One Life Kitchen & Cafe: Healthy Food and Specialty Coffee in D3

Healthy breakfasts, specialty coffee, and a creative atmosphere in the heart of D3.

Amidst the gleam of skyscrapers and Dubai's polished luxury, there are places with a different character. One Life café in the creative district of D3 is exactly one of those. It’s not just another photogenic coffee shop; it’s a true living room for the local creative community—designers, architects, and freelancers. A place where ideas are born, partnerships are formed, and that "other" Dubai—a vibrant, authentic, and far from glossy—comes to life, all over laptops and cups of specialty coffee.

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Concept: How One Life Became the "Living Room" for Creative Dubai

What’s the secret behind One Life? Its creators understood the key point: the creative district of D3 didn’t need just another café—it needed a "third place," a space between home and office where you could unwind, work, and connect with like-minded people. The idea worked. Instead of simply serving coffee, they’re constantly coming up with something new here: an art workshop, a music night, or a networking session. As a result, people come here not only to eat but also to become part of something bigger, to feel completely at ease.

Organic loft-style interior

The first thing that captivates you upon entering One Life is its interior. The space, designed in a modern organic-loft style, is filled with light and air thanks to its high ceilings and panoramic windows. Designers opted for natural materials—recycled wood, metal, glass—and a calm color palette in earthy and woody tones.

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And the two signature elements of the interior are responsible for the most popular Instagram photos here: a huge living plant wall near the entrance and a neon 'Life' sign. The space is thoughtfully divided into zones: downstairs is the main hall for lively lunches and meetings, upstairs there’s a cozy mezzanine (2250 sq. ft.) perfect for quiet work and events, and outside there’s a spacious terrace ideal for leisurely brunches during cooler seasons.

An atmosphere that changes throughout the day

One Life expertly adapts its ambiance to match the rhythm of the neighborhood.

• Morning (08:00–11:00): A tranquil atmosphere prevails, ideal for freelancers with laptops and those who want to start their day with a relaxed breakfast accompanied by soft lounge music.
• Lunchtime (12:00–15:00): The space fills with business energy—employees from nearby offices and design studios flock here for business lunches and meetings.
• Evening (18:00–22:00): The vibe becomes more social and cozy, attracting groups of friends and couples for dinner in a casual setting.

Gastronomy for the Soul: What to Try at One Life

At the heart of One Life's cuisine is a simple and clear philosophy: healthy food made from high-quality ingredients, yet with a signature twist. The menu delights with a variety of breakfast options served throughout the day, as well as salads, main dishes, and an extensive selection of vegan and vegetarian choices.

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Must-try dishes

If you're visiting for the first time and unsure where to start, here are four guaranteed hits, time-tested and loved by hundreds of delighted guests:

• Shakshoumi: The restaurant's signature dish. An original take on shakshuka featuring golden-brown fried halloumi cheese and aromatic pesto, often hailed as one of the best in Dubai.
• Banana Pancakes: Tender banana pancakes topped with fresh berries and almonds—perfect for a hearty and wholesome breakfast.
• Filthy Falafel Wrap: A vegan falafel wrap praised for its rich flavor and creative presentation.
• Specialty Coffee: Beans from Ethiopia, Brazil, and Colombia are roasted right on-site. In addition to classic drinks, they also offer alternatives like V60, Aeropress, and Chemex, revealing every nuance of flavor.

Keep in mind an average bill of 70–95 AED for breakfast with coffee and 80–170 AED for lunch. Important: these prices are provided as a guideline at the time of preparing this guide (September 2024). We recommend checking the current menu and prices on the official website or social media channels of the establishment before your visit, as they may change.

Competitive Analysis: One Life on Dubai's Café Map

To understand what makes One Life unique, it’s worth examining it in the context of other prominent Dubai establishments focused on healthy cuisine and a modern atmosphere. Competitors were selected based on their similar spirit but with key differences in concept. For example, Comptoir 102 is compared not by location, but by its "café + concept store" format, which helps better define One Life's niche within the city.

One Life occupies a unique niche: it offers a more versatile menu than the highly specialized Wild & The Moon, is more affordable and accessible than the upscale Comptoir 102, and has greater individuality and intimacy than the chain Common Grounds.

Planning Your Visit to One Life: Everything You Need to Know

So, you've decided to drop by One Life. Great! Here are some practical tips to help you plan your visit and avoid minor inconveniences. Please note: we provide information current as of the time this guide was written (September 2024), but it's always best to double-check details such as parking rates or bus routes on official websites.

How to get there and where to park

The café is located at: Building 5, Dubai Design District.

• By Taxi/Car: The most convenient way to get here is by taxi (Careem, Uber) or private car. Public RTA parking is available for cars (zone 337A), where the first 2 hours are free, and after that, the cost is 10 AED per hour (with a maximum of 60 AED per day).
• By Public Transport: The nearest metro station is Dubai Mall / Burj Khalifa, from which it’s easiest to take a taxi to D3 (about 10 minutes). Buses F14, F19A, F19B, and F41 also serve the area directly.

Estimated taxi fares:

• From Dubai Mall area: 20–28 AED
• From Dubai Marina: 55–70 AED
• From DXB Airport: 40–55 AED

Reservations and best time to visit

• Reservations: Highly recommended on weekends (especially for brunch) and for groups of more than 4 people. On weekdays, in the morning and during the day, you can usually find an available table without a prior reservation.
• Best time: For calmly working on your laptop, weekday mornings are ideal. For a lively social atmosphere, choose brunch on Saturday or Sunday. From November to March, there's nothing better than taking a seat on the outdoor terrace.

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Our Verdict

One Life Kitchen & Cafe is a vibrant and successful example of how a gastronomic project can become the heart of an entire neighborhood, bringing people together and creating a lively, dynamic community around itself.

Strengths:

• Concept: A unique community hub format, where food and coffee are just part of something much bigger.
• Cuisine: Delicious, straightforward, and consistently high-quality food that makes you want to come back again and again.
• Atmosphere: An airy, stylish, and cozy interior where it’s equally comfortable to work on your laptop or relax with friends.
• Service: That rare combination of friendliness and professionalism, making you feel like a welcome guest rather than just another customer.

Things to keep in mind:

• Prices: The bill is above average for a café, which is justified by the quality, but worth bearing in mind.
• Crowdedness: It can get noisy and crowded during peak hours, so for quiet work, it’s best to choose a weekday morning.
• Location: The D3 area isn’t exactly a tourist hotspot, so traveling here from more distant neighborhoods like Marina will take some time.

And here’s the most interesting part. One Life’s success isn’t just about tasty food and great coffee—it’s a reflection of Dubai itself growing up, entering its “post-glossy” era. The city is proving that it cares not only about world records and flashy luxury, but also about quality of life, cozy local communities, and spaces created by people for people. One Life is exactly such a place. And it’s precisely for this feeling—a genuine, vibrant, and deeply human city—that you should come here.