Jonathan Scanlon, F&B Operations Director at Sarood Hospitality, discusses how localised, community-driven dining is shaping the way residents eat, connect, and experience the city
The dining scene in Dubai is shifting as restaurants focus on creating immersive environments that intersect design, culture, and cuisine. In Dubai, new openings are highlighting how carefully considered spaces can shape the way guests experience a meal. From striking architectural features to playful interior elements, chefs and restaurateurs are using the physical environment to enhance the overall dining experience.
When people think about dining here, the first images that often come to mind are of towering skyscrapers, celebrity chefs, and glittering fine-dining restaurants. And while that side of the city’s dining scene continues to thrive, a quieter cultural movement has been unfolding in parallel – one that is reshaping how communities gather, eat, and connect. I’m talking about the rise of neighbourhood dining.
Neighbourhood dining is not new to global cities. From Parisian cafés to Italian piazzas, local restaurants have long served as the heart of communities. But in Dubai, where rapid growth and transience have often defined the lifestyle, neighbourhood dining is beginning to create something powerful and distinct. A sense of belonging. Increasingly, local restaurants are becoming the “third space” in people’s lives – that essential spot outside of home and work where community happens. And in many ways, these spaces are evolving into the modern village square.
At Sarood Hospitality, we’ve witnessed this shift first-hand. Take Dubai Hills, where we operate two of our most loved brands – The Duck Hook and Hillhouse Brasserie. Positioned side by side in the central square of the neighbourhood, they’ve become more than just places to eat. They are where friends meet after school drop-off, where families gather for long weekend lunches, and where neighbours become friends over coffee or a pint. It is this transformation, from restaurant to social hub, that signals something far bigger than a dining trend. It signals a cultural shift.
The “Third Space” Effect
Sociologists often speak about the “third space,” a vital element of urban life where people come together outside the structures of work and home. In many global cities, cafés, pubs, and local eateries have filled that role. In Dubai, the third space has often been harder to define – malls, beaches, gyms, and private clubs have traditionally played that part. But as the city matures and its communities grow deeper roots, neighbourhood dining is increasingly stepping into this role.
The appeal is obvious. Neighbourhood restaurants offer something larger-than-life destinations cannot – accessibility, familiarity and a sense of ownership. When you walk into your local brasserie, you know the faces behind the counter. The staff know your children’s names, your favourite table, and how you take your coffee. That recognition fosters a sense of belonging in a city where many people are far from their extended families.
A Modern Village Square
Dubai Hills provides a compelling example of how dining is evolving into a modern village square. With The Duck Hook and Hillhouse Brasserie anchoring the community square, dining has become the gravitational pull around which daily life orbits. Parents walk over with children after school for a treat. Couples drop in for an easy midweek dinner. On weekends, the lawns fill with strollers, dogs, and groups of friends spilling across both venues.
It’s not just about convenience, it’s about culture. Dining has become the excuse for connection, but the real story is the conversations, the laughter, and the shared rituals that happen around the table. Much like the piazzas of Europe or the pubs of rural England, restaurants in Dubai’s new neighbourhoods are becoming that central point of gathering. They are, quite literally, building community.
The New Culture of Dining
What we’re seeing is that neighbourhood dining in Dubai is not just about food. It’s about identity. For many residents, their local restaurant becomes part of how they define their lifestyle. Saying ‘I’ll meet you at Hillhouse’ or ‘let’s do a round at The Duck Hook’ becomes shorthand for community belonging.
This also reflects a wider global shift. Around the world, there is a move towards localism – celebrating smaller, more accessible, and more authentic experiences over the grandeur of formality. In Dubai, that shift is amplified because of the city’s unique demographic. With people from so many backgrounds living side by side, dining becomes the common ground – literally and figuratively – where cultures intersect and friendships are built.
What It Means for the Future
For operators like Sarood Hospitality, this shift is both exciting and challenging. It means we have to think differently about the role our restaurants play. We’re not just serving food; we’re curating experiences that foster connection. That means designing spaces with flexibility in mind – where a weekday solo coffee feels as natural as a celebratory dinner. It means programming events that encourage interaction, from quiz nights to community breakfasts. And it means listening closely to the rhythms of the neighbourhood itself.
Neighbourhood dining is no longer a sub-sector of the F&B industry in Dubai; it is becoming a defining feature of the city’s cultural identity. As more communities mature – from Arabian Ranches to Villanova – we can expect the role of local restaurants to grow even further. These venues will not only shape the dining landscape but also help define what it means to live in Dubai in 2025 and beyond.
A Cultural Movement in Motion
When I stand on the terrace of Hillhouse Brasserie on a Sunday afternoon, watching families spill onto the lawns and friends greet each other with the ease of long-time neighbours, it’s clear that something meaningful is happening. These restaurants are not simply businesses. They are catalysts for connection.
Neighbourhood dining in Dubai is no longer just about food – it’s about people, place, and purpose. And in that sense, it has become its own cultural movement: one that is transforming the way we live, eat, and belong.
