The 5 Best Instagrammable Cafes in Dubai
Do you love taking amazing photos while having coffee with friends on the side? So do we!
That is why Instagrammable cafes are the best places to take spontaneous snaps and a nice cup of joe.
Thankfully, Dubai is no stranger to these kinds of places, and the city is home to some of the most showstopping cafes we’ve ever seen.
So we went and tried out these places to give you Dubai’s best Instagrammable cafes.
How We Picked Dubai’s Best Instagrammable Cafes
Before we get right into our list of Dubai’s best Instagrammable cafes, here are the factors we considered for our entries on this list:
1. Cassette
| Criteria | Rating |
| Decor | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Menu | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Branding | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Cassette is more than just a coffee shop with a carefully curated vibe and thoughtfully brewed coffee. It is a creative hub that serves Modern Parisian dishes and coffee in the industrial and contemporary Al Quoz.
The space is something akin to an art studio, with stark white walls, colorfully painted ceiling braces, and tastefully curated furniture.
The space is chic and trendy, without being overly tiresome. This is perfect for when you want understated yet artsy photos for the ‘gram.
Enjoying our coffee while listening to its vinyl collection is one of our favorite past times in Dubai. We came in for the food and coffee we’d heard so much about, and we went out inspired and happy.
And while its coffee selection holds nothing special in terms of brewing methods and beans, Cassette pulls off the basics with skill and great taste.
With vegan and keto options and an impressive dessert menu, Cassette never runs out of partners for the coffee it serves.
We also love how it also integrates a sense of culture and art into its branding, with dishes plated tastefully and foam art on every cup being served. It definitely has that cool artisan branding on point.
However, we do wish it serves its coffee on branded cups because we were hoping to snap its branded coffee for our Instagram.
Pros
- Excellent classic brews
- Numerous modern Parisian food
- Chic and artsy atmosphere with great music
- Has a cool artisan vibe to its branding
Cons
- Does not offer specialized coffee
- Lack of branding in the coffee it serves
Customer Reviews
The palace was jammed and rightfully so
“We came for a quick brunch on Sunday and absolutely loved the food. The place was jammed packed so we didn’t get a seat inside in the nicest area – the overall experience was great nonetheless. Friendly staff and reasonable prices.
Shoutout to the owner/manager who took our request changes tables as it was too hot there, and went above & beyond to accommodate us.
If coming on a weekend, do come on the earlier side. After 12 pm, there was a big queue for a table.” – Nikita Kanji, Google Reviews
One of the hottest breakfast spots in Dubai
“One of the hottest breakfast spots in Dubai. Cassette is always buzzing so if you’re looking to catch weekend breakfast, you better arrive early.
The eggs benedict is always a great choice but my heart belongs to the Truffle Potato Lyonnaise – a must-try.
The staff is always friendly and welcoming and will try to get you a table as soon as possible.” – Getter Moor, Google Reviews
2. The Grey
| Criteria | Rating |
| Decor | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Branding | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Sleek, cool, and contemporary, The Grey is a space where coffee, culture, design, creativity, and people particular about quality meet in perfect harmony.
The space is a small home that was transformed into a dark minimalistic space with black-to-white gradient walls, sleek and dark furniture, and lots of natural lighting.
The vibe feels intimate yet sophisticated and effortlessly cool. The numerous windows light the whole place up, giving our Instagram photos here the best lighting we could ask for.
We also love how the outside of the coffee shop is a seemingly small home with manicured shrubbery and potted palms, a nice contrast to its inside.
With classics like Americanos and cappuccinos and its own selection of specially brewed concoctions like its Charcoal Oat Latte, The Grey’s coffee menu is a carefully curated list of perfected subtle notes and proportions of the ingredients.
Its food menu is quite well-rounded, with breakfast options, salads, burgers and sandwiches, and entrees. The Grey has a coffee partner for every kind of customer that comes in at any time of the day.
The service was fine, overall. Nothing special or notable about it, but we do like how knowledgeable they are about specialty coffee.
And true to its identity, The Grey’s branding is found even in its paper coffee cups that are designed with a minimalistic and sleek design aesthetic.
The plating of the food is thoughtfully done, with consideration of every part of the food composed for the ultimate food photo.
Pros
- Serves excellent classic and specialized brews
- Well-rounded food menu
- Great outdoor area and exterior
Cons
- Nothing special about its service
Customer Reviews
The service is impeccable
“Loved and enjoyed The Grey and all its different shades. Diana has always been superb and lights up the room. Ronald was always the gentleman. The service is class. The ambiance is calm and elegant. The crowd is beautiful and their Butterscotch latte is something that awakens your senses, only if you enjoy the sweet things in life.” – Ali AlAnsari, Google Reviews
The quality of the coffee and food amazing
“Delightful cafe where I enjoyed having brunch there over the weekend. Will definitely come back because the quality of their coffee and the taste of food was seriously good.” – Khalid M., Google Reviews
3. Alchemy
| Criteria | Rating |
| Decor | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Menu | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Branding | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Redefining what pure coffee means, Alchemy matches its ethos with the popular beverage in a tranquil and wholesome space.
We love the cafe’s tall ceilings that lead up to a skylight that lets in beautiful natural lighting. The marble coffee bar is a beautiful centerpiece of the space that made for some great photos of us leaning on it with our cups of coffee.
We also think that it’s a great decision from the cafe for offsetting the sharp corners and harsh lines of the furniture with cozy lighting and upholstery.
And speaking of brews, from a good old shot of espresso and the class latte to specialty coffee like the Kalita wave and cold brews, this coffee shop is never short on choices.
However, we do admit that its coffee definitely has some balancing issues. Some drinks taste too bitter, and some need more espresso.
Its pastries aren’t baked fresh daily, too. And while we don’t have a problem with that, for sustainability’s sake, the decrease in quality is noticeable.
The customer service was great! The moment we came in, the staff accommodated us and told us about the indoor and outdoor areas, and asked us where we’d like to sit.
When it comes to branding, we like its little touches, like serving its sandwiches on a wooden cutting board.
However, the paper cups that it uses for serving coffee feel cheap because its logo, instead of being printed on, is just a sticker stuck on the side of it.
Pros
- Wide range of coffee choices
- Sourced from ethical farms
- Artisinal pastries
- Sleek yet cozy atmosphere
Cons
- Pastries are not baked fresh
- Coffee has some balancing issues
Customer Reviews
Great ambiance!
“An aesthetically appealing cafe, potentially one of the best I’ve seen during my caffeine excursions. Constructed within a villa Alchemy takes the best of minimalism and makes a cafe that can attract any crowd.
The pool outdoors provides an outdoor ambiance that despite the heat makes you want to sip on a coffee outdoors, while the wood and white tones indoors make it cozy enough to study inside.
This is a cafe I wish would come to Bahrain and show what true decor can be for a cafe without having to go overboard. Doesn’t have to be an abundance of florals and vibrant colors. Neutral tones make it all the more appealing sometimes.
The coffee tasted superb, would definitely visit and study here again if I got the chance.” – William Junior Khalil, Google Reviews
Worth the visit for coffee lovers
“Alchemy is an interesting little place, located on the side of a busy road and yet it feels far away from the chaos. There is no kitchen, so you won’t be coming here for breakfast, but the coffee is tremendous! The furnishings are simple but work well in the space. There is a pool outside (which doesn’t get used) and the glass doors slide open in the winter to make a nice open environment.
If you’re a coffee lover, it’s worth a visit and is reasonably priced too!
Enjoy 😊
Oh and excellent wifi, so a great spot to get some work done too!” – Zaven Jordan, Google Reviews
4. Nomad Day Bar
| Criteria | Rating |
| Decor | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Branding | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
Operated by award-winning baristas from Nightjar Coffee Roasters, Nomad Day Bar keeps its customers happy with great coffee and Insta-Gold photo opportunities.
The space houses a range of comfortable sofa seats, chairs, and a beautiful library of books thoughtfully stacked and scattered throughout the cafe.
The result is a vibe that is peaceful, cozy, and perfect for those kinds of photos where we get comfy with our cup of hot coffee while enjoying a good book on a nice sofa.
However, the space does feel a bit cluttered because of the dozen shelves with knickknacks and books, the endless wall decor, and the combination of bohemian furniture with the building’s corporate contemporary architecture.
The menu covers all the classics, such as espressos and Spanish lattes, as well as pour-over brews like the v60 and the Chemex.
Honestly, we can never go wrong with any of the coffee items on its menu. Each drink is brewed to perfection, with just enough idiosyncrasies to the notes in the flavor to really differentiate itself from other competitors.
And the food isn’t just delicious, they also look great. Its freshly baked croissants and rustic shakshouka are the stuff of our dreams.
The service can get slow if the cafe is full, and we wish it can improve on this because this was one of our biggest quips with the spot.
When it comes to branding, while the space definitely has no problem with that, it definitely lacks in the food and the drinks.
We were disappointed every time we took shots of our food and drinks because it looks like they could come from anywhere.
Pros
- Award-winning baristas
- Great food menu
- Eclectic and bohemian atmosphere
Cons
- The interior styling is somewhat cluttered
- Service can get really slow during busy hours
- Lacks branding in the food and drinks
Customer Reviews
Awesome place
“Awesome place and I love the 25hours hotel concept.
I have to start by mentioning the incredible design of Arab mixed with the urban European touch to create a business and lifestyle hotel hub.
The staff is so friendly and attentive all the way through as they welcome you to farewells. (Hani at the Nomad café is lovely)
The coworking space is perfect and fits quite a big group. They have many other spaces for you to enjoy and work in more private and spacious spots.
The food is fresh and healthy. Super presentation and ingredients.
I loved this place and I truly recommend it!” – Zoé Gotti, Google Reviews
A lovely spot for coffee and work
“Such a lovely spot to enjoy good, specialty coffee and work from! We come here regularly as the place has super comfortable seats, a lot of good daylight, and the staff is super friendly
Also, their burger is out of this world!” – Agnieszka Kurzawa, Google Reviews
5. Nightjar Coffee
| Criteria | Rating |
| Decor | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Branding | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
Tucked away in the lanes of Alserkal Avenue, like everyone’s favorite secret, dark and broody Nightjar is home to one of our favorite coffee brews to have in the mornings.
We are definitely in love with the trendy hipster interior styling comprised of dark interiors, neon lights, and pieces of vinyl adorning the walls.
We love how it completely transports us from the stark sunshine of Dubai to the chilled-out cafes of New York and London.
Although the closed space, which is critical to keeping this intimate and secretive energy, does lend itself to getting noisy when it is crowded because of the acoustics.
Its menu is packed with quirky offerings like our favorite fluffy ricotta pancake stack and the pulled ox cheek Benedict. Nightjar manages to almost match the excellence of its cold brew and nitro coffee.
But we really come here for the coffee, which is a staple. This group of award-winning eclectic coffee lovers serves up a cup of joe that is simple, straightforward, and perfected.
Sourced directly from single-origin farms, Nightjar maintains a consistent level of quality that tastes great and is sustainable.
As for its ambiance, we are in love with the trendy hipster interior styling comprised of dark interiors, neon lights, and pieces of vinyl adorning the walls.
However, the branding is somewhat absent in its drinks. The coffee served in stark plain white mugs feels generic and totally not ‘gram-worthy
Pros
- Creative and quirky dishes and coffee
- Knowledgeable staff
- The space is trendy, chic, and cozy
Cons
- The acoustics of the place add to the noise
- Lacks branding in its drinks
Customer Reviews
Excellent playlist
“NightJar will always be a fav! Great staff, it’s great seeing inclusive hiring. Wonderful atmosphere, with dim lighting and sparkling lights. Excellent music! Their coffee is grand, but the best thing on the menu has to be their chicken in gravy dish 👅 💦” —Sam Mo, Google Reviews
Trust me that I will be back for more
“Heard so many good things about NightJar, that when I found myself passing by, I had to stop and see what all the hype is about.
The fact I managed to grab the last table shows the popularity of the place – and once I’d enjoyed the coffee, breakfast, and service I can understand why.
It’s busy for a reason. The coffee is top-notch – and with so many options available, multiple visits are needed!
The food was super tasty – I had scrambled eggs on buttered sourdough, potato salad, and chili broccolini. Great way to start my day. I will be back!” — Bloggsy Malone, Google Reviews
FAQs about Instagrammable Cafes in Dubai
We hope this helped you find your favorite Instagrammable cafe in Dubai. Also, if you’re looking for more coffee recommendations, then check out these articles: