Dubai’s café culture keeps evolving, shaped by a mix of homegrown creativity and international polish. What began as a handful of design-led roasteries has grown into a citywide network of cafés that double as social hubs, meeting places and quiet escapes. Today, good coffee is almost a given – it’s the setting, service and sense of rhythm that define the best. From beachside espresso bars to elegant all-day spots in the city’s new developments, these are the cafés worth lingering in. Here are the best cafés and coffee shops in Dubai.
The chicest cafes and coffee shops in Dubai
Kairos Coffee Assembly
Best for: watching your coffee being roasted, and Al Quoz’s best communal table.
Opened in August 2026 in the Al Quoz Creative Zone, Kairos is built around the UAE’s first Bellwether roaster – fully electric, zero-emission and positioned in full view, so the beans in your cup were green a few days earlier and roasted in the room you’re sitting in. The interiors follow a pared-back wabi-sabi brief: a natural red limestone counter, wooden serving trays and a two-metre communal table hand-carved from a single block of stone by Surat atelier SHED Studio, where V60 pours are brewed through the day and shared with whoever’s sitting there. Walls host rotating craft exhibitions – currently a ceramic mural by Kamal Alzubi via Emirati studio House of Clay – and the kitchen makes everything from scratch, including a twice-baked cashew croissant worth arriving early for. Open daily 7am–6pm.
4B Street, Al Quoz Creative Zone; @kairosuae
ONA
Best for: flavour-first coffee ordering and an all-day menu in Jumeirah.
The first international outpost of the Canberra specialty coffee house founded by Sasa Šestić – 2015 World Barista Champion – ONA opened in Jumeirah 1 in May 2026 in a terracotta-toned, light-filled building designed around the idea of an oasis. Ordering here starts with a conversation rather than a menu: espresso, milk or filter first, then chocolatey or fruit-forward, drawn from a rotating offering of around 200 coffees a year, including lots from the brand’s own farm in Honduras. There’s a central coffee bar where guests can taste their way through different brews, a sensory room for guided tastings, an outdoor terrace and an all-day kitchen covering breakfast through dinner. Open daily 8am–10pm.
Jumeirah 1; @ona.dubai
The Eatery at Paus
Best for: coffee before Pilates, lunch after padel.
Paus has outgrown its villa. In autumn 2025, the wellness café founded by sisters Sophiya and Sarah Faizal relocated from Umm Suqeim to a far larger home on Al Wasl Road – the dining space now almost ten times the size – with the café opening onto a central garden courtyard and floor-to-ceiling windows keeping the greenery in view. Now a full lifestyle club, Paus houses studios for reformer Pilates, yoga, strength, sound healing and padel, plus a recovery spa and a calendar of community programming – with The Eatery, its all-day restaurant, at the centre. The menu draws on Middle Eastern and Indian traditions: braised beef cheek with saffron harees, molokhia chicken with vermicelli rice, and a curry leaf potato rosti at breakfast. Filtered water is free, and so are alternative milks.
Al Wasl Road; pausdxb.com/cafe, @pausdxb
Orto
Best for: canal-side coffee that the neighbourhood is trying to keep quiet.
Jumeirah 3’s worst-kept secret, Orto sits right on the water with the canal on one side and, from the right seat, Downtown’s skyline on the other. The interiors are pared back and precise – clean white surfaces, black-edged window frames, a calm upstairs floor – and the coffee holds its own against the setting, with specialty beans from Brazil and Colombia behind espresso, filter and a much-ordered crème brûlée iced latte. Pastries are taken seriously (the croissant pudding has a following), the terrace fills with locals and their dogs, and the upstairs floor can be hired privately. Come early on weekends – word is well and truly out.
395 Al Athar Street, Jumeirah 3; @ortocafe.ae
Nette
Best for: French-Japanese all-day dining in Dubai’s two most considered settings.
One of the city’s most quietly stylish homegrown brands, Nette pairs a French-Japanese menu – yuzu avocado toast, okonomiyaki omelettes, a serious matcha programme – with interiors that reward a second look. Now in two locations, each with its own character.
Matcha Club, Al Quoz
The original, set within the boutique padel and wellness club where terracotta courts sit against Al Quoz’s stripped-back industrial backdrop. Inside it’s sleek surfaces, rattan accents and earthy tones – the post-match crowd is a reliable cross-section of the neighbourhood’s creative set, though no racquet is required. Magniflex
Al Barari
Opened in 2025 as the brand’s second outpost, this one trades industrial Al Quoz for trees, gardens and the sound of Al Barari’s streams. Designed by H2R Design, the interiors are guided by a sense of calm – sculpted ceilings, warm finishes and subtle spatial divisions – with a garden that’s dog-friendly in the cooler months. The greener, slower sister.
Matcha Club, Al Quoz & Al Barari; nette.ae, @nettedxb
A Normal Day, Dar Wasl
Best for: a mid-morning meeting or a quiet coffee with something sweet.
A Normal Day is a polished, homegrown bistro by a team of Emirati founders who have turned a simple idea into one of Jumeirah’s most refined café settings. The space feels calm and composed, filled with natural light, art-lined walls and the kind of attention to detail that makes a second coffee feel inevitable. The focus here is on quality and familiarity done well. Espresso and milk-based coffees are precise and unfussy, while filter options highlight seasonal beans. It is as much a place for a morning meeting as it is for an unhurried catch-up, offering the right balance between energy and ease.
Alongside the coffee menu is a selection of fresh viennoiseries, breads and cakes that change with the day, all baked in-house. It is a spot that captures Dubai’s current café mood perfectly: homegrown, well-designed and confident in its simplicity.
Dar Wasl Mall, Jumeirah; @anormalday.ae, anormalday.com
The Grey
Located on the popular Al Wasl Road, The Grey is one of Dubai’s most stylish cafes and coffee shops in Dubai, thanks to its minimalist, and – you guessed it – grey-hued interiors. Interiors are the wow factor here, designed by acclaimed agency XO Atelier and with lots of contrasting monochrome, reflective material and original artwork. The result is an overwhelming sense of space and relaxation, made even more special with the high-grade coffee and menu of both healthy and indulgent dishes. The coffee menu is extensive and intriguing, with classic brews and V60, but also serves like ash coffee, butterscotch lattes, charcoal oat lattes and expresso orange, and there are fruity mocktails, fresh juices and smoothies. Food-wise, tuck into inventive dishes like avocado yoghurt with granola, coconut porridge, Turkish eggs, truffled scrambled eggs and burgers, salads and desserts.
Al Wasl, Al Safa 1; @thegreydxb, the-grey.co
Bageri Form
The place to visit in Dubai for a dose of sleek Scandinavian minimalism and rustic bakes, Bageri Form is an artisan coffee shop and bakery in D3 that offers a heavy dose of hygge. The interiors will delight acolytes, all stripped back and shades of cream and white, while the cafe itself churns out freshly baked breads and cakes from talented pastry chefs. It’s walk in only, so grab a table for dishes like berry and cream on brioche, fresh cream on sourdough, baked egg bun and all other baked goodies, and every type of coffee you could dream of.
d3; bageriform.com, @bageriform
Orijins
Orijins sits on the ground floor of DIFC’s Gate Village, turning the heads of passers-by with its brilliant lights and gleaming white and cool slate interiors. Perennially packed with elegant locals – the sign of a great coffee shop – this cavernous space merges the worlds of art and coffee. One of the best coffee shops in Dubai, the design-led aesthetic is filled with textures, lines and curves, offering everything from espresso and filter to drip and milk-based serves (of which there are plenty of types to choose from, including coveted Oatly). The coffee shop and hangout also serves a variety of moreish, and highly Instagrammable, pastries and cakes, along with artisan teas. The space comes alive at night, open until 10:30pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends and is the place to enjoy a late-night coffee meet in DIFC. Just to warn you, there’s no wi-fi – so this is more a coffee and catch up space than co-working destination.
Gate Village 8, DIFC; @orijins
La Nena Coffee
La Nena Coffee lies in Dubai’s trendy, yet slightly gritty, Al Quoz neighbourhood: a café, design studio and homeware store all in one. Visitors can sip on great coffee and enjoy a menu of snacks and treats while enjoying, arguably, the most unique coffee shop interiors in Dubai. The concept is the brainchild of Al Vida Group, born in Galicia, Spain and known for its use of local materials and traditional design techniques. A homeware haunt for design lovers since 2020, the cafe is the newest addition, and what’s more, it’s pet friendly and welcomes furry friends.
Al Quoz, @lanenacoffee
Apricot Delicatessen
Apricot Delicatessen is a charming European-Mediterranean Café in the heart of Downtown Dubai, walking distance from Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa – so the perfect pit stop in between shopping or exploring. Embracing summer living, and the abundance the season brings across the globe, cuisine is inspired by fresh seasonal flavours of the Mediterranean – with signature dishes including the Bodrum Breakfast Board, perfect for groups and families, homemade ‘Malatya Muse’ Apricot Jam, Mandarin-glazed salmon, Apricot sliders and more. Take a seat in the cosy courtyard garden complete with white lounge chairs and bright pink florals, or in the bright and breezy cafe itself. There’s all sorts of coffee, from classic espresso and milk-based drinks to V60 and Turkish coffee, along with matcha, Spanish lattes and five variations of iced coffee to choose from – complete with a choice of almond, oat or soya milk.
Downtown Boulevard; apricotdubai.com, @apricotdubai
Comptoir 102
Designed as a chic villa and home to an outdoor garden, health shop and organic cafe, Comptoir 102 is a lifestyle destination as it is a coffee shop. The boho-chic haven in Jumeirah 1 is a hub for healthy living. There’s a strong focus on sustainable, wholesome food – ingredients sourced from local organic farms, and plenty of vegan and sugar, gluten,- and dairy-free choices. The cafe hosts daily yoga sessions, and the store sells everything from candles and clothing to homemade cakes and spice mixes. Smoothies, juices and loaded salads (of which many are vegan) and home-made nut milk make this spot stand out on Dubai’s coffee shop and cafe scene.
Jumeirah 1; comptoir102.com
The Espresso Lab
Located in Dubai’s D3 development – Dubai Design District – The Espresso Lab is a popular haunt for the creatives and fashion types who work in the area. The minimalist grey and whitewash space is the perfect spot to hide away with a laptop or meet with friends, appealing to true coffee aficionados with its so-called ‘exotic varietals’ and expert baristas. The brand roasts its own coffee, and founder Ibrahim Al Mallouhi – UAE National Brewers Cup Champion in 2018, 2023 and 2026 – is representing the UAE at this year’s World Brewers Cup in Brussels. There’s filter coffee, drip coffee, espresso with milks in plenty of varieties and sizes and a whole menu of iced coffees.Dubai Design District; @theespressolab, theespressolab.com
Tom&Serg
Tom&Serg is a much-loved staple of Dubai’s coffee shop and weekend brunch scene, paving the way for the coffee culture we know in Dubai today, and as a result, one of the best coffee shops in Dubai. The brainchild of two Dubai-based entrepreneurs, Aussie Tom Arnell and Spaniard Sergio Lopez, and first outpost of the renowned Eatx group, the cool, Aussie-like cafe is housed in a two-story trendy Al Quouz warehouse taking a no-frills (just incredible quality) approach with its freshly roasted and ground and with a menu of hearty dishes from around the world – think banana and hazelnut bread with spiced-maple poached pears and mascarpone, Turkish eggs, Baghdad scramble and banh mi baguettes. Pair this with ever-smiling staff and you’ve got one of the best coffee shops in Dubai.
Al Quoz; tomandserg.com, @tomandserg
Lulu & The Beanstalk
Part cool coffee shop, part cocktail bar, part bookshop and part co-working space, Lulu & The Beanstalk is one of the city’s newest independent venues. Located in ICD Brookfield Place, the concept is the baby of two filmmaker sisters Wafa Tajdin and Amirah Tajdin, whose love for storytelling (and their grandmother Lulu) has resulted in a whimsical spot complete with soaring bookshelves (home to over 1,000 books), undulating sofas and plenty of cosy corners. Come in the day for great coffee, matcha, avocado toast, vegan Reubens, and an AED80 business lunch, or in the evening for sharing platters, cocktails and small-batch organic grapes and artisan hops. A no-laptops after 6pm policy, shift in mood lighting and a carefully curated soundtrack make this just as much a spot for the day as the evening.
ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC; lulusbean.com, @lulus.bean
Le Guépard
Entering the experimental dining venue Le Guépard in Alserkal Avenue feels like falling down the rabbit hole into Wonderland (minus Mat Hatter’s tea party). While the design-focused new eatery is set to be known for its modern international cuisine, it’s also the perfect spot to stop for a stylish coffee. Located at the front of the warehouse venue is a reservations-only coffee shop with gleaming flooring, panelled walls, palms and plush colourful seating.
Alserkal Avenue; @le_guepard_dubai
Sereni-tea by Tania’s Teahouse
Tania’s Teahouse, the pink-hued coffee lovers’ paradise in Dubai Hills, has a more subdued little sister, Sereni-tea. The brand-new cafe sits on the peaceful grounds of the Keyani wellness centre in Umm Suqueim and focuses on promoting serenity (see what they did there) with soothing earthy, minimalist interiors and a tranquil outdoor patio. All dishes are gut-healing and anti-inflammatory and cater to all dietary requirements from sugar and dairy-free to vegan and paleo. The ‘mindful menu’ highlights include fresh juices and fantastic coffee along with dishes like Eggs Royale-Tea, served on a juicy portobello mushroom, chia pudding, lentil salad, veggie wraps and sugar-free chocolatey desserts.
Keyani Wellness Center, Al Manara; taniasteahouse.com
Nightjar Coffee
Nightjar has been drawing those passionate about their coffee to Alserkal Avenue since it opened, thanks to an in-house roastery and their commitment to long-term relationships with the farms from which they source their coffee beans. Part roastery, part eatery, part party hangout, expect more than just a delicious cup of coffee – there’s also an extensive menu of all-day breakfasts, salads and light plates described as food inspired by Al Quoz. A bonus? Nightjar’s got nitro cold brew on tap. Nightjar also opened a second venue in the shiny Citywalk development last year, which is also worth checking out.
Alserkal Avenue; nightjar.coffee; @nightjar.coffee
Amongst Few
Trendy brand Amongst Few is known for its premium streetwear and footwear, but those browsing the brand’s store will be delighted to find an equally stylish café. The Amongst Few Café is industrial chic with stripped-back walls and flooring and pops of greenery, plus two shaded courtyard areas to make the most of the cooler weather. Coffee is fantastic, with all the premium plant-based milk and snacks, including vegan ‘Snickers’ bars and cookies. Make sure to try the Middle East breakfast bowl, with poached eggs, spicey potatoes, homemade smoked paprika hummus and pesto, mixed greens, avocado and halloumi with toasted sourdough. One the best homegrown brands and coffee shops in Dubai under one roof – what more could you want.
Al Wasl Rd, Umm Suqeim 1; @amongstfew
XVA Art Café
A fusion of history, art and heritage, the XVA Art Hotel is worlds away from Dubai’s typical ultra-modern hotel design aesthetic. But even if you’re not checking in to one of the 14 unique guest rooms, an afternoon at the XVA Art Cafe is well worth adding to a Dubai itinerary. Located in the heart of the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, seats are available in the calming courtyard or gallery-like inside space, with a menu of Middle Eastern-inspired vegetarian dishes on offer.
Al Fahidi; xvahotel.com, @xvagallery
100 Café at The Hundred Wellness Centre
Within the calming oasis of Jumeirah’s The Hundred Wellness Centre, 100 Café is a serene spot serving a specially curated menu of health foods, alongside cold-pressed juice, organic tea and speciality coffee. Open daily except Fridays, it’s a beautifully bright space in whitewashed hues complemented by floor-to-ceiling windows that gaze out over the garden. Complete your calming trip with a visit to the holistic wellness centre and clinic – with everything from emotional therapies to pilates and physiotherapy on offer. This fantastic offering, make the 100 Cafe one of the most unique coffee shops in Dubai.
Jumeirah 1; thehundred.ae, @thehundredwellness
Read more: The most stylish spots for breakfast in Dubai
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