashidiya
Contact Details: +971 4 221 6155, [email protected]
Want to be wise with money? We love Al Kabayel’s unique pricing strategy—everything is priced between AED 1 to AED 30! There are all sorts of affordable food, garments, carpets, housewares, perfumes, and other essentials available.
So, we suggest looking for unique items like imported snacks and tea. Also, we say do bulk shopping to take advantage of the sweet deals when you can—who knows when you’ll be here next time?
Union Coop
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Website: https://www.unioncoop.ae/
Address: Rashidiya Central Market – Al Rashidiya
Contact Details: +971 800 8889, [email protected]
Those who want more space when grocery shopping might enjoy going to Union Coop. We really like the wide aisles here, so no need to stress about bumping into other carts when you’re in a hurry!
You can also enjoy diverse groceries, electronics, clothing, fabrics, fragrances, and more. Also, we noticed that it’s open until 2 am, so we think you know where to go whenever you get those crazy midnight cravings.
We recommend getting a membership too, since you’ll get perks like great discounts moving forward.
Where to Stay near Al Rashidiya Library
Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Festival City
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Website: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/gb/en/dubai/dxbfc/hoteldetail
Address: Gateway Ave – Dubai Festival City
Contact Details: 1800 1110 2295 (Reservations), +971 4 603 5000 (Front Desk), [email protected]
Pricing: $$
Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Festival City is a 4-star hotel near the Al Rashidiya Library that we think is fantastic for families. For one, kids under 12 can stay for free with an adult, so it’s easier on the wallet!
We also like the spacious rooms, especially the suites with balconies or terraces. The latter provides living areas and pull-out sofas, so we suggest upgrading your room for a comfier stay.
The way we see it, this spot’s also got a good variety of dining options, with a restaurant, cafe, and poolside bar—where you can take a cool dip at the rooftop!
InterContinental Dubai Festival City
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Website: https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/gb/en/dubai/dxbhb/hoteldetail
Address: Dubai Festival City
Contact Details: +971 4 701 1111 (Front Desk), [email protected]
Pricing: $$$
If you fancy scenic water views, InterContinental Dubai Festival City is a 5-star accommodation overlooking Dubai Creek. It’s also about 12 k from the Burj Khalifa, so you can go to that majestic skyscraper anytime after your library adventures.
And for us, the rooms ooze elegance with luxurious furnishings. Besides the usual amenities, we appreciate the iPod docks, as well as kitchens and free-standing tubs.
International fare and pizza is also available at the chic restaurant when it’s time to grab some grub. Later, we recommend bringing your date to the sun deck for the most amazing city views at sunset.
Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City
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Website: https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/gb/en/dubai/dubfc/hoteldetail
Address: Dubai Festival City
Contact Details: +971 800 0182435, (Reservation), +971 4 701 2222 (Front Desk), [email protected]
Pricing: $$$
Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City is a 5-star haven nearby popular landmarks like the Dubai Dolphinarium, Dubai Museum, and Dubai Mall—great itinerary additions to the library, in our opinion.
Though the regular rooms already look elegant, we’re also in awe that the club-level rooms provide access to a private lounge! Moreover, the suites feature Nespresso machines and roomy living rooms, so we reckon those options are quite cozy.
The dining options here can also tickle your palate in several ways. You’ve got a lively Mediterranean resto, a casual Belgian cafe, and a sociable shisha (flavored tobacco) lounge—you just have to decide what kind of fun you’re having.
Suha Creek Hotel Apartments
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Website: https://www.suhahospitality.com/hotels/united-arab-emirates/dubai/suha-creek-hotel-apartments/
Address: Al Jaddaf – Jaddaf Waterfront
Contact Details: +971 4 577 6191, +971 4 429 1401, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
Suha Creek Hotel Apartments is a 4-star spot that’s handy for bookworms and commuters—only a 10-minute walk from Al Jadaf metro station! And when needed, we recommend using the free airport transfers for a hassle-free trip.
Though you might have some big kitchens here, we think the kitchenettes are enough for a casual or intimate date night. The amenities also include an outdoor pool, gym, and sauna, so we believe all rejuvenating activities are covered.
Jumeirah Creekside
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Website: https://jumeirah.com/en/stay/dubai/jumeirah-creekside-hotel
Address: Rebat St – Al Garhoud
Contact Details: +971 4 230 8555, [email protected]
Pricing: $$$
Art enthusiasts might just fall in love with Jumeirah Creekside—it’s a 5 store hotel surrounded by vibrant artwork and a sleek glass facade!
We find it fascinating how each room here gives off a different vibe. The deluxe room is classic and elegant, the premier room is sleek and modern, and the family suites are brighter with wider windows.
In addition, there are 3 eateries, a rooftop bar, and an outdoor pool with an overhanging glass edge—very Instagram-worthy, in our opinion.
Tips When Visiting Al Rashidiya Library
Now that you know the ins and outs of the library, check out some handy tips to make your visits more shelf-sufficient.
Don’t forget your ID!
You might need it to register at the library or to borrow books
.
Bring earplugs or noise-canceling headphones.
While libraries are expected to be quiet most of the time, some distractions and noise from other guests, staff, or surroundings may be challenging to avoid at times. It’s best to have some earplugs so you can focus without fail.
Wear a jacket.
The library is usually on the cooler side, as the AC is kept pretty low. Keep yourself warm and comfy with a jacket or thicker clothing.
Check borrowing policies.
Check out the borrowing rules and limits to avoid any issues and maximize the opportunity of getting your hands on some fantastic reads!
Take advantage of the nearby shops.
Don’t fret about feeling peckish! There’s a small supermarket or cafeteria next to the library when hunger arises.