Dubai has no shortage of coffee shops. Big names. Big fit-outs. I’m never at a loss for places to recommend.
As a long time specialty coffee enthusiast, I still get a kick out of discovering new ones. Hidden gems. A roastery hidden inside an industrial area. A coffee bar tucked inside a showroom. A place you thought you understood because of the headlines, until you actually sat down there.
These are some of the hidden coffee shops in Dubai worth discovering.
Julith Coffee
Most people know Julith because of the headlines. The world’s most expensive coffee. Record-breaking Best of Panama bids. AED 3,600 cups brewed from some of the rarest coffee in the world.
But I think the headlines have distracted people from what Julith actually is. Because once you spend time there, what stays with you is not the spectacle. It’s the ambition.
Part roastery, part brew lounge, part omakase experience, part concept store, part social space spread across two floors in Al Quoz. You can pop in for a flat white. Sit down to a rare pour over. Stay for lunch. And buy brewing equipment.
The coffee programme is led by Serkan Sağsöz, a three-time Turkish Barista Champion and former Turkish Coffee Roasting Champion. His influence shows up everywhere. From roasting to brewing to the menu itself.
If you go, order the Julith Flat White. The rotovapor milk changes the texture and sweetness in a way that sounds gimmicky until you try it.
Most people arrive because of the expensive coffee. My suspicion is they leave thinking about something else entirely. I guarantee you will too.
Scarab Coffee Roasters
Hidden in Al Qusais, Scarab is easy to miss unless you are looking for it. Which feels fitting because Scarab has never felt especially interested in attention. The focus has always been the coffee.
Even the space doesn’t try too hard. Nothing feels overdesigned. In a city where cafés sometimes seem designed mainly to be photographed, there is something refreshing about that.
Kurasu Dubai
The Kyoto-born café in Dar Wasl feels removed from the pace of Dubai. Kurasu feels calm.
The Japanese aesthetic feels appropriate. Not performative.
What you’ll get here is time to breathe. Gather your thoughts. Regroup. All while enoying some of the best pourover the city has to offer.
Bando Coffee Bar
Bando feels unlike almost anywhere else in Dubai. Which is probably why the people who love it really love it.
The Korean-inspired café in Wafi mall has built a loyal following through good desserts, well-made coffee, and a space that feels warmer and softer than many specialty cafés in the city.
Insider tip: try the madeleines. They’re the best in Dubai.
Birch Bakery
The term “hidden gem” is so overused. But Birch might be the only place in Dubai where that description is entirely accurate.
Founded in 2019, the bakery built its reputation around long-fermented sourdough, stone-milled flour, traditional baking methods, and ingredients sourced with unusual care. The bread here is not an afterthought.
I’d recommend the morning buns but chances are they’ll be sold out by the time you arrive.
IBRIC Café
I’ve added IBRIC here because it’s one of the only places I’ve found where the barista taking my order was genuinely interested when he asked about my day. The space feels happy. The staff are happy. And the coffee and pastries are good.
And trust me when I say you won’t believe how little you’ll pay for either.
Cimbali
This is not a café. It’s Cimbali’s Middle East headquarters. But it’s worth visiting. Yes, you’ll have to pretend you want to buy a Slayer but you’ll also be served the best espresso you’ve ever had.
When I visited, the drink I was served completely reconfigured my thoughts on espresso. It was the best I had all year.
Worth seeking out
Ten years ago, finding genuinely good specialty coffee in Dubai required effort. Now the challenge is different. There is so much good coffee that deciding where to spend your time becomes the harder choice.
The cafés on this list are a good place to start.
FAQ
What are the best hidden coffee shops in Dubai?
Some of the best hidden coffee shops in Dubai include Julith Coffee, Scarab Coffee Roasters, Kurasu Dubai, Bando Coffee Bar, Birch Bakery, IBRIC Café, and La Cimbali Café. Each offers a different coffee experience, from roasteries and brew bars to cafés built around food and hospitality.
Is Julith Coffee worth visiting?
Yes. Most people know Julith for serving some of the world’s rarest and most expensive coffee, but the broader experience is what makes it interesting. The café combines roasting, brewing, dining, and coffee experiences under one roof in Al Quoz.
What are the best specialty coffee shops in Al Quoz?
Al Quoz is home to several standout specialty coffee destinations, including Julith Coffee and The Espresso Lab roastery.
Which cafés in Dubai are worth travelling for?
Julith Coffee, Kurasu Dubai, Scarab Coffee Roasters, and The Espresso Lab are cafés many specialty coffee enthusiasts would happily cross the city for.
Where do coffee enthusiasts go in Dubai?
Coffee enthusiasts in Dubai often spend time at places like Julith Coffee, Cypher Urban Roastery, The Espresso Lab, Scarab Coffee Roasters, and Kurasu Dubai because of their focus on roasting, brewing, and coffee quality.
Which Dubai cafés feel underrated?
Scarab Coffee Roasters, IBRIC Café, and La Cimbali Café are among the more underrated coffee spots in Dubai. They tend to attract people who care about coffee without always appearing on the obvious recommendation lists.
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