Is working remotely from the apartment getting too boring, again? Are you new to Dahab and don’t know yet where the best coffee shops for digital nomads are? Let us fill you in.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to some of the best cafés in Dahab that not only serve great coffee, but also allow you to get some work done between sips of coffee and bites of cake. These are the 12 best coffee shops in Dahab.
Key Takeaways
- Choose 11:11 Avenue in Assalah for the best remote work experience with specialty coffee, healthy meals, strong Wi-Fi, plenty of outlets, air conditioning, and a dedicated coworking space upstairs.
- Visit Treats Café in Assalah for excellent coffee, outstanding carrot cake, super friendly staff, outdoor seating, and reliable internet for a cozy and welcoming work session.
- Stop by Ralph’s German Bakery in Assalah for solid coffee, a wide selection of German breads and breakfast plates, strong Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a calm atmosphere perfect for working.
- For a scenic work spot by the sea, try Flat White in Mashraba with well-prepared coffee, good cakes, friendly staff, sea views, and a comfortable indoor work area with Wi-Fi.
What Makes a Good Café for Digital Nomads?
Not every café is great for working remotely. In fact, there is plenty of café in any place that either don’t have the necessary amenities for co-working or simply don’t appreciate digital nomads taking up their precious table space. So, what makes a café in Dahab a good café for digital nomads?
These are 6 criteria that we used to rate cafés in Dahab for the digital-nomad-friendliness:
- Great Coffee: First and foremost, we are looking for good coffee when heading out to work in a coffee shop. Of course, any coffee gets the job done, but there is nothing better than having great drink while ticking off work assignments.
- Good Food: Working while getting increasingly squeamish is a bummer when working from café that barely offers any food. In this category we rate the selection of sweet and savoury options nd the food quality.
- Friendly Staff: Often times, the staff makes or breaks the deals. Friendly staff will make you want to come back time and time again. And most importantly, we want to know, if the staff is happy with you working from their establishment.
- Internet & Charging: For any digital nomad, finding a coffee shop that offers both fast wi-fi and accessible plug outlets is like finding a pot of gold. We snooped around to see which coffee shops are equipped for longer work sessions.
- Air Conditioning: It can get quite hot in Dahab and with regular power outages the trip to co-working café often doubles as an escape from the heat at home. So, we asked the million-dollar-question: Does this café have air conditioning?
- Comfortability: Being able to work remotely from a coffee shop for hours on end is one thing. Not having back pain after the fact is another thing. Naturally, we also took into account the comfortability of the seating and the tables in each café.
On a scale from 1 to 5, we will be rating each café in Dahab according to the criteria described above. Let’s dive right in.
12 The Best Coffee Shops in Dahab for Remote Workers (in Our Opinion)
Are you ready to discover the best coffee shops for remote workers in Dahab? We’ll introduce you to 12 of our favourite locations from Assalah to Mashraba and give you a detailed breakdown of what they do well and what to watch out for.
11:11 Avenue in Assalah
When it comes to working remotely in Dahab, there is no cafe like 11:11 Avenue on Assalah Square. 11:11 Avenue is a two-story specialty coffee house that not only boasts great coffee, healthy meals and tasty desserts, but also a dedicated coworking floor upstairs.
Equipped with tables, plug outlets, great wifi, comfy cushions and air conditioning, the upstairs area of 11:11 Avenue is perfect for getting in a few hours of focused work. What’s more, the café has a transparent minimum spend according to the amount of hours you spend there, so you never have to worry about overstaying your welcome.
| Coffee | Food | Staff | Wi-Fi & Plugs | A/C | Comfiness | Overall Experience | |
| Score | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 5 /5 | 5 / 5 | 4 /5 | 4.7 / 5 |
| Reason | Great specialty coffee | Tasty options, quite limited | Very nomad-friendly | Fast wi-fi, lots of plug outlets | Strong A/C downstairs and upstairs | Co-working area with floor seating | Undoubtedly the best coffee shop for remote workers in Dahab. |
Our recommendation: Try the blue cheese ciabatta with figs and the specialty coffees.
Treats in Assalah
We first stumbled upon this small coffee shop in Assalah during our first week win Dahab, as it was close to our apartment and we just kept coming back from there. But while the coffee and the desserts are great at Treats Café, the reason we came again and again was Ehab, the barista.
Ehab is a charismatic and warm personality, the type of person that feels like an old friend, even though you have only met him once before. Adding to that, Treats Café has great internet, isn’t too busy and offers outdoor seating, if you want to catch some fresh air while working.
| Coffee | Food | Staff | Wi-Fi & Plugs | A/C | Comfiness | Overall Experience | |
| Score | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 |
| Reason | Well-prepared coffee | Outstanding cakes, few other options | Some of the friendliest staff in Dahab | Strong wi-fi, limited outlets | Inside area is air-conditioned | Variety of seating options | Our personal favourite, thanks to Ehab. |
Our recommendation: Try the carrot cake, it’s the best in all of Dahab. The iced coffee are also top-tier.
Bakeyard in Lighthouse
At Bakeyard, the cakes steal the shows. So, if you like to accompany your coffee with a side of cake, this is your place to go. Here, you will not only find classics such as chocolate cake and cheese cake, but also some specialties such as tiramisu and eclairs. When it comes to coffee, their iced coffees stand out.
Now, when popping by Bakeyard for a work session, there are some caveats. For one, the café almost exclusively offers outdoor seating. This means that the best time to come to Bakeyard while be in the late afternoon and early evening to avoid the heat. The upside is that it does not get too busy at any one time. Also, there is no wifi, so make sure to have data before heading out.
| Coffee | Food | Staff | Wi-Fi & Plugs | A/C | Comfiness | Overall Experience | |
| Score | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 3 / 5 | 3 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Reason | Delicious iced coffee | Only cakes, but they are great | Friendly people working there | No wi-fi and few outlets | No A/C, fan in the outdoor seating | Large tables in the outdoor seating | Great location for a little work in the afternoon. |
Our recommendation: Try the iced coffee. It perfectly compliments their wide selection of delicious cakes.
Lenopatra in Lighthouse
Lenopatra is the allrounder of Dahab’s food scene. This rooftop café in the Lighthouse area is not only known for coffee and cake, but also offers, breakfast, lunch and dinner and prepares the best shishas in town. While Lenopatra is mainly a hangout spot at night, it is one of the best spots to work remotely in the morning hours.
In the morning, Lenopatra Café is not too busy yet, inviting you to come for breakfast and stay around for an hour or two of work. The café has plenty of seating options, some of them shaded, good wifi and friendly staff that will make you want to come back time and time again.
| Coffee | Food | Staff | Wi-Fi & Plugs | A/C | Comfiness | Overall Experience | |
| Score | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 |
| Reason | Lots of variation, not the highest quality | Plenty of options, even from the neighboring restaurant | Incredibly friendly hosts and servers | Solid wi-fi and plenty of outlets | No A/C, but plenty of fans to make up for it | Any seating arrangement imaginable | A spot to come back to, but too busy for work in the evening. |
Our recommendation: Try some of crazier creations on the drink menu and the honey cake.
Ralph’s German Bakery in Assalah
When talking Dahab restaurants, one cannot end the conversation without having mentioned Ralph’s German Bakery. The German Bakery is, as the name gives away, a German bakery run by a Bavarian baker bringing European bread culture to the heart of the Sinai desert.
With its breads, pastries, cakes and coffee, Ralph’s German Bakery in the Lighthouse Area is a must for every visitor to Dahab, making it very packed at most times. This doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t bring your laptop along when grabbing a bite at Ralph’s. Simply head over to the Assalah branch to enjoy a coffee and a sandwich in a muss calmer environment.
| Coffee | Food | Staff | Wi-Fi & Plugs | A/C | Comfiness | Overall Experience | |
| Score | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 |
| Reason | Solid coffee selection | Outstanding breakfast and snack options | Friendly staff | Strong wi-fi and many outlets | A/C for inside seating | Benches get uncomfortable with time | Some of the best food you can have while working. |
Our recommendation: All of the breakfast plates are a must-try! Our favourite was the German Breakfast – for obvious reasons.
Flat White in Mashraba
Tucked in between two beachside restaurants along Dahab’s pier walk, this quaint café easily escapes the untrained eye. And this is exactly what makes it so charming. Flat White its a cozy spot in Mashraba that doesn’t follow suit with the loud character of its neighbouring beachside restaurants. There is nobody outside telling you to try their menu, because the options speak for themselves.
From Turkish coffee to the name-giving Flat White, the coffee at Flat White is simply outstanding – and it comes with delicious cakes. Inside, there is ample space to work and good wifi, making it a great place to work remotely as well.
| Coffee | Food | Staff | Wi-Fi & Plugs | A/C | Comfiness | Overall Experience | |
| Score | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 3 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Reason | Well-prepared coffee | Good cakes, solid savoury options | Friendly staff | Good wi-fi, but few outlets | No A/C, but a fan | Tables with sea view | Beautiful location to start the morning with some light work. |
Our recommendation: Come in the morning, order a flat white and a cheese cake, take in the ocean breeze and say hello to the dogs from us.
Coffee & Cotton in Lighthouse
Just a stone’s throw away from the famous German Bakery, you’ll find Coffee & Cotton, yet another outstanding stop for coffee lovers. Coffee & Cotton offers excellent coffee, nutritious breakfasts and guilt-free snacks, all while providing a cozy environment for a morning work sessions.
If you plan to take your laptop to Coffee & Cotton, be aware that this is one of the smaller cafés in Dahab. While we have been able to work there without a problem plenty of times, we do suggest being aware of your surroundings and making spaces for new, hungry guests once you notice the café getting busier. After all, you don’t want to take the space of another guests aching to try their coffee.
| Coffee | Food | Staff | Wi-Fi & Plugs | A/C | Comfiness | Overall Experience | |
| Score | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Reason | Some of the best café in Dahab | Sweet breakfasts and snacks | Friendly people, but longer wait times | No wi-fi, but lots of outlets | A/C for inside seating | Use the back for co-working | Great options for coffee lovers looking to get some work done. |
Our recommendation: The espresso drinks – espresso, americano, flat white, cappuccino, latte macchiato – steal the show. There’s also some more out-there creations worth trying.
Shanti’s Café in Assalah
Hidden in the sandy side streets of Assalah, Shanti’s Cafe offers a cool refuge after a lenghty beach walk – and the ideal space to turn your creative gears. Shanti’s Café consists of a leafy indoor area with air conditioning and comfy seating and shaded outdoor seating for those hoping to catch the breeze.
With ample tables, plug outlets and good wifi, Shanti’s Café has everything you need for a productive work session. But don’t forget where you are. Shanti’s Café aspires to be much more than just a place with wifi. This café is a meeting point, a celebration of food and a true Dahab staple. So, come with time, do the menu justice and don’t just hog a table for a free air-conditioned workspace.
| Coffee | Food | Staff | Wi-Fi & Plugs | A/C | Comfiness | Overall Experience | |
| Score | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 3 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Reason | Delicious coffee creations | Outstanding breakfast, lunch and dinner | Some guest complaints about rude staff | Good wi-fi, if you can get it, and plenty of outlets | A/C in every room | Lots of different seating arrangement plus garden | Optimal for shorter work sessions after lunch. |
Our recommendation: Try the grilled chicken quesadilla. It hits the spot 10 out of 10 times and is Mexican-approved.
The Breakfast Café in Lighthouse
It is Saturday and you haven’t managed to finish this week’s workload yet? Grab a few of your friends, go to The Breakfast Café, indulge in a delicious breakfast and tick off overdue tasks while you chat over a second cup of coffee.
Located on the far end of El-Fanar Street, the Breakfast Café is just far enough from Dahab’s center to escape the bulk of the tourists. But make no mistake, the Breakfast Café has accumulated a cult following that flocks there to enjoy great food for breakfast including some delicious vegan options. While this café offers free wi-fi, plug outlets are a bit harder to come by. This is one for short work sessions.
| Coffee | Food | Staff | Wi-Fi & Plugs | A/C | Comfiness | Overall Experience | |
| Score | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Reason | Solid coffee | Great breakfast for any preference | Friendly staff | Free wi-fi, but few outlets | Lots of natural ventilation | Comfortable tables upstairs | Your way to go for a Saturday morning brunch and work session after. |
Our recommendation: Try the Syrniki, a Russian twist on pancakes with cottage cheese.
Schoenemann’s in Lighthouse
Located on the quieter end of the Lighthouse area, Schoenemann’s enchants its visitors with stunning sea views and, yet again, a rustic German breakfast experience. At Schoenemann’s, you will find healthy breakfast options accompanied by hearty German sourdough bread, fresh juices and good coffee.
With its sun-flooded interior, Schoenemann’s is the perfect place to go, if you feel like a gentle kick in the butt to get started with work. It delivers good food, even better coffee and some of the best sea views of Dahab. And what’s more, Schoenemann’s boasts free wifi and conveniently placed plug outlets. What more do you need to get your work done today?
| Coffee | Food | Staff | Wi-Fi & Plugs | A/C | Comfiness | Overall Experience | |
| Score | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Reason | Solid coffee | Clean breakfast options, some sweets | Friendly staff, but longer wait times | Fast wi-fi and plenty of outlets | A/C on the inside, shaded outdoor seating | Comfortable tables with chairs and benches inc. sea view | Watch the waves while you work in a cozy air-conditioned café. |
Our recommendation: Make sure to get one of the breakfast platter with sourdough and a side of coffee.
Bayside Eatery in Assalah
You may be familiar with the ever so popular Bayside Eatery next to Nirvana in the Lighthouse area. After all, the Bayside Eatery is everyone’s darling offering good breakfast, fresh juices, coffee. But did you know that the Bayside Eatery also runs a branch in Assalah.
Removed from the hustle and bustle of Dahab’s pier walk, the Bayside Eatery in Assalah offers all of the delicious menu options you learned to live at the Lighthouse branch, but without the crowds. This makes the Assalah branch the perfect spot for an afternoon work session in the outdoor area.
| Coffee | Food | Staff | Wi-Fi & Plugs | A/C | Comfiness | Overall Experience | |
| Score | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Reason | Solid coffee | Good food options, quality not on par with main branch | Friendly staff, less reliable opening times | Free wi-fi, but few plug outlets | No A/C on the outside, where most tables are | Garden chairs and tables | Good option to switch things up from time to time. |
Our recommendation: More than the coffee, we really liked the fresh juices. Give them a try!
Café at NEOM Hotel in Assalah
Not a coffee shop in the traditional, but definitely a good location to work from, is the café at NEOM Hotel on Assalah Beach. The NEOM hotel runs its own restaurant and coffee shop featuring three areas: a regulare inside seating arrangement, a beach section with rugs and cushions and a sundeck with more cushions and low tables.
For breakfast and some light work among friends, we recommend taking a seat in the outside area. If you are looking to get a little more work done, make sure to head up to the sundeck where you will not only find a quieter atmosphere, but also better wi-fi and plug outlets to charge your devices.
| Coffee | Food | Staff | Wi-Fi & Plugs | A/C | Comfiness | Overall Experience | |
| Score | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Reason | Solid coffee, better tea | Traditional breakfast platters | Friendly staff | Strong wi-fi, few outlets | Most areas without A/C, but shaded | More “informal” seating options | Beautiful beachfront work space for more laid-back sessions. |
Our recommendation: Have one of the breakfast platters – and a cup of tea for a change.
Disclaimer: This list of cafés in Dahab is by no means exhaustive, but our personal take on Dahab’s bustling café scene. Some cafés we like, but didn’t make the cut, are Nounette & Co., Cafe del Sur and Tim’s Munch. Some coffee shops other people seem to enjoy, but we haven’t tried, are Coffee Wheel, Coffee Corner and Vegan Lab.
More Work and Less Great Coffee? Try Out a Coworking instead of a Café
Digital nomads can find plenty of cafés in Dahab, even some restaurants, that are equipped to host you for a few hours at a time for a laid-back work session. But what if you really need to get some stuff done, or a have an important video call scheduled?
While some cafés like 11:11 Avenue and Treats may be up to the task of hosting your more important work sessions, you might want to trade the coffee for a co-working space for once.
In Dahab, you can find a dedicated co-working space called El Coworking that is equipped with properly-fitted work desks, office chairs, plug outlets and multiple wi-fi networks to account for network outages (as they often occur in Dahab). It even has a phone booth for you to take call and join important meetings.
To work remotely from El Cowering, you need to buy a Half or Full Day Pass that includes your work session in the co-working space as well as instant coffee and water. The Half Day Pass costs $5 or the equivalent in EGP; while the Full Day Pass comes in at $10 or the equivalent in EGP.
The Bottom Line
As a digital nomad, you are almost guaranteed to find your type of spot to work remotely from in Dahab. So, if you’re in high-quality coffee, amazing food and friendly staff, all while working with some of the most breathtaking views of the Red Sea, these 12 cafés in Dahab are the way to go.
Hey! We are glad you are curious about travelling the Middle East.
We are Nancy & Elias.
Over four years of backpacking and digital nomading made us fall in love with the Middle East. We have lived on the Red Sea coast in Egypt, lived in a Bedouin Camp in Jordan and travelled 6+ Middle Eastern countries overland.
As we continue to travel, we share our battle-tested travels advice on this blog, from travel reports and transfer guides to accommodation recs and saving hacks.
