Marsa Boulevard draws opening-night crowds as third season begins
Visitors filled Marsa Boulevard's Dubai Creek walkways soon after its 5 p.m. reopening on October 30, 2026. The third season brings new restaurants, an expanded waterfront area and more wellness activities, though some outlets were still preparing to open.
Layla Haddad
A busy return to the waterfront
Opening-night visitors took photos by the Creek, tried food outlets and met friends outdoors as Dubai's evenings turned cooler. Two friends told Gulf News that matcha, food and the sunset had drawn them back. "You have the food, the weather and the views all together. What more could you ask for?" they said.
Hesham Ratagedara told Gulf News the crowd was larger than he had anticipated. He said many venues were full, with customers arriving even at outlets that were still getting ready.
For Akel Dhaywi, who manages a food and beverage unit at Marsa Boulevard, this was his business's first season at the destination. He praised the preparations and predicted it would become "one of the most visited places this winter in Dubai".
Not every business was fully open by the end of the evening. Some were serving customers while others continued setting up their spaces.
New dining options and returning names
The season's expansion along Dubai Creek includes a redesigned Botanical Garden with open-fire dining and specialty coffee, according to the destination's official announcement.
First-time food concepts include Nac, Crst, For a while, Marmellata, Slrp, Badu and Nuwa. Returning businesses include Lune, Home Bakery, Trio and Sadeem, the announcement says. Gulf News also reported that Fynd was back for another season.
Sharjah-based Murmur has made its Dubai debut at Marsa Boulevard, serving Emirati-inspired fusion cuisine, according to Time Out Dubai.
Retail pop-ups also drew visitors along the waterfront. Rare Beauty's beauty bus, presented with Sephora, offered product trials, personalized shade matching, touch-ups and interactive activities. Jean Paul Gaultier held a perfume launch with themed drinks and treats, while Loewe also had a pop-up.
Wellness, public art and seasonal events
The official Season 3 announcement sets out the theme "My heart is happiest with you" and details additions beyond dining. At Matcha Club Creek, Pilates and a dedicated yoga studio have joined the existing padel courts.
Marsa Boulevard has also commissioned a curator-led collection of public artworks and installations from artists based in the UAE, elsewhere in the region and abroad. Drawing on Dubai Creek, the works explore movement, migration, trade and changes in the urban landscape, according to the announcement.
The seasonal calendar includes family, wellness and cultural activities around Eid Al Etihad, New Year's Eve and Ramadan.
Marsa Boulevard is near Dubai Festival City, off the Business Bay Bridge. Developer Al-Futtaim puts the drive from Downtown Dubai at about 10 minutes.
