12 of The Best Desert Cafés in The UAE: Winter 2024 Pop-Ups
Whether you want to watch the sunset amidst the sand dunes, enjoy a campfire or savour rich hot chocolate on a chilly night, these 12 winter cafés have something for everyone.
Enjoying a day out at a winter café, deep in the desert, is one of the most unique experiences you can have in the UAE. To help you make the most of the cooler months, Bazaar Arabia has curated a list of desert cafes across the Emirates — ideal for both a caffeine fix and a photo op. Here are 12 of the best desert cafés in the UAE.
12 of The Best Desert Cafés in The UAE
Café Ame
Sleek aesthetics, perfectly poured café lattes and a serene setting – that’s what Café Ame is all about. If you fancy taking a picture of your afternoon coffee with pops of pink in the background, thanks to flamingos dotted across the lakeside location, you need to visit this spot this winter.
Location: Flamingo Lake, Al Qudra, Dubai.
Not A Space
Right since its start, this desert pop-up café has been a hit online because of its moody lighting and stunning desert backdrop, which make for the perfect picturesque setting. Not A Space is back this winter, inviting guests to enjoy coffee, snacks, live music, and more.
Location: Al Faya desert, Sharjah.
Sonara Camp
Sonara is home to a unique restaurant in the heart of the Arabian Desert, offering guests the ultimate luxurious experience. They have fine-dining set menus, camel riding, falconry, live music, and fire shows.
Locations: Dubai Desert Conservation, Dubai, and The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah Al Wadi Desert, Ras Al Khaimah.
1 Degree Café
1 Degree Café features traditional Arabian-style seating with spectacular dune views. Enjoy classical music and the starry night sky while sipping on Spanish lattes, indulging in a creamy tiramisu, and saying hi to camels at this winter pop-up.
Location: Margham, Dubai.
Caia Bamboo
This laid-back haven right by Flamingo Lake, is nestled close to the Al Qudra camping ground. Picture this: Comfortable seats right by the stunning water, tables lined with fairy lights, and a picturesque desert view. It’s like stumbling upon a hidden oasis.
Location: Flamingo Lake, Al Qudra, Dubai.
Hidden
Your afternoons at this hidden gem will revolve around laying back on a boho-style beach chair, enjoying pistachio eclairs, and sipping on an iced matcha latte – what’s there not to like? Whether you want to soak in the sunset views or enjoy a cosy campfire, this café between the desert dunes is the perfect spot to unwind on a weekend.
Location: Al Marmoon Heritage Village, Dubai.
Link By Mara
Relax in a cozy majlis-style setup, lit up by fairy lights, and enjoy a menu offering a mix of international street food at Link By Mara. For the ultimate winter experience with your loved ones, opt for their private bonfire setting option for groups.
Location: Al Marmoon Heritage Village, Dubai.
Backyard By Calm
Located in the heart of Sharjah, this pop-up winter café brings you a feeling of being in the desert while staying close to the city. It’s quickly become a favourite spot for a cheeky after-dinner dessert and hot chocolate in the winter.
Location: Muweilah, Sharjah.
Common
This desert pop-up only provides the best of the best experiences to its visitors, even while being in the middle of a remote location. Common has a modern design with mirrored pillars, chic seating, and moody lighting to match. They also take their coffee very seriously with plenty of specialty brews to offer.
Location: Al Faya, Sharjah.
Elsewhere
With their flagship coffee shop in Khorfakkan, this winter, Elsewhere has opened up in Dubai. Elsewhere offers a very different aesthetic than other cafés we’re used to seeing. The décor is inspired by outer space, with neon blue lights and a large installation resembling the moon right in the middle of the café.
Location: Jumeirah 3, Dubai.
The Uncommon
Looking for something trendy and different? Check out The Uncommon in the stunning Sharjah desert. Sip on tasty hot and cold drinks, snap Instagram-worthy pictures with their mirrored installation, and enjoy the weather at this laid-back spot. If the drive to this spot in the Al Faya made you hungry, they’ve got delicious bites to offer, including freshly baked pastries.
Location: Al Faya, Sharjah.
The Dome
This café’s set-up is evocative of a glamping experience in Ras Al Khaimah’s golden desert. They offer the option to sit indoors, in their dome-shaped tent right in the middle of the café. Alternatively, visitors can opt to enjoy the cool breeze in the winter months by sitting outside.
Location: Al Elm Road, Khalifa Bin Zayed City, Ras al Khaimah
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/@hidden_dubai, @sonara_camp