10-07-2025
7 of the best drive-thrus in Dubai
It's that time of year again when stepping outside feels like opening an oven door, and your car's AC is the only thing standing between you and a total meltdown.
Forget breezy beach brunches or cute café patios, because no one's got time to pretend it's 'just warm' when your glasses fog up every day.
This is peak stay-in-your-car season. And if you're going to ride it out, you might as well do it with ice cream in one hand, a pistachio croissant in the other, and zero regrets.
And where better to do this than at these drive-thrus?
77 Valley
77 Valley is one of the best drive-thrus in Dubai in terms of variety. Credit: 77 Valley
Not just a random collection of food stalls, 77 Valley is basically Dubai's answer to a boutique food truck park, but with the fantastic option of ordering from and eating in your car.
The layout's a little chaotic, but once you know where you're heading, it's worth the detour. Our top pick? Eleven Green. Its smash burgers are wildly popular for a reason – crispy-edged, juicy and stacked just right.
Also on site is The Espresso Lab, slinging seriously smooth cold brews for the coffee snobs among us. Mochi & Co is another one to watch – soft, chewy mochi balls in unexpected flavours you won't find at your average dessert shop.
Open Mon-Thu 7am-2am, Fri-Sun 7am-3am. Al Khawaneej, @the77valley (04 285 9551).
Last Exit
Last Exit is one of the best drive-thrus in Dubai after a trip to the desert. Credit: Last Exit
If Mad Max had better snacks and working AC, it'd look a lot like Last Exit. These retro-style pit stops feel like a mix between a roadhouse diner and a curated food truck fest – except you never have to leave your car.
The Al Qudra location is ideal for post-desert drives or weekend wanderers, while the E11 Abu Dhabi-bound stop is a solid caffeine fix on long-haul missions. You'll find everything from Rumailah Farm's signature soft serve and dairy-free matcha drinks to local burger joints, iced coffee stalls and the occasional rogue dessert truck.
It's all low-effort, high-reward – perfect when the idea of walking to a counter feels like a workout. Skip the petrol station snacks and hit this instead.
Open daily 6am-3am. Al Qudra & E11 Abu Dhabi-bound, (800 738245).
Rumailah Farm
Last Exit is one of the best drive-thrus in Dubai if you're in the mood for ice cream and matcha lattes. Credit: Last Exit
This spot feels like a countryside detour, without ever leaving Jumeirah Beach Road. Rumailah Farm's drive-thru is the ultimate cool-down hack, serving up ultra-creamy ice cream, espresso milkshakes and iced matchas straight from their Fujairah farm.
Prices are wallet-friendly (starting from around Dhs18), portions are generous, and the quality's a cut above your standard soft-serve. It's all very 'farm-to-car' with zero pretension and (more importantly) zero need to leave the comfort of your AC. There's a full farm experience out in Fujairah if you're up for it during winter, but at this point in time, this breezy drive-thru is the only stop you need.
Mon-Thu 6am-1am, Fri-Sun 6am-3am. 809 Jumeirah Rd, Umm Suqeim 3, (04 333 0001).
Brew
Brew is one of the best drive-thrus in Dubai for coffee. Credit: Brew
If you know, you know. Brew is the OG beachside drive-thru that quietly became every cool person's morning ritual. Tucked along Jumeirah Beach Road, this tiny white box of a café punches way above its size, serving up seriously good coffee.
You'll find speciality beans from Colombia, Ethiopia and beyond, blended into silky flat whites, iced lattes, or the occasional surprise seasonal special. As for the food, go for the avocado toast, which hits every time, while granola bowls are fresh and crunchy, and if you spot the pea and zucchini fritters on the menu, don't sleep on them.
The best part? You can roll up in board shorts or a blazer, and no one blinks. It's the kind of place where surfers and CEOs queue bumper to bumper, united by the need for excellent caffeine without ever leaving the AC.
Daily 6.30am-10.30pm. Jumeirah Beach Road, Umm Suqeim 2, @brewcafeuae (04 331 2333).
Saddle Café
What started as a humble coffee truck has become a full-blown cult favourite – and yes, Saddle's still got a very strong drive-thru game. The Al Wasl Road location keeps things sleek and simple: you roll up, order a Spanish latte, pistachio milkshake or açaí bowl from your window, and park your car to enjoy.
Right now, the vibe has a tropical twist – the café is leaning into a Brazil-inspired theme, with colourful branding and seasonal specials. Just take a look at our reel up there.
Open Mon-Thu 7am-2am, Fri-Sun 7am-3am.
Honourable mentions
Al Baik
Fried chicken with a cult following? You know it's Al Baik. The Saudi-born sensation finally brought its golden, crispy magic to Dubai in 2021 – and now you don't even need to leave your car to get your fix.
The chain's first UAE drive-thru sits at an Eppco petrol station in Al Rashidiya, serving up everything from spicy chicken fillets to the famous Big Baik sandwiches, all at wallet-friendly prices. As expected, the queues haven't chilled (even if the soft drinks have), but this new format means your cravings don't have to involve a food court dash.
Daily 10am–2am. Eppco Station, Airport Road, Al Rashidiya,
Shake Shack
Big burger energy meets big convenience. Shake Shack's first-ever drive-thru in the Middle East is located in Al Barsha, and it's got the bells, whistles, and all ShackSauce you could ask for.
You'll find the full lineup here: cheesy crinkle-cut fries, flat-top dogs, frozen custard and the brand's cult-followed shakes. There's dine-in and takeaway too, but let's be honest: the whole point is not leaving your car.
Open daily. 11am-1am. Al Barsha, Al Barsha 1. (04 704 6957).
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