Alserkal Favorites Right Now

One of Alserkal’s busiest brunch spots over the past year, known for weekend queues, packed tables and desserts constantly showing up all over Dubai food TikTok.

Inside it’s noisy, crowded and full of movement, with open kitchen seating, pastries everywhere and people coming mostly for the atmosphere.

A contemporary gallery focused on African and diaspora artists, with exhibitions built around identity, culture and personal storytelling through photography, textile works and large-scale installations. Minimal interiors, soft lighting and the hidden vinyl room inside give the whole space a quieter atmosphere compared to the rest of Alserkal.

Hidden behind a discreet door inside Efie Gallery, this quiet tea room is filled with vinyl shelves, low lighting and only a few tables, so it feels more like a private listening space than a regular cafe.

The menu focuses on tea, matcha and small desserts, while the atmosphere stays slow and calm with jazz and chess games.

A Balkan-inspired bakery from the team behind 21grams, serving flaky pastries, breakfast plates and desserts in their signature silver bowls and trays.

The open kitchen stays visible from almost every table, with minimal interiors, fresh baked goods coming out nonstop and a menu built around comfort food and specialty coffee.

Founded in 1996, 1x1 Gallery is one of Alserkal’s longest-running art spaces, known for contemporary exhibitions focused on South Asian, Middle Eastern and international artists.

The gallery regularly hosts large-scale installations, textile works and conceptual exhibitions, with calm minimal interiors that make it easy to spend an hour slowly walking through each room.