40 amazing cafes and coffee shops in Dubai

Cosy hidden gem Apricot is worth seeking out. Found in the Arabian surrounds of Souk Al Manzil, the green foliage and calm atmosphere is a welcome addition to Dubai’s cafe collection. The affordable menu features authentic Mediterranean dishes and a great selection of baked goods to pair with a freshly brewed coffee.

Apricot, Souk Manzil, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, daily 8am to 10pm. @apricotdubai

Arabian Tea House

Having welcomed visitors to experience true Emirati hospitality for more than 20 years, Arabian Tea House is firmly established on Dubai’s cafe scene. The original Arabian Tea House is located in the historic Al Fahidi district, and its design hasn’t changed since it opened in 1997, which only adds to the allure: think turquoise benches, white rattan chairs, lace curtains and beautiful flowers. Be sure to order a cup of gahwa (traditional Arabic coffee) as you soak up the surroundings. There’s now three branches across the UAE: with another teahouse in Jumeirah and a third in Sharjah.

Arabian Tea House, Al Fahidi Street, Bur Dubai, 7am to 11pm daily. Tel: (04) 353 5071, arabianteahouse.com

Arrows and Sparrows

This pet-friendly cafe in The Greens quickly packs out with local residents and dog-walkers on the weekends, all here to enjoy one of the colourful bowls or eggs cooked half a dozen ways. There’s a focus on wholesome, healthy dishes, with menu items such as scrambled eggs with wild mushrooms and the green breakfast bowl, but there’s more indulgent options too including a stack of oreo pancakes or a colourful French toast. The seating is mostly inside, although a handful of tables by the entrance allow you to sip your coffee alfresco when the weather permits.

Arrows and Sparrows, Emaar Business Park, The Greens, 9am to 6pm daily, Tel: (04) 558 8141, arrowsparrows.com

Bohox

Tasting menus, viral croissants, all-day breakfasts… there’s lots of reasons to love this all-day eatery in Downtown Dubai. BohoX should be your go-to destination for all-day breakfast cravings, afternoon indulgences, pet-friendly adventures, winter retreats, and exquisite business lunches, all served up in a boho-chic environment.

BohoX, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, daily 9am to 1am. @thebohox

Brew Café

With consistently superb coffee, it is no shock that this peaceful coffee house is a popular spot. Its simple white aesthetic offers a place of calm and tranquillity in the heart of Umm Suqeim 2. You’ll find delicious matcha on their menu which guests can enjoy on the terrace and soak in the laid-back atmosphere of Jumeirah Beach Road.

Brew Café, Umm Suqeim, Dubai, daily 6.30am to 10.30pm,@brewcafeuae

Bounty Beets

An Instagrammers paradise, few can enter Bounty Beets without taking a snap next to the ‘Hello Beautiful’ wall at this girly cafe. There’s angel wings hand painted on the walls, a blossom tree in the middle, and a lush terrace in the garden where you can bring along your four-legged friends. There’s daily breakfast deals, as well as a healthy ladies’ night, and a mid-week happy hour that gets you two-for-one on healthy cocktails.

Bounty Beets, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina – Dubai, 8am to 10pm daily. Tel: (04) 511 7373, bountybeets.com

Brunch and Cake

If you go to Brunch and Cake on the weekend, prepare to queue: this is one of the most popular cafes in Dubai. But if you do withstand the crowds, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful interiors, picturesque views and a tasty menu of all-day eats. There’s now two branches in Dubai: Al Wasl and Jumeirah Park, all of which boast that signature Insta-worthy decor and a menu of dishes that include the Breakkie pizza, pulled beef benny and Nutella French toast.

Brunch and Cake, Wasl 51 and Jumeirah Park, opening times vary. Tel: (800) 4726362, brunchandcake.com

Boston Lane

Tucked away in an unsuspecting corner of Alserkal Avenue is The Courtyard, a quaint strip of concept stores and cafes with a pretty courtyard and a fountain in the center. Among the top coffee spots here is Boston Lane, a cafe of earthy tones and baby pinks that serves up one of the tastiest toasties in Dubai.

Boston Lane, Courtyard, Al Quoz, 8am to 7pm daily. Tel: (058) 517 2131, @bostonlane.dubai

bkry

An Alserkal Avenue outpost, bkry has taken Dubai by storm. All over everybody’s social media channels with lines out the back door. They serve up an incredible story where everything is made in-house, from the butter to the flour – all of their ingredients are either homemade or locally sourced. Order the cheese croissant or the almond croissant and thank us later.

bkry, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, open daily 8am to 10pm. @bkry.space

Casette

Cassette can be found in Al Quoz’s cute Courtyard, which deserves an accolade all of its own for Instagramability. The space is, unsurprisingly, dedicated to music which is evident in its design, carefully chosen playlist and special corner with old vinyls. The breakfast options are healthy, nutritious and creative, although we think you can’t go wrong with the classic avo smash on toast.

Cassette, The Courtyard, Al Quoz, Dubai, daily 8am to 6pm. Tel: (04) 349 1966. @cassettedxb

Cafe Peloton

Expect a diverse range of breakfast options with their breakfast burger, masala eggs and tahini honey take on French toast. Café Peloton is a hub for the cycling community, and the ideal spot to meet more cycle-loving friends. Their organized social rides are a great opportunity to immerse yourself into the community, offering something for every level of cyclist.

52 Al Bailee Street, Jumeirah 3, Dubai, Mon to Fri 7am to 11pm, Sat to Sun 6am to 11pm, Tel: (0)4 338 7000, @cafepeloton.ae

Circle Cafe

Circle Cafe has become somewhat of a Dubai staple since opening in 2003, so much so that it now has a dozen locations all over the city. It’s decor is light and airy, if a little more stripped back than some of its Instagrammable counter parts, but that doesn’t stop the people coming. Circle’s all-you-can-eat weekend breakfast (available at almost all locations) is one of the best value deals in the city: Dhs69 gets you an unlimited selection of breakfast dishes and a tea or coffee.

Circle Cafe, various locations including DIFC, Jumeirah Islands and Dubai Media City. circle-cafe.com

Common Grounds

A stalwart, similar to its Sum of Us and Tom and Serg siblings, CG uses its own Encounter Coffee Roasters beans to showcase Melbourne’s coffee heritage. The beans are great, the food is great, the service is great, too. There’s now locations all over the city, including in JBR, DIFC, Mall of the Emirates and JLT.

Common Grounds, JBR, DIFC, Mall of the Emirates and JLT, various timings. Tel: (050) 478 1094, @_common.grounds_

Daughter and Dad Coffee

All visitors are welcomed to bring their furry friends to this unique family-run business. With freshly roasted specialty coffee and a plant-based menu, you will be feeling nourished when you leave this wholesome outlet.

Daughter and Dad, Meliá Desert Palm, Warsan 2, Dubai daily 7am to 7pm, closed on Tues, Tel: (0)54 383 4709, @daughterdadcoffee

Delizie Caffè Gourmet Dubai

On the waterfront of Dubai Harbour is Delizie Caffe Gourmet Dubai. A relaxed sister restaurant to elegant Italian seafood spot L’Amo Bistro Del Mare, which you’ll find next door, Delizie is the perfect spot to admire views of the yachts bobbing in the water as you catch up over breakfast, coffee with a fresh pastry, or a leisurely lunch. There’s indoor seating in the nautically-inspired restaurant, but the best views are found on the flora-filled terrace.

Delizie Caffe Gourmet Dubai, Dubai Harbour Yacht Club, off Dubai Marina, daily 8am to 8pm. deliziecaffegourmet.com

EL&N

The pretty pink, ultra Instagrammable EL&N paved the way for a whole movement of photo-friendly, super girlie cafes to take their place in cities across the world. But if you’re looking to sip sprinkle-topped lattes and tuck into plates of fluffy pancakes at the original, you’ll need to head to DIFC. The London-born concept landed in Dubai last year, bringing with it baby pink booths, a neon pink coffee counter and floral displays in endless shades of cerise.

EL&N, Gate Village Building 2, DIFC, 8am to 12am Mon to Fri, 8am to 2am Sat and Sun. Tel: (04) 770 0222, ae.elnlondon.com

Ella’s Eatery

Leafy green and family-friendly, Ella’s Eatery is one of the Palm’s most popular cafes. It’s super popular for weekend breakfasts, with everything from avo toasts to acai bowls on offer. But there’s more than just breakfast items, and a lunchtime visit offers the opportunity to try crispy pizzas, homemade burgers and meets cooked-to-order from the grill.

Ella’s Eatery, Palm View East, Palm Jumeirah, 8am to 11pm Mon to Fri, 8am to 12am Sat and Sun. Tel: (04) 557 0984, @ellaseatery

Forever Rose

Step inside a storybook at Dubai’s 2D cafe, Forever Rose. You won’t miss this Boxpark spot, as even the exterior has been designed in the same 2D monochrome styling as the interiors. From the tables and chairs to the plates – everything is done in 2D monochrome styling. The creative interior design team even managed to make the airconditioning vents look like they belong. Now, that’s talent! At the cafe, you can find an array of delectable delicacies and meals – and they look amazing, so it’s a treat for the tastebuds as well as the eyes.

Forever Rose Cafe, Al Wasl Road, Boxpark, Jumeirah, 8am to 12am Mon to Thurs, 8am to 1am Fri to Sun. Tel: (04) 548 4210, @foreverrosecafe

The Grey

Adopting a less-is-more approach, The Grey is found in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it villa in Al Wasl, and promises great coffee, top design and a space that breeds creativity. The tropical acai bowl is a healthy way to start the day, or there’s a whole array of eggs served a dozen ways if you prefer something savoury for breakfast. Later in the day, there’s a selection of green salads, or more hearty mains include a mushroom risotto, katsu chicken bowl and shrimp linguine pasta.

The Grey, 9A Street, Al Wasl, Al Safa, 7.30am to 11pm daily. Tel: (054) 582 6779, the-grey.co

The Hamptons

This gorgeous cafe is inspired by the lifestyle of The Hamptons in the USA, and is has such a pretty exterior that you’ll be stopping to snap a picture before you even go inside. The interiors have a beach-house vibe which leads out to an airy conservatory adorned with flowers. If your mum is coming to visit, make sure this is in your itinerary. They also have a branch on Jumeirah Beach Road and Arabian Ranches.

The Hamptons Cafe, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai, 8am to 11pm, daily. Tel: (04) 564 5770. hamptonsdubai.com

Harvest & Co

From the kings of Dubai’s coffee scene, EatX, Harvest &. Co is located inside the new Dubai Garden Center. Light, bright and welcoming, the concise menu features an array of all-day breakfast dishes, although you won’t want to miss a trip to the glass counter, where freshly baked cakes and pastries are the star of the show. There’s also a new branch inside Warehouse Gym, Jumeirah Park, open to both members and non-members.

Harvest & Co., Dubai Garden Centre, 739 Sheikh Zayed Rd, Al Quoz, 8am to 6.30pm daily. Tel: (04) 590 4333, @harvestandco.dubai

Kulture House

Kulture House Dubai is a multi-space cafe and store housed inside a Jumeirah villa. It’s got a retail shop, florist, coffee shop and art gallery so there’s something for everyone. The cafe takes up a large portion of Kulture House space with a mix match of rattan chairs, colourful poofs and stools, with a few comfy booths and a long communal table with majlis-style cushions. It’s bright and inviting with a Marrakech rooftop dining feel.

Kulture House Dubai, 106, beach road (opposite Beach Centre), 9am to 10pm. Tel: (0)4 399 1790, @kulturehousedubai

Little Neighborhood Restaurant

This local hangout is the perfect place to perch for a coffee, brunch, lunch or dinner. Serving an array of classics with a twist, you will be able to secure your next acai bowl, falafel wrap or burger whilst admiring the Golden Mile park. Your pups are welcome to join you if you opt to sit outside on their terrace.

Little Neighborhood Restaurant, Golden Mile, The Palm Jumeirah, 7am to 10pm daily, Tel: (0)52 823 3295, littleneighborhooddxb.com

Myocum 

Bringing a taste of Australia to Dubai, this cafe is a small haven. Decorated with indigenous art, this is an ideal place to spend an afternoon working or sharing a meal with friends. Amongst their varied menu, lies their matcha. This decadent beverage is made with your choice of milk, matcha powder and a whole lot of love.

Dar Wasl Mall, Wasl Rd, Dubai, open Mon to Sun, 7am to 10pm, Tel: (0)54 530 5905, myocum_dubai

Nightjar

This buzzing spot in the popular cultural neighbourhood of Dubai nabbed the Favourite Cafe award in our What’s On Dubai Awards 2022, and it’s easy to see why. The highly-caffeinated, quick-beating heart of the coffee scene with brews on tap. They even serve up some seriously cool dishes, like the chili scramble, pulled ox cheek benedict and wombok salad.

Nightjar Coffee, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, 9am to 9pm daily. Tel: (050) 365 1120, @nightjar.coffee

Oath at Wud Flowers

This speciality coffee shop is located inside a quaint Jumeirah villa-turned-flower shop. From refreshing smoothies to matcha lattes and sweet treats to colourful bouquets, it is truly a one-of-a-kind Dubai experience.

Oath, Wud Flowers, Al Wasl Road, daily 10am to 9pm. @oath.ae

One Life

This open and airy eatery started off as a sole venue in d3, where its wholesome dishes and welcoming vibe have won this cafe a legion of fans. But there’s also a second branch in JVC. Go for breakfast and tuck into clean and honest breakfast dishes like Turkish eggs, or a pulled beef benedict. For those with a sweet tooth, there’s more indulgent options like a fluffy Japanese pancake with berries and maple syrup. The venue is also known for its array of stuffed croissants, rolled and baked every day in-house and for having its own coffee roastery on the mezzanine floor of the d3 branch.

One Life, Building 5, Dubai Design District, daily 8am to 11pm. Tel: (0)4 513 4727, onelifedxb.com

Revo

The perfect pit stop after a run or cycle around the Palm Jumeirah is Revo Cafe. Set within the grounds of Anantara The Palm, Revo’s menu includes an array of refreshing fruit smoothies and freshly ground coffees to pair with an all-day menu of healthy options, gourmet sandwiches and croissants packed with all your favourite fillings. Whether you sit outside or bag a table indoors, you’ll benefit from stretching sea views.

Revo Cafe, Anantara The Palm, East Crescent, Palm Jumeirah, 8am to 10.30pm daily. Tel: (0)4 567 8304, anantara.com

RX Coffee Apothecary

This hidden gem in Jumeirah 3 is serious about coffee: is uses light-roast Fuglen beans from Japan and Norway in its range of filter and espresso coffees. It’s worth a visit for the expertly poured coffees, served in handcrafted ceramics alone – but you’ll want to stay for the luscious Parklane cheesecake, wickedly good truffle khachapuri, and the Instagrammable interiors.

Rx Coffee Apothecary, Al Athar St, Jumeirah 3, Sat to Wed 8am to 11pm, Thu and Fri 8am to midnight. Tel: (04) 348 1567, @rxcoffeedubai

Saya Brasserie

If you’re looking for almost-over-the-top-but-not-nearly-enough pretty pink florals and Insta-worthiness everywhere you look, look no further than Saya Caffe. Whether you visit City Walk, Wasl 51, Nakheel Mall or Dubai Hills, expect Alice in Wonderland-tea party sort of vibes, with dainty teacups and saucers serving tea, cake and picture-perfect breakfast and lunch dishes.

Saya Brasserie Cafe, various locations including City Walk, Wasl 51, Nakheel Mall and Dubai Hills Mall. Tel: (050) 541 8373. @sayacaffe.ae

Seva Table

Seva Table is the name of beautiful Jumeirah Beach cafe and wellness centre formally known as ‘Life ‘n’ One’. Enjoy Seva’s plant-based dishes in the mantra-infused secret garden, where you’ll be able to connect with others, enjoy (or even write) a book, brainstorm or just day-dream. This is a wifi-free zone, so keep those phones away.You’ll also find workshops here such as yoga, meditation, bodywork, sound healing, energy medicine and more.

Seva Table, Jumeirah Beach Road, 27B Street, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, daily 8am to 10pm. Tel: (056) 534 2899. sevaexperience.com

Splendour Fields

From the can-do-no-wrong EatX, creators of beloved Tom&Serg, Common Grounds and Harvest&Co comes Splendour Fields. An Aussie-inspired café with a welcoming feel, this cool dining destination is set to become a regular hangout for those that live and work nearby. While adults catch-up over coffee and healthy plates little ones will be entertained at the kid’s play area. On the menu, you can expect the same wholesome, produce-driven menu you find at sister restaurants like Tom&Serg and Common Grounds. There’s a specialty coffee bar for picking up your favourite caffeine hit, a counter of freshly baked goods and even a gourmet grocer, where you can grab your produce to takeaway.

The Sum of Us

The Sum of Us might not be in the most obvious of locations, but it’s Aussie-inspired interiors and tucked away terrace both pack out with those hungry to tuck into the freshly baked goods, gourmet sandwiches and bright salads. While you linger over an expertly poured flat white in this industrial-chic café, watch all the action of the adjoining Encounter Coffee Roasters.

The Sum of Us, Burj Al Salam Trade Centre, 6^th St, daily 8am to 10pm. Tel: (0)56 445 7526. thesumofusdubai.com

Stomping Grounds

A creation by a former Dubai teacher, this indie cafe has taken cafe food to new levels with an array of Australian-inspired dishes that are bursting with colour and flavour. From elevated breakfast dishes to crispy pizzas and healthy bowls, this cafe will do more than quench your coffee craving.

Stomping Grounds, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, Sun to Thur 7.30am to 11.30pm, Sat & Sun 7.30pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (0)4 344 4451, @stompinggroundsdxb 

tashas café

We love a visit to tashas café. For the Instagrammable interiors, for the always-friendly team, for the pretty lattes, and for one of the city’s finest French toasts. And luckily for us – and you – there’s six locations across Dubai, including Marina Mall, Al Barsha and more. The all-day menu features both an array of healthy and indulgent options, ideal for those looking to eat well during the week and treat themselves on weekends. As is customary, there’s a menu of classic favourites you’ll find at all tashas café branches across the city, as well as signature dishes devised especially for each restaurant.

 tashas café, various locations including Dubai Marina, Al Barsha and Mirdif. tashascafe.com

Tiffany Blue Box Cafe

You’ll find the Middle East’s first Blue Box Cafe at Dubai Mall. Like its renowned sister cafes around the world, Dubai’s Blue Box Café is decked out from head to toe in the iconic baby Tiffany blue hue, complete with a chandelier-like centrepiece of Tiffany boxes and marble-clad accent walls. With space to seat 38 guests, it starts the day by serving the famously chic Breakfast at Tiffany’s, which elevates the first meal of the day with a menu of French-inspired New York classics. In the afternoon, Tea at Tiffany’s is a wonderful occasion to elongate an afternoon with your nearest and dearest; while bouts of retail therapy at this shopper’s paradise can be broken up with elevated all-day dining that brings a delicate French touch to a crowd-pleasing menu.

Blue Box Café, Tiffany & Co. Dubai Mall, Dubai, daily 10am to 12am. Tel: (0)4 250 4935. @blueboxcafedubai

Tom & Serg

One of Dubai’s best-loved cafe’s, Tom & Serg serves up classic crowd-pleasers with a twist every day. Expect an avo toast layered with tomato, lemon oil, mint, zataar, pine nuts and black salt; fried eggs with pumpkin seeds and chimichurri; and granola made with cashew milk and coconut yoghurt. The vibe of the cafe has that industrial-chic design that makes it a cool urban weekend hangout.

Al Quoz, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm, Fri to Sun 8am to 6pm. Tel: (056) 4746812. tomandserg.com

New Earth Café

Spend your days surrounded by palm trees and sunshine at this stunning hidden gem. From smoothie bowls to avo toast, superfood lattes to affirmation juices, New Earth Café is a conscious eatery located in the green heart of Dubai, Al Barari, serving simple, honest food that nurtures and nourishes.

New Earth Café, Al Barari, Dubai. Daily, 7am to 6pm. @newearth.cafe

Vanilla Sukkar

This mother-and-daughter-owned gem in Jumeirah is a quaint coffee shop and bakery. Located on Al Wasl Road, the small space is filled with plants, books, cute collectibles, and the smell of freshly baked goods. Don’t miss their melt-in-the-mouth sourdough pastries, the turmeric country loaf, and their signature white chocolate matcha latte, and join in one of their fun and informative monthly matcha or baking workshops.

Vanilla Sukkar, Umm al Sheif, Jumeirah, Dubai. 8am to 8pm. Tel:(0)4 422 8843. @vanillasukkar

The Lime Tree Café

Lime Tree has remained constant in Dubai’s rapid growth and in many aspects embodies Dubai’s expat community. With many locations across the city, it’s original Jumeirah location has an outdoor terrace filled with lush greenery that will calm the soul. You may be familiar with this establishment purely due to its iconic carrot cake, a dish which is locally renowned. With many delicious cakes and breakfast goodies, as well as their beautiful salad and sandwich bar, you will leave this establishment pretty satisfied.

The Lime Tree Cafe, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, 8am to 6pm daily, Tel: (0)4 325 6325, thelimetreecafe.com

Images: provided and social