Dubai Locals Love These Must-Visit Homegrown Brand Stores 2025

REAL ESTATE1 month ago

Dubai is not just famous for its luxury malls and global brands; it’s also a growing hub for homegrown businesses. From fashion and beauty to food and lifestyle products, local entrepreneurs are leaving their mark on the city’s vibrant retail scene. If you’re looking to support local, discover unique designs, or try fresh flavors made in the UAE, you’ll want to know where to shop. Here’s a guide to the top places where you can find the best homegrown brands in Dubai.

Homegrown brands in Dubai are gaining popularity because they represent creativity, culture, and community. These brands often focus on quality, sustainability, and unique design. Many shoppers, especially younger generations, prefer supporting local businesses that offer something different from global chains.

Dubai’s local business owners are also taking advantage of social media and pop-up events to connect with their audience. From Emirati designers to eco-friendly beauty startups, the market is full of innovation.

1. The Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue Pop-ups and Concept Stores

While The Dubai Mall is known for international luxury labels, it also hosts rotating pop-ups and concept stores for homegrown fashion, accessory, and lifestyle brands. Head to Fashion Avenue or The Dubai Mall’s Level Shoes, where you’ll often find UAE-based designers like Bouguessa, All Things Mochi, and Kristina Fidelskaya making waves in modern fashion.

Level Shoes also supports local shoemakers and accessory designers. These brands showcase quality craftsmanship while blending local culture with global trends.

2. Alserkal Avenue – The Creative Heart of Dubai

If you want to explore Dubai’s creative scene, Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz is the place to be. Once an industrial warehouse area, it is now home to dozens of local galleries, cafes, design studios, and boutiques. Alserkal is filled with Dubai-born brands that focus on art, design, fashion, and wellness.

Popular local names you’ll find here include:

The Edit DXB – A stylish concept store with curated collections from regional designers.
Akin Barber & Shop – A lifestyle and grooming destination created by local entrepreneurs.
Wild Fabrik – A sustainable fashion store that features UAE-based eco brands.

Alserkal Avenue also hosts seasonal markets and events, where even more homegrown businesses showcase their products.

3. Ripe Market – A Must-Visit for Local Finds

Ripe Market is one of Dubai’s most popular weekend events for homegrown brands. Held in various locations across the city (including Dubai Police Academy Park and Times Square Center), this open-air market brings together local artisans, designers, food vendors, and startups.

You can shop for handmade jewelry, organic skincare, Emirati perfumes, and even locally roasted coffee. The Ripe Market is also a great place to interact directly with brand founders and learn more about their stories.

Some standout homegrown brands regularly found at Ripe Market include:

Secret Skin – A clean beauty brand founded in Dubai.
Maison Tini – A playful children’s clothing brand with Middle Eastern roots.
The Dubai Doll – A homegrown fashion label inspired by Arab glam.

4. That Concept Store – Mall of the Emirates

Located inside Mall of the Emirates, That Concept Store is a luxury retail space that mixes fashion, beauty, wellness, and art. Alongside global products, it also features selected homegrown brands.

This store is perfect for customers who want a curated shopping experience. You’ll find local designers, UAE wellness brands, and up-and-coming artists all under one roof. The store’s modern vibe and community events also attract Dubai’s young, stylish crowd.

5. The Makers District – Home for Artisanal Local Brands

Nestled in Dubai Design District (d3), The Makers District is a creative space filled with independent local brands and artisans. You’ll find hand-poured candles, organic skincare, handwoven accessories, and more.

This area encourages innovation and supports entrepreneurs who create unique, handmade products. Brands like Oo La Lab, The Dubai Collection, and Scentitude are some of the rising stars in this district. It’s an excellent place to discover what’s new in Dubai’s local lifestyle and gifting scene.

6. Tania’s Teahouse and Local Lifestyle Boutiques

Dubai’s café culture is often paired with lifestyle shopping. One popular example is Tania’s Teahouse, a locally grown business near Jumeirah Beach Road. This pink-themed café not only offers delicious food and drinks but also sells wellness and lifestyle products made by local creators.

From stylish planners and mugs to essential oils and herbal teas, many of the products on display are from small UAE brands. The café also collaborates with other homegrown businesses for themed events and pop-ups.

7. Online Marketplaces Supporting Local

With more customers shopping online, many local brands have also gone digital. UAE-based platforms like:

The People of Sand
Wemena
The Saffron Souk
Noon Local

offer a wide selection of products made in Dubai or across the Emirates. These platforms focus on small businesses and help homegrown creators reach a wider audience.

Whether you are looking for fashion, home décor, pet supplies, or organic food, these websites make it easy to support local from the comfort of your home.

Supporting Local Means Supporting the Community

When you buy from homegrown brands, you’re not just purchasing a product you’re supporting a dream, a family, a creative mind. Many of these businesses are started by young Emiratis, expats living in Dubai, or women entrepreneurs working from home.

Dubai’s government and private sector are also showing strong support for small businesses through licensing platforms like Dubai SME, Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET), and Creative Zone.

Final Thoughts

From trendy malls to creative districts and weekend markets, Dubai offers countless places to shop from talented local brands. These homegrown businesses are reshaping the city’s shopping culture by offering personal, sustainable, and story-rich products.

So next time you’re in the mood to shop, skip the international chains and explore the rich world of Dubai-born brands. You’ll not only discover unique finds but also become part of a growing movement that supports local creativity and entrepreneurship.