Established by Alserkal in 2008, Alserkal Avenue is a renowned cultural district of contemporary art galleries, non-profit organisations, and homegrown businesses in the Al Quoz industrial area of Dubai. Spread across 500,000 square feet, Alserkal Avenue is a vibrant community of visual and performing arts organisations, designers, and artisanal spaces that have become an essential platform for the development of the creative industries in the United Arab Emirates. As one of the region’s foremost platforms for contemporary art, Alserkal Avenue provides cultural experiences for local, regional, and international audiences.
1. Project Chaiwala
The place serves tea brews along with the most popular street foods from around the world. Don’t miss to try Chais like Karak, Masala, Zafrani, and Suleimani. Other popular options are cold raw Matcha and Turmeric Latte. It is located within Cinema Akil at Warehouse 68.
2. Green Art Gallery
For works of artistic prowess across the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and beyond, this now four-decade old gallery is your top spot. It plays a big role in introducing modern Arab art throughout the year, touching on vital topics in the Arab world. It’s all about bringing something new at this art gallery, and you’re sure to have some new ideas of your own when you have a gander around its exhibitions.
3. Kave
The Story of Things – Sometimes we need a space that will serve you healthy grub, offers work benches to customise bikes and furniture, and is pet-friendly. Alserkal Avenue’s upcycling café, KAVE: The Story of Things, is all about protecting the environment by using zero-plastic and using cutlery and crockery that are either up-cycled or recycled after use. KAVE offers simple but healthy dishes, including a bowl of pho along with freshly made roti – which guests can pay forward by buying someone else a roti. There’s also a bundle of different workshops that take place weekly, including guitar making, embroidery lessons, meditation sessions, bottle cutting workshops and chaircycling rides.
4. Cinema Akil
A standalone known for showcasing independent films, indie fans can certainly expect it to show critically acclaimed international movies from around the world, from different decades and genres, all to increase awareness of different styles of filmmaking. For years the platform originally brought independent cinema to the UAE when it first started in 2014 with pop-up venues throughout Dubai, but it finally found a home in the artist’s haven a.k.a. Alserkal Avenue.
5. Nightjar
Nightjar is extremely and undeniably cool, as is witnessed by their authentic and no-frills approach to becoming your default cup of coffee. They seem to exude the kind of mysterious confidence that will draw you in without needing to scream from the rooftops about how great their products are or the uniqueness of their vibe. After starting out as a coffee roastery and specialising in cold brew and craft beverage production, Nightjar set up a café in Alserkal Avenue in 2018 and has become known for its super brews since.
6. Wild & The Moon
Wild & The Moon offers a delicious selection of cold-pressed juices, nutmylks, smoothies, salads, soups, desserts, super bowls, and snacks to provide a healthy alternative to the urban crowd. Wild & The Moon is a lifestyle movement created by a tribe of food lovers, chefs, nutritionists and naturopaths who believe that food should be Good for you, Good for the Planet & Delicious.
7. Nappa Dori
One of the most well-known contemporary design companies in India, Nappa Dori has won over the hearts of people all over the world with its meticulously chosen contemporary design and craftsmanship that upholds artisanal sensitivities and minimalism to perfectly merge design with utility. Behind the brand is the visionary creative force of Gautam Sinha, the Founder and Creative Director of Nappa Dori. Gautam’s design approach is rooted in his Indian heritage yet is a confluence of contemporary interpretations that align to internationally aspirational aesthetics. Having spent the early years of his career designing fashion accessories for numerous renowned high street brands and eventually discovered his love for leather as a material, which eventually gave birth to the Nappa Dori brand.
Al Serkal Avenue is a dynamic and evolving cultural district in Dubai that plays a significant role in promoting contemporary art and culture in the city. It has become a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists interested in the arts and creative expressions.
