We went to Alserkal Avenue in Dubai for a day of artsy stuff!
Ever heard that Einstein rocked the violin while da Vinci was a triple threat in anatomy, engineering, and physics? Actress Natalie Portman also holds a Harvard degree in psychology, while director James Cameron dives deep into oceanography—literally!
People truly are like mixtapes of passions! And for those of us who love the arts here in Dubai, one of the best spots to go is Alserkal Avenue!
If you want to make the most of your visit, whether it’s your first time or one of many more, then check out our guide below!
What is Alserkal Avenue known for?
Alserkal Avenue is a key spot for the arts in Dubai. It features a good mix of evolving modern art galleries that showcase the works of old and new artists. It also offers dance studios, artisanal cafes, and more!
Best Time to Go
The best time to go to Alserkal Avenue is from November to March. The weather is cooler and less humid, making it easier to explore. And during the winter, it hosts Art Nights, a must-see event featuring a lively mix of art and culture.
Things to Know
How to Get Around
What to Do in Alserkal Avenue
Watch a Movie
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Website: http://www.cinemaakil.com/
Address: Al Serkal Avenue – Warehouse 68 – Al Quoz
Contact Details: +971 56 995 1225
Cinema Akil is a cool movie spot on Alserkal Avenue where you can catch awesome films from all over the world. It shows everything from indie flicks to classics and hosts film festivals, special screenings, and other fun events.
What’s neat for us is that each film is handpicked by the cinema’s founder, so you know they’re all about movies that make you think. We also love the comfy couches, great sound, and cool old-school movie posters on the walls.
But the folks here don’t do assigned seating, so it’s best to arrive early. And if you get peckish, there’s a trendy coffee joint on site where you can chow down on sweet potato fries and sip on some saffron chai.
Get Your Hair Done
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Website: https://www.chalk.ae/
Address: Warehouse 63, Alserkal Avenue
Contact Details: +971 4 346 6284
Chalk is a hair salon that feels like an art gallery. We love that it’s a safe space for everyone to show off their creativity. Why not treat yourself to a new hairstyle? After all, we think each of us is a work of art too!
We suggest getting that haircut and color you’ve been eyeing. The folks here also offer nail services, lash lifts, facials, and threading. For the guys, grooming services are available upstairs. Plus, we love that the staff hands out soft-serve ice cream!
The music around the shop is another highlight for us. There’s a high-tech, Spotify-connected booth and a strobe-lit, all-mirrored selfie room for post-makeover photos. No need to hire a professional photographer to capture your best looks!
Make Yourself a Perfume
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Website: https://oola-lab.com/
Address: Al Serkal Avenue, Unit 57 – Al Quoz
Contact Details: +971 58 504 7186
Want to know how your favorite scents are made? Oo La Lab at Alserkal Avenue offers a workshop called Chemistry of Bukhoor (fumes). It’s all about creating your own custom scent that matches your style and personality.
We think this is a great experience because you’ll get 2 hours to dive into local scents, oils, and oud (a fragrant, dark resinous wood).
Plus, we love that you can take your creation home as a unique souvenir or a cool gift for someone special. If you’re interested, the class costs AED 400.
Join a DIY Painting Studio
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Website: http://www.thejamjardubai.com/
Address: Unit H74, Alserkal Avenue – Al Quoz 1
Contact Details: +971 4 341 7303
Should you be into painting, you might love The Jam Jar. It’s a wonderful place to embrace your passion for art with one of their workshops. For us, this is a great way to bond with friends or family, as it welcomes adults, teens, and kids too!
The DIY painting sessions come with a complete kit for the day, including an easel, canvas, and unlimited acrylic paints and brushes you can use in the studio. All you need to bring is an open mind—and payment, of course, based on your chosen package.
But if you have your own supplies, just pay a studio fee of AED 58 per hour per person to use the space. The best part? You still get unlimited paint!
Let the Kids Enjoy an Art Day
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Website: http://www.thehappybox.ae/
Address: Unit H73, Alserkal Avenue, 17 St. Corner, 8 St – 17th St
Contact Details: +971 58 584 2779
The Happy Studio is a fantastic place for kids with great imaginations! It’s a fun pop art community space that offers all sorts of interactive arts and crafts workshops.
We love that the little ones can get creative with activities like decorating t-shirts and headbands, making cute slime, and having adorable photoshoots.
It’s a great spot for birthday parties too! Your child can pick from cool themes like Unicorn, Ballerina, Kitchen Lab Science, Jungle Fever, and more. This starts at AED 135 per child for 2 hours.
Where to Eat near Alserkal Avenue
Pekoe
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Website: https://mypekoe.com/
Address: Unit 59, Alserkal Avenue – Al Quoz
Contact Details: +971 4 359 3553
Pricing: $$
Kicking off your day early at Alserkal Avenue? Pekoe is a delicious teahouse and Asian bakery worth considering. We adore that it’s a sunny spot with a relaxed vibe, and bossa nova covers are playing in the background to lift your spirits.
This foodie spot serves all sorts of morning treats, like sourdough, croissants, and cookies. Plus, we like that there are many drinks, including coffee, iced tea, kombucha, and mocktails. Our favorite is the matcha, so we say give that a try at least once!
Kokoro
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Address: Al Serkal Avenue – 17th St – Al Quoz – Al Quoz Industrial Area 1
Pricing: $$$
If you haven’t mastered chopsticks yet, Kokoro is a great place to learn while having a good time. It’s Dubai’s first Japanese handroll bar, though interestingly, the chef founder is from Houston, Texas.
We think you should try the crunchy handrolls for their amazing taste and texture. And don’t miss out on the hamachi (Japanese yellowtail), kani (jumbo lump crab), and A5 wagyu nigiri to taste flavors.
For us, the venue is super cool, with a long, shiny wooden sushi bar, cool illustrations, sushi art, and fun rubber ducks scattered around. We also believe the open kitchen adds to the experience by giving you a show, making your visit even more memorable!
Ganache Chocolatier
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Address: Al Serkal Avenue – Warehouse 82 – Al Quoz
Contact Details: +971 56 420 3732
Pricing: $$
Craving for some sweet chocolates and other desserts? Ganache Chocolatier is a cafe with more than a hundred flavors to drool over! For us, it’s almost like being in a chocolate factory with Willy Wonka!
We recommend the baklava crunch, za’atar (spice blend) praline, and the bonbons. But if you’re feeling adventurous, try the floral-flavored treats too—you might surprise yourself! We also think the signature hot chocolate here is a must-try as well.
And as the cherry on top, we like the cute gift-wrapping station here that allows guests to customize their own boxes. For us, this is a wonderful souvenir or gift for your loved ones!
Le Guépard
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Website: http://www.leguepard-est2021.com/
Address: Al Serkal Avenue, Unit 57 – Al Quoz
Contact Details: +971 56 687 8486
Pricing: $$$
Let’s say you’re feeling a bit fancy for the day. Le Guépard is a chic little brasserie that brings France to Alserkal Avenue. It offers a private dining concept, which we think is perfect for introverted dates or intimate group bookings.
We love its French Revisite cuisine too! It means “redesigned,” a modern twist on classic dishes. You’ll find pancakes, sandwiches, croissants, curly fries, and other goodies here, so we reckon it would be easy to find your go-to afternoon treat.
The Fridge
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Address: Al Serkal Avenue – Warehouse #5, 17th St – Al Quoz
Contact Details: +971 4 347 7793
Pricing: $$
Ever heard of an Irish bar without alcohol? The Fridge is the place to be for some alcohol-free fun, but we don’t think it’s a reason to be disappointed.
This spot is an event venue filled with live music, so we bet you’ll still have a great time—just without that crazy hangover the next day.
We suggest trying one of the signature mocktails. We find the Za’atar Colada very refreshing and suitable for tropical flavor lovers. And if you’re looking for something different, we recommend the spiced Avenue Aperitif for a bittersweet experience!
Where to Shop near Alserkal Avenue
The Edit
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Website: http://www.theeditdubai.com/
Address: Warehouse 48, Alserkal Avenue – Al Quoz Industrial Area 1
Contact Details: +971 4 548 9553
The Edit is a cool spot on Alserkal Avenue where you get both a store and a gallery. We appreciate that this shop is all about sustainable fashion, featuring brands like House of Sunny, Cala de la Cruz, and Acler.
If you need to kill some time while waiting for friends, we reckon the gallery-like design of this shop will keep you entertained.
And how awesome is it that they have a matcha bar? You can choose from a bunch of drinks to get a nice pick-me-up after a long day of walking around.
The Flip Side
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Website: http://www.flipsidedxb.com/
Address: Unit 71, Alserkal Avenue
Contact Details: +971 4 221 6830
Got an old soul that loves jamming to tunes from back in the day? The Flip Side is an awesome independent record shop to visit if you’re a fan of vinyl.
There’s a generous selection here, so we feel you’re bound to find something worth listening to. For example, there’s lots of electronic music, as well as some jazz, blues, and rock and roll records if that’s what you’re into.
On top of that, don’t miss out on the cool merch and live DJ sessions! We think it’s one of the best places to hang out with friends—why not create a shared playlist of your favorite tracks together?
1004 Gourmet
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Website: http://www.1004gourmet.com/
Address: EBC Warehouse #8, Alserkal Avenue
Contact Details: +971 4 882 9882
1004 Gourmet is the perfect spot for those into Asian snacks. This market has everything from food and drinks to ice cream and more, whether you want to enjoy it there or take it home.
We love grabbing fun finds like Jeju mandarin marmalade, kimchi, ramen, and apple-mint drinks. But while Korean snacks were the main attraction before, now you can find goodies from all over East Asia, including Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and China.
This market also offers deals and discounts during events like Eid Al-Adha or Earth Day, so we recommend checking its social media pages before you shop.
Zerzura Rare Books
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Website: http://www.zerzurabooks.com/
Address: 21 Grams Taste Away – Alserkal Avenue – Al Quoz
Contact Details: +971 52 213 7411
True to its name, Zerzura Rare Books is the place to find a growing collection of unique literary treasures, including signed copies for your collection. We’re actually big fans of the first editions of The Alchemist and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!
We also like that the store offers a wide range of genres, from romance and fairytales to Regency era, Arabian travel, sports, and even dark Russian novels. If you plan to visit again, ask about the next book launch, workshop, or event to get more involved!
Where to Stay near Alserkal Avenue
Lemon Tree Hotel
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Website: https://www.lemontreehotels.com/lemon-tree-hotel/dubai/hotel-dubai.aspx
Address: Al Wasl Rd – Jumeirah – Umm Al Sheif
Contact Details: +971 4 525 4000
Pricing: $$
The Lemon Tree Hotel is among your best accommodations near Alserkal Avenue. Here, we love that guests get a stunning view of the Burj Al Arab. Plus, we feel that this looks ideal for those who want to stay in a less crowded place.
It’s great for us that the sleek rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows. In our view, this makes a good resting place after a lot of walking and shopping. Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and 24/7 room service are also available for your convenience.
The pharmacy, supermarket, coffee shops, and restaurants are a minute’s walk from the hotel as well, so we bet it’s real comfy to stay here for a night or two.
Metropolitan Hotel Dubai
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Website: https://www.metropolitanhoteldubai.com/
Address: Sheikh Zayed Road – Exit 41 – Al Thanya St
Contact Details: +971 4 343 0000
Pricing: $$
In the mood for something fancy? The Metropolitan Hotel Dubai is a stylish choice, especially for a family of four. We believe the bright rooms are perfect for kids to play in, and the soundproofed windows are a huge plus for us!
You’ll also have minibars, free Wi-Fi, flat screens, and tea and coffee-making facilities. The best part for us is the free metro station shuttle—it’s super convenient when you need to head out quickly!
And if you’re looking to explore, the hotel is 8 km from Safa Park and 3 km from Jumeirah Public Beach. It’s also close to the Mall of the Emirates for that extra retail therapy.
Urban Al Khoory Hotel
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Website: https://alkhooryhotels.com/urban/
Address: 566X+JVG – Al Waha St – Al Quoz – Al Quoz 3
Contact Details: +971 4 704 4111
Pricing: $$
The Urban Al Khoory Hotel is a cool 3-star spot with a lush glass facade. In our opinion, the rooftop pool and hot tub with city views make it a fantastic place to chill.
It has all the usual amenities. But for a much better stay, we suggest upgrading to rooms with sofas, balconies, and stunning views of the Burj Khalifa. We reckon you’ll feel like a king or queen when you order room service!
Tips When Visiting Alserkal Avenue
Now that you’re familiar with the ins and outs of Alserkal Avenue, here are some more tips to ensure yourself a hassle-free exploration:
Take public transport. For big events, parking might be tight at Alserkal Avenue. We think using public transport or grabbing a cab might be more efficient.
Bring your fur baby! Alserkal Avenue is totally pet-friendly! Just make sure to keep them on a leash, and don’t forget essentials like poop bags and water.
Remember the warehouse numbers. Meeting with a friend? Each warehouse at Alserkal Avenue has its assigned number, so we feel you shouldn’t have trouble finding your way around.
Visit late in the afternoon or evening. Lots of walking to do here, so go when it’s not too hot and humid to avoid sweating a lot or getting a heatstroke. It’s also best to wear comfy shoes and apply sunscreen with at least SPF 50.
Plan well ahead. There could be special talks, concerts, and workshops here on different days. Check out Alserkal Avenues’ website or socials beforehand for a more productive visit.