What’s On and The Black Hat Guide bring you the complete rundown of the best cafés in Dubai. Read snappy reviews, find out how book, and get a real insight with the help of our handy rating system. For a full explanation of how the Black Hat Guide works, click here.

The Archive
Dhs150 for two

A converted former toilet block, achingly hip The Archive boasts a library, workspaces and a café. The food is best suited to long, lazy breakfasts, with healthy options, winning omelettes and excellent coffee. Be warned, it’s very popular at the weekend.

Gate 5, Safa Park, Al Wasl Road, Dubai, daily, 8am to 8pm. Tel: (04) 3494033. Taxi: Safa Park. thearchive.ae

Baker & Spice
Dhs175 for two

Slap bang in front of The Dubai Fountains, this rustic favourite is a must for breakfast and the salad bar. The Marina Promenade branch is also very popular.

Souk Al Bahar, Downtown, Dubai, daily 8am to 11pm. Tel: (04) 4252240. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall.bakerandspiceme.com
ALSO: Marina Promenade and Dukkan Al Manzil

Bert’s Café
Dhs125 for two 

Located in The Greens, Bert’s plays to its young, cool crowd with its chunky leather sofas and free Wi-Fi. Enjoy breakfast staples such as scrambled eggs and everything from Thai green curry to shepherd’s pie in the evening.

The Greens shopping village, Dubai, daily 7am to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 3619292. Taxi: The Greens. bertsdxb.com

Boulevard Café
Dhs150 for two

Home of good coffee, pavement dining and some of the best sandwiches in the city, this French- inspired Downtown hangout is a reliable choice all day.

What’s On Awards: 2010, 2012

Emaar Boulevard, Al Manzil Hotel, Dubai, daily 7am to 2am. Tel: (04) 4285888. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. southernsunme.com

Café Baroque
Dhs150 for two

This small family-run café in JBR serves a menu of healthy, homemade soups, salads and sandwiches. Delivery available.

Murjan 5, Plaza Level, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai, daily 8am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 3614252. Metro: Dubai Marina. cafebaroque.co

Circle Café
Dhs180 for two

Home to famed NYC company H&H Bagels, Circle Café is a magnet for health food fans (try the lentil and walnut salad), dessert addicts and, of course, bagel lovers.

Dubai Media City, Building 2, Dubai, daily 7.30am to 10.45pm. Tel: (04) 3915170. Metro: Dubai Internet City. circle-cafe.com

Jones The Grocer
Dhs200 for two 

An ultra-modern and stylish deli that has raised the bar for the city’s cafés in terms of quality and taste. Constantly busy, especially on the weekends. A delight.

Al Manara Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, opposite Times Square, Dubai, daily 8am to 10.30pm. Tel: (04) 3466886. Metro: Noor Islamic Bank. jonesthegrocer.com

Lime Tree Café
Dhs100 for two

A much-loved café and stalwart on the weekend dining scene, Lime Tree’s fresh approach, urban décor and platters of food keep customers happy. Highlights include the muesli pots, flatbread sandwiches and the famed carrot cake.

Dubai Media City, opposite Royal Mirage Hotel, Dubai, daily 8am to 6pm. Tel: (04) 3498498. Metro: Nakheel. thelimetreecafe.com
ALSO: Al Quoz; Jumeirah Beach Road; opposite Gold And Diamond Park

Make Business Hub
Dhs150 for two 

With a swish neo-urban interior, this is a place for young professionals to be seen. An uncomplicated menu offers healthy breakfast and lunch options.

Dubai Marina, Al Fattan House Tower, Dubai, Sun to Thur 8am to 10pm, Fri and Sat 10am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 3929216. Metro: Dubai Marina. makebusinesshub.com

More Café
Dhs150 for two 

You can’t go wrong with most of the menu, but the burger, the fully equipped fry-up and the all-you-can-eat soups are particularly good.

Mall Of The Emirates, Al Barsha, Dubai, daily 8am to midnight. Tel: (04) 3950967. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. morecafe.biz
ALSO: DIFC, Mirdif City Centre, Dubai Mall, Festival City, Gold and Diamond Park, Al Murooj Rotana, Dubai

The One
Dhs130 for two

Health-conscious deli food, casual dining and inventive menus (with new dishes added on a regular basis) make The One a family-friendly spot ideal for fuelling up before sofa shopping.

Jumeirah 3, Villa 758, Dubai, daily 9am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 3955889. Taxi: Near Grand Mosque. theone.com

Pavilion Café
Dhs150 for two

This café at one of Dubai’s foremost art spaces is far from an afterthought, with a Burj view and a menu boasting fresh, simple dishes from well-made wraps to quiche of the day and steaks. Outdoor seating and shisha are also available.

Emaar Boulevard, Downtown, Dubai, daily 10am to midnight. Tel: (04) 4477025. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. pavilion.ae

Scafé
Dhs200 for two

Adjacent to the Scafa cooking school, Scafé is a small, bright café serving a simple bistro-style menu throughout the day. It is particularly good for a breakfast of French toast, crepes or eggs.

Unit 16, Promenade Level, Cluster I, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai, Sat to Thur 10am to 6pm. Tel: (04) 3794044. Metro: Jumeirah Lake Towers. scafa.ae

Sophie’s Café
Dhs120 for two

Tucked away in one of the shoreline apartments on The Palm, Sophie’s does wholesome, freshly-prepared and tasty food.

What’s On Awards: 2012

The Shoreline, Building 8, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, daily 7am to 9pm. Tel: (04) 3328006. Taxi: The Shoreline Palm Jumeirah

Tom & Serg
Dhs150 for two

A bona fide hipster hangout serving up quirky, interesting breakfasts with astoundingly good coffee from expert baristas. The scrambled eggs with goat’s cheese on a slice of toast with a portobello mushroom is as good as breakfast gets in Dubai.

Al Joud Centre, 15A Street, Al Quoz, Dubai, daily 8am to 4pm. Tel: (050) 3675332. Metro: Noor Islamic Bank. tomandserg.com

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