Dubai’s café scene is globally praised, but one experience stands apart with its depth and history: Turkish coffee. Unlike espresso shots or flat whites, Turkish coffee isn’t simply brewed—it’s crafted. It’s poured thick, rich, unfiltered, and laced with centuries of tradition. In a city that constantly reinvents itself, Dubai has managed to protect the charm of this ritual while still giving it a local twist. Whether you’re in a quiet corner of Al Safa or atop a rooftop café in Downtown, Turkish coffee has found a home across the city.
Understanding the Ritual Behind the Cup
To drink Turkish coffee in Dubai is to engage in a ritual that begins before the coffee even touches your lips. Traditionally brewed in a small cezve, this coffee is slowly simmered—not boiled—and served in tiny cups called fincans, often adorned with intricate Ottoman patterns. The foam on top is sacred; the grounds at the bottom even more so. Many Emiratis and long-term residents understand that this is not a beverage for rushing. It’s for sitting, conversing, contemplating. In fact, fortune reading from coffee grounds is still practiced in several cafés across the UAE.
Best Spots to Experience Authentic Turkish Coffee
Dubai is dotted with venues where Turkish coffee is brewed in copper pots and served with rose-flavored Turkish delight. Hafiz Mustafa 1864 in The Dubai Mall is perhaps the most iconic among them. It offers an Istanbul-style café experience with marble countertops, gilded mirrors, and rows of sugar-dusted sweets. In Jumeirah, smaller, less commercial cafés like Kaftan Turkish Cuisine & Fine Art blend fine Turkish dining with elegant coffee presentation. You’ll often find Emirati guests enjoying an afternoon break, reflecting how well this tradition has merged into local rhythms.
Workshops That Teach You More Than Brewing
For those who want to go beyond the cup, Dubai offers workshops that dig into both the brewing process and the cultural significance. One such example is the Skilldeer Turkish Coffee Cup Reading Course in Al Barsha. It’s a three-hour immersion where participants not only learn the art of preparing Turkish coffee over low heat but also how to read fortunes from the remaining grounds. The session dives into symbolism, gesture, and storytelling—essential aspects of Turkish culture that many don’t realize are tied to the coffee experience itself.
Home Brewing: Where to Find Equipment and Beans
Not every Turkish coffee enthusiast wants to head out every time a craving strikes. Luckily, Dubai has a growing selection of specialty stores and online shops that deliver Turkish coffee equipment right to your door. Selamlique Turkish Coffee Istanbul, for instance, sells cezves, grinders, and copper trays, alongside finely ground coffee blends infused with cardamom, mastic, or chocolate. For those in a rush, even supermarkets like Waitrose in Dubai Marina carry pre-ground Turkish coffee in sealed tins, though nothing beats the aroma of freshly ground beans at home.
Cultural Touchpoints in Turkish Coffee Traditions
In Turkish culture, offering coffee is a gesture of hospitality. In Dubai, this aligns beautifully with Emirati customs of welcoming guests with Arabic coffee and dates. It’s not uncommon to see households that serve both styles depending on the occasion. At Turkish weddings, for example, the bride traditionally prepares salty coffee for the groom—a test of his patience and humor. Some cafés in Dubai reenact this as part of private dining experiences or themed nights, especially during Ramadan. It’s these subtle cultural fusions that make Dubai’s Turkish coffee scene more than just imported tradition—it becomes locally embraced heritage.
Coffee with a View: Rooftop and Seaside Spots
While authenticity is key, ambiance plays a huge role in how Turkish coffee is enjoyed in Dubai. Rooftop cafés like HuqqA Dubai in Al Safa offer sweeping views of the canal and serve Turkish coffee in lavish silver sets. At The Beach JBR, Bosporus Turkish Cuisine brings the Istanbul Bosphorus vibe to the Arabian Gulf, with outdoor tables, Ottoman lanterns, and thick coffee paired with baklava. These locations aren’t just about the beverage—they’re about atmosphere, heritage, and creating a moment that lingers longer than the caffeine buzz.
What to Expect When You Order Turkish Coffee in Dubai
First-time drinkers might be surprised: Turkish coffee is unfiltered, stronger than it looks, and often slightly sweetened. In Dubai, you’ll usually be asked how sweet you’d like it—sade (unsweetened), orta (medium), or şekerli (sweet). It’s typically served with a small glass of water to cleanse the palate and sometimes a cube of Turkish delight. Don’t stir it once it’s served—doing so disrupts the foam and unsettles the grounds. Take small sips, pause often, and let the coffee work its magic slowly.
A Gathering Point for Stories and Fortunes
In many Turkish homes, and now in many Dubai cafés, coffee is not the end of a conversation—it’s the beginning. After the last sip, the cup is turned upside down onto its saucer, left to cool, and then gently read. Symbols seen in the grounds are interpreted—mountains, eyes, birds—each with meaning. Some cafés in Dubai now offer casual readings with your coffee order. While not everyone takes the interpretations literally, they offer a fun and introspective way to connect over a shared ritual.
More Than a Drink, It’s a Cultural Bridge
Turkish coffee has received UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status for good reason—it represents more than preparation; it symbolizes togetherness. In Dubai, a city where nationalities blend and global cultures coexist, Turkish coffee has found fertile ground. It brings people together—whether for business, love, or family. It creates slow moments in a fast-paced environment. And perhaps most importantly, it gives people a chance to put down their phones, look each other in the eye, and talk.
This guide was prepared by the www.few.ae team to help you explore Turkish coffee in Dubai not just as a drink, but as a shared story steeped in culture and ritual.
then "Add to Home Screen"