Coffee quality
Coffee and matcha lattes are repeatedly praised, with one review calling both consistently excellent.
The Grey Al Wasl - Coffee Lounge & Bar
Al Safa
The Grey Al Wasl is a coffee lounge and bar in Al Safa, with international fare and breakfast in a calm, contemporary setting. Customers come for well-made coffee, including the butterscotch latte, as well as dishes such as sticky date pudding and relaxed terrace seating by the fountain.
Reputation Score
4.8
★★★★★
7,369 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Signature dessert
The sticky date pudding is a standout, especially with its ice-cream accompaniment balancing the sweetness.
Fountain terrace
Outdoor seating beside the fountain gives the lounge a particularly peaceful setting when the weather is suitable.
Breakfast dishes
Breakfast has strong options, including an avocado toast one customer described as among the best they had tried.
Work-friendly
The stylish café can accommodate laptop work, making it useful beyond a quick coffee stop.
Menu variety
The menu covers a broad range of breakfast and dining choices rather than focusing only on coffee and cake.
Tips for a Better Visit
Visit weekdays. Try a weekday if you want an easier table; weekends are reported to be crowded and may involve a wait.
Order pairing. For a proven dessert-and-drink combination, try the Butterscotch Latte less sweet with the Sticky Date Pudding.
Choose weather. Plan the fountain terrace for cooler days or evenings, since the best outdoor seating is weather-dependent.
Ask for WiFi. If you plan to work, ask staff for the WiFi password rather than assuming it is displayed.
Consider indoors. Choose indoor seating if flies are a concern during an outdoor visit.
Plan the visit
Practical details
9A St
Al Wasl - Al Safa, 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 |
Popular Mentions
Butterscotch Latte
This creamy, buttery latte is praised for balanced sweetness; another customer recommends ordering it less sweet.
syrniki
Syrniki are a recurring favourite, praised alongside the café’s desserts and breakfast dishes.
Turkish egg
The Turkish egg is specifically recommended as one of the breakfast dishes worth trying.
date brew
The date brew stood out for its strong, distinctive date flavour during a late brunch.
Common Concerns
Table waits
The café can be packed, particularly at weekends, and several visitors found tables difficult to secure.
High pricing
Some customers felt the food and drinks were expensive for the value, with one describing the price point as high.
Slow service
Service is usually described as friendly, but some visits involved delays or missed details.
Uncomfortable seating
Low benches and tables may not be comfortable for a full meal, especially for longer visits.
Outdoor flies
One outdoor visit was affected by flies reaching the table and dishes.
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The Bottom Line
The Grey Al Wasl is a coffee lounge and bar in Al Safa with a stylish, subdued interior and a broad food menu. It works for breakfast, brunch, a coffee break or an evening catch-up, with enough atmosphere for a relaxed meal rather than just a quick takeaway. The menu highlights customers return for include Sticky Date Pudding, Butterscotch Latte, syrniki and Turkish egg.
Coffee and matcha lattes are consistently well regarded, while breakfast favourites include avocado toast, truffle scrambled eggs and Croque Madame. The fountain-side terrace is the most distinctive seating area, and indoor tables offer a quieter fallback with air conditioning and fountain views. Laptop work is possible, although one review found the daytime room too loud because of its hard surfaces.
Free WiFi is available, but you need to ask for the password. Plan around the practical trade-offs. Weekend visits can mean a wait, while weekdays are easier for finding a table.
Outdoor seating depends on the weather and one customer reported flies reaching the dishes, so indoors may be more comfortable in that situation. Prices are not universally viewed as good value, and low benches are not ideal for a full meal. Families should also note that there is no dedicated kids’ menu.
Parking, step-free access and a spacious layout are useful conveniences.