Al Rahba’s roadside shade becomes a beloved karak stop under the trees

Located near the BAPS Mandir at Al Rahba, the area was originally a government-maintained plot that few noticed. Over time, people began pulling over to walk in the shade. When staff at the adjacent Food Mania Restaurant saw guests lingering, they placed two chairs beneath a tree. Word spread through Instagram, and the spot gained a reputation as a hidden gem of the capital.

A pause on the journey

Rahul K. K., a sales manager who works in Dubai, first came with his cousin during the quiet morning or soft evening light. “I work in Dubai, but on my journey back home after work, I take the same route. Evening, we make a pit stop for our tea, and that is how I came here first,” he said. The atmosphere, he added, is something anyone would enjoy: “It’s a great place, that’s why I brought my family too.”

Nadeer K. Karimamkandam, supervisor at Food Mania Restaurant, said the site has been maintained for nearly 16 years. Municipal workers tend the trees and collect litter daily. He recalled that when the trees were first planted they were little more than low shrubs, thin enough to pass without notice. Now their branches spread wide enough to shade the entire corner.

“People come here in every climate. In summer they sit here during the evening, and even in night. One concern was the lack of light; we are planning to get that sorted too,” Nadeer said.

From temple visitors to family outings

The spot became more popular after the BAPS temple opened nearby. Visitors would make a final stop at the restaurant, and more people began spending time under the canopy. “Because of the canopy, the birds come here and settle,” Nadeer said, noting that white-eared bulbuls now dominate the trees. A team of three municipal employees keeps the area clean, and drip irrigation lines run beneath each tree, with water basins around them.

With winter approaching, Nadeer expects visitor numbers to rise. “Most of the visitors here are families now,” he said. Fridays are the busiest, drawing people of different nationalities for a walk after a hearty meal. “We put the chairs here, for the visitors, we add more if a group of visitors want to enjoy the space here,” he added.

A digital discovery turned real escape

Shanoob Beeravu, an IT controller from Abu Dhabi, walked beneath the canopy holding his seven-year-old son, Ihan, who was searching the branches for squirrels. “I’m on my way to Dubai for the weekend, and this was a pit stop for brunch.” He found the spot on social media, where influencers had highlighted it as a place to enjoy karak. For Shanoob, the appeal is the chance to step away from screens and spend time outdoors on the city’s outskirts. “Day after day, we are spending hours in front of the computer screen and going through emails,” he said. “This place of greenery, with a cup of tea is nice,” he added, watching his son enjoy nature as much as he did.

To young Ihan, the spot felt like a jungle where an animal might appear at any moment. Close to the highway, it feels more like a pause on a journey than a destination. Shanoob said visitors can find the green space at Al Rahba, at the first roundabout exit near the BAPS Mandir. With affordable food nearby and a calm atmosphere for a weekend break, it is “best for families to enjoy”, he said.

On a lucky day, one can also spot a few gazelles walking along the trail, sunbathing in the space.