Market Island, the largest food hall in the Middle East, has opened at Dubai Festival City Mall — giving visitors a single destination to graze through the world's cuisines. Spanning 70,000 sq ft on the ground floor's north side, the venue became operational in December 2023 and now welcomes more than 3,500 guests daily.
What Is Market Island Dubai?
Market Island Dubai is a 70,000 sq ft food, beverage, and entertainment complex developed by Zemskiy Group. Home to more than 50 outlets — from fast-casual counters and full-service restaurants to bars and lounges — it is the single largest food hall in the Middle East. The licensed venue is also the first of its kind to operate a bar inside a UAE mall.
The Restaurants and Outlets
Market Island brings 16 new-to-Dubai concepts under one roof alongside beloved local favourites. Headline international debuts include:
- Pasta Art — handmade, al-dente pasta crafted at open stations by renowned Italian chefs. - Nikkei Sushi — clean, creative Japanese cuisine led by Chef Roberto Segura, co-creator of La Barra. - Gelato Ado — artisan Italian gelato made from all-natural ingredients. - John Dory — a Mediterranean seafood restaurant with a live fish and oyster market, originally from Belarus.
Home-grown Dubai favourites rounding out the roster include Chef Ayad, Allo Beirut, Scarlet's Bakery, and Homer Lobster, alongside Naughty Pizza, BO Cafe, Poke Bay, and WOKWOK, among others. Beef burgers, lamb chops, falafels, shawarmas, classic BBQ ribs, and indulgent sweet treats are all accounted for.
Licensed Dining at Dubai Festival City Mall
Market Island is a fully licensed destination. Outlets such as Sayf and Helipad by Frozen Cherry sit within the larger complex, cementing Dubai Festival City's reputation as one of the city's premier dining and nightlife corridors. The venue continues a trend of upscale, licensed food halls that have redefined casual dining in the UAE.
Entertainment and Weekend Events
Beyond the food, Market Island functions as a tourism and leisure hub. Every weekend, local artists and DJs perform live sets across the venue. Visitors can also join weekend pop-up markets, cooking workshops, and other cultural activities — making it equally appealing to food enthusiasts and anyone looking for an immersive night out.
Visiting Market Island
Market Island is located on the ground floor, north side of Dubai Festival City Mall. Operating hours run Sunday to Thursday 10 AM–12 AM and Friday to Saturday 10 AM–1 AM.
