Shisha choice
Customers describe smooth shisha with many flavour options, and one review says charcoal was changed often to keep it going.
The Kana Cafe
Al Wasl
The Kana Cafe is a spacious coffee shop in Al Wasl where people come for shisha, coffee and relaxed catch-ups. Reviews also point to mixed grills, juices and plenty of screens for watching football, with a lively atmosphere that is especially noticeable on Fridays.
Reputation Score
4.4
★★★★☆
770 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Lively setting
The cafe is large, comfortable and buzzing, with big screens that let customers follow matches from different seats.
Mixed grills
The mixed grills were described as juicy, flavourful and generously served during a lively Friday visit.
Comfortable seating
Reviewers mention a spacious layout, nice seats and enough comfort for both group visits and solo laptop time.
Coffee and tea
Customers specifically mention good coffee, a broad tea selection and an excellent Turkish coffee.
Accessible parking
One reviewer specifically found parking accessible, a useful detail for a cafe visit by car.
Fast service
Some visits received attentive, very fast service, although this is not consistent across the reviews.
Tips for a Better Visit
Ask first. Before sitting down near a major match, ask whether a minimum charge applies; one group learned about it only 90 minutes before kick-off.
Choose Fridays. Go on Friday if you want the busiest atmosphere, but expect a livelier and louder room rather than a quiet coffee stop.
Expect smoke. Non-smokers and families should ask about seating before arriving, since reviewers found the cafe smoky and noted the lack of a smoke-free area.
Confirm matches. If a particular football game matters, confirm the screen and match arrangement when you arrive; one booking changed shortly before kick-off.
Try parking. If you are driving, check the accessible parking mentioned by a reviewer, though the review does not specify capacity or exact location.
Allow time. Service can vary, especially on the terrace, so allow extra time and be prepared to approach staff directly if you need to order.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Manara - Street 21B Sheikh Zayed Rd - opposite Times Square
Al Manara, Dubai
Popular Mentions
Juices
Juices are mentioned positively, including a visit where they were paired with big screens and match viewing.
Mixed cheese manaeesh
The mixed cheese manaeesh was ordered with mix mashawi and described as delicious in a group visit.
Moroccon tea
Moroccon tea was enjoyed with shisha, with the same review praising frequent charcoal changes.
Common Concerns
Management conduct
Several reviews describe supervisors or managers speaking harshly to staff or guests in public, which affected the atmosphere.
Uneven service
Some customers struggled to attract waiters, waited around 40 minutes for plates to be cleared, or felt complaints were ignored.
Match policies
A reviewer was told about a minimum charge shortly before a match and another said the advertised match was changed after seating.
Smoking atmosphere
The cafe can be too smoky for non-smokers, and reviews specifically mention that a smoke-free area would help families.
Higher prices
Two reviewers felt the pricing was on the high side, making frequent visits less attractive.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
The Kana Cafe is a spacious Al Wasl coffee shop built around lingering rather than a quick takeaway. Shisha is the main draw: reviews mention a wide range of smooth flavours, and one customer noticed the charcoal being changed often so it kept smoking well. Coffee, tea and juices are also regular favourites, while food ranges from mixed grills to mixed cheese manaeesh and mix mashawi.
The atmosphere is lively, with big screens visible from many seats for football and other matches. Fridays bring the strongest buzz, and the terrace is especially appealing in cooler weather. Seating works for groups, solo laptop sessions and long catch-ups, but this is not a quiet cafe; smoking can be noticeable enough to bother non-smokers.
One reviewer specifically mentioned accessible parking. Service is inconsistent. Some guests describe fast, attentive visits, while others struggled to get waiters’ attention, waited about 40 minutes for plates to be cleared or felt complaints were dismissed.
More seriously, several reviews describe managers or supervisors speaking disrespectfully to staff or customers in public. Ask about any minimum charge before settling in for a match, and confirm which game will be shown. Prices are described as high by some reviewers, with shisha reported at around 50 AED.