The Bureau Founders Share Their Little Black Book Of Dubai
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Favourite Brands
"The three brands on heavy rotation in my wardrobe right now are Aje, Simkhai and Hemant & Nandita. Aje and Simkhai are really fun, all-occasion brands, while Hemant & Nandita create beautiful fusion pieces that are perfect for parties and wedding season." – Rhea
"Aritzia, Farm Rio and Dahlia Bianca are my current favourites. I love bold prints and clothes with personality, which is exactly what Farm Rio and Dahlia Bianca do so well. I first discovered Farm Rio years ago in Milan, while I was pregnant, and I lived in its loose dresses. My favourite tailored trousers are from Aritzia – they're called The Effortless Pant and genuinely work from day to night." – Nikita
"The jewellery brand I'm loving right now is Monica Vinader. I first discovered it as a teenager when it had a boutique in the Mall of the Emirates and I loved the personalised bracelets. Right now, I'm particularly drawn to the adjustable rings." – Rhea
"Anita Manglani Jewellery is a brand I genuinely love. It's Dubai-based and the pieces feel elevated and glamorous without breaking the bank." – Nikita
"The Middle Eastern brand I always rate is The Giving Movement. Its activewear, travel sets and everyday staples are always reliable." – Rhea
"I've always loved Sarah's Bag. Not only are the designs beautiful, but I admire the brand's mission of empowering underprivileged Lebanese women." – Nikita
"When I want something that turns heads, I always gravitate towards Indian designers. Right now, I'm loving Payal Singhal and Anamika Khanna, both of whom create bold yet beautifully intricate pieces." – Rhea
"I recently discovered Zhivago on Ounass and I'm obsessed with its jumpsuits. One of my favourites is split down the middle with different colours and embroidery on either side – it's such a striking piece." – Nikita
Wardrobe Staples
"The item I wear almost every day is a stack of dainty gold bracelets. Some were birthday gifts and others I've collected while travelling, so they all have sentimental value." – Rhea
"My colourful retro Nike Air Force 1s are a staple. I've been collecting different pairs for years." – Nikita
"My nude Chanel loafers are the shoes I return to time and time again. They go with everything and are comfortable enough to wear all day." – Rhea
"Valentino Rockstud pumps will always have a special place in my wardrobe. They're the perfect balance of edgy and feminine." – Nikita
"My power look is an Aje long denim skirt paired with classic ballet flats. It's polished but still feels effortless." – Rhea
"A colourful trouser suit always gives me confidence, especially when paired with my Air Force 1s." – Nikita
"The forever pieces in our wardrobes are family jewellery pieces that have been passed down through generations. In Indian culture, jewellery is a huge part of weddings and celebrations, so the pieces we've inherited from our mothers and grandmothers are incredibly special to us. They're something we'll one day pass on to our own children." – Nikita & Rhea
New Discoveries
"Dina's Picks is one of our favourite places to discover new and under-the-radar brands. We love that it champions home-grown labels with so much personality, and we've found some really unique one-off pieces there over the years." – Nikita & Rhea
"When I need something chic at short notice, it's always Ounass. The two-hour delivery service is unmatched, whether I'm shopping for an event, a work outfit or a last-minute gift." – Rhea
"I love Wear That. They pair you with a stylist who analyses your style and sends a personalised edit based on exactly what you need, whether that's a specific occasion or an entire holiday wardrobe." – Nikita
"I'm excited about Canva opening an office in Dubai and what that could mean for the city's creative and business communities. I'm also a fan of Flash Facial's new Dubai Hills location – its express treatments are perfect for busy schedules." – Rhea
Top Restaurants
"Subko in Alserkal Avenue is one of my favourite breakfast spots. Originally from Mumbai, it combines a coffee and chocolate roastery with breakfast dishes that have a delicious Indian twist." – Rhea
"The Grow House by One Life is one of my favourite weekend breakfast spots. I love that they grow many of their herbs and greens on-site." – Nikita
"3 Fils is my favourite lunch spot. Sitting by the water while eating some of the best sushi in Dubai never gets old." – Rhea
"Carine is a classic for business lunches. The salads are always incredibly fresh and full of flavour." – Nikita
"Hawkerboi is my go-to for a casual dinner. The atmosphere is always great and the Southeast Asian street food never disappoints." – Rhea
"Kinoya manages to feel both neighbourhood-y and elevated at the same time. The eggplant miso and ramen are among my favourite dishes in Dubai." – Nikita
"Zuma is my celebration restaurant. It's actually where I first tried sushi as a teenager and, years later, the quality remains consistently excellent." – Rhea
"Hanu is my current celebration spot. I love Korean food and the tableside barbecue makes every meal feel like an occasion." – Nikita
Coffee, Drinks & Weekend Spots
"My first coffee of the day is usually from Jones the Grocer at The Bureau." – Rhea
"Boon Coffee serves my favourite coffee in Dubai, especially the Ethiopian medium roast." – Nikita
"For after-work drinks, I love Garden Hills Project. Between the quiz nights, food trucks and golf course views, it always has a great atmosphere." – Rhea
"Time Out Market is my favourite place to unwind after work. I love that you can sample dishes from so many of Dubai's best home-grown concepts all under one roof." – Nikita
"On a Saturday, you'll usually find me at a pottery class at Oka Ceramics or spending the day at Kyma Beach." – Rhea
"Reform Social & Grill is our Saturday go-to. It's one of those places that works just as well for adults as it does for young children." – Nikita
"My ideal Sunday starts with breakfast from Bagel Yard, followed by a walk along Kite Beach and Al Safadi takeaway for dinner." – Rhea
"I love spending Sundays at Ripe Market during the cooler months. To end the day, I'll order from Café Isan, which serves my favourite Thai food in Dubai." – Nikita
Places We Love
"When we need creative inspiration, we always find ourselves at The Bureau. The natural light, the community and the energy always spark new ideas." – Nikita & Rhea
"For wellness, I always head to Sensasia Spa at Emirates Golf Club. Its Balinese massage with the hot-stone add-on is my ultimate reset." – Nikita
"My go-to workout is Barry's. The 5.45pm class with Connor M is always a highlight." – Rhea
"For the best view in Dubai, head to Park Hyatt Dubai. There's a beautiful bench overlooking the creek that's particularly magical at night." – Nikita & Rhea
"When we need to switch off without leaving the city, we book a staycation at One&Only Royal Mirage." – Nikita & Rhea
"A hidden gem we almost don't want to share is Battliwala. The food is incredible and the atmosphere feels just like an old-school Bombay Irani café. We also love Raju Omlet for some of the best egg dishes in the city." – Nikita & Rhea
"The neighbourhood that feels most like home is Jumeirah 1. We grew up there, just a short walk from the beach, and still remember hearing the waves from our bedroom windows. Back then, the streets were lined with single-storey villas covered in pink bougainvillaea." – Nikita & Rhea
The Dubai Spots We'd Always Recommend
"Al Qasr is the place that best captures Dubai for me. It blends heritage-inspired design with modern luxury, and the restaurants overlooking Burj Al Arab are hard to beat." – Rhea
"If someone only had one night in Dubai, I'd send them straight to Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. Spend time exploring the galleries before stopping at Arabian Tea House, XVA and the Coffee Museum. It's one of the places that captures Dubai's character best." – Nikita
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