Time Out Market Dubai in Souk Al Bahar: Your Insider Guide to Downtown’s Chef‑Led Food Hall

If you want the best of Dubai’s dining scene in one stylish, view-blessed spot, head straight to Time Out Market Dubai in Souk Al Bahar. Curated by the editors of Time Out Dubai, this design‑led gourmet food court gathers 17 kitchens and three bars across roughly 43,000 square feet, with a 3,000‑square‑foot outdoor terrace that stares right at Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain. It’s the kind of culinary market where you graze, share and discover—perfect for families, groups, date night or a pre‑show bite before Dubai Opera.

Where it is, timings and how to get there

You’ll find Time Out Market Dubai on Level 3 of Souk Al Bahar in Downtown Dubai, a short stroll from The Dubai Mall and Burj Lake.

• Address: Level 3, Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai
• Opening hours: Sunday–Thursday 12pm–midnight; Friday 12pm–1am; Saturday 10am–1am
• Getting there: From The Dubai Mall, walk across the pedestrian bridge into Souk Al Bahar and take the escalators up to Level 3. If you’re coming by Metro, alight at Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall and use the air‑conditioned walkway into the mall before crossing to Souk Al Bahar. Taxis and rideshares can drop you at Souk Al Bahar’s main entrance.
• Parking: Souk Al Bahar offers on‑site parking; Dubai Mall parking is an overflow option during peak times.

What to expect inside this Downtown Dubai food hall

A design‑forward space built for casual, social dining

• Sprawling indoor dining with communal tables and plenty of seating for groups.
• A lively atmosphere that ramps up from lunch through late night.
• Three bars pouring everything from creative mocktails to hops and grapes.
• Quick service with chef‑driven plates—ideal for mixing, matching and sharing.

17 kitchens handpicked by Time Out editors

The market’s roster champions homegrown talent and star chefs across cuisines. Expect breadth and quality, with standout names such as:

• à la grecque – contemporary Greek flavors built for grazing.
• BB Social Dining – cult‑favorite, modern Middle Eastern–Asian small plates.
• Boon Coffee – specialty coffee from a beloved local roastery.
• Café Isan Thai – authentic Thai street food with serious soul.
• Fusion Ceviche – Nikkei and Peruvian seafood hits, from citrusy ceviche to tiraditos.
• Izu Burger – chef Izu Ani’s fan‑favorite burger concept.
• Lana Lusa – Portuguese comfort classics (don’t sleep on the pastéis de nata).

Beyond these, menus skew wide: think shawarma, dumplings, tortelli and playful sweets (yes, even 24‑karat gold–topped ice cream). The best move is to order a couple of dishes from different stalls and turn your table into a mini tasting tour.

Bars, cocktails and creative zero‑proof sips

• Three bars anchor the hall with an easygoing, social buzz.
• Drinks list spans inventive mocktails, grapes, hops and mixed beverages.
• Pairing tip: Bright, citrusy ceviche loves a crisp grape; spice‑forward Thai plates sing with refreshing, alcohol‑free coolers.

The terrace: al fresco dining with Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain views

The outdoor terrace is a Downtown Dubai showstopper—roughly 3,000 square feet of open‑air seating with front‑row sightlines to Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain show. It’s prime for golden‑hour sundowners and late‑evening performances.

• Best time to go: Arrive a little before the evening fountain performances to snag a terrace table.
• Photo tip: Sit with the skyline at your back for evenly lit shots of your dishes and the Burj beyond.

How to eat the market: sample routes for every craving

• The grazer’s route: Start with a specialty brew at Boon Coffee, split a few bao and bites at BB Social Dining, and share ceviche from Fusion Ceviche. Finish with Greek‑style dips from à la grecque.
• Comfort classic sprint: Grab an Izu Burger with fries, follow with tortelli from an Italian counter, then wrap with Portuguese pastel de nata at Lana Lusa.
• Plant‑forward picks: Look for veggie‑led small plates at BB Social Dining and fresh salads or meat‑free Thai dishes at Café Isan.
• Dessert detour: Hunt down the 24‑karat gold–topped ice cream for a fun, only‑in‑Dubai flourish.

Who it’s for

• Food lovers chasing the “best of Dubai” in one place.
• Groups and families who want variety without splitting up.
• Date night seekers after casual‑cool vibes and skyline views.
• Visitors after a quintessential Downtown Dubai dining experience.

Practical tips: seating, reservations and peak times

• Seating: Casual, communal seating makes it easy to find a spot; terrace tables fill first at showtime.
• Ordering: Explore freely—order from multiple kitchens and build a progressive meal.
• Reservations: Food halls typically operate on a first‑come, first‑served basis; check official channels for special events or large‑group options.
• Peak hours: Evenings and weekends (especially Fridays and Saturdays) are buzzy; plan a little buffer if you’re aiming for the fountain show.

FAQs about Time Out Market Dubai in Souk Al Bahar

• Is it family‑friendly? Yes—plenty of seating and crowd‑pleasing options for all ages.
• Do you need to book a table? Not usually; arrive early for the terrace during fountain show times.
• What’s the price range? Mid‑range overall, with flexibility depending on the kitchen and what you order.
• Dress code? Casual.
• Is there outdoor seating? Yes—the terrace offers al fresco dining with Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain views.

Make a Downtown Dubai day of it

• Dubai Fountain – time your visit to catch multiple shows from the terrace.
• Burj Khalifa – book At The Top and celebrate after at the market.
• Dubai Opera – pre‑theatre bites or post‑show snacks are effortless here.
• The Dubai Mall – pair shopping with an easy, quality meal across 17 kitchens.

Why locals love it (and what it says about Downtown living)

Time Out Market Dubai distills the city’s culinary energy into one sociable, skyline‑framed hub. If you live or spend time in Downtown Dubai, having an editor‑curated food hall with global flavors, creative drinks and one of the city’s most photogenic terraces right on your doorstep is a serious lifestyle upgrade.

Essential details at a glance

• Name: Time Out Market Dubai
• Location: Level 3, Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai (near The Dubai Mall, by Burj Lake)
• Scale: Approx. 43,000 sq ft; 17 kitchens; 3 bars
• Terrace: Approx. 3,000 sq ft with Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain views
• Opening hours: Sunday–Thursday 12pm–midnight; Friday 12pm–1am; Saturday 10am–1am

Bottom line: Whether you’re plotting a foodie crawl, chasing Downtown Dubai skyline views or need a crowd‑pleasing spot where everyone gets what they want, Time Out Market Dubai in Souk Al Bahar is a must‑try culinary market—and a signature taste of the city in one place.