Duck & Rice, Cake & Bubbles and Saddle Are Coming to New DIFC Square
By Thasmiya
Dubai’s dining scene is getting another major upgrade as **DIFC Square** prepares to welcome a fresh lineup of restaurants and cafés.
The new destination in Dubai International Financial Centre will bring together international names and homegrown UAE favourites, including **Duck & Rice, Cake & Bubbles, Saddle and Hudson & Rye**.
Located opposite DIFC’s Gate Village and near Waldorf Astoria, DIFC Square is set to become a new food and lifestyle address in one of Dubai’s busiest business districts.
## **What is DIFC Square?**
DIFC Square is a new mixed-use development in Dubai International Financial Centre.
The project includes around **600,000 square feet of Grade A office space** across three interconnected glass-fronted buildings.
While the offices have already attracted attention, the upcoming food and beverage lineup is what makes DIFC Square especially exciting for Dubai diners.
## **Duck & Rice brings London’s Cantonese pub concept to Dubai**
**Duck & Rice** is one of the biggest names heading to DIFC Square.
The London-born restaurant combines British pub culture with Cantonese cooking, offering a casual but polished dining experience.
The Dubai opening will mark Duck & Rice’s **first international location** outside London.
Diners can expect signatures inspired by the London menu, including Cantonese roast duck, dim sum, rice dishes, noodles and seafood-led plates.
## **Cake & Bubbles adds a dessert-led concept**
**Cake & Bubbles** is also set to open at DIFC Square.
The London dessert and patisserie concept is created by celebrated chef **Albert Adrià**, known globally for his creative approach to desserts and fine dining.
The brand is known for elegant pastries, indulgent cakes and sparkling drink pairings, making it one of the most talked-about sweet-focused openings coming to Dubai.
## **Saddle brings a homegrown UAE favourite**
UAE-born café brand **Saddle** is joining the DIFC Square lineup.
The brand started as a coffee truck in 2017 and has grown into a popular all-day café concept known for coffee, breakfast, desserts and stylish spaces.
Its arrival at DIFC Square adds a strong local name to the destination, giving office workers and visitors another option for breakfast meetings, coffee breaks and casual dining.
## **Hudson & Rye brings New York deli culture**
**Hudson & Rye** is bringing a New York-style deli experience to DIFC Square.
The concept is expected to serve comfort-focused deli favourites such as pastrami sandwiches, Reubens, tuna melts, burgers, pickles and classic New York-style desserts.
It will be a practical option for quick lunches, breakfast meetings and casual workday meals in DIFC.
## **Why this matters**
DIFC is already one of Dubai’s strongest dining districts, home to some of the city’s most recognised restaurants.
The arrival of DIFC Square adds another layer to the area’s food scene by combining global restaurant names with homegrown UAE brands.
For residents, office workers and visitors, the new destination means more choices for business lunches, coffee meetings, after-work dining and weekend food plans in central Dubai.
## **FAQs**
### **What restaurants are opening at DIFC Square?**
Duck & Rice, Cake & Bubbles, Saddle and Hudson & Rye are among the confirmed names coming to DIFC Square.
### **Where is DIFC Square located?**
DIFC Square is located opposite Gate Village, near Waldorf Astoria, along Al Mustaqbal Street in Dubai International Financial Centre.
### **What is Duck & Rice known for?**
Duck & Rice is known for combining British pub culture with Cantonese cuisine, including roast duck, dim sum, noodles and rice dishes.
### **What is Cake & Bubbles?**
Cake & Bubbles is a dessert and patisserie concept by chef Albert Adrià, known for refined pastries, cakes and sparkling drink pairings.
### **Is Saddle a UAE brand?**
Yes, Saddle is a homegrown UAE café brand that began as a coffee truck in 2017.
## **Source Credits**
Information source/resource owners: DIFC, What’s On Dubai, BBC Good Food Middle East, FACT Magazine, Platinumlist, Duck & Rice, Cake & Bubbles, Saddle and Hudson & Rye.
## **Image Credits**
Image sources are combined from AI-generated visuals and other platforms. If any owner wants to be mentioned or any content needs to be changed, please email us at concerns@whatmatter.ae.