Al Wasl

A leafy suburb that’s been transformed into a lively district, Al Wasl is home to some of the city’s finest retail boutiques, streetside cafes, and trendy hotspots.

Once a quiet neighborhood made up primarily of residential villas, Al Wasl is now buzzing with some of the city’s most happening hotspots. Meaning ‘the connection’ in Arabic, Al Wasl runs parallel to Jumeirah Beach Road and Sheikh Zayed Road, and, as the name suggests, is the perfect place for locals and visitors to connect.

The flagship attraction here is City Walk on Al Safa Street. Foodies, fashionistas, and families flock to this urban precinct of landscaped boulevards and graffiti-style artwork. A delight to explore on foot, you’ll find pathways with people perusing street art, upscale boutiques, and Instagrammbale cafés.

City Walk comes alive particularly during Dubai’s favorite shopping festivals, with musical performances and live entertainment acts. The popular Coca-Cola Arena also shares this address, hosting a packed calendar of big-name concerts, comedy shows, and sports events.

Further down South, there are more retail distractions at Box Park, a funky development that features repurposed shipping containers in neat rows. Find cool boutiques, concept stores, and laidback eateries serving comfort food well into the night.

Nearby, Galleria Mall impresses with an indoor climbing wall and one of the city’s best cinema settings (up on the roof, under the stars), while Dar Wasl Mall stands out for its culinary credentials. Local chef extraordinaire Reif Kushiyaki set up his eponymous restaurant here, offering some of the best Japanese street food outside of Tokyo.

Getting there: The closest metro station is Business Bay. Cross the footbridge and then it’s a short taxi ride to Al Wasl.