Society Café is a brand-new spot at Mamsha that hails from Jumeirah in Dubai. Tucked away at the far end of the promenade, it requires guests to book a spot in advance, which creates an air of exclusivity before you even arrive.
When you eat at Mamsha Al Saadiyat, the meal is bound to feel a little bit extra. Something about the sea, white sand and blue skies combines to bring an unmatched level of tranquility to the area – so it’s not surprising that some of the restaurants at Mamsha require you to pay a little bit extra for the experience.
But there is a little extra, and then there are the kind of prices that leave your jaw dropping towards the beautifully tiled floor.
For a regular café, the food and coffee at Society Café is decent, but for what you’re paying, it’s hard not to find yourself expecting a little more.
Nachos are only minimally accompanied by a standard guacamole and a few chunks of feta, and Dhs70 for the privilege.
Mushroom risotto is tasty, but far to minimally proportioned for Dhs85. Hibiscus iced tea (Dhs30) looks great on the ‘gram, and so does the cold brew (Dhs32) – but is that enough to justify the price tag?
We’re all for a bit of bougie – why else would you go for coffee on Saadiyat? And if you’re willing to look away when the cheque arrives at your table, Society Café is a lovely spot to get caffeinated. But there are certainly better-value options serving just as enjoyable a setting.
