Circle Cafe serves up global tastes in a homely space

Stepping into Circle Cafe in Al Raha Gardens on a cold winter’s night is a relief. The space is warm and toasty, unlike most restaurants in the UAE, where the thermostat always seems to be stuck at a couple of degrees below zero.

The cafe is set at the end of Gardens Plaza and is about half full when my husband and I visit on a weeknight. The decor is cosy and inviting: spotless white tables and chairs, framed posters on the walls, deep leather chairs and a row of bookshelves at the back. There are jars of fresh white roses on each table and a bowl with a couple of fish on the cake counter – small touches that make you feel at home.