I live in Dubai. I drink coffee every day. I tried many shops. Most are bad. They burn the beans. They add too much sugar. They care about photos not taste. I made this list for you. I paid for every cup. No free coffee. No deals. Top 10 Coffee Shops In Dubai.
Here are the ten places I go back to.
10 Must-Visit Coffee Shops in Dubai
1. Percent Coffee
This shop is in Al Quoz. Look for a grey door. No sign. Easy to miss. Inside is small. Four tables. Maybe five. The coffee is smooth. No bitter taste. The person making your coffee knows your name after one visit. I go here when I want quiet.
Price: 18 AED for a cappuccino.
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2. Nightjar
Nightjar is inside Alserkal Avenue. This area has art galleries. The coffee shop has old sofas. Low lights. Slow music. They pour water slowly over the coffee. You can watch. The person will tell you where the beans came from. No loud calls here. No typing loud. Just coffee.
Price: 25 AED for pour over.
3. RAW Coffee Company
RAW is old. More than ten years in Dubai. They started in a small villa. Now they are in a warehouse. They roast beans every morning. Milk is from local farms. The egg sandwich is good. But the coffee is better. The people here smile. They say good morning loud. You feel happy when you leave.
Price: 20 AED for a latte.
4. The Espresso Lab
This shop is in Dubai Design District. No sofas. Only high stools. Long counter. They measure everything. Water heat. Bean size. Pour speed. But the coffee tastes warm and good. Not cold like a science project. I come here between meetings. Quick cup. Then leave.
Price: 16 AED for an espresso.
5. Tom & Serg
Tom & Serg is big. High roof. Big windows. Inside and outside seats. Coffee is strong. Not bitter. Food is also good. The avocado toast is famous. But do not come only for food. Come for coffee. Friday morning is very busy. Come Monday at 2 PM if you hate crowds.
Price: 24 AED for iced latte.
6. Roseleaf Cafe
Roseleaf is in Jumeirah. Inside a villa. There is a garden. You sit under a tree. Birds come near you. Coffee is not the strongest. But it is clean. No bad taste after. Beans come from a small roaster inside UAE. The shakshuka is good. But again. Coffee is the reason.
Price: 22 AED for flat white.
7. Arrows and Sparrows
This shop is hard to find. Street 8 in Al Quoz. Many warehouses. One small wooden door. Blink and you miss it. Inside is white walls. Green plants. Coffee is from London. Fruity taste. Light. Not everyone likes light roast. I like it. Very quiet on weekdays. I work here for three hours. No one bothers me.
Price: 28 AED for filter coffee.
8. Percent Arabica
I do not like Dubai Mall. Too many people. Too loud. Most coffee shops there are bad. But Percent Arabica is different. From Japan. Simple menu. Espresso. Latte. Water. No vanilla. No whipped cream. No sugar drinks. You can see the Dubai Fountain from here. Drink coffee. Watch water show. Coffee tastes like chocolate.
Price: 26 AED for Spanish latte.
9. One Life Kitchen and Cafe
One Life is bright. White walls. Light wood chairs. Feels like morning even at 4 PM. Coffee beans come from Australia. Milk texture is perfect. Not too foamy. Not too flat. Small outdoor area. You can watch people walk their dogs. Know more about the top 10 coffee shops in dubai.
Price: 19 AED for cortado.
10. Cypher
Cypher is new. Opened last year. Black and white walls. Simple. But coffee is not simple. Beans from a small farm in Colombia. Taste changes when coffee cools down. First cherry. Then chocolate. Then honey. The person making coffee will talk to you for twenty minutes if you ask. They love coffee.
Price: 21 AED for batch brew.
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Which One For You?
- Pick based on your mood.
- Want quiet and no people. Go to Percent or Arrows and Sparrows.
- Want food with coffee. Go to Tom and Serg or Roseleaf.
- Want to see the fountain. Go to Percent Arabica in Dubai Mall.
- Want to learn about coffee. Go to Cypher or Nightjar.
- Want a quick cup and leave. Go to The Espresso Lab.
Wifi For Work
Here is truth about wifi.
- Percent Coffee has good wifi. Power near every table. Very low noise.
- Arrows and Sparrows has good wifi. Power near wall seats. Very low noise.
- Tom and Serg has very good wifi. Many power points. But Friday is loud.
- Nightjar has average wifi. Limited power points. Low noise.
- One Life has very good wifi. Many power points. Medium noise.
- If you want to work in silence. Go Tuesday morning to Percent or Arrows.
Price You Should Pay
- Good coffee in Dubai costs 18 to 28 AED.
- Less than 15 AED means old beans.
- More than 35 AED means you pay for the chair not the coffee.
- All shops on this list charge fair price.
Conclusion
Many top 10 lists are fake. The writer never left their home. They copy from Google. They copy from other lists. They never tasted the coffee. I drank 40 cups for this list. My stomach hurt for two days. But now you have a real list. Go to one shop. Order one cup. Drink slow. No phone. No laptop. Just coffee. Then decide if you like it. Coffee is personal. My favorite may not be your favorite. That is fine.