If you’re craving a slower rhythm before the weekend, this duo makes a perfect plan: dinner at Gerbou, followed by a quiet, creative night at Kutubna Cultural Center. Together, they offer a thoughtful way to experience Dubai through food, design and words.

Dine at Gerbou

The evening begins at Gerbou, a restaurant that feels less like a venue and more like being welcomed into someone’s home. Its name comes from an Arabic phrase meaning “welcome to our humble abode,” and that sense of warmth runs through everything.

From the reception desk carved out of a fallen ghaf tree to the chandelier of suspended glass drops, the space tells a story even before the menu arrives. Plates carry subtle Emirati patterns, colours echo the desert landscape, and layered textures invite you to slow down and notice the details.

Art in the Middle recommends:

• Molokhia shorba – light, bright and comforting, especially when paired with the gentle fizz of the house kombucha.

• Grilled chicken salad – smoky chicken over crisp lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and delicate edible flowers.

• Charred broccoli with green harissa – a bold, herbaceous twist that adds depth to the table.

• Mixed grill platter – ideal for sharing, with different cuts of meat, soft bread and house-made dips that encourage lingering conversation.

Gerbou feels like a place to savour, not rush through—a setting where Emirati culture, contemporary design and flavour all meet at the same table.

Visit Gerbou: gerbou.com

Get Creative at Kutubna Cultural Center

After dinner, trade plates for pages at Kutubna Cultural Center, an independent bookstore and cultural hub tucked away in Nadd Al Hamar. It’s a haven for writers, readers and anyone who enjoys being surrounded by ideas.

Kutubna is more than shelves of books; it’s a space dedicated to making art and thought more accessible. The center focuses on highlighting Arab, Middle Eastern, North African and Muslim writers and thinkers through talks, readings and open conversations that stretch beyond the page.

Evening Ink: Writing by Candlelight

Every Thursday at 8 PM, Kutubna hosts Evening Ink: Writing by Candlelight, a weekly ritual for journalers, poets and quiet observers. For AED 15, the lights are dimmed, candles are lit, and the room becomes a gentle invitation to write without pressure.

Each table holds an optional writing prompt—there if you need a starting point, easy to ignore if you already have words waiting. At the end of the session, you’re welcome (but never required) to leave a short, anonymous sentence or reflection behind.

This evening is for you if you:

• Want to return to writing in a soft, welcoming way

• Are seeking stillness, inspiration or a screen-free hour

• Feel curious about journaling or poetic reflection

• Simply need time to reconnect with yourself

Art in the Middle tip: Bring your favourite notebook and pen, or borrow one at the venue. Extra supplies are available, and the candles on each table create just the right atmosphere for an intentional, quietly luminous night of writing.