Exploring The Ripe Market in Dubai: The Place to Eat and Shop Local

If you’re looking to get off the tourist track and have a more laid-back local experience in Dubai, you’re going to love exploring The Ripe Market. 

Established in 2011, The Ripe Market is all about supporting small local restaurants and businesses while emphasising sustainability, wellness, and community. At the main Ripe Market in Academy Park, you'll find local vendors selling everything from international eats to home goods, clothing, jewellery, and other one-of-a-kind creations you can't find anywhere else. There's also a great farmers' market where you can pick up fresh fruits and veggies.

The Ripe Market hosts some of the best locally grown restaurants and foodie concepts in Dubai. Each weekend, over 20 food vendors set up shop in Academy Park. From Mexican to Chinese and everything in between, there's something to suit all tastes here. This is the place to be if you want to get a taste of Dubai's globally-inspired local food scene.

Food aside, The Ripe Market is just a fun place to hang out. There's always live music, interesting workshops, and family-friendly entertainment going on here, making this a very popular spot for expats to gather on weekends. 

If you're curious about visiting The Ripe Market in Dubai but you're not sure where to start, this local's guide has got you covered.

While there are pop-up Ripe Markets held throughout the year in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the main Ripe Market is located in Dubai's Academy Park. 

This outdoor market is held each Saturday (9am to 9pm) and Sunday (9am to 7pm) from October to May. 

Locals flock to The Ripe Market in Academy Park every weekend to go shopping, enjoy al fresco meals, and spend some time hanging out with friends and family. The atmosphere at The Ripe Market is always casual, fun, and very family-friendly. 

Food is a huge part of The Ripe Market's appeal. The food vendors do change slightly from year to year, but here are some local favourites that you will typically find at the market. 

The authentic Chinese noodle dishes at San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles are out of this world good. From the Traditional Biang Biang Noodles to the Chicken Wonton Noodle Soup and the Dan Dan Noodles, you'll be tempted by everything on this menu.

This is one of the most popular Ripe Market restaurants if you're in the mood for an American fast food fix. They offer massive traditional beef burgers, chicken burgers, and hot dogs, but you'll find some offbeat options on the menu too. Think Cheeto Chick Chicken Burger with Cheeto paste and Flamin' Hot Cheetos. From the chicken wings to the loaded fries, this is comfort food at its best. You'll also have loads of sweet treats to choose from here.

Pizza di Rocco is always a fan favourite. They dish out excellent Italian pizzas, from their classic Margherita or Burrata to their addictive BBQ Brisket and Buffalo Fried Chicken pizzas. They can also make their veggie-topped pizzas vegan for a small fee.

This is the place to eat if you're craving a New York bagel. Get there early and you can get a Sausage, Egg & Hashbrown or Egg & Avocado bagel for breakfast. Or go any time and try the Scallion Tom Bacon with their famous scallion cream cheese and crispy bacon, or the Avo Hashbrown Bagel topped with hashbrowns and smashed avo and slathered with your choice of cream cheese.

The Mamacita food truck is always a crowd-pleaser. If you need a little spice in your life, this place cooks up some seriously good Mamacitas Birria Tacos, BBQ Brisket Burritos, and Vegetarian Jackfruit Tacos, amongst other delicious Latin-inspired eats. Don't miss out on their famous churros, which come with a Nutella dipping sauce.

Activities, workshops, and live entertainment change from week to week, but here's what you can expect at The Ripe Market in Academy Park. 

The Ripe Market in Academy Park is all about family-friendly fun, so expect lots of activities for young kids. Here are just a few:

• Train station
• E-kart track
• Kids' soft play area
• Petting zoo
• Horse and pony riding
• Kids play park
• Kraze adventure zone (featuring ziplines and skate park)

• Yoga classes 
• Pilates sessions
• Pottery painting
• Soap making
• Live music on the lawn (the perfect picnic spot)

Admission to The Ripe Market in Academy Park is AED 5 for adults. Children under 12 can enter for free.

Academy Park is located within the Dubai Police Academy. You can get here easily by hailing a taxi or ordering one through the Careem app (use the "Hala Taxi" button). If you'd prefer to travel by metro, Academy Park is conveniently located right next to the Mall of the Emirates Metro Station. It takes about 10 minutes to walk from the metro station to the market's entrance. 

If you'd like to base yourself near The Ripe Market, Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights Hotel Suites and Apartments has everything you need for a comfortable home base in Dubai.

What makes this Dubai hotel unique is that you can choose from one or two-bedroom suites with dining areas, workstations, living areas, and separate bedrooms. Explore the hotel, and you'll find an outdoor pool and pool bar, a sports bar, and a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights Hotel Suites and Apartments is right next to the Dubai Internet City Metro Station, which is just two stops from the Mall of the Emirates Metro Station and The Ripe Market. So it's a great option for visiting the market and getting around the city.

Because the weather gets so hot and humid in Dubai during the summer months, the main Ripe Market in Academy Park closes for the summer season. That's when you'll find temporary indoor markets pop up around the city. 

To stay up to date, it's best to follow Ripe Market on Instagram (@ripemarket) to know where they'll be. Previous summer pop-up locations have been Times Square Centre, Town Centre Jumeirah, Bubbalicious, and Festival Plaza in Jebel Ali.