“There are cafés and coffee shops aplenty serving up speciality coffee.” Condé Nast Traveller
If you love cafe culture and discovering new places, check out my latest guide for some places to visit for your favourite caffeinated beverage.
Need more inspiration? Check out my previous posts about Abu Dhabi’s best coffee spots HERE
Cafe James
Coffee – 4/5 Instagrammable factor – 4/5
The sleek and spacious Cafe James sits on the ground floor of Shams Boutik Mall on Reem Island. The contemporary all-white affair is the creation of namesake James who was the founder and previous owner of Notes cafe. The minimalist bright white space is flooded with natural light with only the bright pink neon and chairs giving a tiny nod to colour.
The coffee is good and so are the scones (not so much the strange interpretation of a crumpet) but the menu offers so much more. There’s sweet treats aplenty alongside many fancier options such as Dibba Bay oysters, steak tartare, wagyu bao buns and so much more.
Cafe James, Shams Boutik Mall, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. Opening Times: Instagram @jamescafe.ae
Drop Coffee
Coffee – 3.5/5 Instagrammable factor – 3/5
Another Dubai favourite, Drop Coffee opened at Yas Bay Waterfront. Its speciality coffee menu is complimented by its first ever food menu designed by well-known chef Reif Othman.
The interior features lots of grey tones and outside the terrace overlooks the waterfront. Good coffee and lots of food choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Drop Coffee, Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Opening Times: Monday – Friday 8am-11pm, Saturday & Sunday 8am – midnight. Instagram @wearedropcoffee
Fil Florist & Cafe
Coffee – 2/5 Instagrammable factor – 4/5
Located in Al Bateen opposite The Abu Dhabi EDITION, the cave like interior of Fil is both unusual and inviting at the same time. A lovely aroma fills the space and huge squishy sofas line the cave walls. While it’s all very aesthetically pleasing, unfortunately for us the coffee was way too strong and all the food we wanted was unavailable. I do however recommend the açai smoothie that was rather tasty so our visit was not a complete fail.
The unique interior is well coordinated, a tranquil space where you can relax and watch the on-site florists preparing beautiful bouquets. Parking is however an issue as it’s a busy area.
Fil Florist & Cafe, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi. Opening Times: Monday – Thursday 8am – midnight, Friday – Sunday 8am – 1am. Instagram @fil.uae
OsK Croissanterie Cafe
Coffee – 4/5 Instagrammable factor – 4/5
A visit to OsK Croissanterie will have you salivating. The smell of delicious, fresh baked croissants, and danishes hits your senses as you step over the threshold. There’s a good range of coffee, teas and beverages but the jewel in the crown of this bijou, minimalist cafe is the pizza danish. A first for me but not only worthy of a mention but a return visit as this little savoury snack was great, my advice is go with a friend and order a sweet and savoury version and split them! You can thank me later.
This little eatery with its show kitchen filled with giant croissants and danishes is located in Al Bateen (near Fil & The Abu Dhabi EDITION) so parking is tricky but persevere because it’s worth the effort.
OsK Croissanterie Cafe, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi. Opening Times: Weekdays 7am – 10pm & Weekends: 7am – 11pm. Instagram @osk.crossianterie
Rain Yas Mall
Coffee – 3/5 Instagrammable factor – 3/5
Finally a much needed speciality coffee cafe opened in Yas Mall and Rain is proving popular with mall shoppers. Like its many other branches in the capital, Rain Yas Mall has a themed interior with blue accents and its trademark puffy ‘rain’ clouds. It’s a good spot to grab a drink and a bite to eat to break up your shopping.
Rain coffee is strong so ask for a single shot if you prefer a less intense flavour. Menu highlights for me include the showstopper tiramisu (if you know, you know), the kinder brownie and their must-try açai smoothie.
Rain, 1st floor, Yas Mall, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Opening Times: Monday – Friday 10am-11pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am-1am. Instagram @rainabudhabi
Reach
Coffee – 3.5/5 Instagrammable factor – 4/5
This quirky little coffee shop is located at Mayan, Yas Island’s newest community located next to Yas Beach. It’s a cute, colourful space with a retro vibe and a menu offering all the usual hot and cold coffee choices alongside juices and smoothies. A definite selling point are the toasties, if you love a coffee and toasted sandwich then this is the place for you. Choose from a selection of sandos including grilled cheese, spicy tuna, smoked salmon and The Reuben.
There’s limited parking but kerbside pick-up is available.
Reach, Mayan, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Opening Times: Daily 7:30am – 10pm. Instagram @reach.ae
Ritual Cafe & Studio
Ritual Café & Studio is located on the waters edge at Reem Central Park. It’s a really nice, calm space with muted tones that serves good coffee. They offer a large menu with everything from pastries (try the cinnamon bun), breakfast and lunch to mains with many healthy options. If you like your coffee flavoured their speciality drinks include the honeycomb, rose and matcha lattes.
The space is described as a wellness sanctuary but the stairs to the upstairs studio were blocked off when I visited so I assume it’s still not open. Outside there’s a large terrace overlooking the man-made beach and water which looks like a great place for a chilled weekend breakfast in the winter months.
Ritual Cafe & Studio, Reem Central Park, Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. Opening Times: Sunday – Thursday 8am – 11pm, Friday & Saturday 8am – 12am. Instagram @ritual.uae
Society
Coffee – 4.5/5 Instagrammable factor – 5/5
Popular Jumeirah hotspot, Society has made its way from Dubai to the capital with its Abu Dhabi location now open at the far end of the promenade at Mamsha Al Saadiyat. It’s a well designed, light-filled modern space with plenty of different seating areas and an outside terrace offering ocean views.
Society serves breakfast all-day along with lunch and dinner options. The Menu choices are extensive with both sweet and savoury dishes, speciality coffee and freshly baked pastries. I can recommend both the coffee and the sourdough pizza. It’s the perfect spot for breakfast at the beach with all kinds of eggs, Shakshuka, the Society big breakfast and the more healthy Quinoa Bowl.
Society, Soul Beach, Mamsha Al Saadiyat. Abu Dhabi. Opening Times: Sunday – Thursday 8am-11pm, Friday & Saturday 8am – midnight. Instagram @societyuae
TASTE at The BRIDGE Lifestyle Hub
Coffee – 3/5 Instagrammable factor – 3/5
TASTE, the large farm-to-table culinary space, is located on the ground floor of The BRIDGE in Al Qana. The sizeable space is two venues in one, a cafe and restaurant, offering an organic menu with all-day breakfast options, healthy soups and mains, juices, vitality shots and speciality coffee. There’s various seating areas inside and additional outdoor seating on the waterfront terrace.
As it’s located inside a lifestyle hub, TASTE’s menu leans towards more healthy options that includes good options for both vegetarians and vegans. The food, coffee and smoothies that I’ve tried on my couple of visits were tasty and I’m definitely planning going to return to sample more of the menu. The selection of organic speciality coffee is prepared at OV60 Brew Bar.
TASTE, The Bridge Lifestyle Hub, Al Qana, Al Maqta Street, Rabdan Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi. Opening times: See the Bridge website Instagram @thebridgehub
The Turtle Cove
Coffee – 4/5 Instagrammable factor – 4/5
Small neighourbood cafe, Turtle Cove can be found in the Hidd Al Saadiyat community. It serves great coffee, pastries, sandwiches, healthy bowls and their popular soft serve ice-cream. Seasonal extras include loaded hot chocolate and matcha white hot chocolate.
The cute interior has a natural palette with surf memorabilia on the walls and there’s two outdoor terraces for extra seating. Access to the community can be tricky so don’t be surprised if security insist you park outside and take the golf buggy to the cafe.
The Turtle Cove, Hidd Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi. Opening times: Daily 7am-12 midnight. Instagram @theturtlecove
Read more about coffee shops and cafes in previous posts HERE
I visited all these venues and all the views are my own. Unless otherwise stated, all photos on this page © Jo Brett 2022. All rights reserved. Additional photos used with courtesy of www.instagram.com/wearedropcoffee/ and www.instagram.com/rainabudhabi/