This New Cafe, Indoor Farm, and Community Space Deserves a Spot on Your Summer Restaurant List
Step into The Growhouse by One Life at Alserkal Avenue, where a transformative experience awaits that truly takes you back to your roots. This innovative space combines elements of community, sustainability, and farm-to-table dining. With its unique approach and local flair, The Growhouse is not just a cafe but a vibrant hub for all who seek a genuine connection to food and community.
Necip Camcigil, the visionary behind One Life, explains that The Growhouse represents an organic evolution of their brand. The partnership with Alserkal Avenue demanded innovation and creativity, leading to a fresh concept that aligns perfectly with its vibrant community. “One Life was never going to be a franchise-chain-esque concept,” he emphasizes, highlighting that each location possesses a distinctive charm.
Previous efforts to cultivate produce at their D3 branch during the pandemic motivated Camcigil and Chef Kelvin Kelly to embrace this opportunity to create a meaningful farm-to-table experience. With newfound purpose, they have breathed new life into their vision.
Thus, The Growhouse came to life, nestled within an industrial-chic environment featuring a regenerative biodiversity farm and an expansive kitchen considerably larger than its sister locations. This space serves as the catering headquarters for the brand and embodies a commitment to sustainable practices.
Visitors are welcomed by a spacious and airy atmosphere, retaining the warehouse’s original charm with its concrete walls, high ceilings, and exposed vents. Vibrant posters from neighboring Cinema Akil’s events adorn the walls, while striking red handpumps sit amid lush greenery, inviting guests to wash their hands as generations before them used to.
Collaborating with UAE-based sustainable solutions provider LetitGRO, The Growhouse is leveraging horticultural expertise to enhance its agricultural aspirations, while The Waste Lab will assist in transforming food waste into valuable resources. The Growhouse is not just about dining; it serves as a community hub, hosting workshops and events focused on sustainability, food, and wellness.
The Food
The culinary philosophy at One Life has always centered on fresh, sustainable ingredients, and with its indoor farm, The Growhouse embodies this ethos in the truest sense. This is real zero-mile, farm-to-table dining, showcased through an open kitchen that allows patrons to witness the magic unfold. A delightful array of scents wafts through the air, enticing diners well before their dishes arrive, featuring exclusive offerings unique to Alserkal.
Also on offer is a salad bowl filled with pasta, beetroot, cherry tomatoes, and kale, showcasing the bounty of greens, along with exceptional coffee to complete the meal. Camcigil’s journey also reflects a personal awakening from a demanding corporate life to a mission that nourishes his soul. As he shares the inspiration behind the name “One Life,” he reveals, “After nine years in corporate, I decided I was going to take my one life and do something with it that nourishes me.”
The Growhouse exemplifies its mission through its diverse offerings and inclusive atmosphere. The space buzzes with a sense of community as patrons immerse themselves in work or leisure—typing away on laptops, enjoying conversations over coffee, and embracing the slower pace of life. After all, it’s about savoring your one and only life.