Jaddaf Waterfront brought us waves of surprises! Here’s what you need to know!
Jaddaf Waterfront is a sprawling waterfront community located on Dubai Creek Harbour’s western side and right beside the historic Dubai Creek.
This area used to be reserved for shipyards making traditional dhows. But its idyllic location made it the perfect place to create a neighborhood that focuses on promoting the harmony of different cultures.
This is why Jaddaf Waterfront is also known as the “Cultural Village” and it spans more than 3 million square meters and consists of residential, commercial and entertainment districts.
Where Is Jaddaf Waterfront?
Jaddaf Waterfront is located by the historic Dubai Creek between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Zayed Road.
This creekside development is part of the bigger Al Jaddaf community in Bur Dubai, one of the most important areas in Old Dubai.
How to Get to Jaddaf Waterfront
Best Time to Go to Jaddaf Waterfront
Since Jaddaf Waterfront has a lot of outdoor attractions, it’s best to explore it during the winter months that run from December to March.
And with so much to see and do in this community, you better get started early in the morning to make the most of your visit.
What to Do and See in Jaddaf Waterfront
Be Mesmerized by the Famous Green Wall
Address: Jaddaf Waterfront – Al Jaddaf – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Is a green wall worth visiting? Absolutely, especially if you’re in Jaddaf Waterfront. At 6 meters high and 212 meters tall, the famous living green wall is the largest in the Middle East.
But what’s more amazing is that the 80,000 plants that consist of this green wall can remove up to 4.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. Now, that’s a huge win for the environment!
So, if you want to enjoy some fresh air, you can bet this is the best place to be in Dubai. Take a stroll early in the morning or right when the sun sets to enjoy this pocket of nature in Jaddaf Waterfront.
Oh, and don’t forget to take some snaps with the beautiful green wall as your background!
Catch a Show at the Dubai Dolphinarium
Address: Riyadh Street – Umm Hurair 2 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 336 9773
Whether you have kids or not, you’d never want to miss a show at the Dubai Dolphinarium whenever you’re at Jaddaf Waterfront.
The first fully air conditioned indoor dolphinarium in the Middle East is home to some of the friendliest sea creatures you’ll ever see including dolphins and seals.
It was a dream come true seeing these gentle creatures up close playing in the water, jumping through hoops and impressing us with their tricks together with their trainers.
The dolphinarium is also home to more than 20 different species of birds and it has a 5D and 7D theater where you can watch shows about dolphins.
Located in Dubai Creek Park, the Dubai Dolphinarium is just a few minutes away from Jaddaf Waterfront. So, if you choose to live here, just imagine being close to such a beautiful attraction.
Admire the Art at the Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park
Address: Jaddaf Waterfront – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
You can’t be in Jaddaf Waterfront without stopping by – and taking a photo – at the Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park.
The first outdoor sculpture and art park in the country, it’s designed to be a spacious outdoor gallery where people can spend time admiring the art but most importantly interacting with each other.
Here, you’ll see a 200-seat amphitheater, an area where you can see different sculptures and fixed furniture and a space for food trucks and vendor stalls.
If you’re lucky, you can enjoy some live performances by local artists and movie screenings at the park too. But just the ambiance of the park will surely make you want to keep coming back.
Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park is also one of the most picturesque parks in the city, so make sure to take a lot of photos with the different exhibits on your visit.
Get Inspired by the Exhibits at the Jameel Arts Center Dubai
Address: Jaddaf Waterfront – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 873 9800
With the goal of making Jaddaf Waterfront a place where people can express their culture through different media, the Jameel Arts Center was created by Art Jameel.
This space is dedicated to host different community engagements and contemporary art exhibitions from local and international artists.
You can also visit their open-access research library to learn more about different art, collaborations and cultures. It even has a dedicated writer’s studio where creatives can focus and express themselves through writing.
And if you’re an artist or art collector, you can also join the worksps, commissions and quest lecture talks that are regularly conducted at Jameel Arts Center.
Where to Eat and Drink in Jaddaf Waterfront
Teible Restaurant
Address: Jameel Arts Center – Ground Floor – Jaddaf Waterfront – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 243 6683
Pricing: $$$
If we could choose one favorite restaurant in Jaddaf Waterfront, we’d go for the Michelin recommended Teible in the blink of an eye.
Why do we love this restaurant, you ask? For one, the restaurant is a breath of fresh air from the fancy restaurants in Dubai with its simple interiors and laidback vibe.
But don’t let that simplicity fool you because Teible’s food is more than five star quality. With a farm to table concept, the restaurant champions sustainability, locality, seasonality and simplicity in its offerings.
Every dish here is created with the diner and the environment in mind, which you don’t really find in most restaurants.
Teible’s menu also revolves around what the local farms produce, so you can always expect something new every time you visit the restaurant.
We love that each dish celebrates an ingredient from a different part of the country. For instance, their beef garum tartare features capsicum from Sharjah.
Their nostalgia dish features seasonal fish from Fujairah and their Centro dish features lamb from Abu Dhabi.
Giardino Dubai
Address: Palazzo Versace – Jaddaf Waterfront – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 556 8805
Pricing: $$
Giardino is probably the most colorful restaurant in Jaddaf Waterfront – and we love every single detail.
The loud wallpaper, burst of colors on the walls and beautiful crockery from the “Rosenthal meets Versace” collection will surely ignite your senses.
The restaurant also extends into the terrace where you can enjoy your meal on a good winter’s day while overlooking the majestic Dubai Creek.
Giardino is especially famous for its “Into the Jungle” brunch where you get to enjoy a breakfast buffet with your choice of beverage. It also has a dinner buffet that serves international dishes that will surely make you full.
Vanitas
Address: Palazzo Versace Dubai – Jaddaf Waterfront – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 55 6 8820
Pricing: $$$
Vanitas is hands down the best Italian restaurant in Jaddaf Waterfront – and even the entire city – if you ask us.
Aptly located in Palazzo Versace, you’re taken straight to a modern Italian palace the moment you step inside Vanitas. Wear your best dress and trousers for dinner here, so you’ll fit right in.
The restaurant’s menu celebrates all the flavors that you love about Italy. There’s vitello tonnato, filetto di salmone finocchi e arance, pizza al tartufo and tagliata di wagyu.
Oh, and don’t forget to pair your food with the restaurant’s cocktails. We love their fonte’s, melonic and Sicilia mojito.
Where to Shop in Jaddaf Waterfront
Dubai Festival City Mall
Address: Crescent Road – Dubai Festival City – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 800 332
Care to do some retail therapy after exploring Al Jaddaf Waterfront? Dubai Festival City Mall is just a few minutes away and it has everything you need to satisfy your retail cravings.
The mall is even home to Ikea where you can shop for affordable Swedish home products and a lot of different stores ranging from designer to local brands.
Where to Stay in Jaddaf Waterfront
Palazzo Versace Dubai
Address: Al Jaddaf – Jaddaf Waterfront – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 556 8888
Pricing: $$$
Palazzo Versace Dubai is an ultra luxurious five-star hotel in Jaddaf Waterfront that’s designed after an Italian palace with lavish details inspired by the famous house of Versace.
Here, you get to be transported to Italy with the hotel’s beautiful interiors and landscaped gardens. You’ll also see details featuring Arabian architecture to pay homage to Dubai.
But what we really love about Palazzo Versace is its attention to detail. Just imagine sleeping in a massive bed with silk furnishings and waking up to views of the Dubai Creek.
This hotel is definitely the perfect retreat after a busy day of exploring Jaddaf Waterfront.
Arabian Park Dubai, An Edge by Rotana Hotel
Address: Al Jadaf Street – Al Jadaf – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 324 5999
Pricing: $$$
Arabian Park Dubai is a three-star luxury hotel located close to Jaddaf Waterfront and the other top attractions in the city.
We love this hotel for many reasons. For one, it’s modern and chic with interiors fit for the modern traveler. If you’re looking for something simple yet sophisticated, this would be the perfect match for you.
We also love the hotel’s proximity to the heart of the city while still being far enough for you to escape the hustle and bustle if you need to.
Arabian Park Dubai has 328 rooms featuring the most modern amenities, four restaurants and bars, and a pool where you can cool down after a long day of exploring the city.
IntercityHotel Dubai Jaddaf Waterfront
Address: Al Jaddaf – Jaddaf Waterfront – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 574 3900
Pricing: $$
IntercityHotel Dubai Jaddaf Waterfront stands out from the marina with its modern facade. It’s also the first IntercityHotel to open in the country with the perfect location right beside Dubai Creek.
This hotel is a favorite among travelers who wish to stay in a modern accommodation that’s close to everything without breaking their bank.
Each room here is fitted with all the modern amenities you need and it also has a fitness area, restaurant and swimming pool.
We especially love that this hotel is accessible to different forms of transportation. So, whether you choose to ride the bus, metro or even an abra, you can do that when you’re staying at the IntercityHotel Dubai.