Looking for the best cafés in Abu Dhabi?
Whether you’re after the perfect flat white, a photogenic brunch spot, or a cosy space to catch up on work, the capital is home to an ever-growing café culture that caters to every taste and vibe.
From artisanal coffee roasters to hidden gems and family-friendly favourites, this guide is part of our Yalla Abu Dhabi dining series, created to spotlight the city’s top spots for coffee, community, and connection.
We’ve carefully selected cafés that go beyond good coffee; they offer atmosphere, creativity, and that special something that keeps locals and visitors coming back.
These are, in our opinion, the best cafés in town, because we’ve tried them, loved them, and think you will too.
So, grab your coffee to go, or better yet, stay a while. Let’s explore Abu Dhabi’s standout café scene.
Alkalime
Saadiyat Island
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Overlooking the Arabian Gulf and the white sands of Mamsha Beach, you’ll struggle to find a cafe in Abu Dhabi with a better view than Alkalime.
Specialising in healthy, organic, and mainly vegan and vegetarian dishes, the boho-chic decor is completed with hammocks and trailing vines, while everything from the nut milks to the vegan cheese is made in-house from scratch.
Tried and tested: The superior avocado toast, mammoth (yet healthy) Philly steak sandwich, and the ridiculously good Wake Me Up Iced Latte (made with espresso, almond butter, banana, dates and more) and amongst the many highlights of the inspiring menu.
Make sure you take home a bag of the homemade granola, too.
For bookings: 054 449 1547
Address: Jacques Chirac St – Al Sa’DiyatCultural – SDN1 – Abu Dhabi
Visit: Alkalime
Cafe Arabica
Al Bateen
One of Abu Dhabi’s most popular branches of the much-loved Japanese concept, this always buzzing cafe invites you to unwind against spectacular views of Marsa Al Bateen.
Surrounded by clear water and shimmering yachts, and offering some striking angles of the Corniche skyline, there can often be a wait if you visit during the evening, but it’s absolutely worth your patience.
Tried and tested: While the menu isn’t overwhelmingly long, it still offers some far-from-usual options, including the signature Kyoto latte (named after the birthplace of the brand), the subtly sweet honey latte, and the dark latte, infused with premium French cocoa.
For bookings: 02 634 1333
Address: Al Bateen – W35 – Abu Dhabi
Visit: Cafe Arabica
Ritual Cafe & Studio
Reem Central Park, Abu Dhabi
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Facing the lush green mangrove forests and blue ocean that surrounds Reem Island, the terrace of Ritual feels a world away from the bustle of the city.
Located within Reem Central Park, it’s your go-to spot for a post-kayaking breakfast, relaxed sundowner, or a pick me up after a stroll along the island’s breezy waterside promenades.
The team is super friendly, and with a wide range of reasonably priced snacks, sandwiches and comfort foods on offer, it’s a popular spot for local remote workers, too.
Tried and tested: Matcha fanatics are sure to fall in love with the best-selling and ultra-refreshing cloudy coconut matcha, while the iconic egg nest (featuring a winning combination of silky scrambled eggs, hash brown, avocado and labneh) is a treat that never ever gets old.
For bookings: 050 263 7100
Address: Unit 10, Reem Central Park, Reem Island – Abu Dhabi
Visit: Ritual Cafe & Studio
Society
Mamsha Al Saadiyat
Another chic and stylish cafe just steps from the glorious white sands of Mamsha Beach, Society is always pleasantly busy and lively.
Specialising in truly excellent coffees and matcha lattes served with a touch of creativity and fun (check out the TikTok-friendly matcha boba and you’ll see what we mean), its position on the more peaceful end of the Mamsha boardwalk makes it ideally suited to relaxed gatherings and a spot of quiet reading.
Tried and tested: The shakshuka with spicy beef sausage and ultra cheesy Georgian kachapuri breads always go down a treat at breakfast time, while the rich and creamy cacio e pepe is just as good as any you’ll find in the city’s most prestigious Italian restaurants.
For bookings: 02 886 7735
Address: Soul Beach, Mamsha Al Saadiyat – Al Saadiyat Island – Abu Dhabi
Visit: Society
Art Market
Yas Bay, Abu Dhabi
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Committed to bringing the Abu Dhabi community together and nurturing creativity, Art Market is more than just a place to enjoy high-quality food and coffee.
Owned by one half of house and techno DJs Abu Dhabi House Movement, it organises art classes, family events and even its own weekend run club, while the expansive kids’ menu means that those of all ages are made to feel right at home.
Tried and tested: Featuring eggs, salmon or bacon, hash brown, avocado and more all for just AED 65, the epic Art Market breakfast guarantees that your day gets off to the best possible start. Visiting late in the afternoon to catch the sunset over Yas Bay is also highly recommended.
For bookings: 971 52 917 1523
Address: Yas Bay, Abu Dhabi
Visit: Art Market
Circle Cafe
Saadiyat Island, Marina Mall
Abu Dhabi offers an abundance of great cafe breakfasts, but nothing beats Circle Cafe’s legendary all-you-can-eat deal.
Available Saturdays and Sundays at the Saadiyat Island, Marina Mall and Mangrove Village branches, it invites you to indulge in as many breakfast plates as you manage (including many vegetarian options), and one tea or coffee, all for just AED 74 per person.
Throughout the rest of the week, it’s a delightful place to grab a healthy salad, sandwich or power bowl for lunch, or catch up over coffee and one of the reasonable priced homemade cakes.
Tried and tested: If you’re going for the unlimited breakfast deal, don’t fill up on the many savoury options and forget to save room for the mini French toast and yoghurt granola bowl for ‘breakfast dessert’. They’re both sensational.
For bookings: 02 448 4255
Address: Saadiyat Beach – next to Waitrose – Al Saadiyat Island – Abu Dhabi
Visit: Circle Cafe
You might also like: Best Japanese Restaurants in Abu Dhabi in 2025
Le Noir
The St. Regis Sadiyat Abu Dhabi
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A place for every member of the family, Le Noir comes complete with an indoor kids’ play area packed with books and games, and a varied children’s menu offering all kinds of nutritious and tasty specialties tailored for younger diners.
Located just opposite the entrance to The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, furry friends are welcome on the outdoor terrace, while the menu spans an extensive selection of breakfasts, mammoth salads, burgers and plenty of veggie and vegan options.
Fully licensed, the long happy hour always attracts a crowd.
Tried and tested: The Saturday and Sunday brunch is a deal to be reckoned with.
Offering two hours of breakfast and lunchtime dishes, including everything from Spanish omelettes and eggs benedict, to mini sliders, halloumi salad, pancakes, quinoa pudding and more, plus an unlimited flow of fruity and sparkling mixed drinks, it’s the lazy weekend gathering that dreams are made of.
For bookings: 02 448 4859
Address: The St. Regis Sadiyat – Abu Dhabi
Visit: Le Noir
Mysk
Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
A cafe and flower shop rolled into one, mysk is one of the prettiest places in Abu Dhabi to grab your morning coffee.
A central part of the dynamic community that surrounds NYU Abu Dhabi, it hosts weekend markets, art workshops, DJ sets and more, while the revolvin line up of beautiful, freshly made cakes and pastries are just as creative as the fresh florals filling the counters.
Tried and tested: Aussies won’t be able to resist the quirky Tim Tam brownie, while matcha addicts travel far and wide to sample it’s unbelievably smooth and delicious green lattes.
For bookings: 02 626 9343
Address: Al Saadiyat Island – SDW4 – Abu Dhabi
Visit: Mysk
The Turtle Cove
Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
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Offering photo-worthy concoctions such as ube (purple yam) matcha and blue spirulina matcha, all topped with tiny chocolate turtles, cafes don’t get more Instagrammable than The Turtle Cove.
Tucked away inside the idyllic community of Hidd Al Saadiyat, the interior has a beachy, surf-shack vibe, while the rather extensive menu spans all your favourite classic coffees, along with smoothies, breakfasts, salads, baked treats and much more.
Tried and tested: The delightfully icy soft serve is the perfect treat on a hot day, while the acai bowl is just as photogenic as the drinks, and the wide choice of sweet and savoury toasties are somehow far better than anything you could recreate at home.
Oh, and don’t forget to message and get the code for the gate to the area before you arrive.
For bookings: 02 886 4899
Address: Al Saadiyat Island – SDN7 – Abu Dhabi
Visit: The Turtle Cove
Auro
Al Mina, Abu Dhabi
Hidden away in Souq Al Mina at the end of Zayed Port, Auro is one of the city’s most unique and special cafes.
A family-owned brand that has specialised in premium quality, and ethically sourced Ethiopian coffee for over 70 years, all the beans are carefully roasted here in Abu Dhabi, and hand selected to ensure that the taste and texture is consistently incredible.
The team are always happy to talk you through their different blends, and you can also purchase bags of coffee to take home, and find further branches at 421 Arts Campus and inside Deerfields Mall.
Tried and tested: Bring a book and curl up on the sofa by the window to watch the comings and goings of the port. Order the signature pistachio latte (delivering just the right level of sweetness and intriguing nutty taste) and the generously sized and very creamy Turkish eggs, a bargain at just AED 30.
For bookings: 050 126 6793
Address: Zayed Port – Freezone – Abu Dhabi
Visit: Auro
LOCAL
Al Zeina, Abu Dhabi
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Unashamedly hipster and trendy, each branch of LOCAL includes a ‘curated retail space’, barbershop, and even a premium sneaker laundry. However, these much-loved, and proudly Abu Dhabi-born cafes are far more than just places to be seen.
Crafting each and every beverage with immense care and precision, the menu spans a wide selection of white, filter and special coffees, while the sandwiches and pastries are really rather good as well.
Tried and tested: If you’re a self-confessed peanut butter addict, you won’t be able to resist the ridiculously good peanut butter latte. Stopping by the picturesque LOCAL pop up at the Louvre Abu Dhabi during your next visit is also essential.
For bookings: 02 555 3339
Address: Al Zeina Complex, Block C – Abu Dhabi
Visit: LOCAL
Cafe 302
Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana
Nestled on the always bustling Hamdan Street, Café 302 is one of those well-established Abu Dhabi cafes that never goes out of fashion.
Offering plenty of cosy corners and a wide terrace where you can watch the world go by, it’s perfect for both work and socialising, while all the food is fresh, expertly prepared and served in hearty helpings.
Tried and tested: Along with being one of the best cafes in Abu Dhabi for vegans and vegetarians (there’s a huge plant-based menu alongside the regular one), Cafe 302’s deals are on another level of epic.
Ranging from top-value breakfast platters to special buffet nights, there’s always a fun new experience to try, while the free breadbasket and homemade dip doesn’t hurt either.
For bookings: 02 610 6688
Address: 302 Saeed Bin Ahmed Al Otaiba St – Al Danah – Zone 1 – Abu Dhabi
Visit: Cafe 302
Knead
Delma St, Abu Dhabi
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Famed for its fresh sourdough and authentic French pastries, Knead is one of Abu Dhabi’s greatest hidden gems.
Following a pop up at Abu Dhabi Summer Sports, it continues to attract a loyal crowd of regulars (including remote workers), while the ever-changing selection of sweet treats and creative snacks is sure to sway even the strictest of healthy eaters.
Tried and tested: It’s hard to know where to start with the best dish at Knead. If you’re in the mood for a little something sweet, the fun mini doughnut tray (offering a choice of salted caramel, jam and more irresistible fillings) is made for sharing, while the halloumi sandwich (served on the softest bread you’ve ever tasted), classic French croque monsieur and build-your-own croissant sandwiches are some of the other must tries.
For bookings: 050 951 0585
Address: Villa 10, Plaza 30, Skh Fatima bint Mubarak St Former – Delma St – Abu Dhabi
Visit: Knead Bakery & Patisserie
Third Place
Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi
Designed to be the ‘Third Place’ between work and home, this iconic cafe has been a hub for students and remote workers since 2014.
If you like complete silence while you work, the upstairs contains a quiet ‘work zone’, while the homey main café features an eclectic scattering of squishy sofas, comfortable armchairs and overflowing bookshelves selling second books.
Book clubs, readings, art workshops and more community events are held here regularly, and you’ll find a tempting mix of curries, pastas, burgers, salads, wraps, breakfasts and more amongst the chalkboard of weekly specials.
Tried and tested: The huge ciabatta sandwiches and turkey, egg and avocado wrap are just the thing when you’re in the mood for a big feed, while the classic avocado smoothie (with added banana and parsley) is simply tremendous. Just over the road from the Corniche, it’s a lovely place to end your next beach day.
For bookings: 02 681 1877
Address: Corniche Road, Villa T3 – Abu Dhabi
Visit: The Third Place Cafe
Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur, brunch lover, or just seeking a cosy corner to unwind, Abu Dhabi’s best cafés offer something for everyone.
From stylish interiors to expertly brewed coffee, these spots are more than just places to sip, they’re part of the city’s vibrant lifestyle.
So go ahead, explore, sip, and savour the best the capital has to offer.
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