Specialty coffee shops to try in Dubai
Key takeaways
Dubai offers a diverse landscape of premium venues to visit in Dubai, be it galleries, museums, theaters or real restaurants. Many modern entrepreneurs value Dubai for the unique experiences they can find here, be it fine dining or special galleries they have never seen before. But special attention should be paid to the unique coffee shops, which, unlike commercial coffee shops (which are set up for mass production), are designed to create unique flavor combinations based on cultural characteristics and various previously unused ingredients.
What is Specialty Coffee?
There are commercial coffee shops that are focused on mass production (StarBucks, Nescafe), but Speciality Coffee Shops are different - they focus on unique flavor combinations, the use of rare and carefully processed beans, as well as special preparation methods that make the process more expensive and difficult, resulting in a product with a complex profile.
A special aftertaste, acidity, texture, and aroma - for this, leading local companies hire special technologists from all over the world and test the best combinations. This coffee attracts a discerning clientele, including residents and tourists, and because of this, you can rarely see huge queues in such coffee shops. Such places are good for a business meeting or just for spending time with your family.
How is Specialty Coffee evaluated?
In order to more accurately determine which specialty coffee will suit you and by what flavor combination it is evaluated, we present the following parameters:
- Fragrance (Fragrance): Evaluation of the smell of ground coffee (fragrance) and the aroma of the brewed drink (aroma). The aroma can be fruity, floral, spicy, nutty or smoky.
- Flavor: This is the main assessment that determines the richness of the taste itself, caused by the grind and the method of preparation, what notes and accents of taste are present
- Aftertaste: the feeling in the mouth after the drink has been drunk, a pleasant residue,
- Acidity: coffee roastery Dubai — is not about the pH level, but about the taste characteristic that gives the coffee liveliness and brightness. Good acidity is described as "bright", "sparkling", "juicy", unpleasant acidity is that which is tart and bitter, and pleasantness is that after drinking citrus fruits.
- Body: the texture and feeling of coffee in the mouth
- Balance: the harmony of all flavor components - taste, acidity, body and aftertaste.
- Sweetness: the presence of a pleasant sweetness in the coffee.
- Clean Cup: No foreign, distracting or unpleasant tastes (defects) from the beginning to the end of the tasting. It would seem that this is obvious, but everything is important for tasting.
- Uniformity: all cups of coffee from the same batch should have the same taste, this speaks of its quality.
- Overall: Subjective assessment of the Q-grader, which reflects the overall impression of the coffee. If the grader has certain observations that go beyond the specified parameters.
Also, read our special guide about 17 scenic garden cafes in Dubai.
Best Specialty coffee shops to try in Dubai
The coffee industry is developing by leaps and bounds and is moving away from mass production to a more affluent clientele. Visitors to Dubai are not interested in going to Starbucks, which anyone can go to for $5-10, they are not interested in drinking regular coffee from a machine in disposable cups - they need uniqueness and value - this is what Specialty Coffee Shops offer.
Over the last 15 years, more and more Specialty Coffee Shops have started to appear in Dubai with the same development of the restaurant business in the city, when they began to bring in specialists from different cultures who used unique technologies. Now we can say with confidence that a network of speciality Coffee Shops has already formed in Dubai that attract a large number of customers:
1. Nightjar Coffee Roasters
Localization: Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz
Open from 9-00 AM to 7 PM
NightJar Coffee is considered the coffee center of the famous Alserkal Avenue arts district in Dubai, it has become a magnet for freelancers, drawn by the aesthetics of the establishment and the external atmosphere.
Nightjar's main pride is the line of “on tap” drinks, and their nitro cold brew with a dense creamy texture is rightfully considered the standard in the city. They specialize well in signature coffee roasting, and their menu complements the coffee menu well.
2. The Espresso Lab
Localization: Unit 8, Building 7 - Ground Floor, Dubai Design District
Open from 9-00 AM to 11 PM
One of the most elite coffee shops, done entirely in white tones with light, laconic furniture and laboratory equipment instead of the usual accessories. A very quiet, almost meditative atmosphere. Baristas dressed in robes will help you choose an exclusive bean and brew it in one of the alternative methods (V60, Chemex, Aeropress). This is not a quick coffee on the fly, but a full-fledged work of art - this is how the sellers present it.
It is 4.5 kilometers or 15-20 minutes from the center of Dubai to Espresso Lab.
3. RAW Coffee Company
Localization: Warehouse 10, Corner of 7A and 4A Street, Al Quoz, Al Manara, Dubai
Open from 10-00 AM to 7 PM
Raw Coffee Company was founded back in 2007 and is one of the first Specialty Coffee shops in Dubai. It roasts beans using a special technology in its own workshop, offers a wide range of single-origin beans and popular brands such as Working Coffee. Popular among freelancers and young people. Inside, a laconic modern design.
4. Stomping Grounds
Localization: Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 2.
Open from 8-30 AM to 7 PM
A constantly full cafe where you need to book a table in advance. Stomping Grounds brews Australian-style coffee, offering an extensive coffee menu, including exclusive single-origin lots and rare geisha varieties.
This pet-friendly establishment with a popular garden area, an atmosphere is often called trendy and relaxed. In addition to coffee in Dubai, it is also famous for English and European breakfasts, for example, the most popular is the lobster brunch.
5. Alchemy Coffee
Localization: Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 2.
Open from 9-00 AM to 5 PM
The coffee shop is located in a laconic standing villa, with high ceilings inside and light white everywhere. Most of the residents of Dubai come here to enjoy coffee from world-renowned roasters. The name “Alchemy” fully reveals the philosophy of the establishment. The team relies on cultural differences and focuses on roasting and preparing only one culture. The place is suitable for connoisseurs, but it is better to book a table.
6. Mokha 1450
Localization: Al Wasl, Palm Jumeirah, Bluewaters Island.
Open from 9-00 AM to 11 PM
It's hard to call Mokha 1450 a coffee shop in Dubai, as it is essentially a luxury boutique. The name comes from the port of Mokha in Yemen, the historical starting point of the coffee trade, and 1450 is the year when this trade began to actively develop.
The interior resembles an elite private club for rich people, all baristas undergo the strictest selection and the coffee shop has expensive, unique equipment that allows you to roast coffee beans based on the needs of a certain cultural style. Mokha 1450 uses the rarest exclusive and expensive varieties of coffee, especially the “cradle of coffee” from Yemen and Ethiopia.
7. Tom & Serg
Localization: 15A Street, Al-Joud Center, Al Quoz, Dubai.
Open from 8-00 AM to 4 PM
This establishment attracts families and companies with its Australian-style breakfast menu and best coffee with an emphasis on brewing quality standards. It is a symbol of the development of Melbourne coffee culture in Dubai.
The place is popular among creative people and remote workers. The cafe is named after its founders — Australian Tom Arnel and Spaniard Sergio Lopez.
8. The Grey
Location: 9A Street, Al Wasl, Al Safa 1, Dubai.
Open from 7-30 AM to 11 PM
A very aesthetic and artistic place that will be ideal for relaxing with coffee in Dubai. An inspiring “lifestyle cafe” in a converted villa with gray minimalist interiors reminiscent of an art gallery.
Coffee is prepared using V60, Chemex or Kalita technology, which requires high specialization and qualifications from the barista, because of this, only professionals work here. Every week, the menu of both coffee and breakfast changes, which is why the establishment has a constant engaged clientele.
9. Seven Fortunes Coffee Roasters
Localization: Al Quoz: Warehouse 12, Al Asayel St, Al Quoz Industrial 2.
Open: from 7 am to 5 pm
Coffee uses single-origin varieties of Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Burundi, and Guatemala. In their own technical roasting, they use modern technologies.
Seven Fortunes Coffee Roasters have two directions - this is the wholesale of coffee (blends and single-origin) for other cafes, hotels, restaurants with training of personnel in high-class roasting and the sale of their own product - coffee with their own roasting and from unique beans.
High-class professionals work here, since the “school” of Seven Fortunes Coffee Roasters trains baristas for other establishments and cafes, you can meet graduates of their training system in the previous points of the list. If you want to try coffee from a teacher, not a student, then this is the place for you.
10. Cypher Urban Roastery
Localization: Vision Tower, Al Khaleej Al Tejari 1 Street.
Open from 9-00 AM to 6 PM
Cypher is one of the most respected and technologically advanced roasters in the Middle East. This is not a coffee shop, but a whole roasting shop for making coffee. Their premium “Nobility” line includes beans with a rating of 90+ points on the SCA scale - this is the level of world championships.
Here you will be shown all the technologies and the general roasting process, how the software works and where future technologists are trained. You can also try freshly prepared coffee here.
The business direction as a whole is B2B, they offer not only SCA (Speciality Coffee Association) courses in all disciplines (from roasting to sensory analysis), but also prestigious CQI (Coffee Quality Institute) programs. Regular visitors can come on a tour and enjoy high-quality coffee.
FAQ
What is a speciality coffee Dubai?
This is an establishment that uses only selected, freshly roasted elite beans (with a rating of 80+ on the SCA scale), prepared by a professional barista.
Is there Do Dubai Roast Locally?
Yes, Dubai has a thriving local roasting culture. Major players like RAW Coffee Company, Nightjar and Cypher are the main suppliers of coffee beans in the city.
Which areas of Dubai are known for good coffee shops?
Al Quoz (especially Alserkal Avenue) – the most modern and industrial area, combining modern art with good coffee. Jumeirah / Al Wasl — an area of elegant “villa cafes” with a focus on design and coziness.