Dubai’s Coffee Culture: From Sand-Brewed to Specialty Cafes

Coffee isn't just what you drink every morning on the go in Dubai, like it has become in other countries. In other words, the coffee culture in Dubai is much more than simply just getting your next caffeine fix; it's a cultural experience and a form of art that many witness and express daily. The roots of this drink, which has become a specialty of the city, go back to the Bedouin desert camps where the drink was originally brewed over the burning sand while the ones preparing and those drinking it shared stories and allowed news to travel. Over time, this has evolved, and now the city of Dubai is filled with Instagram-ready cafes on every corner. Dubai’s coffee culture, like many other things, has gone through quite a change over the years, and now it has become a perfect blend of Emirati tradition and global trends.

Before all the glitz and glamour entered the famous city of Dubai, coffee was already a huge part of everyday life for imitators, and during the time of the Bedouins, it was much more than just another drink; it was a gesture and the symbol of hospitality and how the community interacted with each other. Traditional Arabic coffee, or gahwa, used to brew slowly over the heat of coals or even in the blistering desert sands, and the spices added just enhanced the flavor of the drink; cardamom, clove, saffron They used to serve the drink in delicate cups with the best dates, and it brought a certain warmth and mutual respect in gatherings.

This tradition hasn't exactly died out with time. If you visit the locals and go to their houses, they still practice this symbol of hospitality, and while there may be small changes in the brewing, it still stands for the same hospitality. If you want to experience it and there's no one to invite you to their house, places like Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant in Al Fahidi Historical District of Arabian Tea House are also places you can visit to understand this hospitality better. Visitors can also grab some freshly made gahwa at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding.

Dubai, sick of hiding its ability to shine, opened itself to the world, and with this, so did the tastes in coffee. Many international chains started to open in the city and introduced all kinds of new drinks that the locals were not aware of, frothy cappuccinos, iced cappuccinos, and the evolution of this relaxing activity turned into a casual one-on-the-go drink for those who needed their quick fix every morning.

The rise of specialty cafes was racing ahead, but it was intentional, not something the city had expected. Places such as % Arabica, which is in the Dubai Mall and City Walk, introduced ideas like minimalism from Japanese culture, and other places like Espresso Lab, on the other hand, took hold of the idea that brewing drinks is both a science and a form of art and took off with the idea. The grey in Jumeirah and Boon Coffee Roasters proved that the local roasting methods can easily fit in and integrate sleek aesthetics without taking away from the experience, and suddenly things started to slow down once more, and coffee started to go back to being about experience more than convenience.

The new generation is simply fueled by one thing and one thing only, and that is social media. Everything is just about Instagram, design, culture, and the new rise of the third-wave coffee movement all around the world. This has taken the appreciation towards coffee to a new level and now everything about coffee matters and it's not just a drink, people need to know everything about it because they want to appreciate it, from the origin of the beans being used to the size of grinds and even the technique used by the baristas to pour the drinks.

If you pay a visit to The Sum of Us near Trade Centre, you'll be able to find in-house roasted single-origin beans, sourdough that's freshly baked out of the oven, and a place filled with employees and students all hard at work with their drinks in hand. On the other hand, Brew Cafe, located in Jumeirah, is well known for its underrated vibes and immaculate attention to detail. Another great place is Drop in Dar Wasl, and it's one of the most premium places that serves cups that have been brewed with the utmost care, with their Scandinavian twist on the way they do things.

Let's not forget Nightjar at Al Quo, where they love to experiment and you love to try it. There's also Rx Coffee Apothecary, and this is one of those hidden gem cafes that not many know about, but we're not here to gatekeep; we want you to experience the best. The place has a medicinal theme, and the baristas are scientists with their lab coats and drinks that look more like science experiments than some brewed coffee.

This isn't just about coffee anymore; the city has taken what was once a tradition for intimate gatherings and made it into an experience for all to enjoy. And the best part is that the drink still hasn't lost the meaning it has in households, and the same traditions are still upheld even now.