Coffee culture is a big part of Emirati hospitality. The warm, smoky fragrance of Arabica beans roasting in a dallah (traditional Arabic coffee pot), with hints of cardamom, saffron, or cloves, welcomes you to take a load off and share a cup with your hosts. Maybe you’ll find yourself biting into a glossy, plump date, savoring its caramel sweetness. Or you just sit back with your freshly poured gahwa and enjoy the cool desert air as the sun sets.
You can experience this traditional style of coffee making in the emirate, in heritage villages (e.g., Bassata Desert Village) and majlis. You can also discover how cafés in Ras Al Khaimah have evolved coffee culture.
From Brews to Bites
A lot of people visit Ras Al Khaimah for its serene beaches, rugged mountains, and authentic cultural experiences. The café scene is equally worth exploring. The coffee shops are still warm and inviting, but they’ve also become the go-to places for delicious bites.
Here are some of the more popular places for getting good brews and great bites.
Deep Café
Corniche Al Qawasim Street
Deep Café is all about exceptional coffee and food in an inviting space that takes you away from the city’s frenetic energy. The Ras Al Khaimah coffee shop offers a broad menu of coffee, specialty drinks, appetizers, salads, pastas, pizzas, and desserts. If you’re in the Corniche Al Qawasim, you can stop by to grab a latte, meet friends for brunch, or find a quiet spot to do some work.
Espresso-based drinks include the usual cappuccino, flat white, and macchiato with the ever-popular hot matcha, Spanish latte, and cold brews.
You can pair your brew with a breakfast zaatar or whipped feta and figs toast. If you’re craving a full meal, try the truffle mushroom risotto or the Angus beef burger. If you just want something sweet with your espresso, try the homemade brownie kunafa, saffron milk cake, or sticky date pudding.
Al Qurm Specialty Coffee
Khuzam Road
Diners rave about Al Qurm’s calming, quiet location, with relaxing views of green spaces and swaying palm trees. When you want to just sit with your favorite cup of coffee or matcha drink, this is the cafe for you.
Al Qurm’s selection of espresso-based drinks can be paired with pastries or sandwiches. The coffee shop offers healthy options, like a bowl of acai with granola and peanut butter.
When temperatures are blazing, try any of their cold drinks, like the cold Spanish latte, mango frappe, or iced matcha.
Fermenti
Al Ghazayer Street, Al Rams
When you’re looking for serenity in a chaotic week of work, head to the green spot that is Fermenti. This simple, serene space offers Instagrammable beverages, from chai to coffee, and delicious pastries, so it’s perfect for those mornings or afternoons when you just want something brewed with something sweet.
Fermenti is located in the coastal community of Al Rams. Beloved by locals, this coffee spot is open from 7 AM to 11:59 PM.
Glo Café
Al Riffa
Glo Café has an interior style that entices. It’s spacious with clean lines and colors that evoke relaxation. Step in and have your usual coffee (e.g., flat white, hot V60, or hot Spanish latte) or discover a would-be favorite new drink (e.g., espresso martini with milk Brazil, hibiscus).
The café menu features savory sandwiches, such as pesto mozzarella and tuna sandwiches, with sweet options, like Nutella cookies, tiramisu, and coconut cake. You can definitely stay a while here, trading stories with friends and colleagues or just catching up on your reading.
Hoof Café
Grove Village, Corniche Road, Dafan Al Khor
Hoof Café is an equestrian-themed coffee shop. But you don’t have to be an equestrian enthusiast to appreciate this Ras Al Khaimah café. The vibe here is one of sophistication and simplicity, so it’s a perfect venue for working, catching up, or contemplation.
Whether you enjoy coffee on your own or love the company, Hoof Café has a drink and a dish for you to enjoy. Choose from among the finest classic espressos, single-origin coffees, and specialty drinks. They have a delectable array of sandwiches, salads, and pastries as well. The menu also features vegetarian and vegan options.
Peak Café
Mina Al Arab
Located in the coastal community of Mina Al Arab, Peak Café offers great coffee, good food, and stunning views.
Sit outdoors for a relaxing breakfast with egg and mushroom toast, peak shakshouka, an acai smoothie, or a cold brew. Tuck into a light lunch or dinner indoors with cucumber zaatar salad or chicken risotto.
This popular Ras Al Khaimah coffee shop has an extensive menu that allows you to enjoy the calming ambiance for quite a while.
Crew Café
Grove Village, Corniche Al Qawasim Street
The aroma from Crew Café’s artisanal bakery is irresistible. The charming café offers freshly baked goods and expertly crafted hot and cold beverages. Savor delightful treats, such as croissant pudding, labneh and zaatar danish, and dates pudding with ice cream. Enjoy sips of hot Spanish latte, babycinno, or choco matcha.
Crew Café encourages customers to slow down and engage in meaningful conversations. So order your favorite brew and bites, and find a spot to appreciate every moment.
Nut Café and Lounge
Sheikh Khalifa City
Tidy, cozy, calming — Nut Café and Lounge has everything you need in a coffee shop. Whether you’ve scheduled a meeting, need to work, or want to catch up with friends, this café in Ras Al Khaimah is the ideal place to lounge in.
Try their nut saffron latte, Italian cold espresso, and iced macha, among other inventive drinks. Pair their signature beverages with Balaleet (an Emirati breakfast of vermicelli noodles cooked in spices), date pudding, or risotto rice balls.
Space Café
Corniche Al Qawasim Street
For friendly vibes and late coffee, head to Space Café. It’s open until 1 am on weekends, which means you can sip your favorite tea or espresso after a late night. Whether you’ve been burning the midnight oil at work or just coming home from a party, Space Café offers the perfect space to decompress or unwind.
Try the Arabic fwala (with dates and tahini on the side), a rose latte, or Kashmir chai with any of their sandwiches or dessert items.
Labelle Café
Al Mahabah Street, Al Dhait North
Located near the Emirates Club Stadium, Labelle Café is open for lunch and dinner. It offers a full breakfast menu, hot and cold drinks, and desserts.
Enjoy a Nutella latte, a piccolo, or a macchiato with a labelle brioche, pistachio kunafa cake, or an acai bowl. Plant-based milk is also available upon request.
Selection Café
Mina Al Arab Road, Mina Al Arab
Are you craving a really good breakfast? Selection Café combines healthy options with decadent starters for the day.
The All-Day Breakfast menu includes an acai bowl, creamy pancakes, eggs Benedict, foul madammas with Arabic bread, a beef burger, and more. The café also offers shakes and frappes, fresh juices, tea, and coffee.
Coffee culture thrives with these innovative and welcoming cafés in Ras Al Khaimah.
Whether you’re a connoisseur, brunch lover, or simply looking for a cozy corner to unwind, sip, snack, and stay awhile at any of these coffee spots.
For more local charm and great food, check out the best restaurants in Ras Al Khaimah today.
