These Romantic Cafes in Dubai Will Make You Fall in Love – Even If You’re Single
I don’t know about you, but I’m one hopeless romantic. In fact, put the word “romantic” in anything, and you can guarantee that I’ll be running to check it out.
I’ve been to romantic concerts, romantic dinner spots, and romantic getaways in the city. But the list doesn’t stop there because I also made it a mission to find the most romantic cafes in Dubai.
Who’s gatekeeping here? Not me, because here are my favourites for you to check out.
The Grey Dubai
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Website: https://the-grey.co/
Address: 9A Street – Al Wasl – Al Safa 1
Contact details: +971 4 236 2996
Operating hours:
- 7:30 AM to 11:00 PM from Sunday to Thursday
- 7:30 AM to 12:00 AM from Friday to Saturday
Price: $$
How can a place that’s called “The Grey” be romantic? Just visit The Grey Dubai and you’ll know exactly why it’s touted as one of the most romantic cafes in Dubai.
With the tagline, “In a world of black and white, we choose the in-between,” this cafe is anything but monochromatic.
Although The Grey has very minimalist interiors, every detail is so well thought out that you won’t feel like you’re in a very masculine space.
And art isn’t just found in its walls. The Grey also has some of the most artistic coffees and a menu that will surprise you. I mean, would you ever think of finding a caviar set on the menu of a cafe? Maybe not.
This cafe is the perfect spot for a first meeting over Hokkaido soufflé pancakes and coffee. They also have very hearty meal options for lunch and dinner, including my favourite truffle mushroom rice.
| Pro tip: Are you a coffee enthusiast? The Grey’s “Coffee Sessions” is a great date activity that you and your date can enjoy together. |
Secret Garden by L’ETO
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Website: https://secretgarden.global/
Address: Bluewaters Island
Contact details: +971 4 280 2871
Operating hours:
- 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM daily
Price: $$
There’s always something romantic about secret rendezvous, don’t you think? And if you’re looking to experience that magic, there’s only one place to be – the Secret Garden by L’ETO.
For starters, the food here is diverse. It’s a perfect place to take your date out for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner. If you don’t know what they want, then you’ll have plenty of options that won’t disappoint here.
They have pancakes, toasts, and egg dishes for breakfast. Soups, pastas, and meat are available for lunch and dinner. If you’re looking to impress, go for their grilled octopus, Norwegian grilled salmon, and beef cheeks.
The drinks here are also quite impressive. They have everything from healthy smoothies to some of the best coffees in town.
| Pro tip: Are you inviting someone over to your home, but you’re not too confident about your cooking skills? Don’t worry, because you can always order food from Secret Garden to be delivered straight to your doorstep. |
FRNDS Dubai
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Website: https://frndsdubai.com/
Address: Ground Floor – Dubai Mall – Downtown Dubai
Contact details: +971 4 564 2399
Operating hours:
- 8:00 AM to 3:00 AM daily
Price: $$$
FRNDS may look more like a fine dining restaurant than a typical cafe, but being open from early in the morning until the next day makes it one of the best romantic cafes in Dubai in my book.
What I love about this place is that it’s chic enough to impress anyone but still casual enough that you can feel more relaxed while dining, as compared to those extra luxurious restaurants.
And yes, you probably don’t want to be just “friends” with your date, but FRNDS will make sure that you put your best foot forward on this date.
They have cottage cheese pancakes and truffled scrambled eggs for breakfast. For lunch, they have an assortment of French-Japanese dishes that would please even the most discerning palate. Think beef cheeks Provençal and lobster risotto a la milanese.
| Pro tip: Don’t just enjoy FRNDS’ savory dishes. Make sure to order an assortment of the head chef’s French patisseries, including our favourite eclairs and petits gateaux, for her to take home. |
MINT
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Website: https://www.mintconcept.ae/
Address: Unit SF053 – Second Floor – Dubai Mall – Downtown Dubai
Contact details: +971 4 338 0839
Operating hours:
- 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM from Monday to Thursday
- 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM from Friday to Sunday
Price: $$
I love MINT for several reasons – the fresh food, the delicious coffee, and the romantic ambiance. In fact, this is my ideal go-to spot for a first meetup.
When you look at MINT and its casual ambiance, you’d think that this place offers very simple dishes that get you through breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But you’re wrong.
This all-day dining spot has everything from the best shakshukah to a double-baked almond croissant. They even let you build your own sandwich or vitality bulgur bowl. How fun is that?
And what’s a good cafe without good coffee? Here, they can prepare your coffee just the way you like it. Plus, their assortment of roasts is definitely impressive.
| Pro tip: Are you dining with your kids? Visit Mint City Walk, where they have a play space for the little ones and even offer a pizza dough activity in the afternoons. |
Al Falak Cafe and Restaurant
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Website: https://www.alfalakcafedubai.com/
Address: Opal Tower – Business Bay
Contact details: +971 4 229 6866
Operating hours:
- 8:00 AM to 3:00 AM daily
Price: $$
Whenever I’m craving for delicious Asian comfort food, I always find myself heading to Al Falak. It’s one of the most romantic cafes in Dubai, especially for its stunning outdoor seating area.
Whether you’re dining for breakfast or dinner, Al Falak never disappoints when it comes to ambiance, food, and experience.
Their traditional Emirati breakfast platter is a great way to introduce a date to Middle Eastern cuisine. They also have a wide variety of meat and vegetable dishes that you and your date will love.
| Pro tip: Still looking for a date? Don’t worry, because you can always celebrate with your girl friends at Al Falak’s Ladies’ Night every Monday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. |
21grams Urban Balkan Bistro
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Website: http://21grams.me/
Address: Floor 2 – Meyan Mall – Floor 2 – Umm Suqeim 2
Contact details: +971 50 841 5021
Operating hours:
- 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
Price: $$$
For sure, you’ve seen a lot of those videos talking about how good Balkan food is. Gladly, you can already enjoy this food in one of the most romantic cafes in Dubai – 21grams.
The cafe’s name is actually inspired by the weight of the human soul and 21 degrees, which is the latitude of the Balkan Peninsula.
But what really makes this cafe extra romantic is the ambiance and soul food that’s quintessentially Balkan.
The wood furniture provides a beautiful contrast to the colourful rugs. And let’s not even get started with the food. I’ve never seen food served so beautifully in a cafe, which makes the experience extra special – and impressive if you have a date.
Don’t forget to try their Balkan breakfast, zucchini moussaka, and pljeskavica.
| Pro tip: Don’t let your date forget about the beautiful time you had together. Let her take home some fresh homemade pastries and breads from 21grams’ bakery. |
SKMD
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Address: Kite Beach – Umm Suqeim – Jumeirah 3
Contact details: +971 4 225 9525
Operating hours:
- 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Monday to Friday
- 7:30 AM to 12:00 AM from Saturday to Sunday
Price: $$
What’s more romantic than a date over breakfast and coffee on Kite Beach? SKMD is definitely one of Dubai’s most romantic cafes for its beautiful location and delicious food.
You can start your morning date with a good run across Kite Beach, ending at SKMD. Here, you can grab a table at the terrace or outdoor dining area and enjoy a hearty meal while getting to know your date.
SKMD offers simple comfort food made deliciously, so you know that you’ll have a great time here. They also have great coffee to pair with your food, and of course, the ambiance is unparalleled.
| Pro tip: For sure, you’d be tempted to take a dip in Kite Beach. Make sure that you bring swimwear and beach essentials for good measure! |
Eugene Eugene
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Website: https://eugeneeugene.ae/
Address: Kempinski Hotel – Mall of the Emirates – Sheikh Zayed Road – Al Barsha 1
Contact details: +971 4 379 8963
Operating hours:
- 12:00 PM to 11:30 PM daily
Price: $$
Eugene Eugene is chic in every sense of the word. This cafe and brasserie is inspired by tropical greenery that shows in both its ambiance and food.
In fact, the moment you step inside, you’ll instantly feel like you’re in a getaway with all the plants surrounding you as if you’re in a greenhouse.
Once you take in all that beautiful interior, there’s the food, which follows the farm-to-table concept. Ingredients used at the restaurant are sourced within the UAE, making it more impressive in my opinion.
I especially love their côte de boeuf, gnocchi caviar, and bavette à réchalote. You also can’t skip their dessert, with their luscious tropezienne and tarte tatin as some of the must-tries.
| Pro tip: If you want to experience dining in a vineyard, sign up for Eugene Eugene’s “Brunch in the Vineyard.” You’ll be able to enjoy good food, good wine, and of course, good company. |
Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia
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Website: https://www.atrangidubai.com/
Address: Jumeirah Al Qasr – King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street – Al Sufouh 1
Contact details: +971 55 168 0802
Operating hours:
- 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and 6:30 PM to 11:30 PM daily
Price: $$$
Who doesn’t love good Indian food for a romantic date? If you ask me, Atrangi is the most romantic cafe in Dubai, and you’ll easily understand why when you come to visit.
Being located in Jumeirah Al Qasr, the magic starts right before you arrive at Atrangi, since you can ride a traditional abra to really set the tone for your date.
Once you get here, you’ll see the beautiful restaurant that combines both Indian and European interiors. It complements the beautiful Jumeirah canal beautifully.
But that’s just the beginning of the journey. Once you taste Atrangi’s food, created by Chef Ritu Dalmia, you’ll know why it’s one of the best spots for Indian food in Dubai.
| Pro tip: If you’re visiting Dubai for an anniversary or any important milestone as a couple, why not book a suite at Jumeirah Al Qasr? Here, you get access to Atrangi and the many other restaurants in the area. |
Milk Bar
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Website: https://www.milkbar.ae/
Address: Wasl 51 Building – Al Wasl Road – Jumeirah 1
Contact details: +971 4 344 5444
Operating hours:
- 7:30 AM to 12:00 AM from Monday to Thursday
- 7:30 AM to 1:00 AM every Friday
- 8:00 AM to 1:00 AM every Saturday
- 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM every Sunday
Price: $$$
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without one of my favourite bakeries (and romantic cafes) in Dubai — Milk Bar.
The concept of this spot is simple: the best baked goodies and good coffee over great company and conversations.
The bakery feels like a candy store for bread and dessert lovers. Their ultimate Nutella cookies will make you want to come back for more, and their croissants are must-tries.
These baked delights not only taste good, but they look good too. That’s why it’s no surprise that Milk Bar’s desserts were listed as one of the most beautiful desserts in Dubai by Fact Magazines in the UAE.
| Pro tip: Would you rather sleep in but still crave Milk Bar’s treats? Don’t worry, because you can always call them for orders and they’ll deliver them to where you are. |