Food & Drink
10 of the best Emirati-run cafes in Dubai
Tue, February 22, 2022
Coffee has always been an important part of Emirati culture with a new wave of local cafés revolutionising how Dubai consumes its caffeine. Here are a few of our favourites.
Coffee has always been an important part of Emirati culture with a new wave of local cafés revolutionising how Dubai consumes its caffeine. Here are a few of our favourites.
To The Moon And Back
Tucked away on Al Athar Street in Jumeirah, To The Moon And Back’s name is a nod to the depth of owner Zainab Al Mousawi’s love for coffee, and has inspired the café’s funky space-themed interior. Also influenced by Australia’s café culture, Zainab sources her beans from a Melbourne roastery, and is happy to talk at length about coffee to anyone. This is a laidback venue where patrons linger for hours. The menu offers light bites and all-day toasties, including a popular pastrami sandwich from Mattar Farm – another loved homegrown brand that's renowned for their barbecued and smoked meats.
Number Five
Simplicity and precision are the watchwords at Number Five. Instead of a huge range of drinks, they offer just a few, but aim to make them perfect, and to pair them with the perfect pastry. Think almond croissants, cinnamon rolls and Nutella cookies baked fresh daily. The Restaurant & Bar Design Awards-nominated interior offers clean lines and natural textures, making it the perfect setting for the perfect coffee in the charming neighbourhood of Umm Suqeim.
Brew
A cafe that opens in time for breakfast is not as common as you might expect, but Brew on Jumeirah Road opens bright and early at 7am. Whether you need a pick-me-up to start the day or are a curious coffee connoisseur, Brew has a broad range of beans from speciality roasters around the world, and prepared in plenty of ways. A selection of baked goods complements the coffee, as does the friendly, no-fuss interior.
Drop

Coffee lovers will understand how seriously Drop takes the beverage when you learn they roast their beans in-house – an increasingly common practice in Dubai. Opened by Mahmood Al Khamis and Ghanim Al Qassim, Drop’s two locations – in Dar Wasl Mall and The Dubai Mall – offer sanctuary to enjoy excellent speciality coffee in cool surroundings. Come for the Chemex coffee, and linger longer to try the buttery, flaky pastries.
The Espresso Lab

Farmers Coffee
Alchemy Coffee
The Coffee Lab
Qahwaty

Around The Block
Combining a love of coffee with a love of sneakers, Around The Block is a combination café-restaurant-sneaker studio. Aimed firmly at those who love their shoes, Around The Block, located at Wasl 51 on Al Wasl Road, comes from Emirati sneaker collector Ismail A Sharif. Come for a coffee or a meal, meet like-minded fans of Vans and more, and even get your prized shoes serviced in this slick space. We can't get enough of the truffle mac and cheese, the ATB French toast and house fried chicken!