DIFC Square: New openings you need to know about

By Blanche D'mello | Posted on

A new development on Al Mustaqbal Street is bringing a fresh wave of restaurant and cafe concepts to the neighbourhood and the line-up is worth getting excited about

DIFC Square restaurants

DIFC Square sits opposite Gate Village, alongside the Waldorf Astoria, and spans 600,000 square feet of office space. Alongside the offices, a string of food and beverage openings are on the way, from a London pub-meets-Chinese-kitchen hybrid to a New York-style deli and a dessert bar from one of the world’s most acclaimed pastry chefs.

Here’s everything you need to know about the restaurants and more coming to DIFC Square.

Duck & Rice

 

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Duck & Rice, the London concept by Alan Yau combining British pub culture with Cantonese cuisine, is opening in DIFC as its first location outside London. Launched in 2015 in Soho, the brand is known for pairing a pub-style ground floor with a Chinese kitchen serving dishes like Cantonese roast duck, duck & rice with jasmine rice and cucumber, curry soft shell crab, lobster laksa, crispy duck fried rice, and dim sum.

Saddle


Saddle started as a coffee truck in the UAE in 2017 and has since expanded into a string of all-day cafe destinations across Dubai and beyond. Expect specialty coffee, a solid food menu and interiors that make it easy to settle in, whether you’re there for a quick breakfast or a longer lunch.

Hudson & Rye

 

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Hudson & Rye, the UAE’s first New York-style deli, is set to open at DIFC Square on 30 June 2026. Curated by a New York team, it draws on classic deli culture inspired by Manhattan institutions and named after the Hudson River and rye bread. Open daily, the menu features staples such as Reuben sandwiches (pastrami or turkey with Swiss, sauerkraut and Russian dressing), tuna melts, cheeseburgers, breakfast options like the Breakfast Buddy biscuit sandwich, and sides including pickles, potato pancakes and onion rings, along with desserts like New York cheesecake and black-and-white cookies, aiming to recreate an authentic NYC deli experience in Dubai.

Cake & Bubbles

Cake & Bubbles, the London patisserie and Champagne bar by chef Albert Adrià, is set to open soon at DIFC Square in Dubai. Originally launched at Hotel Café Royal, the concept focuses on pairing refined desserts with sparkling grape and has built a following for its indulgent dishes.