If you love café culture, pretty locations, and taking pixel-perfect food photos for the ‘gram, you’re going to love this list.
From artsy to beachy to whimsical, we have every kind of pretty café you could ask for.
Let’s get caffeinated.
Alkalime
Saadiyat Island is certainly one of the most beautiful places in Abu Dhabi, and Soul Beach is simply gorgeous, so it makes sense that one of the prettiest cafés in Abu Dhabi would be located there. Alkalime is a feel-good restaurant that serves up thoughtful, tasty and wholesome dishes that are good for you. If you’re there for breakfast we’d recommend the smashed avocado with pomegranate seeds for Dhs38. The vegan Cauli-pizza is out of this world, too. The restaurant manages to bring the tranquil beach vibes inside with boho-chic décor and huge windows that look out to the sky and water. A truly pretty café experience, especially if you save time for a walk on Soul Beach afterwards.
Soul Beach (054 449 1547).
Aptitude Café
Another beautiful place to enjoy your coffee by the water, Aptitude Café also features a view of the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Featuring plenty of greenery, swaying palms and indoor and outdoor seating, this zen spot is a great place to go before or after you visit the exhibit at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. If you’re looking for a meal with your coffee, we’d recommend the country Greek salad with cucumber, tomato, olives, onion and feta for the perfect light bite (Dhs48). The steak sandwich is another winner with grilled filet mignon, onion marmalade, and emmental cheese for Dhs80. Sky, water and the beautiful Louvre Abu Dhabi – during an Abu Dhabi sunset it’s even prettier in pink.
Louvre Abu Dhabi (050 988 5445).
Breath Café
If you’re looking for one of the prettiest cafés in Abu Dhabi that will make you feel like you’re in wonderland, you should definitely head over to Breath Café. Faux-grass floor, trees that grow through the ceiling, and a quirky water feature. You’ll find yourself expecting to see a fairy any minute. This spot is like your childhood visions of a whimsical tea-party come true. Plus the food is delicious, too. Plump for the chilli chips croissant sandwich with cheddar cheese, tomato, lettuce and mayo on a soft croissant stuffed with crushed crisps for Dhs26. They also serve a fantastic blueberry salad with baby spinach, arugula, green apple, strawberry, blueberry, feta cheese, avocado and walnut with strawberry dressing for Dhs49. A magical kind of pretty.
Al Dhafra (02 444 4219).
Brunch & Cake
Oh how we love a beautiful brunch. This picture-perfect spot in Al Bateen Marina definitely deserves a mention as one of the prettiest cafés in Abu Dhabi. Pastel pinks, yellows and cream colours create a soothing environment with sunlight streaming in from the glass terrace. Cuddle up in one of the comfy nooks or settle into a casual lounge chair while you sip coffee and read or catch up with a friend. The décor is very pretty, but the food is also easy on the eyes with eggs benny on a charcoal waffle for Dhs75, and zucchini blossoms with mushrooms, pesto mayo, parmesan and mozzarella cheese for Dhs65 as just two of the highlights. You might come for brunch, but don’t forget the cake.
Al Bateen Marina (800 4726362).
Larte Ristorante
The most art-deco of all the cafés on this list, Larte Ristorante is a café, restaurant and bar that serves up classic Italian dishes in the heart of Saadiyat’s cultural district: Manarat Al Saadiyat. With huge windows, bright and interesting décor, and an outdoor terrace that feels like an escape from the city, this café is one of the prettiest places to chat about art and culture, especially after you see one of the museum’s exhibitions. We’d recommend the Mona Lisa pizza with turkey ham and mushrooms for Dhs69 if you want the full artsy experience.
Manarat Al Saadiyat (02 657 5888).
Rain Café
Puffy rain clouds, soothing blue tones, and a rare treat for Abu Dhabi residents: it’s raining down pretty at Rain Café. With locations across Abu Dhabi including the Abu Dhabi Corniche, Muroor and Yas Mall, this café is the perfect pretty location to have a delicious coffee and a snack or meal during a lazy afternoon. No matter the location, the décor is always cute. Try the kunafa cheesecake for Dhs44, or put a pretty twist on your usual coffee and order a rose latte for Dhs28.
Abu Dhabi Corniche, Muroor, Yas Mall (02 677 7366).
Montauk Boutique Café and Restaurant
If you’re looking for luxe beach house vibes like the ones you’d find in The Hamptons look no further. Montauk Boutique Café and Restaurant serves a photogenic line-up of carefully crafted dishes and desserts and a pretty ambiance that makes you feel like you just stepped off the beach. You can practically smell the ocean air at this café, despite the fact that it’s located in the heart of Al Bateen. We’d recommend the avocado and beetroot cheese toast with toasted sourdough, smashed avocado, beetroot and cheese emulsion, feta and pine nuts for Dhs65. A pretty purple dish for a pretty venue. The coffee is delicious too.
Al Bateen (02 546 6255).
If you’re looking for a top spot you can go to work in, don’t miss this list of Abu Dhabi’s best remote working cafés.
