Group François, the team behind London’s Maison François and Café François, is delighted to announce the opening of Café François in DIFC in early 2027. A joint venture with Keybourne Group, the new restaurant marks the culmination of three years of planning between the partners.
Café François Dubai will combine a modern approach to all-day dining with a nod to the past. Open seven days a week, it will be a place to gather from morning through to evening, with the offering encompassing breakfast, lunch and dinner.
French classics and global influences will sit at the heart of the menu, while trolley service, inspired by Maison François, will take a prominent role, bringing a sense of theatre and occasion to the dining room.
The group’s story began in 2020 with the opening of Maison François in St James’s, bringing together a love of French cooking and convivial hospitality. In 2024, the team opened Café François in Borough Yards, a vibrant all-day restaurant inspired by Parisian cafés and the stylish bistros of Montreal.
Café François will bring the charm of a traditional French brasserie to the DIFC, drawing design inspiration from its flagship restaurant in London’s Borough Market. Designed by Studio Shayne Brady, the space will feature bespoke lighting, oak-panelled banquettes, mosaic tiling, neon signage and the brand’s signature internal and external time pieces. Warm and welcoming, Café François will combine distinctive character with a strong visual presence, creating an inviting atmosphere that evolves throughout the day.
“Café François is a love letter to the café culture we have enjoyed on our travels, and we couldn’t think of a better home for its next chapter than DIFC, with its mix of people who live, work and visit Dubai. We want it to be everything a grand café should be: welcoming, fun and hospitable, somewhere to drop in for breakfast or settle in for a long dinner, with a little theatre from the trolleys. We have spent three years shaping this with our partners at Keybourne and cannot wait to welcome our first guests.”
Founder, François O’Neill
Café François Dubai is expected to open in early 2027. Address: DIFC, Zaa’beel Second, Trade Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates @cafefrancoisdubai
