Alkebulan is a vibrant showcase of African culture, where culinary traditions, design, and music come together in an immersive experience.  

As the world’s first African dining hall of its kind, uniquely realised within a multi-level, multi-purpose space, Alkebulan beautifully showcases the richness and diversity of pan-African culture through a captivating fusion of cuisine, design, and music.  
 
Curated in partnership with acclaimed chef Alexander Smalls, Alkebulan is a destination, concept, and movement that brings together the African diaspora to celebrate a shared heritage through the rich and authentic storytelling of food. 

First launched at Expo 2020 Dubai in October 2021, it symbolises the global appeal of African cuisine, embracing the growing interest in African gourmet and ingredients. As an elevated, experiential concept set within a diverse, creative, and flexible space, it invites guests to engage actively with the community.  

The Brief 

 
Alkebulan was envisioned as a celebration of continent’s rich culinary heritage, artistry, and cultural expression.  

More than just a dining hall, the aim was to create an immersive destination where food, music, art, and storytelling merge, offering guests a sensory journey through Africa’s vibrant traditions and contemporary innovations. 

TGP International played a pivotal role in shaping Alkebulan’s brand identity and operational strategy, ensuring scalability and long-term impact. The mission was to develop and launch a globally appealing concept while staying true to Africa’s regional diversity and deep-rooted traditions.   

Balancing heritage with modernity, every element-from the menu to the design was crafted to be both culturally resonant and universally accessible with a vision that extended beyond just cuisine—positioning Alkebulan as an experiential space reshaping the global narrative of African creativity, influence, and culinary excellence.  

The goal was to bring together renowned chefs and brands that could authentically flourish within the food hall model, representing the continent’s culinary depth and diversity. Among them, Chef Kiran Jethwa’s Seven Seafood & Grill introduced a fresh take on African coastal cuisine, demonstrating how heritage recipes could be elevated for a global audience. 

Each chef-driven concept was designed to feel distinct yet connected, contributing to a cohesive and world-class dining experience. Through thoughtful planning and expert curation, TGP International expanded on the food hall model to develop a destination that felt both dynamic and immersive. 

The CONCEPT

Inspired by the ancestral African village, Alkebulan is a space of gathering, storytelling, and community transformed into a modern, dynamic platform showcasing African chefs, artists, and creatives.

Collaboratively developed by James Beard Award-winning chef Alexander Smalls, Alkebulan highlights the natural intersections of African, Asian and American culinary traditions, rather than creating a forced fusion.

We had the pleasure of working with Chef Smalls to cultivate a space that honours the resilience and ingenuity of Black and Brown voices, forging a vibrant and evolving culinary landscape.

Responding to global dining trends, Alkebulan reimagines the food hall concept as a multi-purpose cultural hub, mirroring the dynamic marketplaces of Africa. Since its launch at Expo City Dubai in October 2021, it has become a modern gathering space, embracing cultural significance, social connectivity, and global curiosity. 

Designing alkebulan

Spanning 2,400 square meters, Alkebulan was designed to immerse guests in the essence of African culture, blending culinary excellence, visual storytelling, and interactive experiences into a single, cohesive space. TGP International led the design and development, with graphics, interior design, and advisory teams shaping the spatial experience, while Chef Alexander Smalls partnered on F&B curation and industry guidance. The result is a setting that bridges heritage with contemporary expression, where every texture, colour, and motif carries meaning, transforming dining into a cultural connection.

The interior design draws from African patterns, textured walls, and artisanal craftsmanship to create a multi-sensory experience. Art installations, traditional drums, woven textiles, and graffiti were intentionally incorporated to reinforce Alkebulan’s identity as a vibrant cultural hub, fully immersing guests in Africa’s diverse heritage.

To evoke a sense of tradition and continuity, the design narrative incorporates elements inspired by tribal art, wildlife, and landscapes, seamlessly blending iconic African motifs, bold patterns, and textured surfaces. These influences are reflected in culturally significant spaces like Bar Cane and The Chicken Coop, ensuring that storytelling is woven into the very fabric of the environment.

Alkebulan’s deep connection to its roots is evident in its material choices, where industrial elements intersect with organic materials—locally sourced wood, stone, and fishing nets—highlighting Africa’s natural harmony between tradition and modernity. Soft, flowing shapes and layered textures echo the rolling desert dunes, lush forests, and coastal terrain that define the continent’s geography. The earthy warmth of the colour palette, punctuated by vibrant accents, creates an environment that is welcoming, energetic, and rich with cultural depth. 

The ten culinary concepts within Alkebulan, led by renowned African chefs, showcase the continent’s rich gastronomic diversity. Guests can experience the smoky richness of grilled meats at Choma BBQ, the aromatic spice blends of Shoebox, and specialties from Afro Street Eatery and Sweet Ophelia’s, all complemented by African-inspired craft cocktails from Alkebulan’s bar offerings, including the inventive creations at Jiko Cocktails. The open kitchen format enhances engagement, inviting diners to witness the craft and passion behind each dish. Beyond the plate, Alkebulan serves as a platform for African talent, where chefs, mixologists, and culinary innovators share their stories, flavours, and ideas with the world.

Alkebulan’s highly dynamic, modular space extends its experience beyond dining, incorporating multiple zones for bars, entertainment, and industry gatherings. Designed to adapt throughout the day, it shifts from a bustling food hall into a lively nightlife venue, featuring live music, DJ performances, and cultural showcases. Its flexible layout makes it a sought-after destination for industry events, social gatherings, and creative collaborations, offering an environment where the energy of African culture can be experienced in multiple ways, beyond just food. This adaptability ensures that each visit to Alkebulan offers something fresh, reinforcing its role as a cultural and social landmark. 

BRAND PERSONALITY AND IDENTITY

Alkebulan’s brand identity is built on authenticity, inclusivity, and cultural celebration. Its visual identity harmonises modern aesthetics with traditional African motifs, resulting in a brand that feels both contemporary and deeply connected to its heritage. 

The logo, featuring a broken lozenge icon, represents the journey into African social dining, welcoming guests into a rich, communal experience.  

British Nigerian designer Samson Soboye, in collaboration with SOBOYE, created custom wax-print and visually striking uniforms, strengthening cultural relevance and aligning well with Alkebulan’s brand ethos.  

Extending the brand experience, The Book Nook & Retail Shop allows guests to take a piece of Alkebulan home. Curated African cookbooks offer insights into regional recipes, traditions, and stories, reinforcing the ongoing cultural dialogue between guests and the brand.  

IMPACT

Since opening at Expo 2020, Alkebulan has become a landmark destination for food lovers, creatives and cultural enthusiasts.

Honoured by the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, its success has paved the way for similar concepts, setting a precedent for how African cuisine and culture can be celebrated on a global scale. 

As Alexander Smalls says, “Alkebulan is more than a dining hall—it’s a movement.”  

Alkebulan continues to spark conversations around the importance of recognising African cuisine’s role in global food culture, while providing a platform for the African diaspora to showcase their talents.  

TEAM RECOGNITION

Bringing together expertise from across the company, Nichola Beskine-Taylor, Gabriel Murray, Jemina Louise Adewole, Florentina Tsakiri, Ryan Waddell, and Vinoth Mudaliar played a pivotal role in shaping the design, ensuring cultural authenticity, material innovation, and spatial storytelling to create a venue that delivers a cohesive and immersive guest experience