Excellent coffee, brilliant breakfasts, light lunches, and more await you at these 10 spots.
To create a perfect café, you need a few elements. Excellent coffee, a menu that’s excellent whether you’re visiting for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and a stunning setting. And at the best cafés in Abu Dhabi, you’ll find all that and more.

Let’s café

With Emirati chef Faisal Alharmoodi and Syrian pastry chef Fadi Kurdi behind the menu at this bakery and café in Khalifa City, Let’s was always destined for success (and destined to end up among the best cafés in Abu Dhabi). Serving up breakfast, lunch, dinners, and desserts, all with a Mediterranean-Middle Eastern influence, dishes include burrata zaatar, Turkish eggs, wagyu steaks, and more, plus plenty of delicious pastries such as coconut-passionfruit cake, chocolate éclairs, raspberry tarts.
Unlicensed. Khalifa City,@lets.uae.

Cafe James

Far from your average café, this spot is trendy and fancy in equal measure. Priding itself on freshly cooked, homemade dishes, plates on the upmarket menu include fine de claire oysters, Spanish octopus, steak tartare, black truffle ravioli, wagyu baos, and more. Cafe James is a place to enjoy a proper meal rather than just a coffee and a cake, and undoubtedly one of the best cafés in Abu Dhabi.
Unlicensed. Reem Island, @jamescafe.ae

Rain café

‘Let it rain coffee’ is the tagline of this café, which sticks true to its weather theme with puffy clouds, blue armchairs, and minimalist walls. There are various locations across the capital, but our favorite is the Hudayriat Island outlet. This home-grown café was set up in 2017 and is based on the fact that the sound of raindrops and the smell of coffee are two pleasures that bring peace and calm. The menu has a range of tasty treats, especially for those who love desserts, with cakes, tiramisu, rocky road, and more all worth saving space for.
Unlicensed. Hudayriat Island, rainuae.ae

Alkalime café

A seaside location boasting good-for-you dishes and feel-good vibes, Alkalime has become very popular since its opening in 2021 and is one of the best cafés in Abu Dhabi. With wicker chairs, hammocks, and hanging baskets, it’s a beach-chic location that’s a top choice for breakfast, lunch, or sunset bites to eat, with dishes on the menu ranging from healthy salads and cauli-pizzas to bean burgers and more. There’s a super coffee bar for your morning cuppa, too.
Unlicensed. Soul Beach, Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island @alkalime_uae

Joud Coffee

There are several branches of this popular café across Abu Dhabi, but our pick of the bunch is the charming set-up at Al Bateen (which also just happens to be the OG). Boasting a mellow vibe and minimalist set-up, it’s the ideal place for a coffee, cake, and catch-up. The all-day breakfasts are ace (don’t miss the truffle eggs benedict) while the salads and sandwiches later in the day are tasty, too. Of course, the coffee is excellent and it’s one of the best cafés in Abu Dhabi for a low-key cup of Joe and croissant.
Unlicensed. Al Bateen, joudcoffee.com

Montauk Boutique Café & Restaurant

This Insta-tastic café in Al Bateen has beautiful interiors and prettily plated creations, all very photogenic and just as delicious. Themed around luxe New York holiday destination The Hamptons, the boutique café has beach-chic vibes. Dishes range from sliders to salads, risottos, and more, and with an in-house bakery, it’s well worth heading here for breakfast for homemade toast, croissants, and more. One of the best cafés in Abu Dhabi, and the cakes are excellent, too.
Unlicensed. Al Bateen, @montaukabudhabi

No. FiftySeven Boutique Café

One of the best cafés in Abu Dhabi, and one of the chicest, too, this spot in Al Bateen prides itself on using local, seasonal ingredients, serving elegant dishes in a sophisticated setting. Breakfasts range from chili Parmesan eggs on toast to breakfast burritos and activated charcoal pancakes, while for lunch and dinner, there’s everything from shredded kale salad to shrimp tacos, Emirati rice with lamb, and Persian kebabs, so whatever you’re in the mood for you’ll likely find.
Unlicensed. Al Bateen, no57.co

Raclette Brasserie & Café

This French restaurant combines fancy fare with a beachside location. As the name suggests, if you’re a fan of cheese, you’re in the right place, with gloriously indulgent raclette the star of the show. That’s not all, as there’s baked camembert and a burrata fondue on the menu, too. With a pretty terrace and a garden-style vibe indoors, the brasserie is a top choice for a date night too. Expect dishes such as burrata, bruschetta, grilled prawns, oven-roasted chicken, and more, while the desserts are delicious too – don’t even think about leaving without trying the profiteroles.
Unlicensed. Mamsha Al Saadiyat, @racletteuae

Saddle House café

This well-known UAE brand is much-loved for its coffee. Its first stand-alone restaurant is found at Marsa Al Bateen, where the glass building has both indoor and outdoor seating – boasting views of the marina. It’s a charming spot for a cup of coffee and a cake, breakfast, or a light meal, with dishes such as pasta, grilled fish, salads, and more on the Mediterranean-inspired menu. Sweet tooth? Don’t miss the desserts, with the signature pistachio cheesecake, French toast, and chocolate brownie all well worth getting stuck into.
Unlicensed. Marsa Al Bateen, @saddle

The Lighthouse café

This cool café and concept store is making a name for itself throughout the UAE, with several locations now across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with the outlet in Yas Bay shortlisted as one of the best cafés in Abu Dhabi. If you’re looking for delicious, fresh dishes, The Lighthouse has a wealth of menu items, including salads, steaks, mezze, and more. Breakfasts are also top-notch here and the setting, all neutral tones and chilled vibes, makes for a relaxed start to the day. When you’ve had your fill of Mediterranean dishes, you can browse the cute gifts, books, and trinkets to buy too.
Licensed. Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, thelighthouse.ae