In a world run by Instagram feeds full of colourful #foodporn images and restaurants bedecked in every hue of pink, The Grey cafe’s sleek décor and black-coloured foods are convincing us to move over to the dark side. Before you throw shade saying ‘black isn’t a colour, it’s a shade’ just take a look at the stunning charcoal-infused hazelnut croissant that has us spellbound.
Joining Al Wasl street’s slew of hipster and themed cafes, The Grey forges its own identity by sticking to the basics and not trying hard at all. Except for the eyeball-grabbing all-black food and drinks on the menu, which has definitely got our attention. And those of our phone cameras.
The signature item here is their black, crumbly croissant and brioches that are more photogenic than any piece of bread should be allowed to. It’s the hero item that features on items such as charcoal eggs benedict, charcoal sourdough avo toast, and charcoal bun.
Dark and delicious drinks show up on the menu too. Showstoppers that draw repeat customers include the charcoal oat latte and ash grey boba which is the kind of serious grown-up version of boba you could carry into a meeting.
Then there’s an inky hibiscus tea that’s darker than my soul but is known to light up the drinker’s face with joy.
Besides moody black drinks and dishes that are Instagram catnip, The Grey also serves up an atmospheric venue. The cafe’s stark white and black exteriors evoke Scandi-chic minimalism, a theme that continues inside too, albeit with more grey tones.
Mustard yellow cushions and the occasional burst of colour on plates in the form of sunny egg yolks, bright green avocado salads, bowls of edamame and matcha lattes and berry-coloured mocktails break up the monotones. It’s not full-blown gothic gloom and doom at this café; it’s called The Grey after all and it walks that fine line between black and white quite well.
Located in a secluded corner of Al Wasl away from the hubbub of daily life with its own outdoor garden with a black stone fountain, The Grey’s got all the makings of a creative sanctuary that both Wednesday Addams and Steve Jobs would feel at home in. Or a sulky liberal arts student scribbling poetry.
Essentially, it’s a well-lit yet monochromatic bistro-style café that all people of all kinds can escape into.
As if all that wasn’t enough the silver lining in this dark, oops grey cloud, are ice creams served in charcoal-infused cones all through summer.