Colombian coffee
Reviewers describe the coffee as smooth, rich and recognisably Colombian, with some calling it consistently excellent.
Downtown Dubai
Juan Valdez Cafe is a Colombian coffee shop in Downtown Dubai, on Dubai Mall’s Lower Ground. It is a handy stop for smooth Colombian coffee, including V60, alongside treats such as Basque cheesecake and matcha when you want something beyond espresso.
Source: Google Maps
Reviewers describe the coffee as smooth, rich and recognisably Colombian, with some calling it consistently excellent.
The V60 receives especially strong praise, and one review notes that the barista explained the strong-to-balanced ratio when selecting beans.
Cakes are repeatedly praised for freshness; Basque cheesecake is described as rich, creamy and not overly sweet.
Matcha is a worthwhile alternative for non-coffee drinkers, with one reviewer calling it delicious.
The cafe has charging ports available, which is useful if you are stopping during a longer Dubai Mall visit.
The classic hot chocolate is described as relatively liquid rather than thick, while still tasting delicious.
One regular visitor compared the quality and cost favourably with Starbucks and found the bread and muffins fresh and affordable.
Try V60. Ask about the V60 if you want a more specialised coffee; reviewers specifically recommend it and mention guidance on choosing a strong-to-balanced profile.
Try matcha. If you are not in the mood for coffee, try the matcha with Basque cheesecake, which was praised for its creamy, not-too-sweet finish.
Visit early. For working or reading, go before the crowd arrives; one regular specifically uses the cafe that way.
Sunday event. The cafe hosts Spanish-speaker networking every Sunday at 4 PM, useful if you want a social activity rather than only a coffee break.
Check cake. If a cake seems hard, raise it with the team: one reviewer said staff checked the cake, replaced it and added chocolate sauce.
Mind sweetness. If you order coffee nevado, be aware that one reviewer found it much sweeter than the Colombian version they expected.
Plan the visit
| Mon | 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Tue | 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Wed | 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Thu | 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Fri | 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sat | 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sun | 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
The Volcán Iced Latte is specifically recommended by a Colombian reviewer.
Mapy plantain chips are described as a Colombian product that is crispy, flavourful and worth trying.
One coffee drinker found the brew too mild and lacking the richer aroma and stronger kick they expected.
Music has reportedly been extremely loud on repeated visits, making conversation and reading difficult.
One Colombian reviewer found the empanadas and arepas stale and lacking the expected authentic flavour.
The coffee nevado was described as much sweeter than the version typically served in Colombia.
A reviewer reported a long wait for a simple order, followed by receiving the wrong items.
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
cheese and turkey sandwich
“A cheese and turkey sandwich is 28 AED, a muffin with coffee is 24 AED, and a regular coffee is around 16 AED”Google review · December 2025
muffin with coffee
“A cheese and turkey sandwich is 28 AED, a muffin with coffee is 24 AED, and a regular coffee is around 16 AED”Google review · December 2025
regular coffee
“A cheese and turkey sandwich is 28 AED, a muffin with coffee is 24 AED, and a regular coffee is around 16 AED”Google review · December 2025
The Bottom Line
Juan Valdez Cafe is a Colombian coffee stop on Dubai Mall’s Lower Ground in Downtown Dubai. The main draw is Colombian coffee, with reviews highlighting smooth, rich flavour and a well-received V60. You can also switch things up with matcha, classic hot chocolate or Basque cheesecake, which was described as creamy and not overly sweet.
The setting is generally described as cozy, clean and spacious enough for meeting friends or working. Charging ports are available, and the cafe runs Spanish-speaker networking every Sunday at 4 PM. For a quieter work session, an early visit makes more sense: one regular specifically recommends coming before the crowd arrives.
There are a few things to keep in mind. One reviewer found the coffee too mild for a bold, full-bodied preference, while another said the music was repeatedly loud enough to disrupt conversation and reading. Food feedback is mostly positive, but a Colombian visitor found the empanadas and arepas stale and the coffee nevado much too sweet.
Reported prices include about 16 AED for regular coffee, 24 AED for a muffin with coffee and 28 AED for a cheese and turkey sandwich, giving the cafe a fairly accessible Dubai Mall option.