Looking to chill at a cafe after shopping and sightseeing all day in Dubai? You will be spoiled for choices when it comes to cafes and coffee shops in the country. Not only do the cafes offer delicious snacks and beverages, but they also ensure you have a relaxed time without having to burn a hole in your pocket. Yes, many of the cafes here are quite budget-friendly, and being a female solo traveller, this works as an added advantage in a luxurious country like Dubai.
I believe when it comes to having a quick meal in the middle of the day, cafes can prove to be more helpful than restaurants. On my solo trip to Dubai, I visited a few popular cafes whenever I wanted to fuel up in between shopping and exploring the country.
In this blog, I will take you through some of the most popular cafes that you can visit in Dubai. I understand you may not have time to visit each one of them, but you can pick the ones that interest you the most and visit them at your convenience.
1. The Sum of Us
This is one of my favourite cafes to visit in Dubai. This chic cafe is perfect if you want to have a quick breakfast in the morning. The interiors of the cafe have been designed with an aesthetic European style along with a slight hint of vintage touch to it.
The moment you enter the cafe, you will be greeted by the fresh aroma of mixed roasted coffee and freshly baked bread, which is perfect to start off the day. If you are not an early morning person, this cafe has still got you covered because breakfast is served here from 8 AM to 5 PM. For one breakfast meal, it will cost you around AED 120. I think it is quite a reasonable price for the taste and quantity.
During my solo trip to Dubai, The Sum of Us was one cafe that I visited quite a lot for breakfast. Some of the dishes that I swear by are blueberry and ricotta pancakes, smoothie bowls, freshly brewed coffee, and coconut and chia pudding.
2. Lime Tree Cafe and Kitchen
One of the most popular cafes in the country, the Lime Tree Cafe and Kitchen, owns all its popularity to its healthy and nutritious food items and beverages. Again, this cafe will be perfect for a breakfast meal. Starting off the day with a healthy meal is the new cool, right?
The cafe emphasises quite a lot of healthy ingredients used in their meals, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, pulses, seeds and nuts, grains, the cafe’s own baked goods, and organic coffee beans. While all this may not sound that interesting, trust me, the food items cooked from these ingredients are quite delicious!
The interiors and decor of the cafe give the vibes of a cafe set in New York. As you enter the cafe, you will come across a small Lime Tree store that sells a wide variety of organic goods. Hence the name Lime Tree Cafe and Kitchen!
The price of one breakfast meal would cost you about AED 70. I would recommend you definitely check this cafe on your visit to Dubai for its delicious food and budget-friendly menu!
3. Tania’s Teahouse
One of the cutest cafes in Dubai, Tania’s Teahouse, has to be on your list of cafes to visit in Dubai. The cafe has a cute pink backdrop which is perfect for your next Instagram post. Not just that, the dishes and their creative names are to die for!
The whole decor of the cafe has been done in a baby pink colour. There are lots of plants as well in the cafe, which makes the whole setting very appealing.
The cafe is open from 9 AM to 8 PM. You can either stop here for a quick breakfast meal or visit in the evening to have a delicious cup of tea after spending a tiring day shopping and sightseeing. One meal will cost you a total of AED 100.
Two of the popular dishes at Tania’s Teahouse are ‘Chia Later, Pudding’ and ‘The Mermaid Toast.’ You may not be able to figure what the dishes are by their names, which is why you have to visit the cafe on your visit to Dubai! It is located on Jumeirah Street in Umm Sequin.
4. Darjeeling Cafe
A cosy cafe in the Al Karama region, Darjeeling Cafe serves some of the best herbal tea and ‘momos’ (steamed dumpling filled with veggies/meat) in Dubai. The vibes of the cafe are quite similar to those of the northeastern mountainous region of India.
Darjeeling Cafe is also one of the most budget-friendly cafes in Dubai. And with the quantity of food you get, I would say it is a steal deal!
When I visited the cafe in Dubai, it reminded me of home. Since I am a hardcore momo and ‘thupka’ (Nepali Tibetan noodle soup) fan, I knew Darjeeling Cafe was going to become one of my favourites in Dubai. Some of my favourite dishes from the cafe are dumplings, thupka, herbal tea, and momos!
One meal at the cafe will cost you around AED 40. If you are on a tight budget but still want to have a great meal, Darjeeling Cafe is the place to be.
5. Tea Junction and Cafe Lounge
If you are looking for a cafe with huge open spaces, then check out Tea Junction and Cafe Lounge. The interiors of the cafe are quite modern and give a cosy feeling. It is famous for its wide varieties of teas and lip-smacking desserts.
What makes the cafe interesting is the exterior which resembles a teapot! When you look at the cafe closely, you will see the stunning glass frames designed in the shape of the alphabet ‘T.’
The cafe has more to offer than just its exteriors. The ambience is perfect for people who are looking for a place to relax and have a warm cup of exotic tea. Of course, along with some desserts. A meal here would cost you around AED 50.
I would recommend you visit the Tea Junction and Cafe Lounge for its thoughtful exteriors and pocket-friendly dishes!
6. Boston Lane
If you prefer a cafe that is a perfect combination of both comfort and class, then look no further than the Boston Lane. The classy pink and white interiors, along with world-class coffee, are what set this cafe apart from the rest of the cafes in Dubai.
Boston Lane is owned by Australian expats, and the design and architecture of the cafe have been inspired by the coffee culture in Melbourne.
The place is gorgeous, and the interiors have beautiful quotes written all over the walls. Also, this cafe is perfect for taking some Instagram-worthy pictures as well.
If you are looking to spend some time alone in the evening with a hot cup of coffee, then this cafe is perfect for you. It also has a great playlist that will calm your soul and help you relax after a long day. On average, a meal here would cost you about AED 65 to AED 70.
7. Brew Cafe
If you are a coffeeholic just like me, then Brew Cafe should definitely be on your list of cafes to visit in Dubai. Their extensive coffee menu will be a treat for you if you like starting your day with a hot mug of coffee. The interior of the cafe is quite classy and modern but not too artistic either. This makes it the perfect place for you to wake up in the morning and head to the Brew Cafe to start your mornings.
Brew Cafe opens at 7 AM in the morning, and an average meal (coffee and snacks) would cost you just AED 30. It is located on Jumeirah Beach Road, so if you are staying nearby, you can definitely check it out.
During my solo trip to Dubai, I visited the Brew Cafe and was quite impressed by their wide variety of coffee drinks. It is a quiet place, just how I like to start my mornings. And the cherry on top is the pricing. I would definitely recommend visiting the cafe if you have a tight budget, but you do not want to miss your morning coffee!
8. Chapter One Floral Cafe
Located in Dubai Silicon Oasis, Chapter One Floral Cafe is one of the newer cafes in the country. The classy interior with cute flower pots and plants along with beautiful Arabic calligraphy on the walls give the cafe an Emirati theme. The flower pots and plants are all real flowers, which makes the cafe more natural and leaves a mild fragrance lingering in the air.
If you are looking to spend some quality time away from the hustle-bustle of the country, then this cafe is for you. Also, it is a pocket-friendly cafe which makes it perfect if you have a tight budget.
9. Tom & Serg
One of the most popular cafes in the country, Tom & Serg, is a must-visit for every kind of traveller. It is a huge cafe with a chic interior, perfect for spending a lazy afternoon. Although it has an extensive menu, the opening hours are the biggest drawback. The cafe opens at 8 AM and closes its doors pretty early, by 3:45 PM. You can either visit the cafe in the morning for breakfast or an early lunch.
Some of the popular dishes loved by its visitors are Korean fried chicken burger, mango chia pudding, and their own Tom&Serg burgers. Since the pricing is not too heavy on the pocket, with one meal costing around AED 100, you can check out the place if you are at Sheikh Zayed Road.
10. Arabian Tea House
As the name suggests, Arabian Tea House is a beautiful cafe that serves delicious Arabian cuisine. The blue and white interior of the cafe is classy yet modern. The staff is extremely friendly, and if you cannot decide what to order, you can ask them to help you out with some of their best dishes.
When I visited the Arabian Tea House, it was not that crowded. This made it perfect for me to sit in a corner seat with my favourite novel and a delicious meal. Not going to lie, this cafe gave me some stunning Instagram-worthy pictures as well!
An average meal here would cost you approximately AED 100, which is not too much considering the taste and quantity of the dishes.
11. MAKE Cafe
Looking for an aromatic coffee and some stunning Instagram shots? Well, then head to MAKE Cafe. The interior of the cafe is crafted with one of the finest arts. Not just that, the menu with a wide variety of delicious dishes is an added advantage.
The moment I stepped foot into the MAKE Cafe, I was mesmerised by the gorgeous interiors. The different types of shakes and pasta offered here are some of the best I have had.
Located in Bur Dubai, travelling to the cafe is quite convenient as well. I booked a taxi from my hotel in Dubai Marina to the MAKE Cafe. It took me about 20 minutes to reach the cafe. And one meal at the cafe would cost you around AED 90. All in all, I would say it is a great place to visit to have some delicious food at a low price.
12. The Bhukkad Cafe
The term Bhukkad translates to ‘someone who is greedy for food’ in Hindi. If you love Indian street food, then this cafe is the perfect place for you to try out the lip-smacking street food from India. The cafe is small in size but has some of the cutest seating arrangements I have ever seen. It also has little props that make the whole interior look eye-catching.
A cool fact about this cafe is that the names of the dishes have been inspired by Indian Cinema and pop culture. For instance, there is a Bollywood song named ‘Suraj Hua Maddham’ and guess what, the cafe has a dish named after this popular song. Some of my favourite dishes from The Bhukkad Cafe are Mithibai grill cheese sandwiches and chilli chicken fries.
If you are a fan of Bollywood and Indian food, you can definitely check out this place. Or, you can still visit the cafe if you want to have delicious snacks at a reasonable price. One meal here would cost you around AED 75.
13. Filli Cafe
There are two types of people in the world – coffee lovers and tea lovers. If you fall in the latter category, then Filli Cafe is just the right place for you. With a cosy and relaxed surrounding, the cafe sells some of the best teas in Dubai. The variety ranges from Herbal Tea, Lime Tea, Black Tea, Ginger Tea, Zafran Tea, Green Tea, or the cafe’s speciality Filli Tea!
Apart from world-class tea, you will also get a wide range of snacks and beverages here. Some of the most popular food items at the cafe are their smoothies, sandwiches, and fresh fruit juices.
The Filli Cafe is perfect for relaxing in the evening after a long tiring day. It is located in three different locations – Al Makhnool Road, Quasis, and Mamzar. An average meal here would cost you about AED 30.
14. Ailuromania Cafe
One of my most favourite cafes to visit in Dubai, Ailuromania Cafe, is the country’s first cat cafe. It allows its visitors to interact with the cats that live in the cafe. Now, don’t be alarmed when you read the part’ live in the cafe’. The food is kept in a separate section where the kittens and cats cannot reach. Also, cats are some of the cleanest and hygienic animals, so you should not worry about hygiene and safety.
Another thing, if you do not like cats, there is a separate section where you can sit and relax while enjoying your meal. You can look at the cats playing around from a glass window. But if you do love cats, you can sit in the section where the cats also play. Now here is a point to keep in mind – the cats may jump on your table while you have your meal!
The part that attracts a major chunk of visitors is that these are rescued cats. And the cafe is also planning on teaming up with different NGOs in Dubai to rescue more cats. Isn’t that cool?
On my solo trip to Dubai, Ailuromania Cafe was very much on the rim of my bucket list of cafes to visit in the country. The food here turned out to be delicious. And bonding with these cute little creatures surely lifts up one’s mood. The cafe is located on Jumeirah Beach Road, and one meal would cost you AED 60.
15. The Hamptons Cafe
The fancy name of this cafe comes from an iconic peninsula gateway in New York. The Hamptons Cafe is one of the newer cafes in the country located on Jumeirah Beach Road. It is located in a residential-looking white villa, and the interiors of the cafe resemble more of a home than a cafe. This is one factor that attracts many people to its doors. It’s perfect for sitting in a corner seat with a book and a delicious meal!
The cafe is quite tech-savvy, and the menus are presented on iPads. When it comes to the dishes, you will be spoiled for choices. The menu is extensive and offers a wide variety of national and international cuisines. Thai Beef Noodle Salad, East Hampton Fish Pie, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, and Moroccan Lamb Tagine are some of the most-ordered dishes here.
The cafe opens at 8 AM and closes at 11 PM. So you can either stop by the cafe for a quick breakfast or visit later at night to have a delicious dinner at an affordable price. Your meal here would cost you AED 120, which is quite budget-friendly considering the ambience, hospitality, taste, and quantity of the food served at the cafe!
16. The Surf Cafe
With the beautiful views of the Jumeirah area, The Surf Cafe is the perfect place to have a meal with a view. The artistically done interiors and classy furniture add to the cafe’s beauty.
When it comes to food, The Surf Cafe knows how to keep its customers happy. Its emphasis is on seafood imported from different parts of the world. So you can be assured about the quality of the food.
Some of its famous seafood dishes include Spicy Prawns Bento, Chimichurri Prawns, and Grilled Sea Bass. If you do not like seafood, well, the cafe has other delicious food items for you.
The cafe also has some of the best sushi in the country. So if you are a sushi lover, this place will be perfect for you. When I visited the cafe on my solo trip to Dubai, their hot Gingerbread Latte and Chimichurri Prawns instantly became my favourite. After trying out their seafood dishes, I can say that the seafood here is to die for!
The price of the dishes is quite pocket-friendly as well, and one meal here would cost you around AED 100.
17. The Farm
The Farm is located in a green surrounding that ensures you have a relaxed time in the arms of nature while having your meal. You can escape the heat of Dubai and enjoy the fresh air at The Farm. It is located in Al Barari, and the interiors are quite beautiful too. One of their most attractive features is the floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
The price of the dishes is slightly on the expensive side, but it is worth every penny you spend here. The cafe serves cuisines from all over the world, including Thai, Mediterranean, European and Italian. The average cost of a meal here is AED 160.
Also, the cafe is quite picturesque, so don’t forget to bring along your camera to click some aesthetic pictures for your next Instagram post!
18. XVA Cafe
One of the most beautiful cafes in Dubai, XVA Cafe, is perfect if you want to get away from the noise and chaos of the country. This rustic cafe has a colourful courtyard seating arrangement surrounded by lots of plants.
The extensive menu is one of the most attractive features of this cafe. Some of the must-try dishes include Rose Water Cheesecake, Orange Flavoured Chocolate Cake, Eggplant Burger, and Coconut-Based Pumpkin Curry. Additionally, their breakfast menu is quite famous too. It includes a wide variety of dishes such as Karama Crepe with Double Date Syrup, Turkish Coffee, Seddiqi Omelet, and Fresh Mint Tea.
XVA Cafe is located in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood in the Meena Bazaar area. If you happen to visit this area, you should definitely stop by the cafe to try out these mouthwatering dishes. The average price of one meal here is AED 90.
19. Comptoir 102
Located opposite Beach Centre in Jumeirah 1, Comptoir 102 is one of the most modern cafes in Dubai. The interiors of the cafe have subtle French undertones, which make the place very welcoming and homey. You can come here to have a relaxed evening snack and chill in the lounge area of the cafe.
Some of the famous dishes offered by Comptoir 102 include Labneh Organic Panini, Halloumi Toast, Rich Almond Milk-Based Smoothies, Acai Bowls, Fruit-Based Beverages, and much more! Also, the cafe is quite budget-friendly, and a meal here would cost you AED 80.
20. Saya Cafe
I saved the best for the last. This is one of the prettiest cafes you will come across in Dubai. The cafe has been decorated with lots of pink flowers, which give the whole place a vibe of Alice in Wonderland! And not just the flowers, but everything you see in the cafe will have a touch of pink to it, making it even more pretty and Instagram-worthy.
If you do plan on visiting the Saya Cafe, get your camera along with you. This place is surely going to take your Instagram game to the next level! Not to forget it is also quite pocket-friendly as a meal here would cost you approximately AED 120.
Phew! That was quite a list of cafes in Dubai, huh? Well, these are only a few of the best cafes that you can visit in the country. I understand that you may not be able to squeeze in all of these cafes in your itinerary to Dubai. So I would suggest you select the ones that are convenient for you to visit. Each cafe is different in its own way, and you will surely have a great time at all of them. Also, you can save this blog on your phone for future reference to check out the names and places of the cafes! Check this site out for deals and coupons that you can avail of some cafes in the town!
So, which are your favourite cafes in Dubai? Let me know in the comments below.
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