Long before Dubai’s skyline shot upward, its most treasured address was – and still is – Jumeirah. Set along the coast, Jumeirah was once home to those who lived by the rhythms of the sea: Emirati families whose roots here run deep. Today, it remains one of Dubai’s most coveted neighbourhoods – a place where heritage and old money meet a new generation of expats, each bringing a new layer to its story. This contrast plays out beautifully in Jumeirah’s café scene, where a handful of distinct, homegrown spots prioritise community and character over whatever is trending. Whether it’s an adaptogenic latte in SEVA’s secret garden or traditional Arabic coffee poured from the dallah at Forever Rose, these six cafés tell the story of a neighbourhood that’s well lived-in – and well loved.
Bellini Cafe, Mr C Residences, Dubai Water Canal
Set within the coveted Mr. C Residences, Bellini Café brings a pared-back Italian sensibility to the Jumeirah waterfront. Designed by the fourth-generation Cipriani family, the space channels the ease of a Venetian summer with breezy organic interiors and a menu that moves from espresso and gelato to Cipriani’s signature Cotoletta Milanese. Coffee here is served the Italian way: dark, full-bodied, and confidently simple. Honouring its namesake, Bellini has a stellar mocktail menu, with virgin piña coladas, cucumber gimlets, and of course, a spritz-style Bellini.
For residents, Bellini is a neighbourhood establishment – a place of familiar faces and baristas who know the order by heart. For visitors, it’s an elegant spot to pause, sip something cold, and enjoy the calm of the canal winding past. Much like the development above, it’s a café that balances heritage and modernity in a way that feels both personal and exacting – a natural extension of life at Mr. C.
Comptoir 102, Jumeirah 1
For a Jumeirah café with a more old-world, bohemian feel, there’s Comptoir 102. This boutique concept store and wellness café is hidden away inside a converted 1970s villa, shaded by palms and a rattan roof. The interiors are low-lit and earthy, with exposed wood and shelves stacked with handmade ceramics and natural skincare. A plant-based haven, the menu leans wholesome and intentionally simple, centred around cold-pressed juices, sprouted grain toasts, and dairy-free lattes made with house nut milks. Beyond what’s on the table, the pace in Comptoir is slow and unhurried with a warm, communal feel – the sort of place you hope stays far off the mainstream radar. The café also hosts regular talks and workshops on health, beauty and wellness, drawing a loyal and like-minded crowd.
Rx Coffee Apothecary, Jumeirah 3
In Jumeirah 3, Rx feels less like a café and more like a vintage coffee dispensary. Inside, apothecary drawers and amber glass jars line the walls, setting the tone for a space where coffee is approached with near-scientific intent. Designed for purists, the V60 pour-over is an Rx speciality, alongside a gentle six-hour cold drip. While this Jumeirah café is serious about its craft, the atmosphere remains relaxed and creative: don’t be surprised to find a solo drinker painting over a flat white. If you’re after something more substantial than a latte and sweet treat, the lunch menu at Rx ranges from burrata bruschetta to a rich lamb lasagna. This is the only place in Dubai you’ll find Norway’s beloved Fuglen coffee – Rx is both brand ambassador and exclusive partner.
Forever Rose Café, Boxpark
Forever Rose in Al Wasl is one of the most distinctive cafés in Dubai, let alone Jumeirah. The brand began in London in 1999 as a luxury florist supplying preserved roses to royal families, before Emirati entrepreneur Ebraheem Al Samadi acquired it and reimagined it as a café in 2020. His vision was to create a space where guests could feel “part of a drawing”, and in Jumeirah’s Boxpark, that idea plays out in full. Rendered entirely in black and white – down to the tableware and cutlery – the interiors mimic a hand-drawn 2D sketchbook.
Within, the café is unapologetically romantic, with glass cloches of preserved roses, rosewater drinks, and perfume bottles lining the counter. There’s a strong sense of heritage here too: Arabic coffee is poured from traditional dallahs, contemporary sketches of Sheikh Zayed line the walls, and the dessert menu leans proudly local, with everything from saffron milk cake to date-filled pastries. It’s a favourite among Jumeirah locals, and a growing haunt for anyone looking to give their Instagram page a flourish.
The Grey, Al Wasl
The Grey stands out in Jumeirah for its sharp, masculine minimalism. Set across two levels in Al Wasl, this exclusive café-lounge was designed by XO Atelier to feel more like an art gallery or studio than a coffee shop. Everything here is draped in shades of grey, from the walls and serveware right down to the coffee menu itself, which has a signature charcoal oat latte and virgin espresso caipirinha. Like Rx, The Grey serves some of the best V60 pours in Jumeirah, with rare single-origin beans from Yemen and Ethiopia. While the interiors and crowd seem at first austere, The Grey has a quiet community of regulars, and it hosts various workshops including coffee masterclasses.
In the evening, the kitchen shifts gears entirely with an experimental, Japanese-inspired menu. Highlights include ponzu-stuffed squid, togarashi-spiced beef meatballs, and Oscietra set caviar – best followed by the miso butterscotch brulée. The Grey is the brainchild of MAD Hospitality – the team behind Society UAE, which offers a lighter, breezier experience just around the corner.
SEVA Table, Jumeirah 1
SEVA was the Middle East’s first 100% plant-based café, long before oat milk lattes were trendy. Step through the gate and you’ll find shaded gardens, barefoot grassy corners, and a café where phones are gently discouraged. The ethos here is ‘small kitchen, big garden’, with a creative menu spanning chickpea eggless omelettes, lion’s mane tawook, and chilled avocado gazpacho. The garden is a destination in its own right: a communal space draped in bougainvillaea and banyan trees, with cushioned floor seating where shoes are optional. While SEVA began as a café, it’s now better known as a broader wellness hub, hosting yoga, workshops and sound healing sessions that draw a loyal community who value presence over performance. There’s no Wi-Fi here – just nourishing home-grown food, slow mornings, and a place to reset without leaving the city.
