We Wish We Could Sleepover at Dubai’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Library
When was the last time you finished a book? I used to be such a bookworm! I was addicted to the smell of bookstores, making them my go-to happy place for years.
But then, university happened, followed by work life. Now I hardly have any downtime after work, so it’s been a long time since I even touched my bookshelf.
Thankfully, a few years back, my friends showed me the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library. This place is incredible—it made me feel like Belle from Beauty and the Beast! We visit so often that we’ve made our own travel guide. Check it out below!
What is the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library known for?
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is known for its vast collection of the UAE’s literary treasures. It also offers scenic views, study rooms, and a cafe.
Best Time to Go
The best time to go to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Dubai is any day except Sundays. Just remember that pre-booking is required via the website or app.
Things to Know
Entry Fee: Guests can visit the library for free!
Age Limit: Kids under 5 aren’t allowed inside.
Operating Hours: The library is open from 9 am to 9 pm from Monday to Saturday, except on Fridays, when it’s open from 2 pm to 9 pm.
Attire: Guests must wear the appropriate clothing—make sure to cover your shoulders and knees! The staff are pretty strict about this.
Photography: Flash photography isn’t allowed at the library.
Parking: Conveniently, this library offers 300 free shaded parking spots! This includes wheelchair ramps for the mobility-impaired, outlets for recharging electric cars, and spaces for bicycles in the main car park.
Washroom: There are restrooms for men and women on every floor, including wheelchair access.
Dogs: Like most libraries, animals aren’t allowed in the building.
How to Get Around
What to Do in the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library
Marvel at the Architecture
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We believe the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is a work of art—its architecture alone deserves adoration! It has 7 levels spanning 54,000 square meters—that’s a lot of space for books, art, and study rooms, we say.
Its unique design is also inspired by a traditional Islamic lectern (standing reading desk). Just take your time to admire everything—you can also see great city views from the library!
Explore All the Collections
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This library has a massive collection of books, periodicals, and digital resources. No matter if you’re interested in literature, science, history, or art, we believe there’s something for everyone!
Be sure to check out some of the rare first editions, manuscripts, and fascinating cultural artifacts too. For us, this is a win for history buffs!
Read a Mystery Book
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If you hate rowdy places, we bet you’ll love the cozy and peaceful environment in the library! It offers designated reading areas that are ideal for immersive reading.
We highly recommend diving into a brand-new genre or book—how about fiction, say a mystery book? Without the city’s chaos, we believe you’ll have uninterrupted reading time and wander into a new world soon enough.
Tour the Themed Sections
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If you’re very particular about the books you like, you might want to explore the themed sections at the library.
You’ll find that it’s further divided into various parts. For example, there’s one dedicated to the Arab world and Islamic culture. You may also explore the maps, atlases, periodicals, media, and arts.
See a Movie
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There’s a big auditorium on the library’s ground floor where you can get comfy while watching an independent film or documentary!
When it’s not being used for movies, VIPs may also use this space for world summits or meetings. We say chat with the staff before booking to confirm which film will be showcased during your visit.
Where to Eat around Mohammed Bin Rashid Library
Mohammed Bin Rashid Library Cafe
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Website: https://www.mbrl.ae/
Address: Al Jaddaf
Contact Details: +971 800 627523, [email protected]
Craving coffee? The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library provides guests with a 2-storey cafe on the ground floor. It offers all-day dining, which can suit most dietary preferences—just ask nicely!
Since food and drinks aren’t allowed in the library rooms, you can stay here to grab a quick coffee or tea, as well as have a sandwich, croissant, or cake. We like that there are veggie dishes and meals for kids too, so everyone can find something they like.
The vibe here is also light and airy, with a high ceiling. Still, we recommend going upstairs since it’s cozier and has a fantastic view of the gardens and Dubai Creek.
Trouvaille Restaurant
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Website: https://trouvaille.ae/
Address: Khansaheb Residence – Al Jaddaf
Contact Details: +971 56 683 8678, [email protected]
Pricing: $
Arabesque Al Jaddaf Restaurant offers French and Lebanese cuisines to fill you up after a day at the library. We also find it handy that there’s plenty of street parking around.
Food-wise, we recommend the grilled chicken or prawns, as well as the burrata (Italian cow’s milk) salad. For us, the lemon pie and berry smoothies are also worth trying.
And if you’re on a diet, we love that this restaurant has a small version of everything—try the mini éclairs (cream-filled pastries), mini croissants, and mini cakes for light eating!
StrEAT Culture Dubai
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Address: DoubleTree by Hilton – Al Jaddaf
Contact Details: +971 4 517 1066
Pricing: $$
StrEAT Culture Dubai is a hip bar nearby that’s known for its beers, brandy, and cocktails. Upon entering, we instantly loved the chill vibe and the eclectic decor with a blend of street art and modern style.
Our favorite nibbles are the fish chips, chicken tenders, and burgers that we think go well with the cold drinks. And if you’re staying longer, we like that diners can get happy hour deals before midnight.
Kimura-Ya Authentic Japanese Restaurant
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Website: https://kimurayadubai.com/
Address: 1st Floor, Marriott Hotel, Dubai, Oud Metha Road Al Jaddaf Area
Contact Details: +971 56 837 0762
Pricing: $
Kimura-Ya Authentic Japanese Restaurant is the spot to visit if you’re craving authentic Japanese food like dashimaki (Japanese omelet) and takoyaki (deep-fried octopus balls).
Moreover, we love the big selection of sushi! Among options like California rolls, salmon rolls, and unagi (freshwater eel) rolls, the highlight for us is the spicy tuna rolls, with their delightful kick!
We also appreciate the colors and decor, which pay homage to Japan. It’s interesting for us that the dining spaces are divided by screens too! In our view, it creates an immersive ambiance that’s wonderful for families or a small group.
Andiamo!
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Website: https://www.hyattrestaurants.com/en/dining/uae/dubai/italian-restaurant-in-oud-metha-andiamo
Address: Grand Hyatt Dubai Convention Centre – Sheikh Rashid Rd – Umm Hurair 2
Contact Details: +971 4 317 2221
Pricing: $$$
Andiamo! (yes, with the exclamation point) is a Mediterranean restaurant to visit for genuine Italian chili garlic pizza, as well as delicious lobster and creamy mushroom risotto. We also recommend tiramisu for a sweet and rich treat.
We also love that you can enjoy your meals here surrounded by natural surroundings—a good contrast to staying indoors at the library, we say.
And if this is something you’d like, this restaurant also provides a smoking section where shisha (flavored tobacco) is offered.
Where to Shop near the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library
Nad Rashid Market
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Address: 69GP+87R Souq Nadd Rashid – 46 33A St – Al Rashidiya
If you had fun reading like a kid again at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, we’d say there’s also a nostalgic feeling from visiting Nad Rashid Market. It’s a central location for the community, so we bet many locals grew up buying from this place.
Besides the groceries and household items, you’ll find many Arabic and Islamic souvenirs at this traditional souq (market).
Alternatively, there are barber shops, mobile stores, photo studios, and tailoring services here that we reckon make this a convenient one-stop destination.
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
Want a nice bookmark to go with your borrowed book? Dubai Library Distributors provides stationery, crafts, and other office items you might like.
We’re in awe of how spacious this store is for work and school supplies. We suggest finding a new hobby with the colorful yarns here. After all, who says you can only read books at the library (or its cafe)?
Archies Bookshop
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Address: Dubai Pyramid – Building, Shop No. 13 – 14 11th St – Al Karama
Contact Details: +971 4 396 7924
Those who weren’t able to borrow the book they wanted at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library can have Archies Bookshop as a backup. This extensive house of books is a combination of a library and a bookstore.
We love that it offers both new and used, discounted books. If you’re lucky, you may even see a rare collection of National Geographic magazines from the ‘50s!
You can become a member for a small monthly fee or just buy the books you like. And if you do the latter and return the books in good condition, you’ll get 50% cashback.
High Seven
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Website: https://high7gifts.com/
Address: Dubai International Holy Quran Award – Al Rebat Street – Al Kheeran Area Corner City Building – Shop 3
Contact Details: +971 55 200 0289, [email protected]
High Seven is a cute and creative gift shop for all ages. It offers everything from handcrafted jewelry to personalized stationery, making it ideal for many occasions.
Our top picks are custom-made tote bags, pens, and mugs. We were surprised that there are gadgets here too! Moreover, we heard that this place is frequented by small businesses that want to find affordable advertising products or giveaways.
Luxury For Less
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Website: https://www.brandsforless.com/en-ae/
Address: Dubai City Festival City Mall – Level 1 – near Brands for Less
Contact Details: +971 4 591 9130
If you’re a bit short on budget, Luxury For Less is a convenient store where most items are on sale. It’s also located in Dubai Festival City Mall, so we bet you can enjoy other entertainment options after your shopping spree.
There are many discounted branded wallets and bags worth checking out here. And since this store is in a mall, we think you don’t have to worry about buying fake luxury goods. Still, note that this place can get pretty crowded.
Where to Stay near the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library
INK Hotel Dubai
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Website: https://inkhotel.me/
Address: Building 20, Al Jadaf Waterfront
Contact Details: +971 58 570 1298, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
INK Hotel Dubai is a vibrant 4-star hotel only 2 km from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library. For us, this is handy for many travelers since it’s also 5 km from Dubai International Airport.
What we find charming about this accommodation are the chic rooms with local map murals—so artsy and fun! If you want, you may upgrade your room too so you can enjoy a balcony and nice creek views.
We also think cafe enthusiasts are winners here, with the all-day bistro offering global cuisine, as well as the airy coffee bar. There’s also an infinity pool here for maximum relaxation.
IntercityHotel
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Website: https://hrewards.com/en/intercityhotel-dubai-jaddaf-waterfront
Address: Al Jaddaf – Jaddaf Waterfront
Contact Details: +971 4 574 3900, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
IntercityHotel is a 3-star spot that we feel is great for families because of its 2 rooftop pools with a snack bar nearby. We love that breakfast buffets are a thing here too!
And though this seems like your average laid-back hotel, we think you’ll still be amazed by the floor-to-ceiling windows. The upgraded rooms add waterfront views too!
If you want some peace by yourself, we recommend going to the chill cafe lounge with comfy sofas or the fitness room.
Suha Park Luxury Hotel Apartments
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Website: https://www.suhahospitality.com/hotels/united-arab-emirates/dubai/suha-park-hotel-apartments/
Address: 17 – Al Jaddaf – Jaddaf Waterfront
Contact Details: +971 4 585 0750, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
For us, Suha Park Luxury Hotel Apartments is great if you’re just looking for a small, low-key studio room. It’s also about a 9-minute walk to Jaddaf Waterfront Marina, with access to Gold Souk (market) shopping and Jumeirah Mosque.
But just because you might only have a studio room, doesn’t mean you can’t upgrade it. We suggest maximizing your stay by getting ones with balconies and separate living rooms—amazing for small crews wanting more space!
We also understand that walking around the library all day can be exhausting. Our recommendation is to try the sauna room here at the hotel and rejuvenate to your heart’s content!
S19 Hotel
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Website: https://www.s19hotels.com/
Address: Waterfront – Dubai – Al Jaddaf Metro Station A1 – Al Jaddaf
Contact Details: +971 4 702 6565, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
The S19 Hotel is a simple yet sleek 3-star accommodation that suits business visits. If you just had a meeting at the library, this spot is very handy! It gives easy access to Al Jaddaf Metro Station (300 meters) and a few leisure attractions and business centers.
In our opinion, the rooms here are quite pleasing to the eyes too. They’re cozy, with mostly white interiors, except for the wooden accents and several pastel furnishings.
We bet foodies will love it here because of the all-day dining restaurant. It also offers night and brunch buffets to ensure everyone is always full. Just remember to check the buffet schedule beforehand.
FORM Hotel
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Website: https://form-hotel.com/
Address: Al Jadaf – Dubai Canal – Al Jaddaf – Jaddaf Waterfront
Contact Details: +971 4 317 9000, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
FORM Hotel is a 4-star lodging with designs inspired by its location in Al Jaddaf. We love that it reflects the magnificent dhows (traditional boats) made in the neighborhood.
But while its trendy rooms have all the necessities like free Wi-Fi, TVs, and minifridges, what got us hooked are the designer toiletries. So if bad toilets are a dealbreaker, we think this hotel won’t let you down.
When you get hungry, there are 3 restaurants to choose from as well! Plus, we like that there’s an on-site boutique for quick retail therapy after dinner.
Tips When Visiting the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library
You might already know the library well enough at this point, but we think there’s no harm in knowing these tips to make your visit seamless:
Get to the charging spots fast!
There are free seating options in the library. So if you’re bringing your laptop, act quickly to secure a convenient spot with charging points.
Order cafe food online.
While you can always eat at the cafe, we also recommend ordering food online to make the process more efficient.
Enjoy your food outdoors.
Now and then, you can step out of the library and go to the waterfront side—enjoy your food with scenic views!
Give yourself 3 to 4 hours.
There are 7 floors here, though one is for the employees. There are plenty of books, collections, and other wonders to go through, so be sure to allow enough time for them all.
Book a study room.
If you want privacy with friends, you’re free to reserve a study room. Just tell the receptionist on the ground floor how many folks are in your crew. The booking will last you an hour or two.