Gluten-free pasta
The gluten-free seafood linguini was fresh, flavourful and perfectly cooked, an unusually strong pasta option.
Café Bateel - DIFC, Dubai
DIFC
Café Bateel in DIFC is a Mediterranean café-restaurant for coffee, breakfast, light lunches and fuller meals. Reviews point especially to its date-led pastries and drinks, plus dishes such as seafood linguine; the indoor and outdoor setting also suits relaxed meetings or a quiet break.
Reputation Score
4.5
★★★★★
722 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Date specialities
Dates feature memorably in pastries, coffee, desserts and date butter, giving the menu a distinctive Bateel angle.
Outdoor setting
Outdoor seating can feel especially calming, with one review noting a view and the sound of a nearby waterfall.
Meeting support
A breakfast meeting review says the team accommodated the group’s requests and helped everything run smoothly.
All-day choice
Customers return for breakfast, lunch, dinner and coffee, with gluten-free options and a broad menu for different occasions.
Easy payment
The bill can be paid through a webpage opened by scanning a table QR code, avoiding a wait for the bill.
What to Eat at Café Bateel - DIFC, Dubai How we choose these items We use AI to find praise and criticism of specific foods and drinks in a selection of Google reviews. For Café Bateel - DIFC, Dubai, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. We still have more reviews to analyze, so the scores may change. The score is positive reviews minus negative reviews. For example, two positive reviews and one negative review give +1. Each review counts once per item; neutral comments do not change the score. A zero score is not a positive recommendation. “Only neutral feedback” means there are no positive or negative votes. “Mixed feedback” means equal numbers of positive and negative votes. The quotes are examples of what people said, not every comment we counted. We use different reviews where we can. We normally show up to 10 foods and 5 drinks with non-negative scores. Items with the same score stay together. If a tied group would go past the limit, that group and the lower non-negative scores go into Honorable mentions. If an overflowing positive top tie would leave the list empty, we show up to 10 items from that tie and keep the rest in Honorable mentions. Foods and drinks with a negative score are under What to Avoid. Use this as a guide to what reviewers liked, not a guarantee that you will like it too.
These items at Café Bateel - DIFC, Dubai got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 1
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Seafood linguini (gluten-free) Net +2
“The food was excellent. I had the seafood linguini (gluten-free), which was beautifully prepared, fresh, and full of flavour. The gluten-free pasta was cooked perfectly — not always easy to achieve — and the seafood was fresh and well-seasoned.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was excellent. I had the seafood linguini (gluten-free), which was beautifully prepared, fresh, and full of flavour. The gluten-free pasta was cooked perfectly — not always easy to achieve — and the seafood was fresh and well-seasoned.”February 2026
“Love their Seafood Linguine Pasta and their Tiramisu Latte is top-notch!”January 2024
Honorable mentions (18)
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Biscuits Net +1
“I chose biscuits and chocolates from Cafe Bateel. Looked well. I even tried some myself and I recommend buying these for oneself and also for your loved ones.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I chose biscuits and chocolates from Cafe Bateel. Looked well. I even tried some myself and I recommend buying these for oneself and also for your loved ones.”March 2022
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Burrata Net +1
“You have to try their fig salad, burrata and dates!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“You have to try their fig salad, burrata and dates!”May 2023
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Caesar salad Net +1
“The Caesar salad was also very good, crisp and well balanced.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Caesar salad was also very good, crisp and well balanced.”February 2026
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Chocolates Net +1
“I chose biscuits and chocolates from Cafe Bateel. Looked well. I even tried some myself and I recommend buying these for oneself and also for your loved ones.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I chose biscuits and chocolates from Cafe Bateel. Looked well. I even tried some myself and I recommend buying these for oneself and also for your loved ones.”March 2022
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Date & fig salad Net +1
“The stakes, date & fig salad and wagu beef meatballs merits to be eaten again and again and again.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The stakes, date & fig salad and wagu beef meatballs merits to be eaten again and again and again.”April 2024
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Date and pecan bread Net +1
“The best date and pecan bread in town! Serving and prices is completely worth it. Staffs are also very accommodating and friendly. A must try place!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The best date and pecan bread in town! Serving and prices is completely worth it. Staffs are also very accommodating and friendly. A must try place!”August 2023
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Date and yoghurt bowl Net +1
“Shared a date and yoghurt bowl and truffle scrambled eggs. Both were delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Shared a date and yoghurt bowl and truffle scrambled eggs. Both were delicious.”August 2023
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Fig salad Net +1
“You have to try their fig salad, burrata and dates!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“You have to try their fig salad, burrata and dates!”May 2023
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Gourmet dates Net +1
“Their gourmet dates and coffee are on a completely different level, everything tastes so rich and authentic.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their gourmet dates and coffee are on a completely different level, everything tastes so rich and authentic.”July 2026
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Healthy tuna salad Net +1
“The healthy tuna salad is delicious. I love it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The healthy tuna salad is delicious. I love it.”August 2023
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Iftar Net +1
“I went for iftar with my friends, and it was the best choice. I enjoyed the atmosphere, found the service excellent, and the food was very delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I went for iftar with my friends, and it was the best choice. I enjoyed the atmosphere, found the service excellent, and the food was very delicious.”March 2026
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Moroccan wagyu meatballs Net +1
“The stakes, date & fig salad and wagu beef meatballs merits to be eaten again and again and again.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The stakes, date & fig salad and wagu beef meatballs merits to be eaten again and again and again.”April 2024
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New avocado mango bruschetta Net +1
“Tried their new truffle ravioli and new avocado mango bruschetta and it was amaaaazing. I hope it stays on the menu.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Tried their new truffle ravioli and new avocado mango bruschetta and it was amaaaazing. I hope it stays on the menu.”August 2026
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New truffle ravioli Net +1
“Tried their new truffle ravioli and new avocado mango bruschetta and it was amaaaazing. I hope it stays on the menu.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Tried their new truffle ravioli and new avocado mango bruschetta and it was amaaaazing. I hope it stays on the menu.”August 2026
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Salmon Net +1
“The food was delicious, the service is exceptional and Ron is so friendly and helpful and made our day a delight. This is my second time here during the day and the Salmon was perfect.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was delicious, the service is exceptional and Ron is so friendly and helpful and made our day a delight. This is my second time here during the day and the Salmon was perfect.”January 2026
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Sicilian prawn pasta Net +1
“I had the Sicilian prawn pasta, it was delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had the Sicilian prawn pasta, it was delicious.”June 2024
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Tiramisu latte Net +1
“Love their Seafood Linguine Pasta and their Tiramisu Latte is top-notch!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Love their Seafood Linguine Pasta and their Tiramisu Latte is top-notch!”January 2024
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Truffle scrambled eggs Net +1
“Shared a date and yoghurt bowl and truffle scrambled eggs. Both were delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Shared a date and yoghurt bowl and truffle scrambled eggs. Both were delicious.”August 2023
Drinks 1
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Iced latte with a little date syrup Net +1
“I absolutely enjoyed their iced latte with a little date syrup.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I absolutely enjoyed their iced latte with a little date syrup.”June 2026
What to Avoid (1)
Drinks 1
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Date latte Net −1
“Only negative was the date latte…. Too sweet for my liking.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Only negative was the date latte…. Too sweet for my liking.”August 2023
Tips for a Better Visit
Visit weekends. For a quieter DIFC visit, try the weekend, when one reviewer found the area less crowded.
Allow time. Build in extra time for food, since one review puts the usual wait after ordering at 20–30 minutes.
Try French toast. The date French toast is specifically singled out as a dish worth ordering.
Check sweetness. If you dislike sweet coffee, ask about the date latte or choose another drink; one reviewer found it too sweet.
Ask gluten-free. Ask about gluten-free dishes: reviews mention a broad selection and a well-executed gluten-free seafood linguini.
Use QR payment. You can scan the table QR code to open the payment webpage, which may save time when settling the bill.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Dubai International Financial Center Building 2, Podium Level Shop No.5
Zaa'beel Second - DIFC, Dubai
| Mon | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Tue | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Wed | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Thu | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Fri | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Sat | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Sun | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
Common Concerns
Slow orders
Several reviews report lengthy waits, including typical dish waits of 20–30 minutes and one order missed for 40 minutes.
Uneven service
Service is praised by many but described as inattentive or rude in some visits, even when the restaurant was not busy.
Price concern
One customer found the healthy tuna salad delicious but considered the prices somewhat high.
Sweet latte
The date latte may be too sweet if you prefer a less sugary coffee.
Refurbishment needed
One review says the venue needs refurbishment, despite describing the food as consistently good.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Café Bateel DIFC works well for a coffee break, breakfast, business lunch or relaxed meal. The menu gives dates a starring role, from pastries and date butter to date-infused drinks, while more conventional choices include seafood linguine, salads, salmon and all-day breakfast. Gluten-free diners have several options, and one review found the gluten-free seafood linguini particularly well cooked.
The setting is a major part of the appeal. Indoor and al fresco seating can feel calm despite DIFC’s busy surroundings; one reviewer enjoyed the outdoor view alongside the sound of a nearby waterfall. The venue has also been used for a breakfast meeting, with a review noting that the team handled special requests smoothly.
A table QR code can open a webpage for paying the bill. Food quality is generally described as fresh and consistent, but service is not completely predictable. Some visits receive attentive, polished help, while others report no follow-up and waits of 20–30 minutes, including one order that had not been entered after 40 minutes.
Weekend visits may feel less crowded. For first-timers, the date French toast, date pastries or date products are sensible starting points; the date latte is worth avoiding if you prefer coffee that is not sweet.