The Al Qattara Arts Centre occupies a restored traditional mud-brick compound in the old part of Al Ain, and the small café attached to it is one of the most pleasant places in the city to take a break. The setting — low ceilings, thick walls, and a shaded courtyard — keeps the temperature bearable even on warm days, and the Emirati coffee (qahwa) is served the traditional way: pale gold, infused with cardamom and saffron, poured from a long-spouted dallah into small cups that are refilled until you signal you have had enough by tilting the cup.
The menu is light — dates, luqaimat (small fried dumplings drizzled with date syrup and dusted with sesame), fresh juices, and a few sandwiches — but the café is more about the experience than a full meal. It is an excellent stop between the oasis and Al Jahili Fort, both of which are within easy walking distance. The arts centre itself sometimes hosts exhibitions of contemporary Emirati art and traditional craft demonstrations, which are free to enter.
The pace here is slow and unhurried, which is precisely the point. Come when you need to sit down and recharge, not when you are hungry for a proper meal.