Lazy Cat first made waves as a dreamy brunch spot in Kuwait, a laid-back brand built around slow mornings, good food, and blue matcha and has expanded into Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and soon in Oman. The new Dubai cafe in Al Quoz Pond Park leans into that same original concept, garden-inspired interiors, a relaxed playlist, and a menu meant to be savoured, brunch, breakfast, and light dinner fare. With its newly opened terrace and Dubai winter finally arriving, it’s a daytime oasis with a nice breeze flowing through the space.
So when I saw posts about how amazing the club sandwich was, I followed. But here’s the thing, sometimes, influencer reviews have more sizzle than substance.
The Reality of the Food
We ordered what the hype was talking about, of course; the Maple Glaze Bacon Egg Club Sandwich. On the surface, it sounds promising: bacon, egg, cheddar, avocado, lettuce. But bite in, and you realise it’s underwhelming, small, a little one-note, not a traditional three-layer club at all and missing real flavour. Just because something is shaped like a club sandwich doesn’t make it one.
The Pastrami Sandwich fared better. Lazy Cat’s version arrives on an English muffin, layered with Swiss gruyère, sriracha mayo, mustard, and, notably, pastrami that actually tastes like pastrami. It’s richer, sharper, flavour was more thought about when this was constructed. Both sandwiches come with a side of crisps which is a pleasant addition. The crisps are legitimately one of the high points, crisp, punchy, and perhaps more interesting than the sandwiches themselves.
We also asked for fries. Classic, right? And when they arrived, they were pretty decent. But when we asked for mustard, we were told that it costs extra. Mustard. A café that charges for condiments?
Service & Atmosphere
On a Monday lunchtime, the vibes at Lazy Cat felt casual, but the service was not. It was rushed and inattentive, plates were being cleared while we were still crunching through crisps. There was little warmth and little pause from the whole atmosphere, which when you’ve waited 20 minutes to get a table feels ironic. For a brand that sells “slow food, slow life,” it felt at odds with the promise.
The décor and ambiance, though, do deliver. The café has a lot of lush greenery and the terrace layout invites lingering. Lazy Cat’s space is peaceful and charming, plenty of nooks and natural light for a calm bite or coffee. But when the staff doesn’t match that ease, it breaks the illusion.
A Word on Influencer Culture
Here’s where everyone needs to lean into their own experiences. Influencer posts about Lazy Cat often highlight its photogenic interiors and signature dishes, and yes, the place is lovely. But liking an interior in a photo and eating from the menu are two different things entirely and no one visits a cafe just to look at the surroundings. We came for the sandwich that had been hyped up. And yes, we left full, but not impressed. Influencer-led confidence can be persuasive, but as a diner, your taste should matter more than someone else’s content strategy.
Final Thought
Lazy Cat remains a worthy café for its aesthetic, its calm energy, and its all-day brunch options. It’s the kind of place you want to like. But if you’re going in for the viral dishes, temper your expectations. The food is decent, but it’s not immune to the hype. Lazy Cat is a pretty, pleasant café, but not everything that’s “Instagram famous” is culinary gold.
