To find a meaningful souvenir in the UAE, it’s best to leave the flashy malls behind and explore the quieter, curated spaces of its cultural institutions.
These places offer a refreshing alternative to typical gifts, showcasing thoughtful designs and local artistry that truly reflect the region.
The lobby of 25hours Hotel One Central houses "25hours Things," a retail concept which feels more like a curated library than a typical hotel gift shop.
It beautifully combines global trends with local flair, offering a selection of useful knick-knacks alongside their postcard selection is wonderfully quirky and nostalgic, perfectly capturing the hotel's eclectic spirit. From coffee table books and fun postcards to stylish stationery and thoughtfully designed objects, it’s a perfect spot to find a thoughtful gift that is special and personal.
Visit: 25hours-hotels.com
Step inside the Sharjah Art Shop and discover a treasure trove for art lovers. From international and local publications to books on Sharjah’s rich cultural heritage, there’s something for every curious mind.
Exhibition catalogues and playful stationery bring the region’s creative scene to life, featuring items like habit trackers and notebooks adorned with witty local references or botanical illustrations of indigenous UAE plants. Their selection of independent publications and exhibition catalogues makes it a sanctuary for collectors of rare print media.
With locations at Al Mureijah Art Spaces, The Flying Saucer, and the Rain Room, these shops are a must-visit for collectors and culture enthusiasts alike.
Visit: sharjahart.org
Located at the Jameel Arts Centre on the Jaddaf Waterfront, this shop is perhaps the most refined destination for those who appreciate contemporary design.
The shelves are stocked with an exceptional selection of coffee table books that span architecture, Middle Eastern art history, and global urbanism. For those seeking smaller treasures, their collection of postcards is notable, often featuring works from current exhibitions or exclusive collaborations with regional illustrators.
The stationery here is equally intentional, ranging from minimalist notebooks to artisanal desk accessories.
Visit: shop.artjameel.org
Nestled in Nad Al Sheba, Tashkeel serves as a hub for the local creative community, and its shop is a direct reflection of that energy.
This is the place to find "Made in Tashkeel" items, often including unique stationery such as sketchbooks and journals designed by resident artists. The store also features quirky postcards and limited-edition prints that offer a more intimate perspective on life in the Emirates.
It is an ideal spot to find gifts that bear the fingerprints of the artists who live and work within the building.
Visit: shop.tashkeel.org
For the final addition, Zerzura at Alserkal Avenue provides a nostalgic escape for any bibliophile.
This is not a typical gift shop but a specialised haven for rare and collectable books. Their inventory includes first editions, signed copies and beautifully preserved titles on Arabian travel and regional history. While the books are the main draw, they also stock literary-themed prints and assorted ephemera that serve as sophisticated gifts for those who value the history of the written word.
Visit: zerzurabooks.com
Mariam Khawer is a Dubai-based writer and PR professional whose work spans food, art, and travel across the region. When she isn’t chasing deadlines, she’s likely at a gallery opening, testing out a new restaurant, piecing together one of her mixed-media art projects or at home with her four cats, who keep her on her toes.
