Ibn Battuta Mall, the Dubai shopping centre famous for its themed courts modelled on the travels of the 14th-century explorer, is getting a serious refresh. Roxy Cinemas is set to take over the screens vacated by Novo Cinemas, anchoring a wider rollout of 38 new and upcoming openings. Twenty-one of those are already trading, with the rest due by 2027.
The cinema is the headline act for anyone who pairs a shopping day with a movie. Roxy hasn't confirmed which screen tiers will feature at this location, but its portfolio elsewhere in the UAE ranges from standard Bronze and Silver auditoriums up to Gold, the plush Roxy Platinum format, and Roxy Xtreme, home to the biggest cinema screen in the Middle East and North Africa. Whatever lands at Ibn Battuta, expect current blockbusters from around the world in an upgrade on the old setup.
Families get something to look forward to as well. Hopa Loopa Entertainment arrives next year and is being billed as a major new leisure attraction for kids and parents alike, adding to the mall's credentials as more than just a retail stop.
Food is a big part of the refresh too. Peet's Coffee, Ocean Basket, Asia Kitchen and Smoothie Factory are all opening in the coming months, following recent arrivals like Five Guys and Caribou Coffee. That's a decent spread of quick options between shops, whether you're after a coffee hit, a seafood fix or something pan-Asian.
On the retail and services side, Australian pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse is adding another Dubai branch here, while eyewear brand OWNDAYS and Puzzle Supplements are on the way. A wave of practical openings rounds it out: banking from ADCB, plus healthcare, education and professional services through Amit Care, Doctor M, Melodica and Desco.
Why does this matter to travellers? Ibn Battuta sits in the Jebel Ali area near the Dubai Metro's Red Line, handy if you're staying in the Marina or heading out towards the Palm or Abu Dhabi. It has long been one of the city's more interesting malls simply for its décor, and this wave of openings gives it a fresh reason to slot into a Dubai itinerary, especially for families hunting a rainy-day (or escape-the-heat) combo of shopping, food, cinema and entertainment.
