As a busy Dubai working Mum I am constantly driving around Dubai doing football and party drop offs. Now my kids are old enough to be dropped off I find myself with a lovely 1-2 hours to kill so frequently search for cool coffee shops in Dubai. I bring my laptop, headphones or just a Kindle and enjoy the peace and quiet alone. If you are looking for the best coffee places in Dubai then read on for our tried-and-tested list.
All coffee shops on this list I have personally tried out, I will continue to update as I find a new hidden gem in Dubai. I understand that there might be wonderful coffee shops in Dubai that have been missed out of this list but I only like to write about what I have personally experienced.
Al Quoz Coffee Shops
Al Quoz is a birthday party haven with Bounce, Oli Oli, Street Maniax, Air Maniax and X-Strike to name a few of our most frequented. If you find yourself at one of these parties then choose from one of these speciality coffee shops in Dubai. Al Quoz is also home to one of my favourite areas of Dubai – Dubai Courtyard. I love this place as it feels like stepping into Europe.
Boston Lane Dubai
This is my go-to coffee shop when in Dubai Courtyard. Boston Lane is tucked inside on the main alleyway giving Melbourne coffee shop vibes. Positioned next door to the gorgeous furniture shop Tribe Dubai. There are a few little tables outside if you are lucky enough to find one on a cool day.
They have a lovely menu with lots of specialty coffee and juices. There is an ample food menu with lots of vegetarian options and a few vegan too. The afternoon menu has a variety of toasties, salads and sandwiches.
Opening Times: 7.30am – 7pm
East West Atelier Dubai Courtyard
A new entry to the Dubai Courtyard coffee shops and one of the best coffee places in Dubai. East West Atelier has a huge arch window making a really light airy space. High ceilings, white and wicker furniture full of green plants and trees. Get a seat by the window and look out onto Dubai Courtyard and feel like you are looking out onto a Parisian street. Check out our video here.
At the moment (Oct 22) the menu only has coffee and cakes / pastries which is fine just don’t come wanting to eat breakfast or lunch. To get here you need to enter on the Al Serkal avenue side (or walk through Cassette) and then go up the stairs next to the guitar shop. Definitely one of our favourite Al Quoz coffee shops and one of the best coffee places in Dubai.
Opening Times: 10am – 7pm
Cassette Dubai Courtyard
Another popular spot in Dubai Courtyard. Cassette Dubai is located as you enter on the Courtyard Theatre side. It is usually busy and has a great atmosphere and vibe. Lots of art work everywhere and listen out for the curated playlists. Plenty of seats on the covered terrace with a cool industrial style vibe inside.
The menu at Cassette Dubai is vast. Plenty of breakfast options, salads, sandwiches and burgers and mains. A great, big kids menu on offer too. Also, lots of delicious desserts and cakes if you are only stopping for a coffee break too! It is the busiest of the Courtyard Dubai Cafes so be ready to jump in for a table!
Opening Times: 8am – 6pm
Lime Tree Cafe
Lime Tree Cafe has 7 branches all across Dubai. However, this branch right next door to Dubai Courtyard is in a handy location for those party drop offs. Lime Tree Cafe has been operating for over 20 years in Dubai and is a bit of a Dubai institution. One of the best coffee places in Dubai for sure.
As well as being one of the best coffee places in Dubai, Lime Tree also offers home catering. Party food (adults and kids), cheese boards and afternoon tea. Nothing better than turning up at a party and Lime Tree has been ordered.
This Al Quoz coffee shop is a lovely, laid back outlet. Lots of comfy seats to sit back and relax. The menu in the cafes offers wonderful salads, fresh sandwiches and paninis, a great kids menu and a huge range of cakes. As well as a diverse range of speciality coffee in Dubai.
Opening Times: 8am – 6pm
Nette at Matcha Club Dubai
Matcha Club is a popular padel club in Dubai with six outdoor courts. As well as this, they have wellness studios and offer yoga and meditation classes. Walking into Matcha Club you will be amazed at the green space created in the middle of Al Quoz Dubai. The Industrial area!
In the middle of all this greenery is Nette, an urban sanctuary. The interior is bright, clean, white and full of plants. A tree growing in the centre with similar vibes to East West Atelier. The greenery really invokes a calm, peaceful atmosphere. The menu is a delicious mix of French and Japanese fusion. Plenty of breakfast options as well as salads, sandwiches and prawn and fish options.
I went on a Saturday morning after a 10am party drop off at X-Strike and it was BUSY! I was perched on a little stool waiting until I could get a table to use my laptop. Might be one to avoid for Saturday prime time breakfast but definitely do check it out as it is certainly a cool coffee shop in Dubai.
Opening Times: 8am – 10pm
Secret Garden Ivy
This has to be my most favourite coffee shop in Dubai…so far! I adore the calm, peaceful feeling as you walk in to Secret Garden Ivy with all the greenery and plants. This coffee shop in Dubai is named after one of the owner’s – Ivy. She is married to Robert and they opened this space after recognising the need for more plant job in Dubai.
Secret Garden Ivy sell a range of plants, pots and home decor items. As well as offering a range of unique workshops like coffee and paint, soap making and herbalist body care. It is a warehouse style space, large, airy and open. The most wonderful zen place made even better, in my eyes, with the resident sausage dog – if you’re lucky enough to catch him.
Secret Garden Ivy have a range of Italian speciality coffee and a small bites menu including Acai bowls. Personally I love to sit upstairs on the balcony, overlooking the main area to people watch. They have created balcony desks with lamps and power sockets to encourage you to relax and stay awhile.
Whatever birthday party I am dropping off at in this area, I always try and make this Al Quoz coffee shop my first choice! It is definitely one of the best coffee places in Dubai.
Opening Times: 9am – 9pm
Jumeirah
There are so many cute cafes in this area waiting for me to explore! However, it is the opposite end of town for us so I only explore this area once in a while. These 2 coffee shops were visited after a Splash n Party drop off!
Tania’s Teahouse
A very popular cafe near the Burj Al Arab in Jumeirah. Tania’s Teahouse has been around for a while and is well known for it’s cute, pastel interiors and Instagrammable spots. It has a minimalist, modern vibe and is perfect for a catch-up with friends or like I did, taking your Kindle and enjoying the surroundings. Keep an eye out on their social media for their socials and wellness events.
They offer an all day breakfast, all-day high tea platters, mains and healthy bowls as well as an abundance of tea. The tea menu is extensive with all flavours imaginable and can be served hot or iced.
As well as stopping here for lunch and a tea you can also buy lovely tea themed gifts. Pets are welcome in the outside area too. A perfect Mums escape!
Opening Times: 8am – 6pm
Terra Eatery
Terra Eatery is another urban escape in the middle of a dusty, desert road. Terra means ‘earth’ and it is certainly the vibe of the place with plants and greenery everywhere. They focus on sustainability working with local producers and dishes will be according to the season. The vibe is light and bright with wooden furniture and linen furnishings. Ceramics are handmade adding to the earthly vibe.
I enjoyed the breakfast, eggs benedict and kids had great pancakes. The food is of a very high standard and they have a varied, gourmet menu. It is a little on the pricey side for a coffee stop but if you’re looking for a good meal then it’s a perfect choice. It is located next to Waitrose so parking is easy.
Opening Times: 8am – midnight
Dubai Land
This area is not so great for the party drop off coffee hideouts. However, it is close to where we live so we have scouted out a few more cool coffee houses in Dubai to share with you.
Caya, Town Square
Caya is in our neighbourhood and somewhere we visit often. One of the best things about this Dubai coffee shop is that it is right next to a big grass area, huge playground, splash park and carousel. It is the perfect place for UAE coffee with kids.
The menu is great with lots of breakfast options, lunches with salads and mains. An ample kids menu and lots of delicious desserts if you are looking for coffee and cake in Dubai. It is reasonably priced too which is always a plus point.
We love the clean, modern vibes and lots of outdoor seating. Another plus point for us is the greenery and plants everywhere.
Opening Times: 8am – 11pm
Lime Tree Cafe, Town Square
Another nice coffee shop in Town Square, Dubai is of course Lime Tree Cafe. As mentioned above it is a renowned Dubai coffee shop and we love having it on our doorstep. They offer some pavement terraced seating which is a great stop after walking or cycling the Town Square track.
For more information on menu and what to expect from Lime Tree – scroll up!
Opening Times: 7.30am – 9pm
Booking.comCircle Cafe, Studio City
Inside the office block of EIT in Studio City is Circle Cafe. It is the best breakfast spot in the area with an all you can eat menu for only 69dhs every weekend from 8am-4pm. There are many options and you can order as much as you like all including a cup of tea or coffee. A kids menu is on offer too. Understandably, it gets very busy so choose your timings wisely.
Aside from the weekend all you can eat breakfast they have a great, reasonably priced, lunch and dinner menu.
They have locations in Media City, Jumeirah Islands, Business Bay and other areas around Dubai and Abu Dhabi too.
Opening Times: 8am – 10pm
Sella Restaurant, Dubai Polo Club
One of our favourite spots this end of town. There is nothing better than being surrounded by nature. Sella has a large terrace so is best enjoyed during cooler months. Pull up a chair and watch the horses and let the kids run around in the big playground at Dubai Polo Club.
Sella at Dubai Polo Club can be enjoyed for a coffee, breakfast or even a wine! It is not the quietest place as it is very family friendly so it might not be the right place for peace and quiet. However, if you walk around to the other side of the building at the polo field, you can find a tranquil area. Watch the sunset and enjoy happy hour! You can bring your furry friends too.
Opening Times: 6am – 11.30pm
Spill the Bean, Sustainable City
Spill the Bean is a wonderful independent coffee shop serving speciality coffee in Dubai. It is also in one of our favourite areas of Dubai. They have a great menu with lots of vegan and vegetarian options. On the weekends they do a fantastic breakfast deal of 60dhs for a breakfast item, juice and coffee.
It is a perfect place to sit and people watch, make sure to wander over to the pond afterwards. See the ducks, smell the trees and reconnect with nature. A really cool coffee shop and one of the best coffee places in Dubai.
Opening Times: 7am – 6pm
Sandersons, Sustainable City
Just opposite from Spill the Bean is Sandersons. They have a lovely green vibe with wooden seating, soft lighting and a nice terrace outside. They have a great menu with lots of lovely, fresh options. Sunday roasts, light lunches, breakfast choices and a good kids menu with a little kids area.
Opening Times: 7am – 10pm
Sansation
Sansation has a wonderful Greek vibe with lots of blue eye decorations and flowers. We love the vibe of this place. They have two branches, one in Motor City and one in Arabian Ranches 2. The Motor City branch overlooks a lake so is lovely calm space.
They have a good breakfast menu with lots of Arabic menu items too. As well as a kids menu. It can be enjoyed just for a coffee or a meal.
Opening Times: 7am – 2am
Green Room, Els Club
Another one of our favourite spots in Dubai where we spend a lot of time. The Green Room offers a great all inclusive pool day pass. 100dhs per adult, fully refundable and 150dhs on the weekend. Kids are free. The pool is great with a kids pool and a swim up bar. As well as a kids playground.
They have a big kids menu, lovely breakfast, lunch and dinner options too. The Sunday roast is popular. As well as a recently launched, Thursday night ladies night.
If you have any Sports City parties, like Footlab it is near enough to get an hour or so in the sun and a nice meal!
Opening Times: 9am – 12am
We hope you have enjoyed this list, let us know of any of your favourites that we have missed! We will continue to update this list as we check out more coffee shops in UAE.
If you enjoyed this post on Best Coffee Places in Dubai then check out Everything you need to know about Dubai or 17 Free Activities in Dubai. Read our Old Dubai Tour post when checking out our favourite area in Dubai.
