The open-air dining hub is back for the cool season.
The Square is an open-air dining destination in Dubai’s Nad Al Sheba, a walkable cluster of restaurants and cafés designed for alfresco dining. By design, it feels like a neighbourhood plaza, with a mix of approachable concepts and more sophisticated names arranged around a central promenade. As the city slides into cooler weather, the venue has reopened with a refreshed roster and something for every appetite.
Asma Restaurant
Asma leans into the social side of dining with a menu built around sharing plates. The cooking suits big tables and long conversations, with bowls of fragrant rice, generous platters of grilled meats, and a rotation of warm pastries that are easy to pass around. Sunlit afternoons are especially appealing, as the open-air setting turns into a stage for family lunches and catch-ups with friends. Signatures include charcoal-kissed proteins that deliver smoke, spice and tenderness in equal measure.
GO: Follow @asmarestaurant on Instagram for more information.
Cipriani Dolci
Cipriani brings Venetian polish to The Square, complete with the brand’s trademark service and timeless Italian classics. Plates are generous and precise, from simple salads and cured meats to al dente pasta that lets quality ingredients lead. For dessert, classics are the move, with light cakes and silky meringues that keep things elegant rather than heavy. The signature appeal is the canon of Cipriani dishes that have travelled from Venice to Dubai without losing their soul.
GO: Follow @ciprianidolci on Instagram for more information.
Home Bakery Kitchen
Focused on providing homemade goods for its customers, Home Bakery Kitchen brings a homely spirit to The Square, pairing the comfort of a neighbourhood café with the output of a serious bakeshop. The menu covers every hour of the day, so you can start with eggs and strong coffee or linger over an afternoon spread of pastries. Expect flaky croissants and addictive cookies. Savoury options include sandwiches stacked on fresh bread and light plates that suit Dubai’s daytime pace.
GO: Follow @homebakery_kitchen on Instagram for more information.
Kokoro Hand Roll Bar
Kokoro is the UAE’s first dedicated hand roll bar, and that alone sets it apart at The Square. The counter format keeps things focused and fresh, with seaweed wrapped at the last moment so it stays crisp, and rice that is warm and seasoned with intent. Fish is flown in from Japan twice a week, so that you can expect a series of clean, precise hits from the hand rolls. The signatures are precisely what the name promises, from toro and salmon variations to indulgent combinations.
GO: Follow @kokoro.dxb on Instagram for more information.
Omar Odali
A favourite for locals and visitors, Omar Odali joins The Square with a single-minded focus on dessert. The headline act is knafeh, pulled fresh and layered so the contrast between crisp pastry and molten cheese hits just right. Order it hot, pair it with mint tea, and give yourself time to savour the texture as the syrup settles. Beyond knafeh, you can expect a selection of regional sweets that reward repeat visits, from semolina-based treats to puddings that lean creamy rather than cloying. The ambience suits an after-dinner stroll, with seating that encourages a little people-watching while you share a plate or two.
GO: Follow @omar.odali on Instagram for more information.
Public
Public lives up to its name with an all-day personality. The homegrown favourite carries into the afternoon with pizzas, pasta and fast-moving lunch plates, while evenings lean lively, with tiramisu by the spoon, and scoops of gelato to finish. The menu reads like modern comfort food — approachable and fun —and the space draws a younger crowd without excluding anyone who wants a simple supper.
GO: Follow @public on Instagram for more information.
With a refreshed line-up that spans bakery comfort, shareable plates, Italian classics, late-night sweets, and Japanese precision, The Square at Nad Al Sheba Gardens returns ready for winter in Dubai.
The Square is open Monday to Sunday, 4pm to 12am.
GO: Follow @thesquarenasg on Instagram for more information.