What is it about Abu Dhabi’s cafés that makes us want to whip out a paperback, settle into our seats and order endless cappuccinos while we read for the entire day? Luckily, we’ve found some of the best places to dine alone in Abu Dhabi.
The capital is famous for its incredible cafés thanks to specialty coffees and brilliant bites, but bookworms who like to sink into a good book also know that the casual spots are perfect for indulging in delicious food.
Whether it’s the warm ambiance, cosy seating or literary décor that has you itching to take out your latest read, there are plenty of places to dine alone in Abu Dhabi that will bring out your inner bookworm – if it’s not fully out already.
And if you’re anything like us, your bedside to-read pile has started to become teeteringly high. Let’s change that. Get ready to devour books and bites at one of the seven best places to dine alone in Abu Dhabi.
Alkalime
Looking to read with a view of the ocean while you dine alone in Abu Dhabi? How does Soul Beach on shimmering Saadiyat Island sound? For many, it’s considered a top way to spend an afternoon (and evening). See, Alkalime is the perfect place at Mamsha to bring your favourite book and enjoy a solo meal. The eatery serves up wholesome, healthy food and plenty of coffee. Be sure to nab a seat outside, or one by the window, to take in the tranquility while you get lost in the latest plot.
Click here for the prettiest cafes in Abu Dhabi.
Open Mon-Fri noon-midnight, Sat-Sun 10am-10pm. Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, instagram.com/alkalime_uae (054 449 1547).
Blacksmith Coffee Company
If you head to Blacksmith Coffee Company, you’re going to want to bring a book and prepare yourself to see loads of students. The café is located on the New York University Abu Dhabi campus, after all. You’re definitely going to be inspired by the collegiate atmosphere and of course, there will be plenty of people reading (oh, to be a student again). No matter your age, this is a great spot to dine alone in Abu Dhabi and get absorbed in a fantastic book.
Click here for the best coffee shops in Abu Dhabi.
Open daily, 8am-1am. New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, blacksmith.ae (02 650 1881).
Blink Café
This café is a hidden gem in Al Nahyan with one of the coolest vibes we’ve encountered. The walls are covered in blue and red stripes and there are plenty of seats in the massive windows. This interesting spot is usually quiet and visitors typically come in pairs to play one of the café’s board games or to catch up over the fantastic coffee. Don’t worry though as they will not distract you from figuring out your whodunit book. The desserts are a good shout too at this relaxed spot.
Click here for the best board games to play with the family.
Open daily, 4pm-3am. Hameem Street, Al Nahyan, instagram.com/blinkabudhabi (02 666 0070).
Joud Café
This café is a previous winner of the Time Out Best Café Award, so you already know we are massive fans. The comfy leather seats are the type that make it very (very) difficult to leave, so you’re best off bringing a book when you visit to while the hours away. The coffee and food are both exceptional, too. Joud is open from early to late so you might just be able to get that novel completed in one sitting, making it one of the best places to dine alone in Abu Dhabi.
Click here to read our review of Joud Café .
Open daily, 8am-11pm. Al Bateen, joudcafe.com (056 525 8235).
The Lighthouse
Looking for somewhere to read at Yas Bay Waterfront? The Lighthouse has gorgeous food, quiet ambiance and even a literary inspiration behind the concept. The restaurant’s name was inspired by Virginia Woolf’s To The Lighthouse; Woolf used to meet her Bloomsbury Group fellows over breakfast and lunch, where they would discuss art, literature and philosophy. Bring your bookish mates and a pile of paperbacks to The Lighthouse to recreate that creative literary vibe today.
Click here for more places to eat at Yas Bay.
Open daily, 8am-midnight. Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, yasbay.ae (02 236 7831).
Third Place Café
Searching for a spot where you can actually get some work done – including reading through three chapters of that latest gripping novel? This is one of the top places to dine alone in Abu Dhabi. Third Place Café has long been one of Abu Dhabi’s best working cafés. It offers a space between your home and office where you can work, eat and socialise.
You’ll find plenty of people tapping away on their keyboards, catching up with friends or cracking open a paperback and settling in for the afternoon. Downstairs you’ll even find a shelf full of books, which you can borrow while you’re there. There’s also a special reading room upstairs, if you prefer to read in the quiet.
Click here for Abu Dhabi’s best working cafés.
Open daily, 8am-10.30pm. Corniche Road, Khalidiya, thethirdplaceuae.com (02 681 1877).
Rain Café
You might not catch many rainy reading days in sunny Abu Dhabi, but you can still visit one of the Rain Cafés in the capital. Going to the eatery is the next best thing to a rainy reading day – and it thankfully spares you and your book pages from actually getting wet. Puffy rain clouds, soothing blue tones and loads of creative dishes (hello rose latte) create the right vibe for a relaxed reading afternoon.
There are locations across Abu Dhabi including the Abu Dhabi Corniche, Muroor Road and Yas Mall but no matter which branch you visit, the décor is always cute for you to dine alone in Abu Dhabi.
Click here for the best ways to relax in Abu Dhabi.
Various locations across Abu Dhabi including Abu Dhabi Corniche, Muroor Road and Yas Mall. instagram.com/rainabudhabi.
Love reading? Click here for the best places to buy books in Abu Dhabi.
