From Wagyu grills to street-style creations, CarniStore brings back its chef-led food festival celebrating bold flavours, live cooking, and community in Dubai.
If you’ve spent enough time in Dubai, you know the city loves a good food festival. But every now and then, something comes along that feels a little less polished, a little more real—and a lot more fun. That’s exactly where CarniVibes fits in.
Returning this April, CarniVibes: Curbside Alchemy Vol. 4 is taking over Alserkal Avenue on Saturday, April 11, from 4 PM to 9 PM. And if you’re into bold flavours, open-fire cooking, and chefs letting loose outside the structure of a formal kitchen, this is one to mark on your calendar.
Created by CarniStore, the event has quietly built a loyal following over the past few editions. The idea is refreshingly simple: take premium cuts, cook them over open flames, and let chefs do what they do best—without overthinking it. The result? Food that feels instinctive, expressive, and just a bit rebellious.
This edition brings together a strong mix of chefs who each bring a completely different energy to the grill.
Robin Hoefer leans into his European fine dining roots but isn’t afraid to play. Expect dishes like wagyu beef maultasche in a Sichuan-style oxtail broth, alongside layered beef skewers paired with tzatziki and pickled cabbage.
From Khadak, Naved Nasir brings his signature bold, street-inspired South Asian flavours. Think chicken chakna rolls and a turkey raan burger finished with cranberry chutney and cheddar—comfort food, but dialled up.
Then there’s Solemann Haddad of Moonrise, known for pushing boundaries. His take includes a loomi burger made with dry-aged Angus, along with grilled cheese bites layered with aged parmesan and black garlic—simple ideas, executed with serious precision.
Rounding things out, Omar Basiouny from Baoli brings a Mediterranean edge, with dishes like a 12-hour wagyu short rib and kimchi-glazed spit-roasted lamb.
But CarniVibes isn’t just about what’s on the plate. It’s the atmosphere that makes it click. There’s music curated by DJ Shef Codes and Gaurav “GT” Thakur, blending laid-back cookout beats with a feel-good energy that carries through the evening.
And importantly, it’s not trying to be exclusive. Families are part of the experience too, with a kids’ corner by Strawberry Fields, so it’s just as easy to drop by with friends as it is to make it a relaxed weekend outing.
What makes CarniVibes stand out, though, is what it says about Dubai right now. This isn’t about competition or perfectly plated dishes—it’s about collaboration, creativity, and chefs stepping out of their usual spaces to connect directly with people. No barriers, no pretense.
Entry is free, and you pay as you eat—so you can wander, try a bit of everything, and stay as long (or as little) as you like.
If you’re looking for something that captures the city’s evolving food culture—less formal, more flavour-driven—this is it.
