Five exceptional cafes to visit that recently opened in the UAE

Mood: Emirati-owned minimalist café serving specialty coffee and all-day breakfast in Al Safa

Ahmed Al Ameriri's three-storey Al Safa cafe brings his Al Ain concept to Dubai with an approach that prioritises clean design and quality basics. Full-height windows flood the gallery-like space with natural light, whilst sculptural seating works for both laptop sessions and casual catch-ups. The specialty coffee programme includes V60 options with multiple bean origins - the Ethiopian delivers bright, fruity notes – alongside matcha drinks like the tropical version with pineapple juice, coconut water, and pineapple foam. The all-day breakfast menu covers Mediterranean and European influences, with prices running 18–65 AED and most dishes landing between 30–45 AED. A rooftop level is under development for cooler months.

Laughing Bread Bakery Dubai: Artisanal bakes and specialty coffee in Al Quoz

Al Quoz's latest cafe focuses on handmade craft, from sculptural wooden furniture by local artisans to flaky pastries from European deck ovens. The space mixes industrial and organic elements: polished concrete floors, pendant lights, and a textured stone wall by Studio Aya Moug. Head Chef Utkarsh Singh runs the kitchen, visible through a golden-framed window. The coffee programme sticks to single-origin Ethiopian and Brazilian beans - the Ethiopian brew delivers bright, fruit-forward notes – whilst the bakery counter turns out European-style pastries. The pain au chocolat demonstrates proper lamination with crisp, buttery layers, and the iced matcha proves creamy and balanced.

Otaku Al Qana: Ceremonial matcha, specialty coffee and Japanese fusion food in Abu Dhabi

This Emirati-owned Al Qana cafe centres its programme around ceremonial-grade matcha and specialty coffee, with Geisha varieties available for pour-over preparations. Raw concrete walls, oversized plants, and waterfront views through floor-to-ceiling windows create the backdrop. The salted vanilla crème showcases the ceremonial-grade matcha – balanced by vanilla and finished with matcha cream and sea salt - whilst the hot V60 using Geisha beans delivers clean flavour. The food menu spans breakfast (until 2 p.m.), pastries, bowls, sandwiches, and mains, mixing Japanese influences like wagyu teppanyaki and sushi rolls with items like margherita pizza and linguine bolognese.

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

Homebrew Coffee: Nostalgic specialty coffee in Al Satwa

Founder Ania Kubow, a web developer and Dubai resident since 1988, opened this Al Satwa cafe in a space that once housed a boutique hotel cafe. The interior keeps the soaring ceilings, natural light, and communal table anchored by a living tree. The coffee programme takes local sourcing seriously, featuring signature blends alongside Ethiopian, Brazilian, and Colombian single-origin options prepared via Chemex, V60, and AeroPress (17-40 AED). The iced coconut matcha delivers bright, clean flavour, whilst the Spanish latte showcases the locally sourced beans well. The food menu emphasises quality: the Al Reef labneh bagel features grass-fed butter with homegrown tomato, cucumber, mint, and olive oil on sourdough, and each sandwich arrives with gherkins and Chips Oman.

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

Daily Press Abu Dhabi: All-day dining and specialty coffee in Al Maryah Tower

Daily Press sits inside Al Maryah Tower with a serious coffee programme – multiple single-origin beans, V60 and cold brew options, and a signature milk blend developed for milk-based drinks. Seven milk alternatives and an extensive menu from breakfast through dinner make it reliable for various occasions. The space centres around a green stone counter wrapped in brown-orange mosaic tiles, with wooden tables, leather sofas, and yellow tables providing seating options. The coffee programme offers five standard bean options plus Colombia Decaf, with V60 pour-overs available hot or cold and premium selections like Colombia Tropical Banana and Yemen Ghaliansaad. The menu covers brunch dishes, salads, bowls, sandwiches, and mains including peri rigatoni with burrata and ribeye steak. Pricing sits mid-range: mains from 36-95 AED, specialty coffees from 19-41 AED.