A perfect cup of coffee, that’s what is brewing. And we are all headed to Dubai for an authentic hot cuppa on windy winter evenings.
Dubai is the most-frequented emirate in the UAE by tourists, shoppers and business travellers. In keeping with the demand of the rising populace of vacationers interested in exploring the city, Dubai has developed a repertoire of attractions such as Butterfly Park, At the Top at Burj Khalifa and Aquarium; must-visit places like Marina Bay and Jumeirah Beach and touristy activities such as Desert Safaris, Dolphin Shows, Sky Diving, et al. Added to that are the culinary delights across the many F&B outlets in the city, which are designed to appease the palette of the well-travelled global citizen. Given the large number of expatriates living in Dubai, it is only natural that the city strives to offer an international lifestyle with its infrastructure, services, accommodation and culinary options.
Making the experience of the people visiting the city more enriching are the many places in Dubai that offer unique and authentic coffee. These places offer an unforgettable coffee experience that is a must-do not only for coffee aficionados but also for people wanting to enjoy the views and delights of Dubai. Coffee is something that is enjoyed by the locals and expats alike, thereby giving rise to a delectable coffee culture in the city, with each part of Dubai vying to have the best coffee place for its patrons.
People’s taste in coffee is as varied as, well, people themselves. And that’s why there are all kinds of options available in Dubai to satiate your coffee urge. So be it a tall latte or coffee with cream or expresso, there’s a rich aromatic uniquely blended coffee that will tingle your taste buds waiting for you. All you need to do is discover it.
We get Kim Thompson, one half of home-grown roastery Raw Coffee Company, to tell you where to go when you’re in need of a caffeine fix when in Dubai.
The Brass
The Brass is a brand new outlet at the City Walk, Al Safa Road, which offers coffee lovers a plethora of choices. While you can indulge in your taste for classic coffee options – the lattes, cappuccinos, expressos – you can also try new blends like the Lavender Honey Latte, rosewater-infused white coffee and a dairy-free Coconut Latte. What’s more you also get to choose they way you want the coffee to be served via French press, siphon, cold drip or pour-over. Indulge in your need for something new and enjoy your cuppa at The Brass.
Friends Avenue Cafe
For an evening out with friends, head to this place that has been put together by a pair of friends. Understanding the need of young people to hang out over a cup of coffee at a place that befits their social standard, Friends Avenue Cafe fills the requirement as a quirky little cafe located in the high-rise Jumeirah Lake Towers residential district. To put it in Thompson’s words, this place ‘oozes personality.’ And as for the coffee options, it offers a good variety that includes long black and espresso con panna as well as almond and soy milk options.
Park House
Give your colourful mocktails by the beach a skip and opt for a soothing cup of coffee. Park House offers tranquil views of the sea as it is located next to Kite Beach, Jumeirah. It’s the perfect spot for casual people-watching and light entertainment with children. Add popcorn and sweet treats to your choice of coffee while lounging on the beach benches.
Dubai Coffee Museum
As with scents, Arabia is known for its coffee beans. Trust Dubai to chronicalise the rich history of Arabian coffee. The city has an entire museum dedicated to the fragrant beans. Here you are taken on a journey – from the origin of coffee to it’s current avatar – with details of its evolution. Thompson says, “It’s a must-see for anybody that is remotely interested in the long and interesting history of coffee.” Don’t forget to taste the traditional Arabic qahwa at the in-house cafe.
Mokha 1450
For a cozy, intimate milieu head for Mokha 1450 where you can try various original brews. Heirloom Ethiopian Geisha, Jamaican Blue Mountain grade 1 Ultra-premium beans and an incredible Yemeni coffee from the Sabree Mountains farmed by a co-operative of female farmers are Thompson’s recommendations. Mokha 1450 is part-boutique and part-cafe, where you can shop and enjoy exceptional coffee.
Yumtingz
The first thing that hits you when you see Yumtingz is – it’s a food truck! How cool can that be! “They’re young and hip with an extensive menu offering honest Aussie-style gourmet café food,” explains Thompson. And that’s all the description that you need about Yumtingz. It is an inviting place with a youthful vibe that has interesting blends in its menu. From signature hot drinks and playful cold brews to fruity varieties, Yumtingz offers something for each mood.
Tom & Serg
‘Tom & Serg is probably Dubai’s best homegrown cafes,’ according to Zomato.com. The brand is a fixture on Dubai’s cafe scene and is cosy roastery is widely regarded as one of the best coffee spots in town. Inspired by Melbourne’s independent coffee house culture, the cafe on Sheikh Zayed Road caters to casual drinkers and coffee connoisseurs alike, in an industrial-like open space. At Tom & Serg, choose your specialty coffee to go with the nutritious gourmet food that the place offers and you will keep going back for more.
Aryaas
Feel like skipping the regular cappuccinos and lattes? We have just the place for you – Aryaas. Introducing authentic South Indian coffee to the Indian populace of Bur Dubai, Aryaas puts the taste of filter coffee on the culinary map of Dubai. As is known to every Indian, the South Indian filter coffee is prepared using a special metal filter and combined with boiling milk and sugar. The resulting concoction is a velvety drink, which is a staple in parts of India. Enjoy your cuppa in the comfortable interiors of Aryaas and take back home a slice of India with you.
Raw Coffee Company
Veterans of the homegrown coffee scene, Raw Coffee Company roasts organic and beans with Fair Trade approval daily in their warehouse roastery. Visitors can take classes on coffee preparation or just enjoy some of the 15 single origins and five unique blends at this specialty space. The Company supplies 100% locally roasted, organic and ethically traded fresh Arabica coffee since 2007. It is making the most of the specialty coffee market in Dubai, which is developing with the enhancing tastes of coffee aficionados. Raw has an espresso based menu and its brew bar has options such as siphon, V60’s, Cemex and Aeropress to prepare single origin brewed coffee.
Arrows and Sparrows
For those of you eager to try out new places and newer experiences, there’s Arrows and Sparrows. This new locale is the second offering from the local Friends Avenue team. The larger space in Emaar Business Park, near the Greens, is decorated in hues of teal and gold. “Serving a cozy mix of comfort food and contemporary café fare, this spacious, modern place offers fresh organic coffee made very well,” states Thompson. The place also offers the option of al-fresco eating where one can enjoy the delicacies served here, the city’s view and of course the coffee.
With such a wide choice of brews at your disposal, no evening at Dubai would ever be a dull one. Enjoy a round of coffee with friends or indulge in the exquisite taste of some of the finest brews of the world all by yourself. When in Dubai, don’t forget to check out ‘what’s brewing?.’
