Café du Roi
Affectionately known as “Roy’s”, this neighbourhood café with branches in Khalidiya and Abu Dhabi Mall is one of more authentic faux-Parisian establishments in the capital. They have a delicious selection of fresh pastries and serve the strongest coffee in town. We recommend you try the haloumi and zaatar croissant – you won’t regret it.
Contact: 02 681 6367

Al Farah Pastries
Located just behind Crowne Plaza on Hamdan Street, Al Farah Pastries is a little hidden gem of a bakery offering a superb selection of cheap and cheerful Arabic pastries such as fatayer, kebbeh and khnafeh. If you’re in the area, it’s well worth seeking it out. A piping hot cup of tea and some cheesy manakish for less than AED 10 – you just can’t go wrong.
Contact: 02 633 3777

Jones the Grocer
There’s a reason that the Aussie chain of gourmet cafés has quickly become a firm favourite – using only the finest ingredients, Jones’ own bakers and pastry chefs make everything fresh in-house to guarantee that homemade taste. As they say, the proof really is in the pudding.
Contact: 02 639 5883