Spacious setting
The Al Khawaneej branch is noticeably more spacious than the Al Wasl location, with a calm, work-friendly atmosphere.
The Grey Al Khawaneej - Lounge & Restaurant
Al Khawaneej
The Grey Al Khawaneej is a contemporary coffee shop and restaurant serving international fare, breakfast, specialty coffee and desserts. It is worth considering for a relaxed coffee stop or meal, with reviewers highlighting the date pudding, distinctive drinks and spacious, elegant setting in Al Khawaneej.
Reputation Score
4.8
★★★★★
864 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Dessert standout
The dates pudding is repeatedly praised, with one reviewer calling it one of the best they had tried.
Balanced flavours
The molten saffron aseeda was praised for keeping its sweetness balanced rather than becoming overwhelming.
Coffee choice
Reviews mention distinctive coffee alongside well-received drinks such as the V60 and Spanish latte.
Outdoor calm
One reviewer found the outdoor seating calm and relaxing, adding another option beyond the main dining room.
Warm service
Several reviews describe the team as welcoming and attentive, including helpful menu guidance during breakfast.
What to Eat at The Grey Al Khawaneej - Lounge & 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 The Grey Al Khawaneej - Lounge & Restaurant, 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.
Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of The Grey Al Khawaneej - Lounge & Restaurant, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 10
-
Dates pudding Net +2
“But the dates pudding is on another level – definitely one of the best I've had!”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“But the dates pudding is on another level – definitely one of the best I've had!”June 2025
“The dates puddings was perfect”March 2025
-
Chicken katsu Net +1
“I like the food my order was chicken katsu.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I like the food my order was chicken katsu.”May 2025
-
Chocolate tart Net +1
“Food: it was amazing, I suggested to add brownie to the chocolate tart instead of a biscuit.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food: it was amazing, I suggested to add brownie to the chocolate tart instead of a biscuit.”December 2025
-
Date cake Net +1
“I tried the espresso, cortado, date cake, and tiramisu — all were amazing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I tried the espresso, cortado, date cake, and tiramisu — all were amazing.”December 2025
-
Luqaimat Net +1
“We tried the Ramadan menu at The Grey in Khawaneej and it was amazing — especially the luqaimat, the sauce with it was absolutely delicious. Highly recommend everyone to try it!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried the Ramadan menu at The Grey in Khawaneej and it was amazing — especially the luqaimat, the sauce with it was absolutely delicious. Highly recommend everyone to try it!”February 2026
-
Miso corn Net +1
“The food was equally impressive, especially the miso corn and spicy lime chicken, which we thoroughly enjoyed.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was equally impressive, especially the miso corn and spicy lime chicken, which we thoroughly enjoyed.”February 2025
-
Molten saffron aseeda Net +1
“I also ordered the molten saffron aseeda, which was excellent—the sweetness was perfectly balanced. ☕️✨ Thank you Mike and RJ for your service.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I also ordered the molten saffron aseeda, which was excellent—the sweetness was perfectly balanced. ☕️✨ Thank you Mike and RJ for your service.”March 2026
-
Nutella cheese cake Net +1
“Nutella cheese cake was fine not wow”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Nutella cheese cake was fine not wow”March 2025
-
Spicy lime chicken Net +1
“The food was equally impressive, especially the miso corn and spicy lime chicken, which we thoroughly enjoyed.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was equally impressive, especially the miso corn and spicy lime chicken, which we thoroughly enjoyed.”February 2025
-
V60 Net +1
“The v60 was amazing, and so good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The v60 was amazing, and so good.”December 2025
Honorable mentions (2)
-
Tiramisu Net 0
Mixed feedback
“I tried the espresso, cortado, date cake, and tiramisu — all were amazing.”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“I tried the espresso, cortado, date cake, and tiramisu — all were amazing.”December 2025
-
Brown sugar boba Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“The avocado açaí was below average, and the brown sugar boba was just okay.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
Drinks 5
-
Butterscotch latte Net +1
“The butterscotch latte was decent; creamy with adjustable sweetness. They used caramel syrup for the sweetness.”
Positive 1Negative 0Neutral 1
Review excerpts
“The butterscotch latte was decent; creamy with adjustable sweetness. They used caramel syrup for the sweetness.”August 2025
-
Cortado Net +1
“I tried the espresso, cortado, date cake, and tiramisu — all were amazing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I tried the espresso, cortado, date cake, and tiramisu — all were amazing.”December 2025
-
Flat white Net +1
“And the flat white is good .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“And the flat white is good .”June 2025
-
Spanish latte Net +1
“One of the best Spanish latte you can have, the ambience is just right on mark. The quality and consistency is amazing. Should really try raspberry cruffin. 10 out of 10.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“One of the best Spanish latte you can have, the ambience is just right on mark. The quality and consistency is amazing. Should really try raspberry cruffin. 10 out of 10.”June 2025
-
Espresso Net 0
Mixed feedback
“I tried the espresso, cortado, date cake, and tiramisu — all were amazing.”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“I tried the espresso, cortado, date cake, and tiramisu — all were amazing.”December 2025
What to Avoid (8)
Food 8
-
Avocado açaí Net −1
“The avocado açaí was below average, and the brown sugar boba was just okay.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The avocado açaí was below average, and the brown sugar boba was just okay.”August 2025
-
Burger waugh Net −1
“burger Waugh was very dry”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“burger Waugh was very dry”March 2025
-
Chicken in luigine Net −1
“also chicken in Luigine was frozen”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“also chicken in Luigine was frozen”March 2025
-
Chicken karage Net −1
“Chicken karage also over fried and hard, tuna crispy was like cement rice, overall bad experience !”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Chicken karage also over fried and hard, tuna crispy was like cement rice, overall bad experience !”March 2025
-
Moka Net −1
“Also the staff bring the moka cold, I asked for bring in the time with the food, on the time he’s bring I tell them it’s not the time I want, he keep the cup of coffee and brig again the same one, he thought I didn’t saw, but yes, I saw.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Also the staff bring the moka cold, I asked for bring in the time with the food, on the time he’s bring I tell them it’s not the time I want, he keep the cup of coffee and brig again the same one, he thought I didn’t saw, but yes, I saw.”July 2025
-
Potatoes steamed Net −1
“potatoes steamed was not cook properly.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“potatoes steamed was not cook properly.”March 2025
-
Tuna crispy Net −1
“Chicken karage also over fried and hard, tuna crispy was like cement rice, overall bad experience !”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Chicken karage also over fried and hard, tuna crispy was like cement rice, overall bad experience !”March 2025
-
Date pudding Net −2
“The date pudding was slightly on the harder side, and the vanilla ice cream that came with it was nothing special, we’ve had far creamier, tastier homemade versions elsewhere.”
Positive 0Negative 2
Critical review excerpts
“The date pudding was slightly on the harder side, and the vanilla ice cream that came with it was nothing special, we’ve had far creamier, tastier homemade versions elsewhere.”August 2025
“Chief Hands has a strong focus on sweet flavors, particularly in the date pudding, brown sugar drinks, and the butterscotch latte. While the taste was rich, the texture of the date pudding was too firm and not as moist as expected. Service was quick, which was a plus, but overall, the prices felt a bit steep for the quality provided”August 2025
Tips for a Better Visit
Check parking. A paid basement car park is available, while roadside or the adjacent unpaved sand lot may offer free alternatives.
Expect sweetness. If you prefer less-sweet drinks or desserts, ask about adjusting sweetness; the butterscotch latte was described as adjustable.
Ask about bread. Check bread charges and portions before ordering shakshouka, as one customer reported a separate 15 AED charge.
Choose seating. For working, ask for a table near a socket; one review found the long work table lacked conveniently placed electrical outlets.
Check outdoors. Outdoor seating was later described as calm, but an earlier review said seating was indoor-only, so confirm availability when you arrive.
Plan the visit
Practical details
6FQ9+87
Al Khawaneej - Al Khawaneej 1, Dubai
| Mon | 7:30 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Tue | 7:30 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Wed | 7:30 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Thu | 7:30 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Fri | 7:30 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sat | 7:30 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sun | 7:30 AM – 11:00 PM |
Common Concerns
High prices
Multiple reviewers felt the prices were steep compared with other coffee shops or the quality received.
Sweet desserts
The drinks and desserts may run too sweet if you prefer restrained flavours or are watching sugar intake.
Firm pudding
One visit found the date pudding harder and less moist than expected, despite stronger opinions elsewhere.
Inconsistent dishes
A detailed negative review reported frozen chicken, an over-fried karaage and an undercooked potato dish.
Service lapse
One breakfast visit reported a cold moka being re-served and the manager addressing staff issues in front of customers.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
The Grey Al Khawaneej is a contemporary coffee shop and restaurant where you can come for breakfast or lunch, specialty coffee, matcha, and desserts. The date pudding is the clearest recurring draw, while reviews also mention the Spanish latte, V60, butterscotch latte and molten saffron aseeda. The menu covers international fare rather than just café snacks.
The room is a major part of the appeal: reviewers describe it as spacious, elegant, calm and work-friendly, with more room than the Al Wasl branch. Outdoor seating was called calm and relaxing in one review, although an earlier visitor reported indoor seating only, so availability may vary. Parking is another practical consideration; the basement is paid, while roadside or nearby unpaved parking was reported as free.
Service is usually described as warm, attentive and helpful, including staff explaining the menu and checking in without being intrusive. There are caveats. Several reviewers consider the prices high, and one detailed visit reported a 15 AED bread charge, a cold moka and poorly executed dishes.
Desserts and drinks can also lean very sweet, and one customer found the date pudding firm rather than moist. If that matters to you, ask about sweetness and charges before ordering.