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Speciality coffee shops to try in Dubai
Fri, May 12, 2023
Caffeine connoisseurs can find baristas serving up the best beans, special roasts and smoothest cups across Dubai.
Caffeine connoisseurs can find baristas serving up the best beans, special roasts and smoothest cups across Dubai.
1
Mokha 1450
Make your way to Mokha 1450 to taste exclusive brews expertly sourced from the countries that started the coffee trade back in 1450, Yemen and Ethiopia. The café, which has two branches in Dubai, is committed to championing female-led co-operatives with a focus on sustainability. You can take it a step further and enrol in one of the onsite workshops, get professionally accredited and emerge with a richer understanding of the bean.
2
Drop
Emirati entrepreneur Mahmood Al Khamis took his passion for coffee and launched Drop, located in the trendy Dar Al Wasl mall. In-house roasted beans are brewed using nine different techniques. Sip on a Magick 20 – espresso in a 220ml glass topped with micro-textured milk – while tucking into a Portuguese custard tart amid the venue's chic, minimalist interiors – a true treat for all the senses.
3
Boon Coffee Roasters
The woman behind Boon, Orit Mohammed, started by sourcing beans from her native Ethiopia and roasting them herself, batch by batch. Custom blends – plus the fact that they source, ship and roast their own beans – set them apart. Head to the Mall of Emirates outlet, located in home furnishing store Crate & Barrel, for delicious bites like pecan pies and buttery croissants that pair perfectly with the coffee on offer.
4
Qahwaty Coffee
Getting its name from qahwa, the Arabic word for coffee, Qahwaty specialises in expertly-made brews. Located in Huna by the Pond at Al Quoz Pond Park, the cafe has sleek industrial interiors, complete with copper trimmings and a majlis seating area to hang out with friends over a latte, cortado or cold brew.
5
Nusantara Coffee Roastery
Indonesian Arabica beans are firmly in the spotlight at this roastery. Follow the illuminated stairway at the flagship outlet in Nad Al Hamar up to the low-lit, upscale spot where you can sample a V60 – drip-down brew at a 60-degree angle – alongside a slice of the signature cake
6
RoR Roastery
Craft is integral to RoR, named after the rate of rise, which is the speed at which the temperature of your beans is increasing. And the sleek grey space that houses the roastery is as much of a draw as what's served inside. The coffee connoisseurs, who also offer courses that cater to both the enthusiast and the professional, have over 30 single-origin options in the store at any one time.
7
RAW Coffee Company
This Al Quoz-based haven, which was one of the first to champion coffee in the city, serves up five custom blends and 15 single origin preparations sourced from Mexico to Myanmar. Whether you're a fan of nitro-infused cold brews, want to pick up the latest brewing and espresso equipment, or simply need a place to unwind, this one-stop coffee shop is the place to be.
8
The Climbing Goat
The Climbing Goat prides itself on only serving coffee that has scored above 86 – so every cup you sip here is graded Excellent or Outstanding on the speciality scale. The experience comes complete with biscotti and sparkling water, so you can fully appreciate your beverage. Take a seat at the slow brew bar – located in Nakheel Mall, Dubai Festival City Mall and JLT – and pair your drink with their fudgey chocolate brownies.
9
The Espresso Lab
Inspired by his grandmother roasting beans to serve at her majlis, Emirati owner Ibrahim Al Mallouhi is passionate about educating everyone on the subject of coffee. As well as catering to aficionados, The Espresso Lab at Dubai Design District regularly updates its offerings with beans sourced from micro-lot farms, which have been classified as 'Cup of Excellence'.
10
BLACKCOFFEE by Cafe Younes
Beirut-based Cafe Younes is renowned for specialising in quality caffeine. In 2018, BLACKCOFFEE by Cafe Younes was launched to offer coffee lovers premium selections from all over the world. The Dubai branch, in Duja Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road, stocks single-origin beans from Brazil, Yemen, Burundi and more, alongside the cafe's signature blends. It also runs masterclasses, covering everything from roasting to grinding.
11
Rx Coffee Apothecary
Starting in Jumeirah in 2018, Rx Coffee Apothecary has since set up base at more key locations in Dubai, including at City Centre Mirdif. Coffee fans flock here for the Instagrammable decor as well as the top-notch drinks. The shop is decked out like an apothecary, and serves up delicious healthy snacks as well as hot drinks. The owner of Rx has tracked down coffee beans roasted by Fuglen, in Oslo and Tokyo, and is the sole distributor of their coffee in the Middle East.
12
Café Rider Custom
It's the niche, quirky spot that marries excellent coffee with motorbike customisation. And whether you're a petrolhead or not, you'll be charmed by the knowledge of the baristas dispensing your brew, along with dishes piled high with breakfast favourites. Decked out in a cool, industrial style, fans regularly splash out on the merchandise and buy bags of beans to take home.
13
Peet's Coffee
If you're picky about your beans, then you should make a beeline for the Peet's Coffee Discovery Bar, where onsite baristas indulge your every coffee whim, personalising a tasting flight featuring the roastery's signature blend of coffees. Answering questions about custom cups, aromas and single-origin brews, this Californian spot has outposts in Dubai Hills Mall and Dubai Mall. It also champions sustainability, ensuring all beans are used within 28 days of roasting. Choose your favourite espresso, and then team it with an artisanal pastry for the perfect pick-me-up.
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