Soul Kitchen: The artful soul of Business Bay

Soul Kitchen is one of those rare places that quietly earns its reputation. Tucked away in Business Bay, it has long been a hidden gem, and we don’t use the term loosely. 

A culinary and cultural destination where Latin American and Levantine flavours meet, Soul Kitchen unfolds as a space shaped by movement and craft, drawing in those who value substance over spectacle.

At the heart of this design vision is Tala Mortada, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Factory People. A multidisciplinary creative with a distinctly narrative approach, Tala shapes the artistic direction of Soul Kitchen with clarity and intention.

Through works such as Migrating Birds, a centre piece of the space, she gives form to stories of migration and belonging, translating the emotional geography of the Arab Latin diaspora into thoughtful, kinetic expression.

We sit down with Tala Mortada to discuss all things art and design in this wonderful space...

Can you walk us through the different artworks featured at Soul Kitchen and what inspired their selection?

We are very proud to host semi-permanent installations on our walls, showcasing tapestries from around the world. 

It began with a collaboration with Iwan Maktabi, featuring works by cc-tapis and David Nicolas, among other talented artists. We are also collaborating with Jaipur Rugs, presenting an organic, colourful tapestry collection. With every collaboration, we make a point of acquiring one piece as a keepsake from each exhibition - objects that mark different chapters of Soul Kitchen’s evolving story.

How did you choose the designers and artists whose pieces are displayed in the restaurant?

We showcase the work of talented designers from the region whose approach carries the same edge and flair as Soul Kitchen itself. 

Their pieces live across the space - on our shelves, walls, bars, and in unexpected corners throughout the restaurant. So far, we have featured works by Hussein Bazaza, Hamza Mekdad, Paola Sakr, Omar El Gurg, and Lea Chatila, among others. 

One of our permanent installations is the Rumi Dalle piece suspended from the ceiling, which tells the story of Lebanese artisans who have scattered their feathers across the world while searching for a way beyond home.

The artwork and design behind the bar is a major focal point. Can you talk us through its story?

This kinetic installation is a collaboration between myself and Hamza Mekdad. It tells the story of endlessly migrating birds, symbolising the Lebanese diaspora and the repeated waves of people leaving the country amid ongoing turmoil. At Soul Kitchen, we also trace the journey to South America and the beautiful culinary discoveries that emerged when Latin American and Levantine cuisines met stories of adaptation, survival and creativity.

Are there any behind-the-scenes stories or funny moments from commissioning or installing the artwork?

We arrived at the final bird illustration after a lot of back and forth. Between my sister, Hamza, and myself, it took time to reach that “aha” moment. We knew exactly what we wanted conceptually, but it didn’t take shape instantly - until suddenly, it did.

Which piece is your personal favourite and why does it stand out to you?

I have different feelings towards each piece. The temporary works feel like beautiful visitors passing through. The cc-tapis wing designed by Martin Ceular, which we recently acquired from Iwan Maktabi, is especially meaningful - it was the very first piece we ever hung. 

The Rumi Dalle commission is mesmerising and weightless, floating in the green room and elevating the space. And the bird installation I created with Hamza is deeply personal - it carries our shared history, emotion and intent.

Visit: soulkitchendxb.com