London’s Café François has announced plans to open in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in early 2027. Known for its lively interpretation of French café culture, the concept will bring its signature mix of classic brasserie cooking, considered interiors and a little tableside theatre to the city.
The opening marks the brand’s first international expansion, delivered through a joint venture between Group François and UAE-based Keybourne Hospitality Group.
A Little Parisian Spirit, by Way of London
Café François comes from the team behind Maison François, the acclaimed French brasserie that opened in London's St James’s in September 2020. Founded by restaurateur François O’Neill alongside operations partner Ed Wyand and executive chef Matthew Ryle, the group expanded with a more relaxed sibling at Borough Yards, near Borough Market, in 2024.
Drawing inspiration from the café culture of Paris and the bistros of Montreal, Café François takes a refreshingly flexible approach to French dining. Its London menu moves comfortably between freshly baked pastries and coffee, rotisserie chicken and steak frites, embracing the idea that a good brasserie should be just as appealing for a quick morning stop as it is for a leisurely evening meal.
The Dubai outpost will follow that all-day philosophy, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. French classics will form the foundation of the menu, complemented by influences from other cuisines, although specific dishes have yet to be revealed.
One detail worth anticipating is the trolley service, inspired by Maison François in St James’s. A traditional feature of grand European dining rooms, it introduces a welcome element of theatre to the table, bringing service into the experience rather than keeping it discreetly in the background.
A Grand Café with Character
The interiors will be designed by Studio Shayne Brady, taking cues from Café François's Borough Yards address while developing an identity suited to its new Dubai setting.
Expect oak-panelled banquettes, mosaic flooring, bespoke lighting and neon signage, alongside the distinctive clocks that have become part of the brand’s visual language.
It is a design direction rooted in the character of traditional European cafés, where comfortable seating, layered details and an inviting atmosphere encourage guests to stay a little longer.
For DIFC, an area equally accustomed to business lunches and late dinners, the all-day format feels particularly well suited. The real appeal will lie in whether Café François can translate the relaxed rhythm of its London original into a dining room that feels equally natural in Dubai.
The expansion also marks a significant addition to the portfolio of Keybourne Hospitality Group, established in the UAE in 2026 with a focus on introducing international restaurant concepts to the region.
For now, Café François is targeting an early 2027 opening, with the exact launch date, Dubai menu and reservation details still to be confirmed.
If its London identity is anything to go by, DIFC can expect a French brasserie with a sociable spirit, an appreciation for classic hospitality and, naturally, a trolley or two.
