Looking for the best quirky cafés in Abu Dhabi? Café culture is one of the best parts of living in the capital and there are countless places to get caffeinated. Whether you’re after the prettiest cafés or the best working cafés, there’s bound to be something for you.
But some cafés in Abu Dhabi have something a little extra going for them. In short, they’re a little different (in the best way possible).
From board game cafés with hundreds of games to play, to cat cafés with fluffy friends, to an art café where you can paint plates, there are a number of quirky cafés to choose from in Abu Dhabi.
Weird, wacky and wonderful, when you leave each of these quirky cafés, you’ll have a story to tell.
Art House Café
This brilliant café has been around forever, so it’s an old favourite for anyone looking for quirky cafés in Abu Dhabi. With unique furnishings made from recycled tires and cannisters, trees growing through the space, plus plate-painting activities and plenty of art to see, it’s an easy choice when you’re in Al Bateen.
The café is part of Etihad Modern Art Gallery and is something of a work of art itself. The food is great too, it’s affordable, and with its quirky layout it’s always a memorable visit.
Open daily, 9am-10.30pm. Etihad Modern Art Gallery, Al Bateen (02 666 0175).
Boomah Café
Ready to have your Hogwarts moment? Boomah Café serves up specialty coffee, milkshakes, teas, mocktails, iced tea, acai bowls… and the chance to hold a live owl. Adult entry to the owls room costs Dhs70 while kids get in for Dhs50 and people of determination get in for free. Boomah is the region’s only owl café, and it’s open from 2pm to 10pm. You can also watch the owls from a distance while you sip your cuppa.
Dhs70 (adults), Dhs50 (kids), free (people of determination). Al Seef Village Mall, Khalifa Park instagram.com/boomah.ae (02 441 9041).
Breath Café
Looking for a café that will make you feel like you’re in wonderland? Breath Café has a faux-grass floor, trees that grow through the ceiling, and a quirky water feature. This spot is like your childhood visions of a whimsical tea-party come true. Plus the food is quirky. We’d recommend the chilli chips croissant sandwich with cheddar cheese, tomato, lettuce and mayo on a soft croissant stuffed with crushed crisps. An otherworldy café.
Open Mon-Fri 7am-11pm, Sat-Sun 8am-11pm. Al Dhafra (02 444 4219).
DNA Board Games Café
Love board games? You’re going to love DNA Board Games Café. This new spot serves up coffee and more than 200 board games for a quirky café experience with friends. Food items include breakfasts, a truffle burger, salads and more. It’s Dhs19 per person for one hour of game time, Dhs29 to play for two hours and Dhs39 for all-day play.
Dhs19 (one hour), Dhs29 (two hours), Dhs39 (all-day). Unlicensed. Open Mon-Thu 8am-11.30pm; Fri-Sun 8am-1am. Al Montazah Tower, Khalidiyah instagram.com/eat.play.dna.
Local
Speaking of quirky cafés in Abu Dhabi, Local is a café-boutique-store-barbershop with two unique branches in Abu Dhabi. The branch in Al Zeina has been around for a while, and is well known for its sneakers and coffee.
Local Mamsha recently opened with T-shirts, slides, sunglasses and more for sale; it’s one of the top new restaurants in Abu Dhabi. Go to either branch of Local for a coffee and you’ll leave with a trendy new cut and an armful of awesome products.
Open daily 8am-11pm. Lilac 6, Mamsha Saadiyat localco.ae.
Meow Café
Consider yourself a cat person? This should be one of the quirky cafés in Abu Dhabi for you: Meow Café brings together cats, coffee and cute vibes. It’s the first cat café in Abu Dhabi, and similar to popular cat cafés in Japan, it offers playtime with its furry residents, plus, a full menu of coffees and pastries.
One hour of playtime with the cats will costs Dhs45 for adults and Dhs35 for kids under the age of ten. Kids under three get in for free. All children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. It’s one of the quirky cafés in Abu Dhabi that offers a purrrfectly unique experience.
Dhs45 (adults) Dhs35 (kids). Open daily, 10am-10pm. Al Muneera instagram.com/@meowcafe.ad.
Third Place Café
Not home and not the office, Third Place Café is a space between both. It’s one of the best known quirky cafés in Abu Dhabi, and it’s most ideal if you’re looking for a spot to work remotely. There are plenty of outlets for plugging in your laptop, strong WI-FI and a culture of working while you sip, so nobody will bat an eye while you tap away at your keyboard.
Open daily 8am-11pm. Corniche Road, Villa T3 (02 681 1877).
