Best of Dubai · Coffee Shops · Cafés
Looking for the best coffee shops in Dubai? This guide ranks the city’s most useful cafés for specialty coffee, iced lattes, roasteries, quiet catch-ups, work sessions, breakfast coffee, design-led interiors and stylish Dubai café stops.
By: Best Of Editorial TeamPublished: JulyLast checked: July
Guide status: Research-led launch edition. We checked current coffee shop coverage, official café pages and public listings where available. Menus, branch locations, opening hours and prices can change, so check directly before visiting.
How We Chose These Coffee Shops
We ranked coffee shops based on coffee quality, atmosphere, reader usefulness, branch convenience, food options, design, consistency, specialty coffee reputation and whether each café solves a clear coffee need. Best Of ratings are editorial scores based on practical reader value, not customer-review averages.
Quick Picks
Best overall coffeeThe Espresso Lab
Best cool hangoutNightjar Coffee Roasters
Best iconic brand% Arabica
Best roasteryRAW Coffee Company
Best everyday specialty coffeeBoon Coffee
Best cosy courtyard caféBoston Lane
Coffee starter picker
What kind of coffee stop do you need?
Choose the coffee mood first, then jump straight to the best match. Some cafés are best for serious espresso, while others are better for work, breakfast, photos or relaxed catch-ups.
Best Coffee Shops in Dubai Comparison Cards
🥇
9.9/10
#1 The Espresso Lab
Best Overall Coffee Shop in Dubai
Best forSpecialty coffee
AreaDubai Design District
Price guideAED 25–80 per person
🥈
9.8/10
#2 Nightjar Coffee Roasters
Best Cool Coffee Hangout in Dubai
Best forCold brew
AreaAlserkal Avenue, Al Quoz
Price guideAED 40–120 per person
🥉
9.7/10
#3 % Arabica
Best Iconic Coffee Brand in Dubai
Best forStylish coffee stops
AreaMultiple Dubai locations including Dubai Mall and Jumeirah areas
Price guideAED 25–70 per person
☕
9.6/10
#4 RAW Coffee Company
Best Coffee Roastery in Dubai
Best forCoffee beans
AreaAl Quoz
Price guideAED 30–120 per person
🌿
9.5/10
#5 Boon Coffee
Best Dubai Coffee Brand for Everyday Specialty Coffee
Best forEveryday specialty coffee
AreaMultiple Dubai locations
Price guideAED 30–100 per person
🖤
9.4/10
#6 Brew Café
Best Minimal Specialty Coffee Shop in Dubai
Best forMinimal cafés
AreaJumeirah 1
Price guideAED 25–80 per person
🌴
9.3/10
#7 Saddle Café
Best Stylish Dubai Café for Coffee and Bites
Best forStylish coffee
AreaMultiple Dubai locations
Price guideAED 40–140 per person
📚
9.2/10
#8 Boston Lane
Best Cosy Courtyard Coffee Shop in Dubai
Best forCosy coffee
AreaThe Courtyard, Al Quoz
Price guideAED 40–120 per person
🎨
9.1/10
#9 A Normal Day
Best Design-Led Café in Dubai
Best forDesign-led café visits
AreaDubai location / current listing to verify
Price guideAED 45–140 per person
🛍️
9.0/10
#10 Common Grounds
Best Reliable Coffee Shop for Breakfast and Work
Best forBreakfast coffee
AreaMultiple Dubai locations
Price guideAED 45–140 per person
Decision Helper
- Choose The Espresso Lab if coffee quality matters most.
- Choose Nightjar if you want coffee with creative atmosphere and food.
- Choose % Arabica if you want a stylish, reliable and easy coffee stop.
- Choose RAW Coffee Company if you want beans, roastery energy and home-brewing options.
- Choose Boston Lane if you want a cosy courtyard café.
- Choose Common Grounds if you want coffee plus proper breakfast or lunch.
The Best Coffee Shops in Dubai
🥇 1. The Espresso Lab
9.9
Best Of
Rating
The Espresso Lab
Best Overall Coffee Shop in Dubai
The Espresso Lab is one of Dubai’s strongest specialty coffee names, especially for people who care about the actual cup rather than just the café aesthetic. It is a serious coffee-first spot with a calm, minimal feel and a reputation for quality.
Location: Dubai Design District
Price guide: AED 25–80 per person
Best Of Dubai rating: 9.9/10
Best for: Specialty coffee, pour-over, espresso, coffee purists, quiet coffee meetings and serious caffeine stops
Website: Official website / listing to verify before publishing
What to expect
Specialty espresso, filter coffee, careful brewing, minimalist interiors, barista-led service and a more serious coffee atmosphere.
Why it ranks
It ranks first because it is one of the easiest places to recommend when coffee quality is the main thing. It is not just pretty; it is genuinely coffee-led.
Must try
- Flat white
- Pour-over coffee
- Espresso
- Cold brew
- Single-origin beans
Best Of Dubai tip
Choose this when you care more about coffee quality than a huge food menu.
🥈 2. Nightjar Coffee Roasters
9.8
Best Of
Rating
Nightjar Coffee Roasters
Best Cool Coffee Hangout in Dubai
Nightjar Coffee Roasters is one of Dubai’s coolest coffee spots, with a creative Alserkal Avenue setting, serious coffee, brunch-style food and a more independent feel than a standard mall café.
Location: Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz
Price guide: AED 40–120 per person
Best Of Dubai rating: 9.8/10
Best for: Cold brew, specialty coffee, casual brunch, creative mornings, friends and Alserkal days
Website: Official website / listing to verify before publishing
What to expect
Cold brew, espresso drinks, food, warehouse-style interiors, creative energy and a coffee shop that feels very connected to Dubai’s arts scene.
Why it ranks
It ranks high because it has both strong coffee and personality. It is the kind of place people actually remember after visiting.
Must try
- Cold brew
- Flat white
- Breakfast dishes
- Pastries
- House coffee drinks
Best Of Dubai tip
Pair it with galleries and concept stores around Alserkal Avenue.
🥉 3. % Arabica
9.7
Best Of
Rating
% Arabica
Best Iconic Coffee Brand in Dubai
% Arabica is one of the most recognisable coffee brands in Dubai, known for its clean white design, consistent coffee and very photogenic locations. It is a strong pick when readers want something easy, stylish and reliable.
Location: Multiple Dubai locations including Dubai Mall and Jumeirah areas
Price guide: AED 25–70 per person
Best Of Dubai rating: 9.7/10
Best for: Stylish coffee stops, tourists, quick caffeine, iced lattes, photos and easy locations
Website: Official website / listing to verify before publishing
What to expect
Clean interiors, espresso drinks, Spanish lattes, iced coffees, branded cups and a polished global coffee-brand feel.
Why it ranks
It ranks because it is instantly recognisable and very useful for visitors who want a stylish, easy coffee stop without overthinking it.
Must try
- Spanish latte
- Iced latte
- Matcha latte
- Americano
- Coffee beans
Best Of Dubai tip
Good for a quick stylish coffee, especially around tourist-heavy areas.
☕ 4. RAW Coffee Company
9.6
Best Of
Rating
RAW Coffee Company
Best Coffee Roastery in Dubai
RAW Coffee Company is one of Dubai’s best-known specialty coffee roasters and a strong pick for people who want beans, brewing gear, training-style coffee culture and a proper roastery feel.
Location: Al Quoz
Price guide: AED 30–120 per person
Best Of Dubai rating: 9.6/10
Best for: Coffee beans, roastery visits, specialty coffee, brewing gear, coffee lovers and home brewers
Website: Official website / listing to verify before publishing
What to expect
Freshly roasted coffee, espresso drinks, beans, brewing equipment, café seating and a more roastery-led atmosphere.
Why it ranks
It ranks because it supports the coffee scene beyond just serving drinks. It is useful for people who want to understand, buy and brew better coffee.
Must try
- House espresso
- Filter coffee
- Coffee beans
- Cold brew
- Brewing gear
Best Of Dubai tip
Great if you want to buy beans to use at home.
🌿 5. Boon Coffee
9.5
Best Of
Rating
Boon Coffee
Best Dubai Coffee Brand for Everyday Specialty Coffee
Boon Coffee is a strong Dubai-born coffee brand with multiple locations and a practical mix of specialty coffee, café food and easy access. It works well for regular coffee stops, work breaks and casual meet-ups.
Location: Multiple Dubai locations
Price guide: AED 30–100 per person
Best Of Dubai rating: 9.5/10
Best for: Everyday specialty coffee, casual meetings, work breaks, breakfast, light food and easy repeat visits
Website: Official website / listing to verify before publishing
What to expect
Espresso drinks, iced coffee, beans, café food, clean interiors and a reliable everyday specialty coffee feel.
Why it ranks
It ranks because it is useful. Not every coffee trip needs to be a destination; sometimes readers need a good regular coffee spot.
Must try
- Flat white
- Iced latte
- Coffee beans
- Breakfast items
- Pastries
Best Of Dubai tip
A good option when you want quality coffee without making it a huge plan.
🖤 6. Brew Café
9.4
Best Of
Rating
Brew Café
Best Minimal Specialty Coffee Shop in Dubai
Brew Café is a strong specialty coffee pick for readers who like simple design, good coffee and a calmer café feel. It is less about being huge and more about doing the basics well.
Location: Jumeirah 1
Price guide: AED 25–80 per person
Best Of Dubai rating: 9.4/10
Best for: Minimal cafés, specialty coffee, quiet catch-ups, coffee purists and Jumeirah mornings
Website: Official website / listing to verify before publishing
What to expect
Espresso drinks, filter coffee, a minimal setting, barista focus and a calm neighbourhood coffee-shop atmosphere.
Why it ranks
It ranks because it gives the guide a more understated coffee-first option, especially for people who dislike loud or overly busy cafés.
Must try
- Flat white
- Filter coffee
- Espresso
- Iced coffee
- Pastry if available
Best Of Dubai tip
Choose Brew when you want a quiet coffee stop rather than a big brunch café.
🌴 7. Saddle Café
9.3
Best Of
Rating
Saddle Café
Best Stylish Dubai Café for Coffee and Bites
Saddle Café is one of Dubai’s most recognisable lifestyle cafés, known for polished branding, specialty drinks, breakfast bites and an easy casual-luxury feel. It is good for readers who want coffee plus a snack or pretty café stop.
Location: Multiple Dubai locations
Price guide: AED 40–140 per person
Best Of Dubai rating: 9.3/10
Best for: Stylish coffee, breakfast bites, desserts, takeaway drinks, casual-luxury café stops and photos
Website: Official website / listing to verify before publishing
What to expect
Specialty drinks, coffee, matcha, breakfast items, desserts, polished takeaway cups and a stylish Dubai café atmosphere.
Why it ranks
It ranks because it is a strong lifestyle café: good for coffee, but also useful when the reader wants food, photos and convenience.
Must try
- Iced latte
- Matcha
- Breakfast bites
- French toast-style dishes
- Desserts
Best Of Dubai tip
Good for takeaway coffee or a quick café stop before a day out.
📚 8. Boston Lane
9.2
Best Of
Rating
Boston Lane
Best Cosy Courtyard Coffee Shop in Dubai
Boston Lane is a charming courtyard café that feels different from Dubai’s big glossy coffee shops. It is especially useful for relaxed mornings, casual catch-ups, breakfast, coffee and a softer neighbourhood atmosphere.
Location: The Courtyard, Al Quoz
Price guide: AED 40–120 per person
Best Of Dubai rating: 9.2/10
Best for: Cosy coffee, courtyard setting, relaxed brunch, casual meet-ups and Al Quoz mornings
Website: Official website / listing to verify before publishing
What to expect
Coffee, breakfast dishes, sandwiches, relaxed courtyard seating, small-shop charm and a less corporate café atmosphere.
Why it ranks
It ranks because it adds warmth to the list. Not every coffee shop needs to feel futuristic; Boston Lane is cosy, friendly and easy to like.
Must try
- Coffee
- Breakfast toast
- Sandwiches
- Pastries
- Iced coffee
Best Of Dubai tip
Best on a cooler morning when the courtyard setting feels nicest.
🎨 9. A Normal Day
9.1
Best Of
Rating
A Normal Day
Best Design-Led Café in Dubai
A Normal Day is a stylish design-led café that works well for readers who want coffee, food and an aesthetic space without it feeling too overdone. It is a good pick for relaxed café sessions and casual meals.
Location: Dubai location / current listing to verify
Price guide: AED 45–140 per person
Best Of Dubai rating: 9.1/10
Best for: Design-led café visits, coffee, casual meals, stylish interiors and relaxed catch-ups
Website: Official website / listing to verify before publishing
What to expect
Coffee, modern café food, soft interiors, design-led details and a more curated café atmosphere.
Why it ranks
It ranks because Dubai café searches are not only about espresso; people also want beautiful, calm places to sit.
Must try
- Coffee
- Breakfast dish
- Pastries
- Iced drinks
- Seasonal café dishes
Best Of Dubai tip
Good for people who want a café that feels stylish but still relaxed.
🛍️ 10. Common Grounds
9.0
Best Of
Rating
Common Grounds
Best Reliable Coffee Shop for Breakfast and Work
Common Grounds is a reliable café choice for coffee, breakfast, work catch-ups and casual meals. It is not the most niche specialty shop, but it is useful, easy and consistent across multiple Dubai locations.
Location: Multiple Dubai locations
Price guide: AED 45–140 per person
Best Of Dubai rating: 9.0/10
Best for: Breakfast coffee, mall cafés, casual work sessions, groups, healthy plates and reliable café meals
Website: Official website / listing to verify before publishing
What to expect
Coffee, breakfast plates, bowls, sandwiches, smoothies, mall-friendly locations and a polished casual café setup.
Why it ranks
It ranks because it is practical. For many readers, the best coffee shop is the one that is easy to reach and works for coffee plus food.
Must try
- Flat white
- Breakfast bowl
- Avocado toast
- Pancakes
- Iced coffee
Best Of Dubai tip
A safe choice when your group wants coffee and proper food.
Real talk before you go
Honest Caveats
Dubai has loads of beautiful cafés, but the prettiest one is not always the best coffee shop. Before you choose, think about what you actually need from the visit.
☕ Coffee-first vs café-firstSome cafés are best for serious coffee, while others are better for food, photos or atmosphere.
💻 Not every café is work-friendlyCheck seating, noise, plug points and laptop rules before planning a long work session.
📍 Branches feel differentA brand can feel calm in one area and hectic in another, especially in malls.
🧊 Iced drinks change the rankingDubai heat makes iced lattes, cold brew and matcha way more important than in colder cities.
Planning Notes
For the best coffee stop in Dubai, choose based on your actual plan: serious espresso, iced latte, breakfast, work session, quiet catch-up, photo-friendly café or bean shopping. If you are going to work, check laptop rules, seating and peak hours before you settle in.
Help us keep this guide useful
Found a coffee shop that deserves a place?
Tell us which Dubai coffee shop you genuinely loved and what you ordered. Was it a flat white, iced latte, cold brew, matcha, Spanish latte, pastry or breakfast plate?
Your suggestions help us improve future updates and make this guide more useful for real Dubai coffee lovers.
Interactive coffee FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best coffee shop in Dubai overall?
Our top pick is The Espresso Lab because it is one of Dubai’s strongest coffee-first specialty cafés. Nightjar is better if you want coffee, food and a cooler social setting.
What is the best specialty coffee shop in Dubai?
The Espresso Lab, Nightjar Coffee Roasters, RAW Coffee Company, Brew Café and Boon Coffee are strong specialty coffee choices depending on whether you want espresso, cold brew, beans or a café hangout.
What is the best coffee shop in Dubai for working?
Common Grounds, Boon Coffee and some larger café locations can work well for casual work sessions, but always check seating, plug points, noise and laptop rules before planning a long stay.
Where can I buy coffee beans in Dubai?
RAW Coffee Company, The Espresso Lab, Boon Coffee and several specialty roasters sell beans. Availability changes, so check current bean options before visiting.
What should I order if I am new to specialty coffee?
Start with a flat white, iced latte or cold brew if you want something easy. Try pour-over or single-origin espresso if you want to taste the coffee more clearly.
Keep exploring
More Dubai Food Guides to Try Next
Keep exploring Dubai’s best breakfast, dessert and casual food guides.
Sources & Updates
Last checked: July.
We checked a mix of current Dubai café guides, official coffee shop pages, roastery listings and public listings where available. Menus, prices, branch locations, opening hours and seating policies can change, so check directly before travelling or ordering.
