Italian coffee
Italian espresso is a standout, with one Italian reviewer calling the ristretto the best they had tried in Dubai.
Café Barbera Bay Square
Business Bay
Café Barbera Bay Square is an Italian-style coffee shop and café in Business Bay, with espresso-led drinks and Italian dishes. Reviews make it appealing for a quiet coffee, a quick business meeting, or breakfast, with specific mentions of the English breakfast, pistachio gelato and a calm outdoor setting.
Reputation Score
4.1
★★★★☆
185 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Quiet meetings
The calm setting works well for catching up with friends, remote work or a quick business meeting.
Laptop friendly
There are plenty of plugs for customers who need to work on a laptop.
Breakfast choice
The English breakfast is specifically recommended, while the avocado toast with tomatoes and poached eggs also received praise.
Outdoor area
The outdoor area is a pleasant winter option, with a quiet atmosphere and reflection pool mentioned by customers.
Italian dishes
Customers describe the food as typically Italian, including a pizza praised for tasting just like it did in Italy.
Pistachio gelato
The pistachio gelato has a particularly enthusiastic review and is worth noting alongside the coffee.
Tips for a Better Visit
Avoid rushes. Visit outside busy meal periods if you are short on time; reviews report waits of 30 minutes to over an hour.
Check milk. If you have an allergy, repeat the milk choice and check the drink before leaving, given one serious almond-milk mix-up.
Bring laptop. A laptop session is practical because one customer found lots of plugs available.
Mind outdoors. The outdoor area suits winter visits, but consider an indoor seat if mosquitoes would bother you.
Parking available. If you are driving to a meeting, a review says visitor parking is available.
Check offers. If using Entertainer, confirm the drink eligibility before ordering, as one customer was told it applied only to espresso.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Business Bay - Bay Square - Dubai
Business Bay - Bay Square, Dubai
| Mon | 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Tue | 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Wed | 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Thu | 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Fri | 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Sat | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Sun | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
Common Concerns
Slow service
Several reviews describe long waits, including more than an hour for food and 30 minutes just to place an order.
Milk error
One customer repeatedly requested almond milk because of allergies but was served whole milk and experienced a reaction.
Uneven service
Some customers found staff unfriendly, rude or disorganised despite enjoying the coffee and surroundings.
Order mistakes
Reviews mention incorrect drinks, missed requests and staff uncertainty about ingredients and menu details.
Outdoor mosquitoes
Mosquitoes were a problem for one customer seated outside.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Café Barbera Bay Square is an Italian-style coffee shop in Business Bay where the strongest reason to visit is the coffee. Customers mention well-made espresso and ristretto, plus a calm setting that suits a quick business meeting, laptop work or a catch-up away from crowds. The outdoor area is another draw in winter.
Food reviews are more mixed, but there are several useful choices to know about. The English breakfast gets a direct recommendation, while avocado toast with tomatoes and poached eggs, pizza, cheesecake and pistachio gelato all appear in customer feedback. One review reported paying 60 AED for an almond cappuccino and cheesecake, though that is a past customer-reported transaction rather than a current price.
Service is the main caution. Customers have described anything from friendly, helpful visits to disorganised service, incorrect orders and waits of 30 minutes or more; one food order took over an hour. Allergy-related orders deserve extra checking after a customer who repeatedly requested almond milk received whole milk and experienced a reaction.
If you are driving, visitor parking has been mentioned, and laptop users may appreciate the available plugs. Outdoor seating can come with mosquitoes.