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.
For bookings: 054 449 1547
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.
For bookings: 050 263 7100
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.
For bookings: 02 886 7735
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.
For bookings: 971 52 917 1523
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.
For bookings: 02 448 4255
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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.
For bookings: 02 448 4859
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.
For bookings: 02 626 9343
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.
For bookings: 02 886 4899
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.
For bookings: 050 126 6793
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.
For bookings: 02 555 3339
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. 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
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.
For bookings: 050 951 0585
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.
For bookings: 02 681 1877
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