Dubai, UAE: In line with its commitment to creating exceptional experiences for all its guests, Dubai Festival City Mall has announced the opening of its much-awaited licensed food hall – Market Island. Home to several outstanding international brands, the unique and diverse dining experience is set to redefine gastronomic excellence.

The Market Island is strategically located on the ground floor at the northern end of the mall, covering an expansive area of 70,000 square feet. As the largest food hall of its kind in the Middle East, it boasts a seating capacity exceeding 3,500, hosting more than 50 diverse food outlets and restaurants.

The Market Island will introduce several internationally acclaimed brands making their debut appearance in Dubai, including:

  • Pasta Art, a newcomer to the Dubai market presented by famous Italian chefs. Guests will try home-made al-dente pasta of numerous kinds with a touch of its country of origin.
  • Nikkei Sushi, an authentic Japanese startup which is run by the brand chef Roberto Segura who is known in Dubai as the creator of a Peruvian concept La Barra (which is also to come to the Market Island).
  • John Dory (Opening Soon), a brand from Belarus, brings its expertise in seafood of all kinds, introducing a luxurious Mediterranean approach straight from Cote d’Azur with its restaurant zone and to-go section of fresh fish and oyster market.
  • Gelato Ado, original Italian gelato of highest quality based on natural ingredients only.

In addition to these new offerings, guests will be treated to some famous favorites from beloved brands including Chef Eyad, Allo Beirut, Scarlet’s Bakery, Homer Lobster, and many more. From prime cut meat to Lebanese street food and guilt-free sweets, there is something for everyone at this culinary destination that is poised to become a hotspot for food enthusiasts seeking an array of international and local flavors, all under one roof. 

Commenting on the announcement, Hayssam Hajjar, Director Asset Management UAE, Al Futtaim Real Estate said: “We are excited to unveil The Market Island at Dubai Festival City Mall, marking a new era of culinary excellence in the heart of Dubai Festival City. Dubai has long been celebrated for its culinary diversity and innovation, and The Market Island embodies this spirit with its impressive lineup of international brands and luxurious culinary experiences, promising to elevate Dubai’s dining scene to unprecedented heights.”

Complementing the dining offering and providing a unique entertainment offering, The Market Island will also host an array of engaging activities from Friday to Sunday each week, featuring artists, DJs, weekend markets, and workshops for both adults and children. Guests will be able to dine in a lively and green setting, with interiors designed exclusively by world-class furniture specialist ‘Leta’. Handcrafted and eye-catching, the lighting at Market Island is built to accentuate surroundings, giving guests a perfect backdrop to capture memories with loved ones. The use of wooden and marble panels, contribute to the elite atmosphere of the Market Island, showing the brand's commitment to not losing touch with nature.

Get ready to embark on this chic culinary journey like never before as The Market Island is now open, bringing a world of flavors to Dubai Festival City Mall.

For more information, please visit:  

#MarketIslandDubai @market.island_uae

Website: https://m-island.space/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555764418043

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/market.island_uae/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

About Dubai Festival City Mall

Dubai Festival City Mall, one of the major shopping destinations in Dubai, stands as the super-regional flagship mall in the Al-Futtaim Real Estate portfolio, achieving over 23 million footfall in 2023. With over 400 outlets, the mall is home to renowned fashion and beauty brands like The Editor’s Market, H&M, Watsons, Nike, Adidas, Sephora, MAC Cosmetics and more, as well as popular interior stores including IKEA and ACE.

A paradise for culinary delights, the destination offers iconic waterfront dining on Festival Bay and comprises 50 restaurants and cafés and the largest food court in Dubai. The mall promises an unrivalled gastronomic variety for visitors with a host of renowned brands such as Joe & The Juice, L’ETO, EL&N, and Karaki Lounge and licensed concepts including Sayf Dubai and Helipad by Frozen Cherry.

During the winter months, guests can enjoy the immersive and experiential destination The Bay by Social, featuring diverse food and beverage offering, cozy coffee counters, brand activation zones, interactive art installations, a carnival atmosphere and lush greenery.

The entertainment venue is also home to VOX Cinema Multiplex; the world-first BOUNCE-X Freestyle Terrain Park; the record-breaking, global attraction IMAGINE; Fabyland, a 70,000 sq. ft. family entertainment centre; and Leo & Loona, Hello Park and Go Skate, all-in-one family destinations.

With creating exceptional experiences at the core of its mandate, the mall offers several signature services including car charging stations, EZ taxis inside the mall, valet parking, NOL charging stations and Mayed, the mall’s personal happiness ambassador to provide personalized assistance to elevate the shopping experience.

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About Al-Futtaim Real Estate

Al-Futtaim Real Estate is the region’s only private master developer with over six decades of real estate and management experiences, with a diversified portfolio across the real estate value chain. Al-Futtaim Real Estate is responsible for a multi-billion-dollar portfolio comprising of individual, corporate real estate and investment assets and master-planned destinations across the Middle East and North Africa region. With capabilities across the value chain and entire real estate cycle from location conceptualization, development, design and fit-out, asset management, contracting and operation, Al-Futtaim Real Estate covers a diverse range of industries and asset type including residential, commercial, malls, hospitality, healthcare, infrastructure, and education.

 

The current flagship mixed-use urban communities under Al-Futtaim Real Estate’s Festival City brand are Dubai Festival City, Cairo Festival City and Doha Festival City. Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City are fully integrated communities which have been carefully master planned to offer a superior lifestyle destination with outstanding facilities, comprising residential and commercial accommodation, educational institutions and five-star hotels to fully complement the signature retail, leisure, and entertainment proposition. The Real Estate portfolio covers over 1 million sqm GLA across retail and commercial assets and over 80 million in annual footfall across five malls in the MENA region: Dubai Festival City Mall and Festival Plaza in the UAE, Cairo Festival City Mall in Egypt, Doha Festival City in Qatar and Zenata Mall in Casablanca, Morocco.

Testament to its expertise in the retail space, Al-Futtaim Real Estate also provides third party management services in asset management, leasing, marketing and operations for shopping centers in the region, including Arabian Center, part of the Al Naboodah Group.

The Al-Futtaim Real Estate division also manages Al Futtaim’s contracting business, a fully integrated, end-to-end engineering, technologies and construction specialist with a solid delivery track record of mega projects in major Middle East markets over the past 50 years. Al-Futtaim Engineering & Technologies offers customers complete engineering and systems integration solutions.

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About Al-Futtaim Group

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and health; employing more than 33,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, we partner with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands.

Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enable the organisation to continue to grow and expand, responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate. By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity, Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers every day. For more information, visit: www.alfuttaim.com

For more information, please contact: alfuttaim@webershandwick.com