Dubai is slowly developing a cooler, more urban edge. Usually synonymous with glamour and luxury, this shimmering city of steel and glass is beginning to create a slightly more alternative scene, and one to be proud of. From coffee roasters to Asian street food, the hipster revolution has arrived in Dubai. 

Lah Lah

Lah Lah at The Greens is a gastronomic tour of Southeast Asia,  encompassing Singapore’s night markets, Thailand’s street food stalls, Vietnam’s hole-in-the-wall joints and more. A cool spot with its finger firmly on the pulse of street food trends, Lah Lah is all about modern Asian dining. Pull up a stool at Lah Lah's bar for an after-work drink or dine out on the terrace and get stuck into a culinary odyssey of creamy prawn laksa, sweet and salty Thai pandan chicken, and soft shell crab with a fantastic chilli kick.

Social Company

Much like its welcoming name suggests, Social Company at Zabeel House in The Greens is a cool, cosy spot that’s made for leisurely lunches with friends or family. With bare-wooden floors, quirkily mismatched furniture and hundreds of potted plants hanging in the window, Social Company is a haven for design lovers. Its relaxed menu of globally inspired comfort food - from British fish and chips to aromatic Indian curry and Italian burrata - plays on its stylish globetrotter credentials and means there’s something for every palate.

Cu-ba Bar

Precede your sundowner or dinner with a refreshing plunge in Cu-ba’s beautiful pool, blessed with views over Dubai Creek. For Dubai’s in-crowd, this is the rooftop bar to be seen at. To get you in the mood, there are fruit-infused cocktails and to refuel, tuck into incredible tapas, such as buffalo chicken wings and crispy prawn tempura. Make Cu-ba bar at Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, your go-to after-dark destination.

Mishmash

Like any self-respecting edgy hangout, Mishmash's decor is, as the name suggests, joyfully eclectic, from the cheery slogans emblazoning the walls to the array of colourful knick-knacks. The daily menu brims with tasty, light bites to share, from salads to sliders and sandwiches. Try Mishmash’s signature club sandwich that comes fully loaded with grilled chicken, turkey bacon, egg, lettuce and mayonnaise. Head down to Mini Al Seef to check it out.