Meet Prod

Prod Antzoulis is a Cypriot-born, Dubai-raised photographer and creative director known for his nostalgic aesthetic and deep reverence for culture. He shoots exclusively on film – a choice that reflects his love for slowing things down and finding beauty in the everyday. His work, heavily inspired by Middle Eastern textures and stories, has landed him collaborations with global names like Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Amina Muaddi. Beyond the lens, Prod is passionate about building community and exploring the city’s soulful corners — the kind that don’t always show up on the map.

Prod’s Top Spots

Hyperlocal caught up with Prod Antzoulis, in the midst of a busy shooting season, at the quaint Nomad Day Bar inside 25hours Hotel — a place he proudly calls his second home. In this insider guide, Prod opens up about why City Walk is his favorite neighborhood in Dubai, where he finds creative inspiration, and his go-to spots to unwind, explore, and get active.

Dubai Creek

View place – River in Dubai

“This area has a lot of culture. For me, anything past the Dubai frame is what I love. That's where I find my inspiration and culture.”

Dubai Creek is where the city breathes history. Long before the skyscrapers and the yachts, this is where trade boats once docked and families gathered. For Prod, the Creek is a grounding space—a stretch of water that mirrors the depth of Dubai’s roots. It’s a place to slow down, reconnect, and absorb the authenticity that inspires his art.

AnalogTheRoom

View place – Photography Center in Dubai

“I love this vintage camera shop. It's the first ever vintage camera store in Dubai.”

Stepping into AnalogTheRoom feels like stepping into a time capsule. The scent of aged leather camera straps, shelves of film canisters, and vintage lenses line the walls. For Prod—who swears by analog—this place isn’t just a shop, it’s a temple. A creative haven where stories begin through grainy textures and timeless machines.

Textile Wholesale Market, Bur Dubai

View place – Traditional Market in Dubai

“I'll go there if I want to zone out for about six, seven hours. I'll go there, buy a lot of fabric, go to my tailor, do fittings, and just explore. So one thing to know about me as well is that I make a lot of my own clothes. I like to repurpose things.”

Imagine aisles and alleys overflowing with color, texture, and possibility—that’s the textile market in Bur Dubai. This is where Prod gets lost, intentionally. It’s a meditative ritual: selecting bold prints, imagining new silhouettes, and collaborating with his tailor. It’s DIY, it’s fashion, it’s storytelling stitched into every thread.

Al Reef Lebanese Restaurant & Grill

View place – Restaurant in Dubai

“This is somewhere we used to go literally almost every day growing up. It's an OG spot. You go here for Manaeesh (Lebanese flatbread). It's the best Manaeesh that you'll ever have. They had multiple locations, I used to go to the one in Jumeirah.”

Some places never change—and that’s what makes them sacred. Al Reef is a cornerstone of Prod’s childhood. It’s where flavors evoke memories and the Manaeesh tastes exactly like it did years ago: warm, soft, crispy in all the right ways. A casual neighborhood joint with legacy baked into every bite.

Seva Experience

View place – Wellness Center in Dubai

“This is where I go for meditation and yoga. This is a really nice wellness spot, and they have a nice cafe as well.”

Nestled in a quiet villa surrounded by greenery, Seva is the wellness hideaway where Prod realigns. Yoga under banyan trees, candlelit meditation sessions, and meals that heal from the inside out—it’s a full-body reset. The adjoining café offers plant-based nourishment in a space that whispers peace.

Flat12 Café

View place– Café in Dubai

“Basically the only café in Dubai that has supercars and coffee. So in my work, you'll notice I love photographing subjects with cars. So sometimes I love to just go there and get inspired, have my coffee and observe these cars. I love this place.”

Where caffeine meets horsepower—Flat12 Café is an adrenaline-fueled haven for motorheads and creatives alike. For Prod, it's part coffee break, part visual playground. Between sips of espresso, he draws inspiration from the sleek lines and vintage curves of supercars parked in style. It's not just about the machines, it’s about movement.

The Arts Club Dubai

View place – Social Club in Dubai

“It's my secret escape. It's when I get to go have a fancy lunch or dinner... It's similar to Soho House but more chic. The people who are handling art and culture are very on point, they do exhibitions and host talks. I really respect that.”

A little glam, a lot of soul—The Arts Club is Prod’s elegant escape. A place for hushed conversations over oysters, but also for diving deep into the city’s growing cultural scene. With curated exhibitions, thought-provoking panels, and an artistic curation that never feels forced, it’s where Dubai’s creative elite converge.

City Walk

View place – Mall in Dubai

“It's my home, I love my neighborhood. I live in City Walk. This is also where I am based for my work and where I'll launch my studio space in the near future. It's honestly a great area that I would recommend people to stay when they visit Dubai.”

For Prod, City Walk is more than a postcode—it’s his canvas. The neighborhood pulses with energy and innovation, with concept stores, art walls, and sleek cafes lining every corner. It’s walkable, photogenic, and alive. Soon, it will also house his creative studio—a physical extension of the world he’s building.

25hours Hotel, One Central

View place – Hotel in Dubai

“This is the hotel I always feel home at, it's a great place for me to meet interesting people and chill. I'm actually a member here, and honestly they've done an amazing job building the community and organizing different art exhibitions and events."

Eclectic, artsy, and warm—25hours is the creative’s hotel. It’s where Prod recharges and reconnects. With communal spaces that double as event venues and exhibition galleries, it blurs the line between work and play. The Nomad Day Bar downstairs? That’s his living room.

Bu Qtair Restaurant

CLOSE – Restaurant in Dubai

“It's a hole in the wall fish restaurant that's been around for a while. They literally put fish on aluminium foil and you're just like feasting on them. They get fresh fish every day.”

No frills, just flavors. Bu Qtair is the definition of a hidden gem. A plastic-chair, fish-on-foil kind of spot that delivers on taste and nostalgia. It’s where the sea meets the spice rack, and where Prod goes to feast like a local, away from the glitter.

Al Qudra Lake

View place – Lake in Dubai

“I would go here for wildlife and camping. This is also a nice biking track.”

Desert silence, mirrored waters, and flocks of flamingos—Al Qudra is nature’s antidote to city life. It’s where Prod goes to unplug. Whether he’s on two wheels or under the stars, the serenity and scale of this man-made lake remind him there’s still wildness in Dubai.

XVA Art Hotel

View place – Hotel in Dubai

“First of all, it's the location. It’s very secluded and you get to experience being surrounded by art. Oh yeah, this is definitely a very very nice spot, one of my favourite hotels in Dubai.”

XVA is a hidden labyrinth of art, color, and calm in the heart of Al Fahidi Historical District. For Prod, it’s a transportive experience—each courtyard and corridor tells a different story. A blend of gallery, boutique hotel, and café, it’s where creativity breathes easy.

Beach Parking at Sunset Mall

View place – Beach in Dubai

“This is where I'd go 6am in the morning... In the winter, I would walk there, it's a nice 30-min walk in the morning from my home at City Walk.”

As the sun peeks over the Gulf, Prod starts his day at this hidden beach spot. It’s not crowded, not flashy—just golden sand, gentle waves, and quietude. It’s his sanctuary for morning walks, reflection, and the kind of silence that artists crave before the noise begins.

Teible

View place – Restaurant in Dubai

“There is this restaurant called Teible, and it's amazing... everything is sourced locally, it's a gastronomical concept. On top of that they ferment their own vegetables in house.”

Teible is where food meets philosophy. With a constantly evolving seasonal menu and a farm attached to the kitchen, the restaurant is a masterclass in sustainability. For Prod, it’s not just about taste—it’s about intention. It’s where you eat slow, think deep, and leave inspired.

HAPI

View place – Ice Cream Spot in Dubai

“It's literally one of my favourite spots for lunch and the park that it's in is literally my favourite too... I literally eat here easily four times a week.”

Nestled in the heart of Al Khazzan Park, HAPI is more than a cafe—it’s a lifestyle. Wholesome meals, dreamy ice cream, and a vibe that invites you to linger. For Prod, it’s lunch, therapy, and a dose of happiness rolled into one leafy escape.

Cinema Akil

View place – Cinema in Dubai

“That's the only independent cinema we have here in Dubai. I love it so much, really good stuff.”

A single-screen sanctuary for real cinema lovers, Cinema Akil is where foreign films, documentaries, and indie gems find their spotlight. For Prod, this is cultural gold. The curated experience, retro charm, and community atmosphere remind him why storytelling matters.

Jumeirah

View place – Neighborhood in Dubai

“To get the full Prod vibe, you have to stay by the beach. It's all about Jumeirah, where we were born and raised. Literally, the roots of Dubai are based here in Jumeirah.”

It all began in Jumeirah. The sea breeze, the sandy streets, and the sense of community shaped who Prod is. For him, it’s more than a neighborhood—it’s his origin story. To know him is to walk these streets, soak in the salt air, and feel the creative pulse that shaped his youth.

Where to Stay:

25hours Dubai One Central

“I always feel at home here. 25 Hours is a great place for me to meet interesting people and relax. I'm actually a member here, and it's more than a hotel—it has done an amazing job building a community and organizing various art exhibitions and events.”

Featuring: Prod Antzoulis

Cypriot Photographer & Creative Director

Prod is a Cypriot photographer and creative director, raised in Dubai, whose aesthetic is rooted in Middle Eastern influences. A purist at heart, he shoots exclusively on analogue and turned his passion into a full-fledged career in 2016. Since then, he's collaborated with iconic brands like Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Amina Muaddi, all while continuing to spotlight stories through his distinctive lens.

Check out Prod’s Instagram (link here)