Where contemporary art meets coffee culture
Dubai Mall has officially welcomed Daniel’s Room, a long-awaited concept by renowned contemporary artist Daniel Arsham, now open in Fashion Avenue, Level 2. Years in the making, the space isn’t positioned as a traditional restaurant but as a lived-in artwork — one you can sip coffee inside.
Rather than leaning into theatrical dining trends, Daniel’s Room feels deliberately restrained. Think calm, considered and quietly confident — exactly what you’d expect from an artist known for blurring the lines between art, architecture and everyday objects.
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Arsham has personally designed the entire environment, treating the project less like a hospitality venture and more like a permanent installation. Furniture, lighting, tableware and spatial layout all carry his distinctive creative language, creating a seamless dialogue between form and function.
The result? A space that feels curated but not cold — immersive without trying too hard.
Daniel’s Room comfortably sits between categories. It functions as a café, but also as a cultural destination, where design, food and objects coexist. The menu keeps things intentionally simple, focusing on speciality coffee, pastries, cakes and light bites, developed over months to match the space’s relaxed rhythm.
There’s no pressure to rush. Come for a coffee, stay for an hour, take it all in.
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One of the standout features is the curated selection of limited-edition books, collectible objects and custom-designed tableware, all created exclusively for Daniel’s Room. None of it is available online or elsewhere, and the retail element is subtly integrated — present, but never overpowering the experience.
To mark the opening, Daniel Arsham himself appeared at the space from 5pm, signing books and welcoming guests. The launch drew art lovers, collectors and members of Dubai’s creative community, quickly cementing the opening as one of the season’s most talked-about cultural moments.
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Born in 1980 and based in New York, Arsham is internationally recognised for his ‘fictional archaeology’ style, where contemporary objects appear eroded or frozen in time. Daniel’s Room translates that philosophy into a physical environment — one centred on craftsmanship, storytelling and calm creativity.
With its debut at Dubai Mall, Daniel’s Room adds a quietly powerful new chapter to the city’s ever-evolving lifestyle and cultural scene — and it’s well worth sitting down for.
Image credit: @danielsroom on Instagram
Curious, expressive, and always chasing new ideas, Zainab sees creativity as a way of life. She thrives on discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and turning inspiration into something tangible. Her work and her world reflect a balance of intuition, imagination, and authenticity.
Contact me: zainab@nommemag.com
