1.3K
Dubai has thrown open its doors to the digital nomad community with the introduction of remote work visas in 2020. The “work from home” lifestyle – in fact, the “work from anywhere” mentality- is finally catching on, and Dubai is a city built to cater to this new generation of innovative and creative workers.
Getting set up in any new city is, of course, not without a few documents to complete and hurdles to get over. Still, Dubai is a city made for expatriate workers and opportunities to be entrepreneurial. A few essentials you’ll need under the new scheme include:
Sure, you can work from your new home, but just like working in a tiny office cubical, we can get bored of the same spaces around us day in, day out. We know you’ll be looking for some fun and creative places to work in Dubai that not only have powerful wifi but awesome coffee and a healthy feed to boot.
We’ve been scouting across the city to try and find the coolest cafes with awesome wifi and serving up delicious food to spend your working days in Dubai.
10 Best Cafes For Digital Nomads to Work From in Dubai
Our writing team are often found cafe hopping across town, and – after much internal debate! – we have pulled together this list of the top 10 best cafes to work in Dubai – updated for 2024/25. We hope all the Dubai freelancers and WFH folk out there will find some new inspiration!
1. Spill the Bean
Spill the Bean is all about a friendly ambience combined with great food! It has a variety of healthy snacks to munch on while you spend your working hours in the tranquil environment of the cafe.
The menu includes sandwiches, salads, bagels, and pancakes available all day. Spill the Bean cafe is one of the best cafes to work in Dubai, ideal for people who are renting in the outer suburban areas of Dubai and don’t want to trudge into the city.
Location
- Shop 7, The Sustainable City
Opening Hours
- Sunday to Thursday: 7:30 am to 8:00 pm. Friday and Saturday: 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
Learn more at @spillthebeancoffee
2. One Life Kitchen & Cafe
With two branches in Dubai, this innovative cafe is designed with the digital nomad in mind.
With high-speed internet and an ultra-cool aesthetic spread over two floors, expect all-day breakfasts and hearty, healthy feeds to power you through the day in their bright, airy and sociable space in D3 (Dubai’s Design District).
Their latest opening is found in the Hive CoLiv an innovative new co-living space in Dubai’s JVC – urban design and sustainable living in flexible coliving spaces (this is series digital nomad territory – a great place for medium-term stays with 30-day contracts allowed, almost unheard of elsewhere without paying hotel prices).
But we digress – One Life Kitchen and Cafe knows what co-working spaces are all about and combines the best of bites and work time with a lively beat.
What’s more, they allow dogs on their outside terrace so in winter, it can be the perfect place for you and your pooch to go enjoy a few hours of of the house.
Locations
- D3 Branch, Ground Floor, Building 5, Dubai Design District
- JVC Branch, Hive Coliv, Jumeirah Village Circle
Opening Hours
- Daily 8:00 AM to 11:00 Pm
Learn more at onelifedxb.com
3. Boston Lane
Boston Lane should be your go-to place if you want to get loads of work in less time in a cafe with the cutest interior, a welcoming vibe, and many snacks to choose from. The comfortable seating arrangement and the pastel interior of the cafe are perfect for spending hours working or reading while sipping on the strongest coffee to give you a boost.
It also has tea, lattes, smoothies, milk, and an impressive variety of breakfast and lunch items to choose from.
So, if you’re looking for cool coffee shops in Dubai to work from, you know where to find one!
Location
Opening Hours
- Monday to Sunday: 7:30 am to 7:00 pm
Learn more at bostonlane.com
4. Kuttab Cafe
If you’re looking for a place that doubles as a Middle Eastern restaurant, library and work-friendly cafe in Dubai, the Kuttab Cafe is where you should be!
It has an indoor and outdoor sitting area to sit and work peacefully while enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It has walls lined with bookshelves and comfortable couches for a relaxed and productive working experience.
Location
- Shop No LS 2,3, Uptown Mirdif
Opening Hours
- Monday to Sunday: 8:00 am to 11:00 pm
Learn more at @kuttab_cafe
5. Revo Cafe
If you’re a writer and need to get those creative juices flowing to come up with words that readers enjoy, the Revo Cafe is the ideal cafe for you!
Located just on the Palm, far from the hustle and bustle of Dubai, this breakfast cafe is bound to help you get a major chunk of work done in the couple of hours you spend there. Start your day with a hefty and fulfilling breakfast at Revo and spend the next 2 hours fully focused on the task in an undisturbed environment with glorious views.
Location
Opening Hours
- Monday to Sunday: 8:00 am to 10:30 am
Learn more at anantara.com
6. Jones the Grocer
Australian cafe/restaurant Jones the Grocer has several branches across the UAE, but their Palm West Beach branch is exceptional for digital nomads. Enjoy beautiful beach views, plenty of charging sockets and even some cute little booths if you prefer a little more privacy.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Gourmet menu is always exceptionally tasty, though may put a dent in your digital nomad budget if you make it a daily occurrence!
Anyone who travels with their furry friends will be delighted to know they’re welcome to join you here outside too!
Location
- PWB B5 FB1, Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeirah
Opening Hours
- Daily 7:30 am to midnight
Learn more at @jonesthegrocer
7. 1762 Stripped
If it’s a rustic ambience and a superb roast you want while working, look no further than 1762. They have a few branches of their gourmet deli across Dubai, but our favourite for working can be found in One JLT, Stripped.
Upstairs you can find yourself a quiet nook, enjoy the modern but cosy downstairs lounge, and even outdoor dining in the cooler winter months. It’s the perfect spot for a business meet-up or living your best laptop lifestyle.
Location
- One JLT, Ground Floor, Jumeirah Lake Towers
Opening Hours
- Daily 8:00 am to midnight
Learn more at 1762.ae
8. Ciao Bella
Ciao Bella is an Italian cafe straight out of a chick flick! With vibrant chairs and wooden tables, it is one of the coolest coffee shops in Dubai, frequented by business people for casual meetings and people who work remotely.
Its impressive breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu includes pizzas, salads, and drinks.
So, work, eat and socialize at this cosy Italian cafe for a productive day in the hub of digital nomad land in Dubai, Media City.
Location
- Media One Hotel, Media City
Opening Hours
- Monday to Sunday: 7:00 am to 11:00 pm
Learn more at mediaonehotel.com
9. The LoLo House
If you’re looking for a perfect co-working space without the price tag, trendy Lolo House in Al Quoz is the ideal spot to pull up a pew and get a few hours of work done uninterrupted and without any fun looks; you won’t be the only one there tapping away all day!
More than just a coffee shop, the Dutch owners wanted to bring European living room vibes to the heart of the creative zone in Al Quoz, helping people balance between work and a holistic lifestyle with yoga sessions and even mani-pedis on offer here alongside their cafe menu.
Offering a variety of high and low tables, shared benches, and meeting/workshop rooms for hire, this is a great flexible working location for digital nomads who want to feel welcome. They also offer plentiful plugs and strong wifi!
Location
Opening Hours
- Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Learn more at lolohouse.com
10. Friends Avenue Cafe
Let’s wrap up this article with a little cafe that gives you New York vibes. Friends Avenue is a cosy space with walls lined with leather couches and elegant dining tables and chairs in the centre, making it an ideal cafe to work in Dubai.
The dining tables are for you if you’re there just for a meal. However, if you want to spend a few hours being creative and efficient, the leather couches are just right! Take a seat and start working amidst the bustle of people enjoying their breakfasts, smoothies, and coffee while catching up with their friends.
Location
- Umm Al Sheif, Waitrose Building, Al Thanyah Mall
Opening Hours
- Monday to Sunday: 7:00 am to 10:00 pm
Learn more at friendsavenue.ae
Remote work is fun, but it gets boring pretty soon. So, if you’d like to shake off that boredom and embrace your creativity and productivity, it’s time to head over to one of the best cafes in Dubai, with a work-friendly environment and food that gives you a head start for the day.
Need more space? As your team and needs grow beyond a coffee shop table, you may want to look into these recommended coworking spaces in Dubai
Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai
Take me back to the Dubai Travel Blog
Please note we are not a travel agency. This site is a travel blog to help newcomers to the UAE and transit passengers self plan their trip, we cannot book your flights, hotels, visas or connections for you. We may make a small commission if you click on any of our recommendation links for our recommended partners.
Dubai Travel Planner
