French soup
The French onion soup is a standout order for visitors seeking a classic PAUL dish.
PAUL Bakery & Restaurant
Downtown Dubai
PAUL Bakery & Restaurant is a French bakery and café in Downtown Dubai, with seating for everything from a quick coffee to a relaxed meal. Reviews point to the French onion soup, almond croissant and polished Dubai Mall setting as strong reasons to stop in.
Reputation Score
4.5
★★★★★
5,206 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Almond croissant
The almond croissant is described as flaky and fresh, making it a reliable coffee-break choice.
Outdoor seating
Outdoor seating gives groups more room for conversation and can provide a pleasant view.
Dietary flexibility
A reviewer with keto and low-carb needs had an omelette and modified steak meal accommodated.
Menu variety
Reviews cover vegan and vegetarian choices as well as substantial dishes such as risotto and steak.
Quick seating
Even during a packed visit, one group was seated within five minutes.
Coffee break
The Americano receives especially strong praise from a coffee-focused visitor.
What to Eat at PAUL Bakery & Restaurant 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 PAUL Bakery & Restaurant, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. 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 PAUL Bakery & Restaurant got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 1
-
Almond croissant Net +2
“PAUL never disappoints with their pastries. The almond croissant was flaky and fresh, coffee was strong and well-made.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“PAUL never disappoints with their pastries. The almond croissant was flaky and fresh, coffee was strong and well-made.”April 2026
Honorable mentions (20)
-
Chicken cordon bleu Net +1
“We ordered the Crunchy Chicken & Slaw Burger, Shrimp Burrata Rose, Chicken Cordon Bleu, and hot coffee based on the server’s recommendation — and everything was excellent. The food tasted fantastic, beautifully presented, and clearly well-prepared.”
Positive 2Negative 1
Review excerpts
“We ordered the Crunchy Chicken & Slaw Burger, Shrimp Burrata Rose, Chicken Cordon Bleu, and hot coffee based on the server’s recommendation — and everything was excellent. The food tasted fantastic, beautifully presented, and clearly well-prepared.”January 2026
“The food was great i ordered entrecote steak and chicken cordon blue together with ice matcha whip and choco fondant and its absolutely delicious.”April 2026
-
Acai bowl Net +1
“I highly recommend the pastries and Acai Bowl.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I highly recommend the pastries and Acai Bowl.”May 2026
-
Avocado toast Net +1
“The avocado toast reflects the brand’s understated French sensibility: simple, balanced, and deliberately restrained rather than flashy. The toast arrives well-structured—crisp on the outside, soft within—topped with ripe avocado that’s seasoned lightly to let freshness lead. There’s no heavy-handed dressing or unnecessary garnish; this works in its favor. The flavors are clean and composed, making it a reliable choice for those who value clarity over indulgence. Portion size is sensible, not oversized—good for a light, focused breakfast rather than a brunch meant to overwhelm. Service is efficient and courteous, and the seating offers a comfortable vantage point to ease into the day before the mall reaches peak intensity. Verdict: A refined, dependable breakfast option. If you expect drama, you’ll miss the point. If you appreciate consistency, freshness, and quiet confidence on a plate, this avocado toast delivers.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The avocado toast reflects the brand’s understated French sensibility: simple, balanced, and deliberately restrained rather than flashy. The toast arrives well-structured—crisp on the outside, soft within—topped with ripe avocado that’s seasoned lightly to let freshness lead. There’s no heavy-handed dressing or unnecessary garnish; this works in its favor. The flavors are clean and composed, making it a reliable choice for those who value clarity over indulgence. Portion size is sensible, not oversized—good for a light, focused breakfast rather than a brunch meant to overwhelm. Service is efficient and courteous, and the seating offers a comfortable vantage point to ease into the day before the mall reaches peak intensity. Verdict: A refined, dependable breakfast option. If you expect drama, you’ll miss the point. If you appreciate consistency, freshness, and quiet confidence on a plate, this avocado toast delivers.”January 2026
-
Choco fondant Net +1
“The food was great i ordered entrecote steak and chicken cordon blue together with ice matcha whip and choco fondant and its absolutely delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was great i ordered entrecote steak and chicken cordon blue together with ice matcha whip and choco fondant and its absolutely delicious.”April 2026
-
Chocolate berry cake Net +1
“It was delicious matcha latte and chocolate berry cake.. good place.. and thanks for sunita for taking care of us… she is really professional staff.. she gave great service to us..”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It was delicious matcha latte and chocolate berry cake.. good place.. and thanks for sunita for taking care of us… she is really professional staff.. she gave great service to us..”July 2026
-
Chocolate fondant Net +1
“We ordered the Almond Vanilla Latte, Mocha Frappe, and Chocolate Fondant. To be honest, this was my first time trying almond‑milk coffee, and I actually loved it. I usually avoid regular milk coffee because it doesn’t suit my stomach, so thanks to Paul’s for giving me a good substitute. Everything tasted good, but the service was disappointing. They first served me a Cinnamon Honey Latte by mistake, and no one came back with the correct order. I had to go myself and reorder the coffee. These things happen, but I had higher expectations from a place like Paul’s. The one thing I would definitely go back for is the Almond Vanilla Latte, and next time I want to try their traditional onion soup.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the Almond Vanilla Latte, Mocha Frappe, and Chocolate Fondant. To be honest, this was my first time trying almond‑milk coffee, and I actually loved it. I usually avoid regular milk coffee because it doesn’t suit my stomach, so thanks to Paul’s for giving me a good substitute. Everything tasted good, but the service was disappointing. They first served me a Cinnamon Honey Latte by mistake, and no one came back with the correct order. I had to go myself and reorder the coffee. These things happen, but I had higher expectations from a place like Paul’s. The one thing I would definitely go back for is the Almond Vanilla Latte, and next time I want to try their traditional onion soup.”April 2026
-
Crepe with cream and strawberry Net +1
“Paul never disappoints me. Desserts is so good, especially my favorite crepe with cream and strawberry, omg it’s so yammy.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Paul never disappoints me. Desserts is so good, especially my favorite crepe with cream and strawberry, omg it’s so yammy.”October 2025
-
Crunchy chicken & slaw burger Net +1
“We ordered the Crunchy Chicken & Slaw Burger, Shrimp Burrata Rose, Chicken Cordon Bleu, and hot coffee based on the server’s recommendation — and everything was excellent. The food tasted fantastic, beautifully presented, and clearly well-prepared.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the Crunchy Chicken & Slaw Burger, Shrimp Burrata Rose, Chicken Cordon Bleu, and hot coffee based on the server’s recommendation — and everything was excellent. The food tasted fantastic, beautifully presented, and clearly well-prepared.”January 2026
-
Entrecôte and fries Net +1
“The food was always perfectly cooked and the portions filling. I had the entrecôte and fries and a mango passion fruit smoothie.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was always perfectly cooked and the portions filling. I had the entrecôte and fries and a mango passion fruit smoothie.”July 2026
-
Entrecote steak Net +1
“The food was great i ordered entrecote steak and chicken cordon blue together with ice matcha whip and choco fondant and its absolutely delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was great i ordered entrecote steak and chicken cordon blue together with ice matcha whip and choco fondant and its absolutely delicious.”April 2026
-
Lasagne Net +1
“Paul Café at Dubai Mall offers a refined dining experience that blends classic French charm with consistently high-quality cuisine. During my visit, the standout dishes were the lasagne and the sea bass; both executed to perfection. The lasagne was rich and comforting, with beautifully layered pasta and a well-balanced, flavorful sauce.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Paul Café at Dubai Mall offers a refined dining experience that blends classic French charm with consistently high-quality cuisine. During my visit, the standout dishes were the lasagne and the sea bass; both executed to perfection. The lasagne was rich and comforting, with beautifully layered pasta and a well-balanced, flavorful sauce.”April 2026
-
Mushroom/truffle rosotto with added chicken Net +1
“I had the mushroom/truffle rosotto with added chicken and it was fantastic! 👌”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had the mushroom/truffle rosotto with added chicken and it was fantastic! 👌”February 2026
-
Omelette Net +1
“I had an omelette, and my husband had steak with eggs and veggies. Everything was very tasty! The service from Ahmed was very professional and attentive.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had an omelette, and my husband had steak with eggs and veggies. Everything was very tasty! The service from Ahmed was very professional and attentive.”July 2026
-
Pain perdu with vanilla ice cream Net +1
“Highly recommend the Pain Perdu with vanilla ice cream and my favorite caramel sauce.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Highly recommend the Pain Perdu with vanilla ice cream and my favorite caramel sauce.”April 2026
-
Poached eggs Net +1
“Best matcha and great poached eggs on breakfast.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Best matcha and great poached eggs on breakfast.”October 2025
-
Poached eggs with avacado Net +1
“Poached eggs with Avacado was excellent.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Poached eggs with Avacado was excellent.”June 2026
-
Risotto with truffles and tenderloin Net +1
“Risotto on supper with truffles and tenderloin more than delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Risotto on supper with truffles and tenderloin more than delicious.”October 2025
-
Shrimp burrata rose Net +1
“We ordered the Crunchy Chicken & Slaw Burger, Shrimp Burrata Rose, Chicken Cordon Bleu, and hot coffee based on the server’s recommendation — and everything was excellent. The food tasted fantastic, beautifully presented, and clearly well-prepared.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the Crunchy Chicken & Slaw Burger, Shrimp Burrata Rose, Chicken Cordon Bleu, and hot coffee based on the server’s recommendation — and everything was excellent. The food tasted fantastic, beautifully presented, and clearly well-prepared.”January 2026
-
Steak with eggs and veggies Net +1
“I had an omelette, and my husband had steak with eggs and veggies. Everything was very tasty! The service from Ahmed was very professional and attentive.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had an omelette, and my husband had steak with eggs and veggies. Everything was very tasty! The service from Ahmed was very professional and attentive.”July 2026
-
Vegan burger with scrambled eggs Net +1
“I had ordered a vegan burger with scrambled eggs along with a passion fruit drink, and everything was delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had ordered a vegan burger with scrambled eggs along with a passion fruit drink, and everything was delicious.”October 2025
Drinks 7
-
Almond vanilla latte Net +1
“We ordered the Almond Vanilla Latte, Mocha Frappe, and Chocolate Fondant. To be honest, this was my first time trying almond‑milk coffee, and I actually loved it. I usually avoid regular milk coffee because it doesn’t suit my stomach, so thanks to Paul’s for giving me a good substitute. Everything tasted good, but the service was disappointing. They first served me a Cinnamon Honey Latte by mistake, and no one came back with the correct order. I had to go myself and reorder the coffee. These things happen, but I had higher expectations from a place like Paul’s. The one thing I would definitely go back for is the Almond Vanilla Latte, and next time I want to try their traditional onion soup.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the Almond Vanilla Latte, Mocha Frappe, and Chocolate Fondant. To be honest, this was my first time trying almond‑milk coffee, and I actually loved it. I usually avoid regular milk coffee because it doesn’t suit my stomach, so thanks to Paul’s for giving me a good substitute. Everything tasted good, but the service was disappointing. They first served me a Cinnamon Honey Latte by mistake, and no one came back with the correct order. I had to go myself and reorder the coffee. These things happen, but I had higher expectations from a place like Paul’s. The one thing I would definitely go back for is the Almond Vanilla Latte, and next time I want to try their traditional onion soup.”April 2026
-
Americano Net +1
“Best coffee i had they have the best Americano here 5 Stars.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Best coffee i had they have the best Americano here 5 Stars.”June 2026
-
Ice matcha whip Net +1
“The food was great i ordered entrecote steak and chicken cordon blue together with ice matcha whip and choco fondant and its absolutely delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was great i ordered entrecote steak and chicken cordon blue together with ice matcha whip and choco fondant and its absolutely delicious.”April 2026
-
Mango passion fruit smoothie Net +1
“The food was always perfectly cooked and the portions filling. I had the entrecôte and fries and a mango passion fruit smoothie.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was always perfectly cooked and the portions filling. I had the entrecôte and fries and a mango passion fruit smoothie.”July 2026
-
Matcha latte Net +1
“It was delicious matcha latte and chocolate berry cake.. good place.. and thanks for sunita for taking care of us… she is really professional staff.. she gave great service to us..”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It was delicious matcha latte and chocolate berry cake.. good place.. and thanks for sunita for taking care of us… she is really professional staff.. she gave great service to us..”July 2026
-
Mocha frappe Net +1
“We ordered the Almond Vanilla Latte, Mocha Frappe, and Chocolate Fondant. To be honest, this was my first time trying almond‑milk coffee, and I actually loved it. I usually avoid regular milk coffee because it doesn’t suit my stomach, so thanks to Paul’s for giving me a good substitute. Everything tasted good, but the service was disappointing. They first served me a Cinnamon Honey Latte by mistake, and no one came back with the correct order. I had to go myself and reorder the coffee. These things happen, but I had higher expectations from a place like Paul’s. The one thing I would definitely go back for is the Almond Vanilla Latte, and next time I want to try their traditional onion soup.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the Almond Vanilla Latte, Mocha Frappe, and Chocolate Fondant. To be honest, this was my first time trying almond‑milk coffee, and I actually loved it. I usually avoid regular milk coffee because it doesn’t suit my stomach, so thanks to Paul’s for giving me a good substitute. Everything tasted good, but the service was disappointing. They first served me a Cinnamon Honey Latte by mistake, and no one came back with the correct order. I had to go myself and reorder the coffee. These things happen, but I had higher expectations from a place like Paul’s. The one thing I would definitely go back for is the Almond Vanilla Latte, and next time I want to try their traditional onion soup.”April 2026
-
Passion fruit drink Net +1
“I had ordered a vegan burger with scrambled eggs along with a passion fruit drink, and everything was delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had ordered a vegan burger with scrambled eggs along with a passion fruit drink, and everything was delicious.”October 2025
What to Avoid (1)
Food 1
-
Birthday cake Net −1
“I ordered a birthday cake from PAUL that cost around 139 AED, and unfortunately, it was a very disappointing experience. When we picked up the cake, we were told to leave it outside for one hour before eating it. We followed the instructions exactly, but once we cut the cake, it was extremely dry, tasteless, and honestly shocking for a place like PAUL. There was barely any cream, no soft texture, and the cake did not feel fresh or rich at all. It tasted dry from the inside and did not meet the quality or standard people usually expect from PAUL.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I ordered a birthday cake from PAUL that cost around 139 AED, and unfortunately, it was a very disappointing experience. When we picked up the cake, we were told to leave it outside for one hour before eating it. We followed the instructions exactly, but once we cut the cake, it was extremely dry, tasteless, and honestly shocking for a place like PAUL. There was barely any cream, no soft texture, and the cake did not feel fresh or rich at all. It tasted dry from the inside and did not meet the quality or standard people usually expect from PAUL.”May 2026
Tips for a Better Visit
Avoid peaks. Allow extra time at busy periods: one visit found a seating queue when the restaurant was almost full.
Skip meetings. Choose somewhere quieter for a formal business meeting, since one reviewer found the dining room too loud.
Ask substitutions. If you need a bread alternative with Eggs Benedict, ask the kitchen; a reviewer received one.
Check seating. Families should confirm which outdoor section they can use, as the shaded area by the water is restricted.
Use parking route. For Dubai Mall access, a reviewer recommends cinema parking on P1, level L, then the Waterfront entrance.
Plan the visit
Practical details
G, Dubai Mall - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd
Burj Khalifa - Downtown Dubai, Dubai
| Mon | 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Tue | 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Wed | 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Thu | 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Fri | 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
| Sat | 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
| Sun | 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Busy noise
The restaurant can be too loud for a business meeting, with staff and kitchen noise also noted.
Croissant inconsistency
One regular visitor felt the croissants had become less flaky than before.
Cake quality
A birthday cake costing around 139 AED was reported as extremely dry and lacking cream.
Service lapses
One visit involved a mistaken coffee order that was not corrected until the customer reordered it personally.
Family seating
Children were not allowed in the shaded outdoor area by the water because it was designated for smokers.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
around 139 AED
birthday cake
“I ordered a birthday cake from PAUL that cost around 139 AED, and unfortunately, it was a very disappointing experience”Google review · May 2026
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
PAUL Bakery & Restaurant is a French café and bakery in Downtown Dubai, located within Dubai Mall. It suits a coffee break, breakfast or a proper sit-down meal, with reviews highlighting the French onion soup, almond croissant, avocado toast and truffle dishes. The menu also includes vegan and vegetarian choices, while the setting works for relaxed catch-ups and outdoor dining.
The strongest pattern is dependable hospitality and fresh, attractively presented food. Visitors have described the space as calm, warm and clean, and one busy-day review still reported seating within five minutes. Outdoor tables can make conversation easier, though the restaurant is not a quiet choice for business meetings: noise from the dining room, reception and kitchen has been mentioned.
Timing matters because another visit found a seating queue when the restaurant was almost full. Families should check the outdoor seating arrangement, since children were not allowed in the shaded section by the water reserved for smokers. If you are driving, one reviewer shared a useful Dubai Mall route through cinema parking on P1, level L, followed by the Waterfront entrance.
Quality is not flawless. A birthday cake costing around 139 AED was reported as very dry, and some guests found service lapses or less-flaky croissants. For a first visit, the onion soup or almond croissant is better supported by the reviews than ordering a celebration cake without checking it.