VAGA by 4SPACE Design brings time-traveling fantasy to Dubai

In the heart of Dubai’s vibrant Bluewaters Island, a new dining destination is challenging conventional restaurant design by blending two distinct cultural narratives into a single, enchanting space. VAGA Restaurant and Bar, conceptualised and brought to life by 4SPACE, transforms the dining experience into a magical journey inspired by a time-traveling vagabond’s adventures through Armenia and Arabia.

The two-story establishment, positioned with stunning views of Ain Dubai—the world’s largest Ferris wheel—and the iconic Jumeirah Beach Residences coastline, represents more than just another addition to Dubai’s dynamic culinary scene. It embodies a carefully crafted narrative that begins the moment guests step through its doors.

A Tale of Two Cultures

The restaurant’s design narrative follows an imaginative concept—a magical vagabond who traverses time and space, collecting rare ingredients and experiences from both ancient Urartu lands and modern Arabia. This storytelling approach is reflected in every design element, from the ground floor’s Armenian influences to the first floor’s Arabic inspiration.

The ground level welcomes diners with four exclusive pods situated beneath the restaurant’s most striking feature: a dramatic chandelier composed of cascading metallic rings. Each ring bears intricate decorations featuring the Vannic alphabet—an extinct Hurro-Urartian language once spoken in the ancient kingdom of Urartu. Theatrical blue lighting bathes the installation, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that reinforces the nomadic theme.

Design That Tells a Story

4SPACE’s attention to authenticity shines through in their material choices. The internal walls feature red tuff stone, with exquisite volcanic ash stone slabs imported directly from Armenia. These orange-hued stones, reminiscent of traditional Armenian architecture, create a warm backdrop that contrasts beautifully with the modern turquoise and grey furnishings.

The upper floor houses an impressive central bar where VAGA truly comes alive. A resident DJ commands a rotating booth, while a secret speakeasy room—accessed through an antique red Arabic wooden door—offers an additional layer of intrigue. The rippled steel ceiling creates an illusion of an upside-down parallel world, further enhancing the time-travel narrative.

Modern Comfort Meets Ancient Mystery

Spread across 650 square meters (400 on the ground floor and 250 on the first floor), VAGA offers three distinct terrace spaces. One provides views of JBR beach and Ain Dubai, while two temperature-controlled indoor terraces ensure year-round comfort—a crucial consideration in Dubai’s climate.

The restaurant successfully bridges past and present, tradition and innovation, through thoughtful design elements. Copper and black marble tables surrounded by alternating copper-upholstered and turquoise-grey chairs create a harmonious blend of contemporary comfort and historical reverence.

In creating VAGA, 4SPACE has achieved something remarkable—a space that doesn’t merely serve food but tells a story, creating an immersive experience that transcends typical dining expectations.

FACT FILE

Typology: Restaurant & Bar

Location: Bluewaters Island, Dubai

Area: Ground floor – 400 square metres, First floor – 250 square metres

Contractor: PNMC

Designers: 4SPACE Design