Dubai isn’t a petrolhead’s Disneyland where supercars, vintage classics and custom builds are as common as sand. Complementing this high-octane lifestyle, car and bike enthusiasts can fuel their passion at automotive-themed cafés, where fresh brews meet world-class cuisine.
Picture this, sitting in a cafe and appreciating a carburettor with an exquisite cup of cappuccino. Here are the must-visit hotspots for automobile lovers in the City of the World.
DRVN by Porsche
DRVN by Porsche is situated in the hustle and bustle of the beautiful Bluewater Island. Just to add a certain uniqueness, the world’s largest Ferris wheel, the Dubai Eye, is towering down upon the DRVN café, making it quite a spectacular sight. With an official tie-up with Porsche, it’s a car lover’s dream come true. In 2021, they kicked things into high gear with the Icons of Porsche event in Dubai, where legendary rides like the 1948 Porsche 356, Porsche 935/78 “Moby Dick, and the 911 S 2.2 Targa came straight from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart.
DRVN is the place where expresso and horsepower conversations come together. Her coffee connoisseurs also enjoy the world’s best Arabica coffee from Brazil, Ethiopia, and Uganda all roasted in-house. For food aficionados, DRVN fires up its very own wood-fired oven, dishing out pizzas like classic pepperoni and the Neapolitan pizza, which were our top picks. This is where car talk meets culinary bliss.
6.8 Café
The 6.8 Café has a rustic workshop-like setup with no pretences. Situated in the Al Quoz industrial area, the café is away from the glitz and glamour of Dubai and is home to a motorhead who appreciates retro and restored vehicles from around the world.
Step inside the 6.8 Café and you will be greeted with a lineup of timeless Mercedes-Benz icons like the original bad boy the 1971 300 SEL AMG Red Pig in silver colour. This car holds a special place in automotive history as what began as a damaged 300 SEL 6.3 was transformed by a young tuning AMG company into a fire-breathing race machine. They took the standard 6.3-litre M100 V8 engine producing 246 bhp and revamped it into a 422 bhp 6.8-litre monster. The café has its custom merchandise and serves hot piping coffee with delicious finger food and sandwiches.
Bikers Café
Bikers Café is the ultimate destination for motorcycle enthusiasts, art lovers, and families alike, offering a vibrant atmosphere and mouthwatering cuisine. Located along the scenic Jumeirah Beach Road, this café greets visitors with an impressive display of customized power cruisers, Ducati Diavels, and classic Triumph motorcycles, setting the tone for a high-octane experience.
The menu caters to a variety of tastes, featuring everything from juicy burgers and Mexican delights to fresh seafood. However, we dove into the authentic Emirati flavours, and highly recommend the Keema Paratha and the Jumeirah Chopper—a flavorful dish featuring marinated chicken, black olives, herb feta, tabbouleh, red cabbage, avocado, and Arabic bread, served with hummus, pesto, tahini, and tzatziki.
On race days, Bikers Café turns into a motorsport fan’s paradise, screening Formula 1 and MotoGP in an electrifying atmosphere that feels nothing short of a racing carnival.