Finding a great cup of coffee isn’t difficult, but the best cafes in Dubai deliver so much more. These are the collaborative hubs where creative minds meet. This is where you might strike up a conversation with a stranger or perhaps seclude yourself from the world to work on that novel you’ve always been meaning to. From unique cafe themes to pet-friendly outposts, believe us when we say there is something for everyone. “Best cafe near me”, you ask? The hunt ends today.
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Cozy coffee shops in Dubai
THE SIX
If your weekend is never complete without a trip to the Burj Khalifa, you might want to round up your gaming buddies and walk into the crimson confines of THE SIX. As one of the best board game cafes in Dubai, it features a library of over one thousand games as well as team gurus to ease you into the rules.
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Don’t leave without: Sampling the finger-licking fare that features snacks, shareable plates, sliders and noodle bowls.
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Book reservations here or visit The SIX – Emaar Beachfront, Sunrise Bay – The Palm Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 296 2689
Café Bateel
For decades, Bateel has served as one of the pioneering names in luxury dates. Now, the brand is bringing its expertise over all things gourmet to your plate with airy cafes across the UAE. You’ll come for a quick bite at Café Bateel in Dubai Mall and walk out with more than a few bags loaded with the cafe’s confectionery and Danish pastries.
Cafe Bateel
Don’t leave without: Indulging your sweet tooth at everyone’s favorite Dubai Mall cafe with its inventive take on tiramisu featuring layers of vanilla madeleine sponge dunked in mandarin juice and smothered with Italian mascarpone.
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Book reservations here or visit Café Bateel – Unit 119 – Financial Center Rd – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 339 9716
Saya Creek Harbour
Perhaps you caught a whisper or two about a Dior cafe in Dubai. Maybe, your Instagram feed picked up on flashes of vintage coffee mugs stamped with the Dior logo. The quest for answers will take you to one of the best tea cafes in Dubai: Saya Creek Harbour where the tableware is themed around the iconic luxury fashion house.
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Don’t leave without: Treating your Insta fam to a slow-mo video of afternoon tea served in a Dior-themed cup.
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Book reservations here or visit Saya Creek Harbour – Dubai Creek Harbour – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9715 432 16971
Forever Rose Cafe
Life may not always be black and white… but Forever Rose Cafe manages to leverage both colors to maximum effect with its themed cafes. The result? A highly Instagrammable spot that you’ll drop by to click endless selfies in between spoonfuls of mouth-watering desserts and light bites.
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Don’t leave without: Reveling in the afternoon tea experience, delivered to your table in a concept dollhouse-style box.
Book reservations here or visit Forever Rose Cafe – Boxpark – 467 Al Wasl Rd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 548 4210
Best breakfast cafe in Dubai
Café de Paris
You might not be able to sip on coffee every weekend along the banks of the Seine but Café de Paris Dubai offers up the next best thing. Serving up a soulful take on French gastronomy, Chef Sacha Enjalbert dishes out comforting meals that feel just like home.
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Don’t leave without: Making the most of the buy-one-get-one deal on unmissable à la carte breakfast dishes—think classic French croissants, baguettes and pain au chocolat.
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Book reservations here or visit Café de Paris – MAG 318 Residential Tower – Downtown – Business Bay – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9715 075 12318
% Arabica
Forget everything you’ve ever known about your morning cup of joe—this is coffee artistry elevated to bold new heights. In a bid to create a concept coffee chain that was uniquely Japanese, founder Kenneth Shoji struck gold and now lays claims to over 90 stores around the world, including Brooklyn.
% Arabica
Don’t leave without: Getting your day off to a brisk start with % Arabica Cafe Dubai’s signature blends from their own coffee farm.
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Book reservations here or visit % Arabica – Bauhaus – First Floor – Next to the Apple Store – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 330 0322
Cassette
Food, design and art collide within the retro-inspired confines of Cassette. Designed as a collaborative hub, this is one of the best cafes to work in Dubai—whether you need to feel creatively inspired or brainstorm and bounce new ideas around. To keep you company, you’ll find a robust menu of breakfast staples, mains and desserts. Families will rejoice in the kids’ menu that serves croissants, pancakes and more.
Cassette
Don’t leave without: Start your day on a hearty note with the breakfast skillet that can be upgraded with smoked salmon for a meal to remember.
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Book reservations here or visit Cassette – The Courtyard – 4B St – Al Quoz – AL QUOZ 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Best cafes in Dubai with a view
The Strand
In the quest for the best beach cafes in Dubai, you won’t want to miss out on this craft kitchen. The beachside location and sunset views might have made it one of the most Instagrammable cafes in Dubai, but the good news carries on to the menu that features all-day staples along with main courses for lunch and dinner.
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Don’t leave without: Trying the breakfast club offer that offers up a little of everything, from mains to pastries and tea or coffee.
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Book reservations here or visit The Strand – Palm Views West – The Palm Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 430 2221
Orto Cafe
If your idea of the perfect morning includes good food, good vibes and a great view—the iconic Burj Khalifa towers over the azure waters in the distance—then you are likely to become a regular at Orto Cafe. A favorite with Emiratis, the menu features pastries and other delights as well as specialty coffee by a homegrown roastery.
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Don’t leave without: Sipping on the espresso tonic that unites both of the greatest hits for a refreshing start to your day.
Orto Cafe
Book reservations here or visit Orto Cafe – 395 Al Athar Street – Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 345 5060
Counter Culture Café
Did we hear you say pet-friendly cafes in Dubai? Your furry pals are welcome to enjoy the stolen pleasures of a leisurely weekend morning at Counter Culture Café. While your pets make the most of the al fresco seating on the terrace, you’ll want to turn your attention to the remedy bar that serves freshly pressed juices and smoothies for health junkies.
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Don’t leave without: Discovering the perfect cup of coffee for kickstarting your day. At Counter Culture Café, it is swirled with velvety smooth foam and served in a highly Instagrammable coffee cup.
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Book reservations here or visit Counter Culture Café – Ground Level Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, King Salman Bin – King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St – Dubai Marina – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 319 4000
Best cafes in Dubai for baked goods
Bkry
Perhaps you headed over to Alserkal Avenue to catch an indie flick at Cinema Akil or maybe you found yourself in the neighborhood for a quick hair makeover at Chalk Salon. If the scent of coffee stops you in your tracks, your footsteps will inevitably lead you to bkry—an experimental bakespace that delivers on artisanal baked goods unlike any other as well as specialty coffee.
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Don’t leave without: Biting into the perfect croissant—warm, flaky and baked with 84% croissant butter.
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Book reservations here or visit bkry – Alserkal Avenue – Al Quoz – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 832 4672
Bageri Form
The world of baking might be advancing at a dizzying speed, but Bageri Form isn’t afraid to strip this art form back to the basics. The payoff comes in the form of handmade baked goods and treats that are throwing the spotlight back on artisanal baking practices.
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Don’t leave without: Trying your hand at some of their baked goods—how about a bow-shaped delight lined with caramel-smooth date paste and feta cheese?
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Book reservations here or visit Bageri Form – Building 4 – Dubai Design District – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 570 8777
Angel Cakes
Looking for a mid-day indulgence without cheating on your diet? Angel Cakes, backed by supermodel Natalia Vodianova, is the place to be. The organic cafe offers gluten-free and sugar-free treats for breakfast—but you’ll be sneaking in a few bites in between meals as well.
Angel Cakes
Don’t leave without: Sinking a fork through the sumptuous layers of a tiramisu that substitutes conventional ladyfingers for airy Russian crepes layered with sugar-free coffee cream.
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Book reservations here or visit Angel Cakes – Dubai Hills Park – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9715 850 60433
Best outdoor cafes in Dubai
Nette
If finding a spot of lush greenery amidst the towering skyscrapers of Dubai was on your bingo card for 2024, Nette is the place to be. Nestled inside the padel court at Al Quoz, French and Japanese flavors come together for a seamless mélange in a health-conscious menu.
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Don’t leave without: Digging into the matcha overnight oats laden with homemade granola and fresh berries.
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Book reservations here or visit Nette – 20 8 St – Al Quoz – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 548 8369
The Barn
Hailing from Germany, The Barn’s very first international cafe sits in Dubai’s Al Khazzan Park. While the quaint space does offer a stunning Burj Khalifa view, what will keep you coming back is its Japanese architecture, and incredible coffee.
Photo: Instagram.com/thebarnberlin
Don’t leave without: Grabbing a pack of your favorite coffee for the house. The Barn offers coffee beans from seven different countries!
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Visit The Barn – Al Khazzan Park Al Safa St – Al Satwa Dubai United Arab Emirates
