Cafe crawl: The most gorgeous cafes to check out in Al Khawaneej
This is the picture of a cosy neighbourhood bakery, splashed out in sunshine-savvy, whimsical orange, serving freshly baked pastries and specialty coffee. It's a community-centric spot, perfect for those coffee dates, slow mornings and sweet treat runs, and the best part is, it's homegrown. Support your own, people.
Times: Daily, 6am to 9pm
Offer: Pastries start at Dhs28
Contact: ( 0) 4 557 1205
@alwayskneaded Beurre
More than just bread, this serene French-inspired bakery offers a whole host of artisanal desserts, from madeleines to cheesecake and mille feuille, along with the gorgeous flaky croissants rolls, and buns. Looking for aesthetics too? This is the one – slow, quiet, green, with pastels, wood and gentle sunlight to bask in.
Times: Daily, 8am to 6pm
Offer: Pastries start at Dhs31, boxes at Dhs110
Contact: ( 0) 55 252 1936
@beurrebakery.ae Backyard
Slow, green and serene, Backyard is known and loved widely for a great cuppa-joe. A coffee club, it's expanded rapidly recently, having opened locations in Nadd Al Hamar, DSO, Jumeirah and beyond as well. It's a very community-centric space, and if coffee is what you're looking for, this is the place to be.
Times: Monday to Thursday, 6am to 12am, Friday to Sunday, 6am to 1am
Offer: Coffee starts at Dhs24
Contact: ( 0) 4 297 3227
@bckyrd.ae Seezn Specialty Coffee
The vibes at Seezn are raw, rugged and earthy – wood panels everywhere, a giant tree smack in the middle of the outlet, woven lamps and chairs, earthern pottery, plants, tile and pebble floors. Like Backyard, the focus here is really great coffee, and a really great menu to go with. Plus, it'll make the a great backdrop for your 'gram.
Times: Daily, 9am to 11.30pm
Contact: ( 0) 4 252 3442
@seezn.ae Wanderlust
Smooth lines, pools of sunlight and earthern tones – Wanderlust will help you get away from the crowd, slow down and get some quiet time. This spot is not just about great coffee; you get incredible artisanal desserts to pair with for the perfect coffee date/yap session with your girls. Or even if you're looking for a co-working space.
Times: Daily, 8am to 1am
Contact: ( 0) 50 873 6703
@wanderlust__uae The Matcha Tokyo
The Matcha Tokyo has it in the name – this spot is all about the good green stuff, and the best part is that it's less trend-hopping and more 100% premium, authentic matcha straight from Japan. The brand is committed to preserving the clean, green process of growing and producing matcha and it's all organic.
Times: Daily
Contact: ( 0) 4 271 2422
@thematchatokyo.uae Orto
Coffee lounge, community space and a healthy living home, Orto is housed in an adorable villa-esque structure and offers not only an incredible array of colourful drinks and coffee, but nourishing bowls of healthy food that you can indulge in, and of course, artisanal confectionary because that is essential.
Times: Daily, 6am to 10pm
Contact: ( 0) 4 265 6787
@ortodubai
Images: Socials
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As global demand soars, supply isn't always keeping up, and for cafés committed to doing it right, that means walking a fine line between staying stocked and staying true. 'As matcha continues to grow in popularity worldwide, sourcing high-quality matcha consistently can be a challenge,' says Vanessa from Matcha Club. 'With increased demand, it's important to stay mindful of where and how it's produced.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Matcha Club (@matchadxb) The how being crucial here. The best matcha doesn't come from mass production but from small, sustainable farms in Japan that rely on time-honoured cultivation methods. At NETTE, the team ensures it only works with a supplier known for its transparency and ethics. But even with the right partnerships, they're feeling the squeeze. 'As global demand for premium matcha rises, so do the challenges in sourcing sustainably,' says Amina. 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'We're committed to maintaining the highest standards, which means only working with trusted suppliers who have direct relationships with farms in Japan that follow time-honoured, sustainable cultivation and processing methods.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tobyâ��s Estate UAE (@ In fact, Toby's Estate made the bold decision earlier this year to temporarily discontinue their matcha offerings rather than compromise. 'Our supply chain is more sensitive to seasonal yields and logistics. But that's non-negotiable. Our customers trust us to serve the real thing, and we are sincere about protecting the authenticity and sustainability of what we offer.' With demand booming, the market has been flooded with diluted, low-grade options, often labelled as ceremonial when they're not. For discerning consumers, this can be confusing and for cafés trying to satisfy these consumers, it's a minefield. Still, the lifestyle shows no signs of slowing down. As Amina puts it, 'Matcha has become a ritual for a lot of people. Whether it's part of a wellness routine or just a favourite mid-morning pick-me-up, it's clear that matcha is here to stay.'
