Photography Archives - Grassroots Creative Agency

Dubai is well known for its Instagrammable spots. There are all the usual suspects, Burj Khalifa, Bounty Beets, Five, La Mer… So here’s a list of 8 Instagram worthy spots that probably weren’t on your radar – but will be now.

1. Arabian Tea House (IG: @arabianteahouse Followers: 37.3k )

Stepping into The Arabian Tea House feels like a time capsule from the Dubai of today to the Dubai of yesterday. Located in the old district of Al Bastakiya, The Arabian Tea House is a rare example of authentic Dubai and Middle Eastern charm. Built during the 1920s by a local pearl trader, the house is steeped in history, and is jam-packed with photo opportunities thanks to the owner’s eye for detail. For those who enjoy afternoon tea, British style, to those who appreciate finer Asian tea houses, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, especially for those who enjoy a photo opportunity.

2. Muchachas Mexican Cantina (IG: @_MUCHACHAS_ Followers: 4,311 )

Appearances can be deceiving, so don’t be fooled when you pull up to the entrance of the Holiday Inn Express, Safa Park. Hiding beneath the bland hotel facade, you’ll find Muchchas Mexican Cantina – a candy-colored Mexicana haven serving ice-cold cocktails and Mexican share-style street food. Behind the same Aussie duo as Tom & Serg, the causal venue is inspired by the success of Melbourne’s Mexican Canteen scene. Vibrant fiesta colours and quirky tableware including a Chihuahua taco plate will have your camera flashing throughout the entire evening.

3. Galaxy Bar (IG: @galaxybardxb Followers: 2,325)

This late-night hidden gem is located in DIFC. With a maximum seating capacity of fifty, the universe inspired venue is an intimate lounge bathed in deep, dark plush blues, and cloaked underneath a ceiling of twinkling stars. With a strict dress code policy of ‘No effort, no entry’ and cocktails that taste as good as they look, this the perfect spot for the more sophisticated Instagram shot. Just make sure your outfit is as out of this World as your photos will be to guarantee entry to this exclusive spot.

4. NYX (IG: @nyx_dxb Followers: 429)

Hidden below Chef Izu Ani’s famous Greek restaurant Gaia in DIFC, and aptly named after the Greek goddess of the night ‘Nyx’, this underground nightclub Nyx is one of Dubai’s best-kept secrets. Frequented by local and visiting celebrities including Rita Ora, Fifty Cent, and A$ap Rocky, you won’t find much about it online, but getting through the doors of this place to capture an exclusive Instagrammable shot in the award-winning venue will win you mega kudos with your following.

5. Comptoir 102 (IG: @comptoir102 Followers:32.4k )

Featured in Vogue and Harpers Bazaar, you already know that this Jumeriah cafe-concept store is popular with the style squad, and for good reason. The Parisien owner has created a bohemian sanctuary that is so far removed from the conventional malls we are so accustomed to seeing that you’d be hard pushed to believe you were in Dubai and not Bali. Housing a carefully curated collection of unique beauty, fashion, and furnishing pieces sourced from around the world, a visit to Comptoir 102 promises a unique experience, as well as one of a kind pictures that will drive your Instagram likes.

6. Boston Lane (IG: @bostonlane.dubai Followers: 12.5k)

Toned down millennial pink, this coffee and toastie stop is an Instagrammer’s dream. Located in the Courtyard, Al Quoz, amidst the heart of the city’s underground art, fashion, and music scene, this Aussie owned spot is inspired by Melbourne’s laneway coffee. Charming and quirky, with Moroccan/Sedona vibes, thanks to its picturesque courtyard setting, Boston Lane is the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely coffee while exploring the small surrounding pop up shops.

7. Drift Beach (IG: @driftbeachdubai Followers: 55.8k)

Set amidst a stunning infinity pool, overlooking panoramic views of Palm Island Bay and Dubai’s iconic skyline, Drift Beach goes beyond your typical beach club. Drift has a restaurant on site too specializing in French Provencal cuisine. The aesthetics and interiors align with the long stretch of beach that it sits upon, and thanks to a nautical colour scheme and cascading fishing baskets suspend from the ceiling, there’s ample opportunity for that prime Instagram shot.

8. El Chapo Tacos (IG: @elchapostacos_studioone Followers: 1,642)

Envision every single Mexican stereotype imaginable, and then sprinkle tacos and El Chapo on it, and there you have El Chapo Tacos: the most Mexican of all the Mexican restaurants, ever. Even the salt and pepper shakers are a tiny Mexican man and wife! The photo opportunities in this place are so abundant that we can’t even name them all, but if there’s one selling point in between the neon signs, it’s the opportunity to take a selfie with the chalkboard lineup.

The number of businesses using Instagram to reach their target audience has boomed considerably in the last couple of years, and it’s had an incredible effect on the way that consumers discover, connect with and ultimately buy from a brand. But why has this shift from traditional marketing taken place? And what makes a brand stand out enough in a scrolling sea of companies tucked away in the consumers pocket? Instagram’s simplicity is part of what draws users to it. Streamlined and minimalist, easily accessible and diverse – it’s the perfect place to be in the 21st century. With 1 billion monthly active users, and 80% of these users following at least one brand, Instagram has become the perfect platform for businesses to showcase what they do in the most creative ways. And in Dubai, with its melting pot of curators and creatives, Instagram has become the ideal place for businesses to thrive. We’ve picked out the 5 most instagrammable businesses in Dubai and hope to delve deeper into the reasons why they are thriving in one of the fastest moving cities on Earth.

Find Salt

If you’ve been in the UAE long enough, you’ll remember the time way back when, where the location of this pop-up burger joint was a complete secret – the coordinates known only to a few. This secretive marketing strategy definitely got people talking about, and eventually hunting for the illusive spot that Salt would rock up to next. Luckily for Salt, they have been able to pitch up at some of the city’s most Instagrammable spots, which has been instrumental to their social reach. From prime position right below the Burj Khalifa to a secured spot in Dubai Marina and now a permanent home right on kite beach. Toes in the sand and a burger in hand – why not?! Fast forward to today, and Salt’s Instagram account is stronger than ever. Fresh and fruity summer campaigns, new and exciting partnerships and the biggest feeling of community of any business in Dubai. ‘Salters’ are a family, and that’s how @findsalt has become what it is today.

Five Palm

Since its opening in March 2017, Five Palm Jumeirah has stormed Dubai’s Instagram scene and saturated our feeds with jealousy-inducing content. Their initial campaign was simple; share guest-created images showcasing the hotel and its facilities – and it worked! Team that with the hotels incredible insta-worthy pools and bars and it would be difficult not to have a successful feed. From opening day until now, various events taking place at this Palm Jumeirah hotel have helped increased its social presence; from brunches to pool parties and ladies’ days, more and more coverage has been created through guests’ Instagram stories and photo tags. Five are promoting a certain lifestyle, one that many of their followers strive to have, and more recently, the clever use of social media influencers at the hotel has caused a surge in Five Palms’ popularity both on socials and in real life bookings.

Dubai International Airport

Believe it or not, Dubai Airport is one of the most checked in-to businesses in the whole world, and this makes it one of Dubai’s most successful Instagram businesses. Earlier this year, DXB successfully re-branded to focus on more youthful, fun and interesting content. In the lead up to launch date, a daily series of intriguing videos were shared which increased anticipation and raised hype surrounding the new branding, and this led to a growth in interest and therefore followers of the @DXB brand. Dubai’s popularity as a holiday destination definitely contributes to DXB’s social following, but this Instagram business never rests on its laurels, and is always coming up with new ways to keep travellers interested.

Zero Gravity

“From Day, To Night” – this company’s slogan is living proof that punchy branding sticks, and ever since the installation of their uber-photogenic glass-fronted pool in 2016, Zero Gravity has been top of the list for most Instagrammable beach club in Dubai. Their marketing approach is perfectly simple – share images of guests ‘living their best life’ poolside and make the rest of us green with envy (well, until we rock up next weekend for their tropical brunch). With a massive focus on their main events, Instagram scrollers will see brunches through to sunsets through to world famous DJ’s filling the dance floor every single weekend. Followers can be sat on their sofa but feel like they’re front row at Sam Feldt or James Arthur with the immersive Instagram Stories that Zero Gravity posts, and it’s this exact style of social media marketing that separates the good from the bad (and the busy from the deserted).

Nusr’et (aka #SaltBae)

A global trailblazer that hit Dubai with sheer force – #SaltBae (real name Nusret Gökçe) landed in Dubai in early 2015, in all of his Instagram glory. The reason this Instagram business stands out so much, and works so well, is because it has the perfect blend of business focussed content alongside the personal story of Nusret Gökçe himself. Followers see all of the behind-the-scenes details from his many restaurants around the world, including Dubai, along with the celeb-schmoozing jet-setting lifestyle that this insta-famous head chef leads.

You’ll never see this page pushing products, only taking consumers on a visual journey. It’s proven that pushy sales methods on social media simply do not work, but this type of visual content gives a brand a unique opportunity – and people seem to love it! Overall, Instagram has the highest average standard engagement rate of all of the main social channels, beating both Facebook and Twitter. The brand engagement rate is even higher than that, which shows that audiences on Instagram are much more open to branded content than they are on other platforms. So, if you are looking to get a step ahead in your business, make sure that your Instagram content is second-to-none.