It’s not charity, it’s principle
Despite a wave of desperate messages from some musicians offering to perform for any amount, Ramchandani and his team were firm, they would not take advantage.
“We had people messaging saying they would work for anything, but we didn’t do that. We set up a budget for the entire month, it’s not 100 per cent of what they’re used to, but it’s 70 per cent, around Dh1,000 a day, and it’s funded by us.”
The response was immediate and at times, deeply personal. “One musician told us he had a ten-month-old child and that this would help cover his rent.”
For Ramchandani, his business was built on community, on bringing people together to support small, independent restaurants. Extending that same spirit to the city’s local music scene felt like a natural next step.
Passing it forward – why established artists are bringing others into the room
One of those voices belonged to Mohammad Al Zarooni, an Emirati singer-songwriter who works as an HR professional and, in his free time, fronts indie pop and rock outfit Zarooni Sound Society. Al Zarooni has been pursuing music seriously for two years.
He discovered the initiative the way many do these days – mid-scroll. “I stumbled upon a video of the Neighbourhood Food Hall’s open call,” he said.
“I thought it was an amazing initiative, blending breakfast with support for local artists. So I messaged them, and Nicky responded.”
But for Al Zarooni, it wasn’t just about his own performance. It was about passing it on, spreading the word to emerging artists like Lana, who were equally in need of exposure.
“There are a lot of talented local musicians and artists in the UAE who need this right now,” he said. “They get to showcase their talent, their songwriting and make a little income that had been set back.”
A community where everyone wins
For those tempted to read it as a marketing exercise, Ramchandani is quick to set the record straight. “My whole goal is to create a community where everyone wins,” he said.
“The goal is not only to provide these artists with a gig, but also to give them exposure. The customers are happy, our restaurants are happy, everyone wins in the end.”
Ramchandani is candid about his position. His business was not hit as hard as others, the majority of his customers are local residents, which gave the food hall a stability that many venues lacked.
But that didn’t mean they were untouched. In the early days, sourcing certain imported ingredients became a challenge, alternatives had to be found quickly, and yet, raising prices on their customers was never on the table.
“We have a strong community that supports us and shows up for us,” he said.
Dubai doesn’t just recover, it returns louder
Every city weathers its share of storms. What defines it is not the challenge itself but how it rises to meet one and for Nicky Ramchandani, Dubai has never failed that test.
He has spent two decades in the city’s restaurant industry and lived through his fair share of failures, but his belief in the city has never wavered.