Discover Abu Dhabi’s Hidden Cafés

In a city known for its grand architecture, Abu Dhabi's quieter café culture can feel like a well-kept secret. Here are some of our favourite hidden spots.

AVA Café - Al Bateen / Al Khalidiyah

AVA describes its evenings as ‘a love letter to Abu Dhabi’, and walking in, you understand what they mean. The decor is homey and dressed in soft pastel blues, perfect for an evening out with friends. The menu features breakfasts, acai bowls, pizzas and pastas. If you want to dine alfresco, there's a balcony and outdoor seating, giving you an option for the cooler months. As the lettering on the wall spells out, it’s a fantastic place to ‘Meet Me in Abu Dhabi’.

Where: 423 Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi (also a branch in Al Bateen) 

When: Open daily 7 AM to 12 AM 

Price: Around AED 50–100 per person for breakfast 

Find them:@avacafe.ae on Instagram | avacafeqr.com | +971 50 886 4963 

Turtle Cove - Hidd Al Saadiyat

Head over to the quiet calm of Hidd Al Saadiyat, for a  breezy cafe with a casual, beachy vibe. It’s the kind of place you might pop in for a quick coffee and accidentally spend the whole day in. As it is based in the Hidd community, you’ll need to call ahead for the gate code to get in.

Where: Hidd Al Saadiyat community, Abu Dhabi (call ahead for gate access) 

When: Daily, 10 AM – 1 AM

Price: Around AED 30 per person 

Find them: @theturtlecove on Instagram

Meylas - Al Raha Beach

The brainchild of young Emirati Shaikha Al Kaabi, this all-day spot serves a menu inspired  by local ingredients and hand-me-down recipes. Meylas means ‘a place that gathers people’, and with its authentic Middle Eastern decor and delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners made from mostly local ingredients, it certainly lives up to the name. Order the Balaleet or the Chabab pancakes with honey and date syrup, and plan to stay a while.

Where: Al Raha Beach, Al Muneera, Abu Dhabi 

When: Daily, 8:30 AM – 11 PM 

Price: Mains roughly AED 40–70 | No reservations needed, walk-ins welcome 

Find them: meylas.com | +971 2 444 8884 

Boomah, The Owl Café - Al Seef Village Walk

Founded by three Emiratis and inspired by Japanese pet cafés, Boomah is home to over ten species of owls and offers you  a unique opportunity to learn about and interact with the creatures. The café has two rooms separated by a glass barrier, with decor that creates a forest-like feel. Many of the owls wouldn't survive in the wild due to injury or disability, so the café doubles as a sanctuary. The café itself has no entry fee; and a separate wristband gets you into the owl room itself. 

Where: Al Seef Village Mall, Khalifa Park Area, Abu Dhabi 

When: Weekdays 2 PM - 10 PM, Weekends 12 PM - 12 AM 

Price: Owl encounter wristband: AED 70 per person 

Find them: @boomah.ae on Instagram | +971 2 441 9041

Art House Café - Al Bateen

Tucked away behind Bateen Mall in a villa on Al Falah Street, adjoining the Etihad Modern Gallery, Art House Café is a place filled with colour and creativity. Old barrels and tyres have been recycled into tables, vintage suitcases stacked into furniture, and coloured ceiling panels filter light down onto the floor in patches of rainbow colour. The food is well-priced, the coffee reliably good, and the atmosphere gets you in the creative mood. You can even paint your own ceramic tile while you dine.

Where: Next to Etihad Modern Art Gallery, Villa 4/2, Al Falah Street, opposite Al Bateen Mall 

When: Daily, 9 AM – 11 PM 

Price: Coffees from AED 18 | Mains AED 35 onwards | 

Find them: @arthousecafead on Instagram | arthousecafead.com | 02 666 0175 

Aptitude - Louvre Abu Dhabi

What began as a stylish pop-up has become a permanent fixture on the grounds of the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The whitewashed café has a greenery-filled terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows, creating an indoor-outdoor vibe whatever the weather. Coffee comes in Aeropress, cold brew and Chemex varieties, alongside local-inspired twists like rose, pistachio and saffron lattes. You do not need a museum ticket to visit, making it one of the more affordable options in the city.  

Where: Outdoor Park, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island (no museum ticket required) 

When: Daily, 10 AM – 10 PM 

Price: Specialty coffees from AED 22 | Light bites and pastries AED 20–45 

Find them: @aptitude.ae on Instagram 

The Third Place Café - Al Khalidiyah / Corniche

The Third Place is set  in a converted standalone villa in Al Khalidiya, near the Corniche. It is one of Abu Dhabi's original independent cafés, founded by a trio of architects who wanted somewhere with good coffee, bookshelves, and comfortable chairs, and decided to build it themselves. The menu features everything from shakshuka and avocado toast through to prawn wraps, curries, and freshly baked brownies. You can also purchase second-hand books and artwork from local artisans. 

Where: Corniche Road, Villa T3, at the Bateen Street and Corniche intersection

When: Daily, 8 AM – 10:30 PM 

Price: AED 50–100 per person 

Find them: @thirdplaceuae on Instagram | thethirdplaceuae.com | +971 2 681 1877 

Know a hidden gem we missed? Share your favourites with us on Instagram. We also send out a weekly newsletter capturing all the exciting things happening in the city, which you can get straight to your inbox. Subscribe today.