The Cafe Del Mar name is huge on the beach club scene, and after a fairly disappointing visit to Cafe Del Mar in Bali, we wondered if the conservative Emirate of Abu Dhabi in the UAE was really going to be the place to restore our faith in the brand?
After all, people go to Dubai to party and to Abu Dhabi to do business and get out as fast as possible. None of this put our intrepid review team off the promise of a jolly in Abu Dhabi, mind you and particularly not when it came to a big-name brand.
So, this is what they learned in Cafe Del Mar Beach Club, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Introduction – Getting To Cafe Del Mar Beach Club Abu Dhabi
The UAE is very close to Europe, and Abu Dhabi is the biggest and largest Emirate. That means there are usually direct flights to Abu Dhabi from most destinations.
However, because the Emirate of Dubai tends to be more liberal and thus, more popular, you may find flying to Abu Dhabi is more expensive than flying to Dubai and that you have fewer flights to choose from.
Once you’re in Abu Dhabi, the beach club is on Yas Island, and that’s very easy to get to from any part of the city and the Emirate. You won’t spend more than 30-60 minutes in a car, even in the worst traffic conditions.
As you’d expect in Dubai, there’s valet parking, and you can easily pull up at the entrance in a taxi and jump out and into the air-conditioned comforts of the beach club.
One thing, however, is that Yas Island is an artificial construction, and the area offers a poor sunset view; it’s on the wrong side of the reclaimed land for this.
Where Is Cafe Del Mar Beach Club Abu Dhabi? Yas Bay Waterfront – Yas Island – YS2 – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Online: Cafe Del Mar
Opening Hours: 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
What’s Available At Cafe Del Mar Beach Club Abu Dhabi?
There is a pool, a beach, restaurant and bar facilities and comfortable seating during the day. At night, there are DJs and the vibe goes from chill out to party time.
Our Detailed Review Of Cafe Del Mar Beach Club Abu Dhabi
We apply a uniform evaluation method to every beach club to maintain fairness for owners, management, and staff, and to ensure our reviews follow a consistent structure for straightforward comparisons across venues.
The evaluation procedure is as follows:
- A designated review team is tasked with assessing the venue.
- Each member is required to visit the beach club, though they may do so individually and on separate days.
- During their visit, every reviewer completes a scorecard, assigning the club a score from 1 (lowest quality) to 5 (highest quality) in predefined categories, while also documenting their observations.
- After all team members have visited and submitted their scorecards, they convene to share their experiences and determine final scores for each category.
- A team member is then assigned to write the review, capturing the group’s discussion and final scores, which is subsequently published on our website.
Reservation and Booking Process
We were not impressed with the booking system for Cafe Del Mar Abu Dhabi. Seriously, it’s 2025, and you’re in one of the richest and most advanced societies in the world. They can do better.
And yet, you have a website where you fill in a form that allows you to specify your name and when you’re coming, and that’s about it.
You can’t pick a seat or location to sit, and because there’s no minimum spend collection on the site (which isn’t their website, either, you’re sent to a 3rd party, Tablecheck, for this), you can’t secure entry either – if you’re late, they may well let someone else in to take your place.
A good booking system is the staple of a good club experience. It helps to ensure that the customer is completely satisfied with the start of their time in a club, and that the club has secured their financial obligations. This beach club needs to do better.
Ambience and Atmosphere
You can tell this is a Cafe Del Mar as soon as you walk in because the slightly bland signature music from their Ibiza record label is present everywhere.
That’s OK for the daytime when you’re looking to chill on a day bed and enjoy some conversation with your fellow guests.
Then, things get faster and harder when the DJs come on around sunset and while this is never going to be as will as some of the clubs in Dubai, they do a good job of building a solid party atmosphere – something we never thought we’d see in the conservative city that is Abu Dhabi.
Location And Accessibility
Abu Dhabi is rarely anyone’s favourite Emirate. It’s conservative, fussy and boiling hot. Most people prefer Dubai, and we can’t really blame them.
For Europeans, the UAE is a very convenient place to spend a holiday, but it’s quite a way from the US or Australia.
Yas Island is where the Formula 1 races are in Abu Dhabi, and it’s considered a big draw for the emirate. We’re not huge on reclaimed land, but it is nice enough.
It’s easy to get to from anywhere in the UAE and from anywhere in Abu Dhabi, in particular. We’d also note that this beach club is very accessible to those with mobility impairments, which is a bit of a change when compared to other beach clubs around the world.
Aesthetic And Design
We don’t think that “when you’ve seen one beach club, you’ve seen them all” but it would be easy to start believing that to some extent if you’re in the UAE.
Everything feels a bit corporate and staid, and while there’s no doubt that Cafe Del Mar Abu Dhabi is an attractive place which looks nice in Instagram shots, it doesn’t really break the mould on the aesthetics front.
This is playing it safe rather than creating a unique environment, and while we can’t blame them for that, a bit more risk might make this beach club more memorable on this front.
Staff Friendliness and Professionalism (Service Standard)
We really can’t remember the last time that we encountered bad service in the UAE. The huge amounts of oil wealth combined with the luxury aesthetics of this part of the world mean that wherever you go, they pay for and hire top talent.
This is as true of the nation’s beach clubs as it is of its banks and telecommunications companies, and the staff are the ideal blend of friendly and professional. They won’t leave you feeling smothered, but everything will be done and done well when it needs to be done.
The staff at Cafe Del Mar were a delight to interact with, and we felt that they were a credit to the brand as a whole.
Service Speed and Efficiency
We’d also note that the staff are good at making sure they’re there when you need them, at taking orders quickly and accurately and most importantly, at getting your drinks and food to you with a certain level of alacrity.
You won’t ever be sitting around wondering what happened to your order at Cafe Del Mar, the drinks are always prompt, and they really need to be in the heat of the UAE sun.
The food is too, and even the bill is brought out and dealt with in a timeframe that doesn’t make you feel like you should have left an hour earlier.
Food Quality and Variety
The menu isn’t the biggest that we’ve seen at a beach club, but that does mean that it’s more tightly focused on a core offering of Mediterranean-style dishes, and we didn’t mind that.
The quality of the food, as with everywhere else in the UAE, is absolutely first rate and while the prices are a bit higher than we’d like, they’re very much in line with other beach clubs in this part of the world.
Beverage Selection and Creativity
We were impressed with the beverage selection, which is one of the most varied and interesting that we’ve ever seen at a beach club.
Whatever you want to drink or if you’re looking for something new and exciting, they’ll be able to cater to your tastes at Cafe Del Mar Abu Dhabi.
It will also be wonderfully presented and look great in your Instagram feed. But we did deduct a mark anyway in this category.
Why? Because unlike at other beach clubs, where an order of champagne gets you a bit of razzmattazz thrown in for free, they charge you for an ice cooler and sparklers and if you want the full bottle girl experience? Well, that’s over $125 USD (500 AED) on top! That’s ridiculous even for Abu Dhabi.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
The light colours of the beach club, a must in the sweltering sun of the desert, mean that everything must be spotless or everyone will know about it.
To be fair, if you spend enough time in the Emirates, you will know that spotlessly clean is the basic standard of cleanliness everywhere.
Even the toilets are gleaming and lovely. You won’t find a space inside Cafe Del Mar Abu Dhabi that makes you doubt the hygiene.
Comfort of Seating and Lounging Areas
The daybeds at this beach club are very nice, though we did feel they could have been a little more comfortable. We like to be really spoiled by luxury on a beach club day out.
But the rest of the furniture is just OK. It looks great and will certainly be nice to show off on the Gram, but it’s just not that comfortable.
Music and Entertainment
We’ve been into the beach club scene for so long now that we find the Cafe Del Mar own label a bit dull, and the music during the early day here was exactly what we’ve come to expect from this brand.
It’s meant as a backdrop for conversation, not as a main attraction, and that’s fine, but it could still be better.
However, the live DJs that appear around sunset are way better, and they’re great at building the vibe and making sure everyone’s in the mood for a real party.
Seasonality
There are no real seasons in the UAE; it’s always hot and sunny. It rains on maybe 3 or 4 days of the year and usually for no more than an hour.
There may be some shutdowns for local holidays, though we can’t remember that happening; it’s always worth checking with the venue if you want to go on a holiday.
Otherwise, the venue is open all year round, and the sweltering sun awaits your time in Abu Dhabi. Just make sure you take serious precautions against sunburn, 40+ degree heat really is no joke.
Pricing and Value for Money
The prices at Cafe Del Mar Abu Dhabi are reasonable within the local context, and for expats and Emiratis, they’ll feel eminently affordable.
For visitors? Maybe not so much, this is a high-end destination, and the prices are commensurate with that.
We can’t say that they’re a rip-off because in the context of the local economy, they’re not. But most people will find themselves wishing they were a bit cheaper, all the same, when they get the bill at the end of their day at Cafe Del Mar.
Beach Access and Quality
You can get onto the meagre strip of sand at this beach club and even, if you really wanted to, swim in the ocean (though you probably don’t want to, we certainly wouldn’t and would advise you to stick to the pool).
But this reclaimed land and artificial beach aren’t great. What little there is of it is OK, though; the sand is soft and clean and comfortable underfoot. But make sure to wear shoes, or you could end up with serious burns on your feet.
There is also no decent sunset view at this spot on Yas Island. Overall, the beach is definitely incidental to a good time at Cafe Del Mar rather than a key ingredient in your day out.
Sustainability Practices
They say they “respect the environment” in their literature, but this beach club offers no other assurances of sustainability.
There’s also no sustainability report from the Cafe Del Mar Group as a whole. This is definitely an area in which this beach club chain could do much better.
Exclusive Perks for Guests
You get the standard offer of a seat and a towel here, but there’s not much more included in the experience and nor can you pay to upgrade it.
We think that’s a bit of a shame and that Cafe Del Mar could offer a bit more.
Safety and Security
This is the UAE, it’s always safe and secure, and this club does the obligatory security checks on the way with grace and skill.
It also has more than enough security on hand just in case somebody can’t hold their drink.
Event Hosting Capabilities
The club has a full events management team on hand who can deal with everything from small, intimate gatherings to large corporate events.
We’d be happy to host an event here if we needed to.
Consistency of Experience
This beach club, based on our own visits and the testimonials of regular customers, is very consistent in its delivery.
However, there’s not a lot of effort or emphasis put on evolving the experience to make it even better, either.
Additional Amenities and Facilities
This beach club has all the basic amenities that you’d expect, and it’s very comfortable. If you need anything else, it’s probably going to be just a short drive away in Abu Dhabi.
Summary
Overall, this beach club is a much better example of the Cafe Del Mar brand than their Bali branch. However, it’s not perfect, and the beach itself is a bit meh.
If we were in Abu Dhabi, we’d definitely pop in to party after the other beach clubs are starting to wind down, but would we choose to come to Abu Dhabi for this beach club? No.
But to be fair, Abu Dhabi’s a hard sell given its conservative approach to living in general. Dubai is just easier, and we’d prefer to head to somewhere like Bali than spend a fortune in the UAE anyway.
FAQs
Can You Go Swimming At Cafe Del Mar Beach Club Abu Dhabi?
Yes, there is a pool at this beach club, and access to the sea. We’d recommend sticking to the pool, however, as it’s not the best place in Abu Dhabi for a non-pool swim.
This is essential to the beach club experience at this beach club. The temperatures in Abu Dhabi can be extremely high, and you need a pool to cool off in.
Fortunately, this is the Emirates, and as such, the water is cooled to ensure that you don’t jump into the equivalent of a cup of tepid coffee but get a refreshing soak instead.
What Is There To Do At Cafe Del Mar Beach Club Abu Dhabi?
There is a bar, restaurant services and a pool at this beach club. In the evenings, there are live DJs who turn up the vibe from chill out to party on. It’s not as party-oriented as some of the beach clubs in Dubai, but for Abu Dhabi, this place is wild.
There are also two weekend (Friday and Saturday, this is the UAE after all) brunches, where you can enjoy unlimited food and drinks for a set price. These brunches are very popular, and it’s always best to book in advance if you want to be guaranteed a seat.
Is Cafe Del Mar Beach Club Abu Dhabi A Child-Friendly Venue?
Sometimes. Cafe Del Mar is one of the very few party-oriented destinations in Dubai and as such while children from 12-16 are allowed into the beach club for a fee, and under 12s for free on weekdays, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday the only children allowed inside the venue are those from 16-21 (who must pay to get in).
Even then, all children under the age of 21, on all nights of the week, may only enter the family pool area and must vacate the premises by 7 p.m. They must also be accompanied by their parents throughout their time in the club.
Who Is The Owner Of Cafe Del Mar Beach Club Abu Dhabi?
Cafe Del Mar Beach Club is part of the portfolio of assets held by Capital Motion, a UAE-based investment company. Its founder is Mario Samaha Miral, who is a leading curator of experiences across Abu Dhabi.
He partnered with the Hilton on Yas Island to ensure that this Ibizan beach club brand would have a premium location in the Emirate.
Final Thoughts On The Review Of Cafe Del Mar Beach Club Abu Dhabi
Cafe Del Mar in Abu Dhabi is probably better than the Cafe Del Mar in Ibiza. While they’re both expensive days out, the Abu Dhabi-based property is polished and sophisticated and geared to really good times.
After seeing their franchises in some other parts of the world, we’d been prepared to be disappointed, but this is a good beach club.
Would we travel to Abu Dhabi just for Cafe Del Mar? Absolutely not. In fact, Abu Dhabi’s never really going to be a top destination for most people, but if you are in the neighbourhood, popping in to Cafe Del Mar really does make sense for a great day out.
