One of Dubai's most popular outdoor destinations is back for the winter season, and it comes with a couple of significant upgrades. The Square, the Shamal Holding-backed outdoor dining and events space, reopens on November 21 in a new location at Nad Al Sheba — and this time it won't pack up when the weather warms up. The venue will now operate year-round, a first since it launched.
The numbers behind the expansion tell you why. Last year The Square drew more than 700,000 visitors, and the new site doubles the footprint of the original. That means more landscaped outdoor space, an events arena, and room for 20 restaurants, cafes and food concepts spanning fine dining through to casual grabs.
The food line-up mixes returning heavyweights with newer names. Cipriani, Public and Omar Odali are back, joined by homegrown concepts including Hikiniku, a new venture from Home Bakery, The Espresso Lab and Shalwa. International chains Five Guys and Rowley's are also on the roster, with more openings promised.
Food is only part of the pitch, though. The programme stretches across live music, art and film screenings, wellness sessions, workshops, markets and family events, plus automotive culture — which ties neatly into the opening weekend. The sixth edition of Icons of Porsche, the region's largest automotive festival, runs on November 21 and 22, 2026, combining classic cars with art and culture on the new site.
Practicalities are refreshingly simple. Entry is free, with individual programme elements ticketed. Opening hours are daily from 8am to midnight, and drivers get ample parking — a genuine perk by Dubai standards. Follow @thesquarenas for updates as the schedule fills in.
Why it matters: if you're visiting Dubai between November and March, this is exactly the kind of open-air evening spot the winter season is built for — dinner, an event and a wander in one place, without a booking fee just to walk in. And since it now runs year-round, summer visitors get an indoor-friendly option too, though expect those landscaped outdoor spaces to shine in the cooler months. It's a solid anchor for a Nad Al Sheba evening, with Downtown Dubai a short drive away.
