8 Dubai coffee shops open during the day
Most coffee shops have shut their doors during daylight hours during the holy month. However, if you aren’t fasting and still require your coffee fix, there are a number of places you can visit without disturbing those observing Ramadan. Here’s our ShortList of cafés and bistros open before sundown.
Sophie’s Café
What: A hidden gem located at the beginning of The Palm Jumeirah, this quaint café is worth searching for. The deli serves salads and sandwiches, as well as a range of hot dishes. Everything is made from locally sourced and organic produce, including the huge selection of cakes. They also offer made-to-order juices, smoothies, wheat grass shots, and tea and coffee – and yes, it’s organic too.
Timings: 7am to 9pm
Where: Shoreline 8, Riva Complex, The Palm
Details: +971 4 4515982,
Friends’ Avenue Café
What: This small but perfectly formed, home-grown café has a relaxed atmosphere and a menu full of healthy food options. They offer a range of breakfast options, salads, mains and desserts – the Instgram famous @SecretSquirrelFood is a fan of the café, so you know it’s good!
Timings: 8am to 6pm
Where: Fortune Executive Tower, Cluster T, JLT
Details: +971 4 554 5813,
1762 – The Gourmet Deli Company Café
What: 1762 is a café for the urbanite. All the modern café buzzwords apply – rustic, gourmet, fresh, hipster. The place gets its name from the supposed year that the sandwich was invented by John Montague, aka the Forth Earl of Sandwich. Expect superfood salads, creative wraps, and delicious soups such as broccoli and cheddar.
Timings: 7am to 5pm/7.30am to 4pm
Where: Building 5, DIFC and Media City
Details: 800 1762,
Circle Café
What: This homely and pretty-in-white café was originally a bagel and coffee shop. It offers a range of tasty bagels, with all sorts of fillings, including grilled halloumi, zaatar and cucumber. You can also choose from a wide selection of breakfast options, healthy salads and main courses. Order a fresh juice or smoothie with your main and a slice of cake to top it all off.
Timings: 10am to 9.30pm
Where: CNN building in Media City and Studio City
Details: +971 4 391 5170,
Nofara Café
What: This modern Arabic-style café offers a tasty selection of breakfast dishes, salads, sandwiches, mains and desserts. A real bonus of the café is that they offer gluten, dairy and sugar-free options. A real must try is their Paleo banana pancakes along with a freshly brewed ice-tea. Or simply enjoy one of the smoothies, juices, organic teas or coffee from the selection of beverages.
Timings: 11am to 9pm
Where: Swiss Tower, Cluster Y, JLT
Details: +971 4 432 2023, website
