Quick answer: Gerbou (ΩΨ±Ψ¨ΩΨ§) is an Emirati-inspired restaurant in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, created by Tashkeel and Atelier House Hospitality. It opened in 2025 inside a restored 1987 building that is also home to Tashkeel's studios. The name means "welcome to my humble abode", and the space was furnished with pieces made by UAE-based designers and artisans. In 2025, Gerbou was named one of the World's Most Beautiful Restaurants by the Prix Versailles. Its design language now lives on in the Gerbou collection at the Tashkeel shop.
What does Gerbou mean?
In Emirati Arabic, gerbou is an invitation to come closer. It is usually translated as "welcome to my humble abode", a phrase that carries the generosity at the heart of Emirati hospitality. In the UAE, welcoming a guest is not a formality. It is a value passed down through families, expressed in the majlis, in the pouring of coffee and in the care taken over how a home looks and feels. Gerbou was built around that idea: a place where guests are received the way a family would receive them.
Where is Gerbou?
Gerbou is in Nad Al Sheba 1, Dubai, on the same site as Tashkeel, the art and design organisation founded in 2008 by Her Highness Sheikha Lateefa bint Maktoum. The building dates from 1987. Its restoration kept the character of the original architecture, including its arches, while opening the space up for gathering, indoors and on a terrace.
Who created Gerbou?
Gerbou is a collaboration between Tashkeel and Atelier House Hospitality. The interiors were designed by Kristina Zanic Consultants, while many of the furnishings were curated and designed through Tashkeel's design studio, Tasmeem Tashkeel, working with designers from the Tashkeel community and artisans based in the UAE. The aim was to champion local talent and local materials, so that every room tells part of the story of the Emirates.
What makes Gerbou's design special?
Gerbou works like a living gallery of Emirati identity. Almost every element was designed with a reference to the UAE's landscape, materials or craft traditions:
- The Ghaf tree. The UAE's national tree appears throughout, from a front desk made from a naturally fallen Ghaf trunk to dining chairs shaped from Ghaf wood. Read more in our guide to the Ghaf tree in Emirati design.
- A contemporary majlis. The main room is arranged like a traditional Emirati reception room, with sofas upholstered in camel leather.
- Sadu patterns. Tables carry motifs drawn from Sadu, the Bedouin weaving tradition recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.
- Nature in light and bronze. A herbarium chandelier holds native plants preserved in glass, a pendant light was made using discarded fish scales, and bronze sculptures honour the desert rose and the Eurasian collared dove.
- Details you can touch. Even the door handle is engraved with palm trees, ocean waves and desert sand.
Has Gerbou won awards?
Yes. In 2025, Gerbou was included in the Prix Versailles list of the World's Most Beautiful Restaurants, one of 16 restaurants worldwide recognised that year. Gerbou has also been featured by international publications including TIME. The recognition is for the whole experience: architecture, interiors, craft and the warmth of the welcome.
Is Gerbou good for families and business lunches?
Gerbou was designed as a place for gathering. Its majlis-style spaces and shaded terrace suit family occasions, while its calm interiors and Nad Al Sheba location make it a natural choice for business lunches and hosted meetings. Because the space is rooted in Emirati culture, it is also a meaningful place to bring visitors who want to experience the UAE beyond its skyline.
Can I buy Gerbou tableware and design pieces?
Yes. The Gerbou collection brings the restaurant's design language into the home. It includes ceramic tableware such as the Ghaf Plates, the Gold Garden Bowl set inspired by the Gerbou building, Gold Finyal coffee cups, the Ghaf Tea Set Box and the Gerbou Collectors Edition Box, alongside travel bags, sketchbooks and embroidered cushions. For a full walk-through, see our guide to the Gerbou collection.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Gerbou in Arabic?
Gerbou is written ΩΨ±Ψ¨ΩΨ§ in Arabic.
Who owns Gerbou?
Gerbou was created through a partnership between Tashkeel, led by Her Highness Sheikha Lateefa bint Maktoum, and Atelier House Hospitality.
When did Gerbou open?
Gerbou opened in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, in 2025.
Who designed Gerbou's interiors?
The interiors were designed by Kristina Zanic Consultants, with furnishings designed and curated with Tasmeem Tashkeel and made by UAE-based artisans.
Where can I buy Gerbou products online?
Gerbou tableware, gifts and design objects are available at shop.tashkeel.org/collections/gerbou.
Prices and availability change, so check the product page for the latest.
