Dubai never stands still. Every season brings fresh cafés, new menus, and picture-perfect interiors ready for your feed. From hidden courtyards steeped in heritage to sky-high lounges with panoramic views, the city offers experiences that excite every palate and camera lens.
Whether you’re a local hunting for a weekend brunch spot or a traveler exploring where to eat in Dubai, this guide curates the most Instagrammable cafés and must-try restaurants to visit in 2025.
Contents
- Arabian Tea House Cafe
- BRIX Café
- Circle Café
- The Climbing Goat Roastery
- Love Vibe Café
- Friends Avenue Café
- Avantcha
- Bar Du Port
- MEI
- Nightjar Coffee Roasters
- Orto Café
- Saya Brasserie
- SEVA Experience
1. Arabian Tea House Café – A Slice of Old Dubai
Hidden in the historic lanes of Al Fahidi Neighborhood, Arabian Tea House Café captures the soul of traditional Emirati hospitality. Step through its turquoise door into a peaceful courtyard shaded by trees and white wicker furniture. The setting feels timeless, an oasis amid the bustle of modern Dubai.
Order the Emirati breakfast tray — regag bread, balaleet (sweet noodles), and fragrant cardamom tea. Over a hundred tea varieties line the menu, alongside Arabic coffee served in delicate pots. It’s a cultural stop that locals love to show off to visitors.
Location: Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Bur Dubai
Hours: Daily 7 AM – 11 PM
Price: AED 100 – 150 pp
2. BRIX Café – Intimate Vibes by the Sea
Tucked inside Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, BRIX Café is a calm, minimalist space where the design and desserts share equal attention. Think floor-to-ceiling windows, a soft hum of conversation, and polished concrete interiors that photograph beautifully.
Couples come for quiet coffee dates and late-night sweets. Try the signature BRIX dessert tasting flight or the chocolate hazelnut bar paired with a velvety cappuccino. For golden-hour photos, grab an outdoor seat facing the harbor.
Location: Shop 1, Al Urouba St, Jumeirah 2
Hours: 8 AM – 11:30 PM
Price: AED 150 – 250 pp
3. Circle Café – Your Go-To for Casual Brunch
Few cafés in Dubai have achieved the staying power of Circle Café. Known for its laid-back interiors and affordable all-you-can-eat brunch, it’s a gathering place for everyone from freelancers to families.
The pancakes with berries are an Instagram favorite, while the eggs Benedict and French toast never disappoint. Each branch maintains a cozy, community feel — a reliable spot that feels like home no matter which neighborhood you visit.
Locations: 12 branches across Dubai and Abu Dhabi
4. The Climbing Goat Roastery – For Serious Coffee Lovers
Inside Depachika Food Hall at Nakheel Mall, The Climbing Goat Roastery is a discovery for coffee purists. The aroma alone will pull you in. Beans are sourced from Colombia and Ethiopia, roasted in-house, and brewed with precision.
Try the lychee-lavender cold brew – a Dubai-summer essential. The café’s minimalist bar setup lets you watch every pour and swirl, making it both educational and delicious. Locals consider it a hidden gem in the Palm Jumeirah coffee scene.
5. Love Vibe Café – Soft Colors and Positive Energy
Step inside Love Vibe Café and the pastel palette instantly lifts your mood. Walls of blush pink, marble counters, and hanging florals make it one of the most Instagrammable cafés in Dubai.
The menu matches the aesthetic: avocado toast with beetroot hummus, acai bowls, and rose lattes. It’s an easy choice for a brunch date or a content-day outing.
Locations: Al Wasl and DIFC branches
Price: Moderate
6. Friends Avenue Café – Urban Green and Effortlessly Cool
Among the cafés loved by locals and tourists alike, Friends Avenue Café stands out for its greenery-filled interiors and artful plating. The black-and-white design contrasts with hanging plants and daylight streaming through large windows.
Regulars swear by the peanut acai bowl and truffle eggs on toast. Every dish arrives looking ready for the camera. Service is warm and personal — the kind of spot where the barista remembers your name by your second visit.
Location: Fortune Executive Tower, Cluster T, JLT
Hours: 7 AM – 10:45 PM
Price: AED 150 – 200 pp
7. Avantcha – Where Tea Becomes an Experience
If coffee dominates Dubai’s café culture, Avantcha reminds everyone that tea can be just as sophisticated. The Al Quoz warehouse space is sleek, filled with glass jars of loose-leaf teas and the faint scent of matcha in the air.
Sip the chocolate-chilli black tea or caramel honeybush blend while enjoying desserts infused with tea leaves by Chef Reif Othman. The combination of artistry and serenity makes it one of the city’s most refined tea experiences.
Location: Kunooz 6th Street, Al Manara St, Al Quoz 1
Hours: Mon–Sat 10 AM – 6 PM
8. Bar Du Port – Stylish Dining at Dubai Harbour
Bar Du Port brings Mediterranean charm to Dubai Marina. The moment you walk in, you’re surrounded by warm wood, candlelight, and sea views. Every corner is designed for aesthetic appeal, from curved banquettes to gold-accented lighting.
Order the seafood paella or grilled octopus and pair it with a sunset cocktail. The music builds through the evening, turning dinner into a low-key party. It’s the spot where locals gather after work and travelers capture their quintessential Dubai night.
Location: Dubai Harbour Pier Club
Hours: 4 PM – 2 AM
9. MEI – Modern Asian Elegance in Mina A’Salam
Newly opened at Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, MEI blends Japanese precision with Chinese warmth. The entrance features pivot doors, art-filled walls, and golden lighting that flatters every photograph.
Order the robata-grilled sea bass or duck claypot, and finish with a plate of matcha cheesecake. From the terrace, you can dine with a sweeping view of the Burj Al Arab — easily one of the most romantic restaurants in Dubai for 2025.
10. Nightjar Coffee Roasters – Creative Energy in Alserkal Avenue
Alserkal Avenue has long been Dubai’s hub for art and culture, and Nightjar Coffee Roasters fits right in. Inside its industrial space, music pulses from vinyl decks as baristas pull shots behind copper machines.
Try the nitro cold brew or the espresso martini mocktail. The all-day menu covers everything from ricotta pancakes to sourdough toast with avocado and chilli. On weekends, DJs keep the crowd lively, creating the perfect mix of café culture and community.
Locations: Alserkal Avenue and Madinat Badr
Hours: 8 AM – 10 PM
11. Orto Café – Minimalist Design and Healthy Living
If you prefer calm spaces, Orto Café will feel like a breath of fresh air. Natural wood, green plants, and plenty of daylight create a sense of calm. The menu focuses on fresh, wholesome food with a Mediterranean twist.
Try the kale and quinoa salad or the signature smoothie bowl. Every dish is colorful, nutrient-rich, and beautifully plated — proof that healthy eating can still be indulgent.
Locations: Jumeirah, Al Khawaneej, and Sheikh Zayed University (Abu Dhabi)
Hours: 7 AM – 12 AM
12. Saya Brasserie – The Pink Dream
Saya Brasserie might be the most photographed café in Dubai. Walls of coral-pink flowers, marble tables, and candy-colored desserts make every inch photogenic. It’s popular with groups of friends celebrating brunch, birthdays, or simply creating content.
Signature dishes include lotus pancakes, pink burgers, and rose milkshakes. The experience is as playful as it is delicious, making Saya the city’s go-to for that unmistakable Dubai aesthetic.
Location: 325 Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 1
Hours: 9 AM – 12:30 AM
13. SEVA Experience – A Vegan Retreat in the City
In the heart of Jumeirah, SEVA Experience offers something rare — stillness. Set in a lush garden with rustic wooden tables, it doubles as a vegan café and wellness center.
Dishes are made from organic, plant-based ingredients. Try the super green bowl or the cacao smoothie after a yoga session. Beyond food, SEVA hosts meditation and sound-healing classes, inviting you to slow down in a city that rarely does.
Location: Jumeirah 1
Hours: 8 AM – 10 PM
Tips for Café-Hopping in Dubai 2025
1. Reserve during weekends. Dubai’s café culture peaks on Fridays and Saturdays; book early for brunch spots like Saya or Love Vibe.
2. Go early for photos. Natural morning light works best for content, and most cafés open by 8 AM.
3. Stay hydrated. Even in winter, Dubai’s sun is intense. Choose cafés with outdoor seating under shade or visit after sunset.
4. Explore by area. Cluster your visits:
- Jumeirah for beachside cafés.
- Alserkal Avenue for artsy concepts.
- Downtown for luxury brunch and skyline views.
5. Dress smart-casual. Dubai’s dining scene is stylish yet relaxed. Most cafés welcome tourists in modest summer wear; upscale restaurants may prefer semi-formal attire.
6. Support local brands. Many of these cafés roast their own beans or source locally. Buying their coffee blends helps sustain Dubai’s growing artisan scene.
FAQs About Instagrammable Cafés in Dubai
Which café has the best views in Dubai?
For skyline and sea views, Bar Du Port and MEI Restaurant both offer breathtaking backdrops, especially during sunset.
Where can I find hidden-gem cafés in Dubai?
The Climbing Goat Roastery in Palm Jumeirah and Nightjar Coffee in Alserkal Avenue are underrated spots that locals frequent.
Are there vegan or healthy cafés in Dubai?
Yes. SEVA Experience and Orto Café specialize in vegan and plant-based menus made with fresh, organic ingredients.
What’s the most Instagrammable café in Dubai right now?
Saya Brasserie remains the city’s favorite for its pink-floral interiors and creative plating — every corner is camera-ready.
What’s the average cost for brunch in Dubai cafés?
Expect AED 120 – 250 per person, depending on location and menu.
The Art of Café Culture in Dubai
Dubai’s dining evolution shows how global the city has become. Every new café adds a layer to its identity — Middle Eastern warmth meets international creativity. You can sip cold brew roasted in Ethiopia, dine on Japanese-fusion cuisine overlooking Burj Al Arab, or share Emirati breakfast under an old windtower, all in one day.
Whether you live here or are visiting for the first time, exploring cafés is one of the easiest ways to feel the city’s pulse. Each neighborhood tells a different story, and each table invites you to join it.
Discover More with Dubai Livin
If you enjoyed this guide, you’ll love exploring more hidden gems, travel tips, and lifestyle stories at dubailivin.com.
From new restaurants and rooftop lounges to cultural experiences and staycation ideas, Dubai Livin curates the best of the city — for locals who love their home and travelers who can’t wait to return.
Bookmark this guide, share it with your travel companion, and start planning your own café-hopping adventure across Dubai.
