Dubai's best new openings of 2025 so far: Cafes, specialty coffee, specialty tea and matcha places

AVANTCHA Tea Bar & Shop: Sophisticated tea sanctuary in Al Quoz

Tucked into the industrial backdrop of Al Quoz sits AVANTCHA Tea Bar & Shop, a minimalist haven that transforms the typically rushed beverage experience into something far more intentional. This sleek, contemporary space strikes a perfect balance—sophisticated enough to impress tea connoisseurs while remaining approachable for newcomers exploring beyond familiar tea bag territory. The venue showcases premium Chinese and Japanese teas with curatorial precision, from carefully arranged displays to an interactive scent station that engages visitors before their first sip. In a city that often celebrates excess, AVANTCHA offers something more nuanced: a space that elevates tea drinking from mundane routine to mindful ritual.

Behind the extensive collection stands a team with obvious passion and expertise, serving as guides rather than mere servers who readily explain nuances between varieties with knowledge that feels earned rather than rehearsed. the HUNTR visited for a refreshing selection of signature matcha beverages, where the Zen Coco (32 AED) proved most memorable—a brilliant composition of Yame matcha, coconut water, and agave that allows the quality matcha to shine through while coconut water adds natural sweetness. The pastry selection, specially curated by Chef Reif Othman, complements the tea programme with sophistication, particularly the Genmaicha Crème Castella (30 AED)—a light, fluffy interpretation of Japanese sponge cake with earthy matcha iri genmaicha notes that demonstrate the kitchen's understanding of balance.

Kurasu Dubai: Japanese specialty coffee in Dar Wasl Mall

This Japanese specialty coffee concept arrives from Kyoto with established outlets across Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, and Indonesia, opening its Dubai location in Dar Wasl Mall. Kurasu's minimalist aesthetic creates a tranquil retreat amidst the mall's bustle, where natural materials and clean lines work together to craft the perfect environment for appreciating meticulously sourced and roasted beans—with the first hour of opening (9-10 a.m) offering the most serene atmosphere for focused work or peaceful contemplation.

The precision synonymous with Japanese coffee culture shines through hand-dripped specialties and innovative combinations like the Iced Matcha Latte Espresso (40 AED), where bitter espresso and matcha achieve surprising harmony. the HUNTR sampled the Chocolate Coffee Mousse Pain Suisse (26 AED), which impressed with its flaky exterior giving way to coffee-infused chocolate filling that strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and restraint—proving that Kurasu's kitchen matches the same exacting standards as their coffee programme, making this international concept a worthy addition to Dubai's specialty coffee, ta and matcha options.

Shalwa: A celebration of Khaleeji culture by an iconic homegrown brand

Independent—the visionary food group behind beloved Dubai institutions Salt, Parker's, Somewhere, and Public—unveiled their first new concept in five years with Shalwa in The District at Dubai Mall. This thoughtful celebration of Khaleeji heritage marks a significant departure from the group's previous offerings, weaving cultural significance into every element from the striking red façade to the intimate interior that feels like a contemporary Khaleeji home. The name itself refers to a type of falcon symbolising the ideal man in Khaleeji culture, hinting at the attention to detail woven throughout this homegrown concept. The beautifully crafted coffee bar serves as the centrepiece, where baristas prepare both traditional Gahwatna and modern specialty brews with equal reverence.

What sets Shalwa apart is its community-driven approach that extends far beyond typical restaurant operations. The team has launched a nationwide call for family recipes, creating a living archive of Emirati and Khaleeji culinary traditions whilst building partnerships with local food suppliers and farmers. the HUNTR visited during the soft opening phase, sampling the expertly crafted Cappuccino (29 AED) with silky microfoam and the Ghawa Khaleeji (40 AED)—a traditional preparation with delicate spicing served with authentic hospitality. While the food menu continues development, this formative period offers a unique opportunity to witness Shalwa's evolution into what promises to be a significant addition to Dubai's Khaleeji dining options, particularly given Independent's track record of creating enduring local favourites.

NETTE Al Barari: Serene French-Japanese café in Dubai's green oasis

Set in Al Barari's verdant landscape, NETTE's second outpost brings together minimalist design and nature in a space where indoors and outdoors flow seamlessly together. This homegrown concept combines French technique with Japanese flavours across a menu that balances creativity with comfort, all within interiors characterised by marble countertops, warm wooden accents, and pastel tones. Light pours through floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating a space where plants feature prominently—from large leaf specimens in white ceramic pots to garden views that frame the dining areas. The outdoor space, with its turquoise umbrellas and mix of dining tables scattered across the lawn, provides a rare opportunity to dine surrounded by greenery in a city better known for its architectural ambitions.

Culinary Director Craig Small has crafted a menu that thoughtfully blends French and Japanese influences in ways that feel deliberate rather than forced. the HUNTR visited for a lazy weekend breakfast, where the Miso Benedict (75 AED) impressed with its smart reimagining of the morning classic—poached eggs on toasted sourdough with traditional hollandaise replaced by miso brown butter that adds depth and character. The Yuzu Avocado Toast (62 AED) elevates the café standard with yuzu oil, peppery rocket, and citrus pearls that provide bursts of brightness, whilst the Furikake Fries (22 AED) transform a simple side into something distinctive with their dusting of Japanese seasoning. The Matcha Cheesecake Brownies (55 AED) provided a fitting finale—bitter matcha mousse paired with rich dark chocolate and fresh berries artfully arranged atop pale green cream swirls.

Haas Dubai: Serene minimalism meets exceptional coffee in Jumeirah

Just opposite Mercato Mall in Jumeirah 1, Haas offers a tranquil escape that champions simplicity through clean design and quality coffee. This Emirati-owned space, founded by a woman from Abu Dhabi, floods its multi-level interior with natural light through large windows whilst maintaining disciplined minimalism—plain walls in neutral tones create a soothing backdrop where the rhythm of coffee-making and conversations define the atmosphere. With beans sourced from Ethiopia, Brazil, and Colombia, Haas balances serious coffee credentials with approachable charm across varied seating options that accommodate everything from casual catch-ups in breezy outdoor areas to quiet contemplation in intimate upstairs nooks.

The brand’s attention to detail extends beyond aesthetics, with daily deliveries of freshly baked cakes and pastries making the journey from Abu Dhabi each morning—reflecting a commitment to quality over convenience. the HUNTR sampled an Iced Matcha Latte (35 AED) with coconut milk at no extra charge and an Iced Spanish Latte (30 AED) featuring Brazilian beans that delivered chocolate and nut notes perfectly balanced with condensed milk sweetness. The Honey Cake (34 AED) surprised with its lightness, whilst the Date Cake (38 AED) arrived with vanilla ice cream that melted beautifully into warm spiced crumb. With an 80% local clientele, Haas offers an authentic glimpse into Emirati café culture within a space that prioritises substance over spectacle.

Milk Haus Dubai: Artisanal bakery and coffee concept in Nad Al Sheba

Nestled along the roadside at Nad Al Sheba Mall, Milk Haus represents the latest endeavour from the Emirati-owned team behind Dubai's beloved Milk Bakery on Al Wasl Road. This compact space serves as both takeaway coffee counter and intimate dine-in café, embracing a distinctly retro aesthetic with warm wooden tones and vintage-inspired fixtures that create a cosy, nostalgic atmosphere. Despite its limited footprint—there's scarcely room to navigate between tables—clever design maximises the available space, with outdoor seating providing a pleasant alternative when Dubai's weather permits and a wooden counter that showcases an array of freshly baked goods transported daily from the original Jumeirah location.

The thoughtfully curated menu focuses on quality over quantity, featuring specialty coffee sourced exclusively from Denmark's respected La Cabra alongside artisanal sourdough and signature bakes that reflect the team's commitment to traditional methods. the HUNTR visited during the soft launch period, sampling a meticulously prepared V60 pour-over that delivered clean, bright notes with subtle fruit undertones, alongside the standout Emirati Breakfast Bun—a unique saffron creation with cream cheese, sesame, and fennel seeds that captures authentic local breakfast traditions in pastry form. This homegrown concept offers perhaps the most genuine taste of Dubai one could find, evoking sweet nostalgia particularly for those familiar with traditional Emirati flavours, all within a neighbourhood spot that brings established bakery expertise to this developing area.

Bonus for HUNTR Members: Stamp your HUNTR Coffee Card here. Not a member? Download the HUNTR: City Guide app here to join us.

The Meld Concept: A creative multi-brand space and cafe in Jumeirah 1

The Meld Concept brings together fashion, design, and specialty coffee in one thoughtfully curated space in Jumeirah 1, founded by the Emirati Al Ghurair sisters who have applied their keen eye for quality to create a platform where independent brands can thrive collectively. This homegrown concept store showcases permanent fixtures Fold and florist Kadi Boutique alongside rotating consignment brands, with Bayne Coffee from Al Ain providing specialty brews and plans to expand into breakfast offerings. The interior strikes a balance between minimalist design and warmth, using neutral tones and clean lines as an ideal backdrop for displayed merchandise, whilst natural light plays across wooden fixtures and strategically placed plants add vitality to encourage unhurried browsing and appreciation of each carefully selected item.

The Al Ghurair sisters' connections within Dubai's creative community ensure a continuous refresh of compelling designs that might otherwise remain undiscovered, with rotating consignment brands introducing an element of discovery that rewards regulars with fresh finds alongside 1502 Chocolate's artisanal confectionery dimension. the HUNTR opted for Bayne Coffee's flat white, which delivered silken texture and balanced flavour—nutty undertones and caramel notes presented without bitterness in a ridged ceramic cup as pleasing to hold as to behold. The care evident in their coffee service suggests promising developments for their forthcoming breakfast menu, creating a sophisticated yet approachable environment where shopping and socialising seamlessly blend within this multi-faceted concept that celebrates local creativity and craftsmanship.

The Espresso Lab Nad Al Sheba: Dubai's homegrown specialty coffee brand

The Espresso Lab stands as one of Dubai's most successful homegrown coffee stories, evolving from a small space inside The Hundred Wellness Centre into a multi-concept operation with its own roastery under the vision of its Emirati founder. This Nad Al Sheba Mall branch maintains the brand's commitment to exceptional specialty coffee whilst embracing a minimal luxury aesthetic centred around clean marble surfaces and contemporary design that feels warm rather than cold. The flexible seating arrangements cater to Dubai's social coffee culture, whether for solo workers seeking quiet corners or larger groups gathering for conversation, with an outdoor section that extends the café's footprint during the city's cooler months.

The connection to The Grandmother Roastery means complete control over the coffee journey from bean to cup, ensuring consistency that's rare in the specialty coffee world. the HUNTR appreciated this restraint in the deliberately focused menu—exceptional coffee paired with a carefully chosen selection of sweets and pastries that complement rather than compete with the core offering. This approach reflects confidence in their specialty coffee programme, which benefits from the roastery connection to showcase single origins and blends crafted specifically for their brewing methods, maintaining approachability for newcomers to third-wave coffee culture whilst satisfying seasoned enthusiasts within this marble-clad space that represents one of Dubai's true coffee success stories.

Gato Bakehouse: A Korean café and bakery in Dubai Creek Harbour

Gato Bakehouse Creek Beach brings Korean café culture to Dubai Creek Harbour with a pastel-washed space that strikes the right balance between Instagram appeal and genuine substance. This expanded branch offers more room than the original Port Rashid outpost whilst maintaining thoughtful design touches that make Korean cafés distinctive—flower-shaped tables, soft colour palettes, and attention to detail extending from counter displays to the carefully crafted drinks menu. The interior feels like stepping into a Korean café magazine spread without sterile perfection, featuring cushioned bench seating along walls and a single long table accommodating groups of six, though the space clearly favours pairs and individuals seeking comfortable zones for both dining and laptop work.

The kitchen takes its Korean café heritage seriously, creating drinks that look stunning whilst actually tasting as good as they photograph. the HUNTR visited one weekend afternoon sampling the Jeju Lemonade (37 AED), which delivers excellent balance with fresh lemon juice, soda water, yuzu tea complexity, and honey sweetness crowned by slowly melting lemon sorbet that creates an evolving flavour profile. The Bow Croissant (28 AED) in yuzu flavour demonstrates that fusion needn't mean confusion—proper French technique creates perfectly shattering flaky layers whilst yuzu adds citrusy brightness without overwhelming the butter. This homegrown concept proves that pretty cafés can deliver proper flavour alongside visual appeal, making it equally worthwhile for solo working sessions or relaxed catch-ups with friends.

PDL Nad Al Sheba: Dubai's 7am-to-midnight coffee sanctuary

This compact PDL outpost brings the popular homegrown Dubai coffee brand to Nad Al Sheba with one standout advantage: it opens at 7 a.m. and stays open until midnight, making it one of the few spots available outside standard mall hours. The space transforms its compact footprint into something genuinely inviting with a deliberately curated Seventies-inspired lounge featuring leather seating and warm touches, whilst an expansive outdoor area provides the breathing room that the cosy interior simply can't offer. Different seating options cater to various group sizes, with a single coffee bar anchoring the space efficiently and keeping everything within reach—particularly appealing for anyone seeking refuge in Nad Al Sheba Mall before 8 a.m. or after 10 p.m.

The brand has built a solid reputation across Dubai with locations at The Dubai Mall and Al Safa, and this branch maintains that consistent quality whilst serving a neighbourhood with limited early-morning and late-night options. the HUNTR stopped by quickly for a fresh orange juice during a coffee crawl, having already secured our caffeine fix at nearby Milk Haus, where swift and friendly service delivered exactly what it should be—fresh, cold, and properly squeezed. The menu focuses on specialty coffee and fresh juices with a carefully curated selection of pastries and light options, suggesting a streamlined approach that prioritises quality over quantity within this appealing spot that works equally well for peaceful morning coffee or late study sessions outside typical mall hours.

Bonus for HUNTR Members: Stamp your HUNTR Coffee Card here. Not a member? Download the HUNTR: City Guide app here to join us.