7 of the best laptop-friendly work cafes in Dubai, UAE

Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE, Egg Building
Updated 28th September 2024

Let’s face it, there are very few people on this planet who haven’t heard of Dubai or have an opinion about the desert wonderland that has fast become a playground for digital nomads and the super-wealthy. 

Dubai is a popular city for those who want to take advantage of the significant tax benefits and a luxury environment in which to spend all that tax-free money!

Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai. The capital of the United Arab Emirates is Abu Dhabi. The total population of the UAE is around 10 million.

Dubai has a population of just over 3 million in 2024 and around 80% of the Dubai population is made up of foreign nationals. In contrast, the population of Dubai was just 20,000 in 1950!

When we think about Dubai, we think of oil and all the riches that come with it.

An interesting fact is that oil revenues now account for just 1% of GDP in Dubai compared to 50% in the past. Dubai has successfully diversified and reinvented itself as a popular tourist destination, digital nomad hub,  international business city and home to a growing population of wealthy expats. 

Our focus in this guide is on the digital nomads and entrepreneurs still on the hustle and looking for interesting and inspiring cafes to rock up with their laptops and get some work done.

If you are in Dubai and looking for nice cafes to work from with free wifi you have come to the right place. Check out our guide to some of the best work cafes in Dubai below.

If you have any suggestions or have experiences with any of the cafes to work in our Dubai list please contact us or leave a comment at the bottom of this page. We would love to hear about your experiences as a digital nomad in Dubai.

Without further ado, our recommended list of laptop friendly cafes to remote work in the UAE's international business hub Dubai in no particular order.

Brought to you by the Global Circle Club for nomads. Use invite code GCCFREE12 to get 12 months free club membership and €10 credited to your account to start your journey.

ROSELEAF CAFÉ, THE GARDEN CONCEPT STORE, DUBAI

733 Sheikh Zayed Rd - inside The Garden Concept Store - Al Quoz - Al Quoz Industrial Area 3 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Roseleaf Café Dubai, laptop friendly work cafe
Roseleaf Café, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai

Roseleaf Café, located within the Garden Concept Store on 733 Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, offers a nature-inspired space if you are looking for a place to get some work done. 

Surrounded by lush plants and greenery, Roseleaf café creates an inviting atmosphere for digital nomads seeking a quiet, laptop-friendly environment with free WIFI. 

Roseleaf Cafe is known for its homemade goodies, offering a menu filled with fresh salads, sandwiches, soups, and delicious baked treats. 

Roseleaf café also boasts single-origin coffee batch-roasted on a weekly basis, ensuring a top-notch caffeine fix for serious coffee lovers.

With the obligatory free Wi-Fi and plenty of parking space, Roseleaf Café makes for a convenient remote work spot and is a favourite among Dubai’s freelancers, digital nomads and professionals. 

Have you been to Roseleaf Cafe? Let us know your experiences in the comments section below

Roseleaf Cafe website for more info

BOSTON LANE, AL QUAZ, DUBAI

Courtyard 25 - 4B St - Al Quoz - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Boston Lane laptop-friendly cafe in Dubai
Boston Lane laptop-friendly cafe in Dubai

Boston Lane, located in the vibrant Courtyard of Al Quoz, is a work café popular with remote workers in Dubai. Known for its Australian-inspired menu, Boston Lane cafe offers a relaxed atmosphere with a bit of a quirky, artistic vibe, making it an ideal spot for those looking to get some work done while enjoying good food and coffee.

The café’s bright and spacious interior is perfect for working on a laptop. Power outlets are available so no need to panic about running out of power!

Boston Lane also has outdoor seating should the temperature be comfortable outside during the relatively cooler Dubai months.

The calm ambience, combined with free Wi-Fi of course, makes Boston Lane an attractive option for freelancers and digital nomads. 

Serious about your coffee fix? Boston Lane’s signature flat whites, sourced from local roasters, are highly recommended, and the café also serves a variety of fresh sandwiches, toasties, and pastries, ensuring digital nomads can refuel while they work.

Boston Lane has a nice community feel that attracts both locals and expats so you can enjoy something of a local Dubai experience which can often be rare.

Have you been to Boston Lane? Let us know in the comments

A4 SPACE, AL QUOZ, DUBAI

10 17th St - Al Quoz - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

A4 Space laptop friendly work cafe Dubai
A4 Space – laptop friendly work cafe Dubai

A4 Space in Al Quoz, Dubai, is a vibrant coworking and creative hub located within Alserkal Avenue, Dubai city’s emerging arts district. A4 Space is a great space for  freelancers, digital nomads, and creatives looking for a quiet, inspiring environment. 

With its open-plan design, A4 Space features long communal tables, soft furnishings, and even a cosy library nook for more focused work sessions.

A4 Space offers more than just a work-friendly atmosphere. Its attached café, Appetite, serves healthy snacks, specialty coffee, and meals that draw in a crowd of gallery owners, artists, and writers. 

Additionally, A4 Space hosts pop-up shops that showcase local designers, further embedding it into Dubai’s creative culture. 

The industrial style, complete with high ceilings and minimalist décor, blends nicely with Dubai’s futuristic cityscape, providing a calm yet energetic environment for working.

Have you been to A4 Space? Let us know your experiences in the comments section

A4 Space website for more info

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TOM&SERG, AL QUOZ, DUBAI

Al Joud Centre - 15A Street - Sheikh Zayed Rd - near ACE Hardware and Burjeel Hospital - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Tom&Serg laptop-friendly cafe to work in Dubai
Tom&Serg laptop-friendly cafe to work in Dubai

Tom & Serg, located in the industrial area of Al Quoz, Dubai, is a top choice for remote workers and digital nomads. Known for its spacious, industrial-chic design with concrete floors and exposed piping, Tom & Serg cafe offers a laid-back atmosphere perfect for working on a laptop. The open-plan layout gives a sense of airiness, with plenty of seating options that make it easy to find a spot to get your laptop out and work whilst soaking up the industrial vibes.

Tom & Serg cafe is well respected for its specialty coffee and healthy menu, making it a great place to fuel up while working. You can expect dishes packed with fresh, nutritious ingredients, like the popular Aussie Benedict or as always the classic avo toast. The coffee at Tom & Serg Cafe has gained something of a cult following among Dubai’s ever growing expat community

Free Wi-Fi, great service, and long opening hours (8 AM to 4 or 6 PM depending on the day) make Tom & Serg especially convenient for those looking to get some work done outside the house. 

Have you been to Tom & Serg? Let us know in the comments section

Tom&Serg website for more info

FRIENDS AVENUE CAFE JLT, DUBAI

Fortune Executive - Ground Floor - Cluster T - Jumeirah Lake Towers - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Friends Avenue Cafe JLT - laptop-friendly cafe, Dubai
Friends Avenue Cafe JLT – laptop-friendly cafe, Dubai

Friends Avenue Cafe JLT, located in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), is a favourite among remote workers, expats, and digital nomads in Dubai. This trendy spot is known for its welcoming atmosphere, making it ideal for working on a laptop. Friends Avenue Cafe JLT offers comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and ample natural light, creating a nice working environment outside of an office or co-working space. The laid-back vibe, combined with its friendly staff, makes it a great place to spend a few hours working or meeting with friends.

Beyond the ambiance, Friends Avenue JLT is also known for its excellent coffee and diverse menu, which includes healthy, wholesome meals like salads, gourmet sandwiches, and all-day breakfast options. Friends Avenue Cafe JLTs reasonably priced menu and sizable portions have made it a go-to spot for both locals and those visiting Dubai. Whether you’re in the mood for a light acai bowl or a burger, you’ll be able to fight off the hunger!

For those seeking a relaxed work environment with good food and a convenient location, Friends Avenue Cafe is a top choice. Friends Avenue Cafe JLT is open from early morning until late evening, allowing plenty of flexibility for remote workers needing a place to get some work done

Friends Avenue website for more info

BIKERS CAFÉ, JUMEIRAH BEACH ROAD, DUBAI

Jumeirah Beach Road - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Bikers Cafe - laptop-friendly cafe in Dubai
Bikers Cafe – laptop-friendly cafe in Dubai

Bikers Café, located on Jumeirah Beach Road in Dubai, is a unique, motorcycle-themed spot that is great for remote workers, digital nomads, and expats looking for something a little different. 

Bikers Café offers a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for working on your laptop while enjoying some delicious food. With comfortable seating and an outdoor terrace, Bikers Café is a popular hangout for locals and tourists alike. 

Bikers Café offers free Wi-Fi of course, making it an ideal place to get some work done while sipping on coffee or enjoying a tasty meal. Bikers Café serves a wide range of international dishes, from traditional Emirati breakfasts to burgers and salads.

The location near Jumeirah Beach gives you a chance to take a break with a scenic stroll should you feel like enjoying an ocean breeze after a hard days work. 

Bikers Café’s relaxed vibe, ample parking, and comfortable setting make it a go-to spot for freelancers and remote workers in Dubai. 

Whether you’re looking for a place to work or just want to relax and ‘refuel’, Bikers Café is a great place to try out, especially if you are into all things two wheels!

Have you been to Bikers Café? Let us know your experiences in the comments section

Bikers Cafe website for more info

CAFE RIDER CUSTOM, AL QUOZ, DUBAI

Warehouse 7 14B Street - Al Quoz - Al Quoz Industrial Area 3 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Cafe Rider Custom in Dubai - motorcycle themed laptop friendly cafe in Dubai
Cafe Rider Custom – motorcycle themed work cafe in Dubai

Cafe Rider in Dubai, located in Al Quoz, is a unique laptop-friendly cafe, particularly favoured by digital nomads and remote workers seeking a workspace with a difference. It’s another Dubai work cafe for those who love the thrill of 2 wheels or looking for a cafe with a difference.

The custom motorcycle inspired Café Rider is housed in a spacious, warehouse-like venue filled with custom motorbikes and accessories, which creates a visually stimulating atmosphere, especially if you are a fan of motorbikes. 

The motorbike theme is not just a prop to look cool. Cafe Rider is a custom bike shop offering custom build, repairs, storage and sales.

Cafe Rider offers a spacious industrial-style interior, with plenty of seating and even quiet areas to take a call, making it ideal for those looking for a free space to work in Dubai. With excellent free WiFi, Cafe Rider is often recommended as a laptop-friendly destination in Al Quoz, Dubai.

Café Rider Dubai is known for its in-house roasted, organic coffee, with many praising its quality. Drinks like “Oil Drip,” a fun mix of coffee and orange juice, or “The Alpine” with pine nuts, add to the appeal for coffee enthusiasts. 

When it comes to food, some visitors have commented that the menu can be limited and perhaps a bit pricey so do keep that in mind if you are looking for a place to work and eat.

While Café Rider offers a laid-back and creative vibe, some customers mention that the service can be slow at times, with staff occasionally being inattentive or distracted. Additionally, the slightly remote location in Al Quoz may be a drawback for those without a car or motorbike of course!

Overall, Cafe Rider is a great spot for coffee lovers who want a quiet and inspiring place to work with its distinctive industrial warehouse and motorbike-fueled environment.

Have you been to Café Rider? Let us know your experiences in the comments section

Cafe Rider website for more info

Brought to you by the Global Circle Club for nomads. Use invite code GCCFREE12 to get 12 months free club membership and €10 credited to your account to start your journey.
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