No, this isn’t Mayfair trussed up with UAE-themed bunting – it’s actually the new City Walk development in the heart of Jumeirah. Details here…

City Walk phase one has been open for a while now: it’s the strip mall and open air area where the small Spinneys, Physique 57 and Brandi Pizzeria are. But this week marks the opening of City Walk phase two. This means around 30 new shops and restaurants have opened their doors, and there are more to come.

City Walk 2 is on Safa Street opposite Al Khazan Park.

By the end of 2016 City Walk phase two will boast 60 concepts. And that’s not all, City Walk is a huge project that runs multiple blocks. It’s basically will also be home to apartments, a wellness centre, hotels and more – here’s what some of the refreshingly low-rise apartments will look like:

The just-opened part of City Walk includes sidewalk cafes (that run along Safa Street). There’s also an enclosed mall that’s flooded with natural light and features a chorus of bird song on the stereo and living trees within its four walls. Further into it there’s a boulevard of shops and restaurants (that’s the bit pictured above that looks like London).

Ooh, and there’s basement parking for 1,800 cars (much of which is already open, just hang a right just after you’ve driven past the front of the buildings on Safa Street and you’ll go down a road that gives you access to the parking). When completed, the Meraas developed City Walk will cover 10 million square feet of land (that’s about 176 football fields).

Here’s just a slice of what’s new there…

FOOD

Brass Coffee & Community – open

A homegrown cafe concept that serves sandwiches, flatbreads, pastries and salads, but mainly focuses on coffee. There’s a brew bar, plenty of fancy machinery and coffee paraphernalia everywhere (we just hope the baristas are up to scratch).

PS: It may also be one of Dubai’s most Instagrammable cafes:

Galvin Brothers concepts – opening TBD

There will be two concepts at City Walk from famous London chefs Jeff and Chris Galvin (who are brothers and own quite the restaurant empire in the UK). They are famous for their Demoiselle Café in Harrods, and word is we are getting one of those here – which will be unlicensed and have a bakery and patisserie. The second concept is likely to be inside one of the hotels at City Walk, and will be a licensed restaurant and lounge.

Here’s what one of their London concepts Bistrot de Lux looks like – ooh la la:

Join us at Bistrot de Luxe for #bankholidays the #Galvin way. Roasts, Bistrot classics and kids eat free today and Monday (two-course menu) A photo posted by Galvin Restaurants (@galvinrestaurants) on May 3, 2015 at 3:53am PDT

Farzi Cafe – opening in March

Farzi Cafe promises to bring the techniques of molecular gastronomy to Arabic cuisine (while also offering some Indian flavours). Okay, we’re listening… It’s opening this week sometime. We’ll let you know what we think of it after we’ve visited.

Bubó – opening this week

Possess a sweet tooth? Well the first Dubai branch of Bubó will feature the creations of famous Catalan pastry chef Carles Mampel. The Bubó in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is legendary for its artistic sweet treats and pastries, so expect something special.

Serendipity3 – opening this week

A branch has just opened in Dubai Festival Centre, and now City Walk is getting its own Serendipity3. The New York restaurant is famous for its extravagant sweets, hot dogs, burgers, pastas and more. Think comfort food that’s also ornate (and often over the top).

Tartufi & Friends – opening TBD

This is one for truffle hunters – there’s already at Tartufi & Friends in Rome, Milan and London, and considering this city’s obsession with the plump cheese, most of you will be pleased to hear the signature dish is burrata with truffle honey and fresh truffle.

SHOPPING

Geek Nation – open now

Comic, video game and movie lovers in Dubai, this store is for you. Merch’ galore from all your favourite franchises. There’s already a Geek Nation in Yas Mall, but this is the first DXB branch.

Georg Jensen – opening this week

Founded by a Danish silversmith, this brand is all about quality, timeless design pieces for the home (there’s a bit of jewellery and the like too).

Dinh Van Paris – opening this week

A super chic French jewellery brand that was born in 1965 Paris.

Karl Lagerfeld – open now

Designs from the perma-sunglass-wearing man himself. Super pricey.

Level Kids – opening soon

You know the majorly swanky level shoe district in Dubai Mall? Well this is a version for children. It’s sure to be full of incredibly trendy mini wares.

Carven – opening this week

Already in Harvey Nichols, this is the first full Dubai store from the French fashion house. The clothes are sleek and modern, while still being a touch offbeat. Cool without trying too hard. Again, very expensive though.

Barbara Bui – opening this week

Another swanky designer – French legend Barbara Bui creates the kind of effortless yet slightly rock and roll leather, silk and cotton pieces you’d expect to see strolling with ease around Paris’ hippest ‘burbs.

Weekend Max Mara – open

The more casual line from Max Mara, this store is full of the kind of easy-breezy separates that make a Saturday brunch outfit.

Rag & Bone – open now

This British label was originally just a menswear brand, but they now do their style of relaxed, a touch distressed and effortlessly cool separates and the like for ladies too. Again, expect to pay more than is sensible for a T shirt (but oh how glorious the cut of that T will be).

Essentiel Antwerp – open now

Like Marimekko meets Miu Miu meets Jason Wu, this Belgian designer brand sticks to a bold colour palette, and does it well.

OTHER STUFF

The Mosque – opening TBD

It’s still under construction, but soon City Walk 2 will be home to a beautiful, very modern mosque (the above picture is what it currently looks like).

Play Town – opening TBD

A kids’ play centre that will feature Mattel characters, including Barney, Bob the Builder and Angelina Ballerina. (Which is basically like hanging out with Brad and Angelina IRL for toddlers.)

Reel Cinemas – opening TBD

Right in the main square of the complex, we don’t have many details on this yet, but we imagine it will come with a Platinum Lounge and all the trimmings.

Harem Al Sultan Exhibition – opening soon, most likely in March

This permanent exhibition will feature the clothes, jewellery and more from the incredibly popular Turkish TV soap. The soap is set in Ottoman times in Topkapi Palace, so the costumes and sets are all rather lush.

Hub Zero – opening TBD

As we wandered around the complex we saw a huge building with Hub Zero written across it that we think is going to be a huge video game and entertainment centre. We’ll bring you more on that soon.

Green Planet – opening TBD

A bio dome right in the middle of Jumeirah (although, to be fair, it’s not dome shaped). Read all about that here.

That’s all for now, but we’ll bring you more on what’s happening at City Walk as soon as we know and more openings happen – for now, head there while the weather’s still sweet and explore yourself.

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