Signature buns
The warm coffee buns are crisp outside, soft inside and repeatedly described as fresh, buttery and distinctive.
Pappa Roti Cafe
Dubai Marina
Pappa Roti Cafe in Dubai Marina is a coffee shop known for its freshly baked signature buns: crisp outside, soft and buttery inside. You can pair one with coffee or tea, try the generously sized kunafa, and sit indoors or on the outdoor terrace near JBR’s beach road.
Reputation Score
4.3
★★★★☆
1,021 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Kunafa portions
The kunafa is substantial enough to share; one review says the portion comfortably serves two people.
Outdoor terrace
The outdoor terrace gives diners a relaxed place to sit while watching the activity along the beach road.
Fresh baking
Buns are made on site, and customers have been called over when a fresh batch comes out of the oven.
Relaxed setting
Reviews describe a cozy, well-ventilated cafe with floor-to-ceiling windows, plenty of light and indoor seating.
Topping range
The buns come with varied toppings, including Nutella, almond, cheese, caramel and chocolate with hazelnut.
Tips for a Better Visit
Ask hot. Ask for hot buns; one review says they are worth waiting for rather than accepting a batch that has cooled.
Control sweetness. If you prefer less sweetness, request the sauce on the side, an option one customer found worked well.
Validate parking. For bills of AED 100 or more, ask the cafe to validate the basement parking ticket before leaving.
Dine in. Choose dine-in for the full presentation: delivered buns reportedly arrived tasty but slightly squashed.
Check orders. Before settling in, check that every item has arrived; one quick-grab visit was missing part of the order.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Bahar 4 JBR - The Walk
Marsa Dubai - Dubai Marina, Dubai
| Mon | 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Tue | 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Wed | 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Thu | 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Fri | 9:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
| Sat | 9:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
| Sun | 9:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Uneven service
Several reviews mention inattentive or rude service, including a forgotten part of an order and an incorrect espresso size.
Long waits
One customer reported waiting about an hour and receiving soggy buns with very little cream.
Rising prices
A review says prices have increased considerably and now feel overpriced compared with the food.
No internet
The cafe was described as unsuitable for studying or working because it does not provide internet.
Topping inconsistency
One customer felt the bun sauce had become noticeably thinner, while another found the pistachio topping lacked real pistachio flavour.
DXB
LOCAL
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The Bottom Line
Pappa Roti Cafe is mainly about the signature coffee bun: a warm roll with a crisp outer layer and soft, buttery centre. It works as a quick coffee-and-sweet stop or a longer outdoor sit near JBR’s beach road. Alongside the bun, customers mention kunafa, Nutella-topped buns and drinks such as Arabic coffee, chai latte and ginger milk tea.
The plain bun is the safest first order, while the kunafa is unusually large—one reviewer said it was enough for two people. If you dislike very sweet desserts, ask for the sauce on the side. Reviews also suggest asking for the bun hot, since the fresh-from-the-oven version is the main attraction.
The setting gets strong marks for its terrace, tall ceiling, glass windows, air conditioning and relaxed atmosphere. Parking is worth checking before you go: a bill of AED 100 or more has been reported to qualify for validation, though the terms should be confirmed at the cafe. Service is less consistent than the food.
Customers have reported forgotten items, an incorrect espresso size, rude interactions and, in one case, an approximately hour-long wait with soggy buns. Delivery preserves the flavour but may squash the buns, so dine-in is preferable if presentation matters. The cafe also does not provide internet, making it a poor choice for working.