Feel like an influencer at these cafés with picture-perfect décor, desserts and drinks.
Floral backdrops, angel wings and coffee art can only mean one thing – an Insta-worthy café. Dubai has many idyllic cafés that will set your Instagram account alight, ranging from EL&N’s pink hues to Nomad Day Bar’s quirky interiors. Here are 23 FACT-recommended Instagrammable cafés in Dubai. Cameras at the ready.
%Arabica
Arabica originated in Japan and can now be found in six locations across Dubai. The Japanese coffee shop is gram-worthy due to its simple, minimalistic design, which attracts locals and expats alike to an inviting space anchored around a white and bronze colour scheme. The café encourages customers to taste the world’s finest coffee beans, grown and imported independently from Kyoto.
GO: Follow @arabica.uae on Instagram for more information.
Alchemy
This cool coffee shop on Al Wasl Road prides itself on redefined, pure coffee served in a family-friendly environment. Embracing people of all ages, Alchemy offers a drink in a tranquil setting beside the building’s pool or within the spacious indoor area. Pop in for a simple latte, espresso, aeropress, or cold brew, and indulge in tasty treats such as croissants and soft cookies that look too good to eat—well, almost.
GO: Visit www.alchemydubai.com for more information.
Amongst Few
Minimalistic and ambient, Amongst Few is a unique café that serves the best before-noon dishes all day. Expect everything from waffles to avocado and eggs, freshly pressed juices and smoothies, and caffeinated drinks. The café’s building on Al Wasl Road also houses its clothing, footwear, and lifestyle store. So stock up on your Yeezys—they will not go unnoticed on social media.
GO: Visit www.amongstfew.com for more information.
Birch Bakery
Located in Al Quoz, Birch Bakery takes pride in its sustainable baking methods, using 100 per cent wild-farmed flour. Local favourites include pain au chocolat, soft, buttery buns, and viennoiserie. The bakery even makes its own chocolate on-site. Whether you’re seeking a leisurely breakfast or a gourmet takeaway, this hole-in-the-wall offers a rough-and-ready approach, but this is largely part of the appeal of this extremely popular spot.
GO: Follow @birch.bakery on Instagram for more information.
bkry
If you love the smell of freshly baked bread, then head to bkry. Located in Alserkal Avenue, the popular bakery boasts queue-worthy pastries. The menu features artisanal pastries, beautiful baked goods, crafted coffee drinks and non-alcoholic beverages. The breakfast menu ranges from Berries on Toast to Wild Mushroom on Toast, and pastries range from Matcha Cruffin to PB&J Cruffin. Plus, the new savoury additions include Beef Sando, Chicken Teriyaki Sandwich, Strozzapreti Moussaka and Gnocchi alla Sorrentina. Their viral Korean Tissue Bread recently earned them the royal stamp of approval from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum himself.
GO: Follow @bkry.space on Instagram for more information.
Boston Lane
This Instagrammable café in Dubai is hidden in The Courtyard at Al Quoz. Boston Lane is decorated with pale colours and hanging greenery, giving your snaps an artistic edge. The menu includes a range of breakfasts and lunches, including succulent toasties. Moreover, Boston Lane has created a beautiful community that attracts visitors to its ripe market, book exchanges, and live music events.
GO: Visit www.bostonlane.com for more information.
Cassette
Also located in The Courtyard at Al Quoz, Cassette prides itself on culture, art, and music and is one of the most Instagrammable cafés in Dubai. The lengthy menu offers food for any time of day. True to its name, Cassette is passionate about music and creates Spotify playlists every month. The vibrant café includes Instagrammable greenery, which adds to the creative and modern environment.
GO: Visit http://cassette.ae for more information.
Depresso
This small but cute café in Umm Suqeim is known for creating Instagrammable drinks topped with mini doughnuts and treats. Packed with personality, the café boasts a menu of ice cream, coffees and frappuccinos, offered in constantly evolving flavours to reflect the changing seasons. Whether you dine in or take away, the café is all about sharing good vibes. Plus, you can’t leave without taking a shot of your drink with a doughnut on top – it’s artfully placed on the lid and kept in place with a straw or stirrer in the hole, of course.
GO: Follow @depressocafe on Instagram for more information.
Drop
When a café’s takeaway cups are gram-worthy – in this case with a silver drop-shaped logo on a maroon background – you know it’s doing something right. Drop in Al Wasl is a diverse café where baristas come from across the world to create high-quality coffees using over nine different techniques. Drop is a relaxed, modern place with white marble and unique lighting, while an abundance of greenery adds texture to the surroundings. The speciality menu is nothing but exotic and exciting, offering everything from warming coffees to refreshing spritzes. You’ll likely be tempted by the mouth-watering sweets and pastries.
GO: Visit www.dropdubai.ae for more information.
EL&N
Welcome to one of the most well-known Instagrammable cafés in Dubai if not the Middle East. EL&N can also be found in all its gram-tastic glory in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudia Arabia and the United Kingdom. EL&N is an instantly recognised place, thanks to its pink floral scheme and wonderfully glamourous interior design. The LED lights and fashionable art will catch your eye, while the menu will capture your heart. Indulge in a meal, desserts or coffee, but don’t miss the Instagrammable drinks. The most social media-worthy venue is DIFC’s EL&N.
GO: Visit https://ae.elnlondon.com for more information.
Mazmi Café
Mazmi Coffee & More is located on Dubai’s Creekside, with a view of the water and boats. An outside seating area in blues and browns sets the scene perfectly. It’s a place where Italian food meets Emirati culture, expanding from a coffee shop to a B&B (also known as ‘casa’). Tuck into individual cakes, ice cream, and coffee specialities, which are made fresh daily.
GO: Visit https://mazmi.me for more information.
Nightjar
This dark and broody spot on Alserkal Avenue offers indoor or outdoor seating and is ideal for an evening with friends. Grab a bite to eat from their varied menu or have a few drinks—preferably the speciality coffee. You will undoubtedly enjoy the music and culture of the place and be served by staff eager to make your experience memorable.
GO: Follow @nightjar.coffee on Instagram for more information.
Nomad Day Bar
This all-day coffee shop is Insta-gold. The café has a range of comfortable sofa seats, chairs, and even a library of artfully scattered books, which sets the scene for the gram. The colourful and peaceful atmosphere makes it perfect for those who need somewhere to study or work. Located inside the undeniably funky 25hours Hotel Once Central, Nomad is operated by Nightjar Coffee and offers pastries, small bites, coffees and teas to keep you energised.
GO: Visit www.nomaddaybar.com for more information.
Onda
Located in Canal House on Al Wasl Road — just a stone’s throw away from the popular Dar Wasl, Onda Dubai is a cosy cafe that’s making waves for all the right reasons. In various languages, onda could mean different things, but here, it reflects the Spanish slang, which translates to ‘vibes’. And let’s just say, the cafe definitely delivers on that front. From avocado toasts and fresh salads to truffle burgers and Wagyu steak sandwiches — which we hear is a favourite — your taste buds are in for a treat. You can also sip on smoothies, coffees and creative mocktails to compliment your meal.
GO: Follow @honoryouronda on Instagram for more information.
Rascals Bakehouse
If you love the smell of freshly baked goods in the morning, Rascals Bakehouse in Wasl Square should be on your radar. The cool cafe concept serves a range of baked goods, desserts, pastries, and speciality coffee. The space includes a green-tiled countertop, silver chairs, wooden tables, floor-to-ceiling windows, and artfully placed stacks of flour. If you suffer from food indecision, the counter showcases the creative concoctions which range from cookies, eclairs and cereal-glazed croissants to the ever-popular peanut butter oat latte.
GO: Follow @rascalsbakehouse on Instagram for more information.
RAW Coffee Company
Spot the beautiful graffiti on the outside of an Al Quoz warehouse, and you’ll find RAW. The inviting appearance welcomes you into a coffee-crazy environment. This coffee house offers over twenty different coffee beans, from blends to decaf and many more. Relish the mouth-watering lunch menu at one of Dubai’s most unique Instagrammable locales.
GO: Visit https://rawcoffeecompany.com for more information.
Saddle
Saddle is a popular and well-rated food truck with an outside seating area under beautiful hanging lights. Imagine spending an evening with your family, sipping an iced coffee while enjoying a delicious pastry. More importantly, Instagrammable pictures can be snapped at the equestrian-themed venue in Al Khawaneej, Al Quadra, or (our personal favourite) Al Wasl.
GO: Follow @saddledubai on Instagram for more information.
Tania’s Teahouse
This cute café on Jumeriah Street features a pale pink, floral interior design. The serene coffee shop in Dubai Hills offers a homely location to indulge in teas, coffees and healthy bites – including wonderfully presented platters of treats. Try the pastel-coloured smoothies or the cookie dough tea. Tania’s Teahouse also offers customised cake creations and was recently named the seventh most Instagrammable café in the world.
GO: Visit www.taniasteahouse.com for more information.
The Espresso Lab
Established in 2015, The Espresso Lab has two locations in Dubai. The venue’s natural, simplistic design encourages guests to witness the professional roasting of original coffee beans. The baristas strive for perfection when creating their beverages using new techniques, which will amaze your taste buds. The D3 location is our personal favourite.
GO: Visit https://theespressolab.com for more information.
The Grey
This contemporary coffee house with a dark, minimalistic aesthetic is the perfect spot for you and your friends. The centre, the space, and all the grey areas in between” explain The Grey’s inspiration. The menu consists of classics, tea, boba, and speciality coffees. They also offer breakfast options, desserts, and small bites.
GO: Visit www.the-grey.co for more information.
Tonton
Start your day off with the smell of freshly baked bread. Tonton has opened in Al Wasl 51, and comes courtesy of YAVA’s owner, Basil Yassin. Drawing inspiration from Italy and France, it showcases beautiful baked goods. Options range from croissants filled with vanilla caramel mille-feuille to the signature TonTail, which is a twist on a sfogliatella.
GO: Follow @tontonbakes on Instagram for more information.
XVA Cafe
XVA Café is one of Dubai’s most historic eateries, located along the banks of Dubai Creek. The hotel comprises 15 rooms, several wind towers, two mesmerising courtyards, and this charming café. Visitors come for the culturally considered vegetarian and vegan dishes and intriguing beverages. After dining at XVA Café, visit the art exhibition to complete a fabulous day out for you and your family.
GO: Visit www.xvahotel.com for more information.