New food hall at Dubai Festival City Mall to be one of the biggest in the Middle East

A sprawling 7,000-square-metre food hall is coming to Dubai Festival City Mall in December and it's billed to be one of the biggest in the Middle East.

New outlets will include Japanese venue Ryba Family and Kristoff Coffee and Kitchen, both of which have a presence in Russia. The Greeks Are Here is another restaurant coming to the venue.

Market Island will introduce a total of 53 concepts featuring cuisines from across the world. It will have a seating capacity of more than 3,500.

On the ground floor of the mall's north end will be various food stations, dedicated restaurant spaces, bars and lounges. The food hall is also set to have the first licensed bar within a mall in the UAE.

Hayssam Hajjar, general manager of Al-Futtaim Malls, describes the space as “a cutting-edge venue that merges the worlds of food and entertainment”. The project is by Zemskiy Group, which was behind several food hall projects across Russia.

The announcement also follows a series of new features in other UAE malls, including Snow Abu Dhabi in Reem Mall and the newly opened Chinatown in Dubai Mall.

Chinatown in Dubai Mall has opened. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

The section features East Asian-inspired design elements

Far East-inspired art and furniture are scattered across the new venue

It is on the first floor of Dubai Mall, opposite the Dubai Ice Rink

One of its main features is the food court with 16 stalls

Every corner of the venue is Instagram-worthy

Chinatown is home to authentic Chinese brands, with some coming to the UAE for the first time

Some of the stores that are already open include Xiaomi, Starbucks and Yingyang spa

The section with neon street signs is a highlight

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

New food hall at Dubai Festival City Mall to be one of the biggest in the Middle East

It will have 53 food and drink offerings and a seating capacity of more than 3,500

What the law says