The ultimate guide to the best coffee roasters in Dubai (2025 Edition)

Dubai’s specialty coffee culture has grown exponentially in the past decade, transforming the city into a hotspot for third-wave coffee. What was once a region dominated by traditional Arabic coffee and commercial blends has now evolved into a diverse, experimental, and highly competitive coffee market. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) coffee industry is projected to reach $11.5 billion by the end of this year, with Dubai leading the charge in specialty coffee innovation. This boom is evident in the rise of world-class coffee roasters, many of which are setting new standards in sourcing, roasting, and brewing.

The specialty coffee movement in Dubai is defined by traceability, sustainability, and precision roasting. From direct trade beans sourced from the best coffee farms to state-of-the-art roasting facilities, the city is home to some of the finest coffee roasters in the world. Whether you prefer light-roasted Ethiopian beans bursting with floral notes or a complex anaerobic-processed Colombian coffee, Dubai’s specialty coffee scene has something for every palate.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to Dubai’s best coffee roasters.

Specialty Batch Coffee Roasters – Pioneers of Specialty Coffee in Dubai

Location: Mina Rashid

Founded in 2013 by Ryan Godinho, Specialty Batch Coffee Roasters was among the first specialty coffee roasters in Dubai, shaping the industry with direct trade sourcing, meticulous roasting, and expert training programs. Their 7,000-square-foot roastery in Mina Rashid features a waterfront coffee bar, where visitors can experience their hand-selected, freshly roasted beans. They focus on high-scoring microlots and exclusive processing methods, ensuring each batch is perfectly roasted to enhance its origin characteristics. Their SCA-certified training and consulting services make them a cornerstone of Dubai’s specialty coffee education and development.

The Espresso Lab – Precision-Driven Minimalist Coffee

Location: Dubai Design District (d3)

Founded by Ibrahim Al Mallouhi, The Espresso Lab is a meticulously curated specialty coffee experience. Known for its minimalist aesthetics, scientific brewing approach, and exceptional single-origin offerings, this roastery operates with an obsessive focus on quality and balance. Every coffee served is carefully sourced from top-tier producers, roasted with precision, and brewed using strict, data-driven extraction methods. Their menu features highly sought-after coffees, such as rare Geisha varieties and anaerobic-processed microlots. Located in d3, their coffee shop is a quiet, meditative space designed for true coffee appreciation—free from distractions and additives. Their roastery is located in Al Quoz.

Grandmother Coffee Roastery – A Cozy, Artisan Roastery in Al Quoz

Location: Al Quoz

Grandmother Coffee Roastery is a small-batch specialty coffee roaster that offers a warm, home-like ambiance with a focus on artisanal roasting. Their barista bar, decorated with hanging clay pots, provides an intimate and welcoming environment for coffee lovers. Grandmother sources limited, high-scoring microlots, often featuring experimental fermentation methods. With a commitment to quality over quantity, Grandmother Coffee is a hidden gem for those seeking unique and exclusive single-origin coffees roasted with precision and care.

I have a friend who lives in Germany and works in coffee. His job requires him to travel the world. To maintain his sanity, between meetings, he visits local coffee shops. On his first visit to Dubai, he asked for my recommendations. Naturally, I added Grandmother to the list. His review? When you combine the selection of coffee, how that coffee is roasted and customer service, Grandmother is in the top 3 of his list of the best coffee experiences in the world.

To me, the highlight of Grandmother is Freddy Warrens, the head of coffee and the guy who runs the place. Without a doubt, one of the best humans of coffee in the United Arab Emirates.

Cypher Roastery – A Tech-Driven Specialty Coffee Powerhouse

Location: Al Quoz

Established in 2016, Cypher has built a reputation for scientific roasting, innovative processing, and sourcing from world-renowned producers. Their Al Quoz facility supplies high-end cafes, restaurants, and home brewers with consistently excellent specialty coffee. They frequently experiment with carbonic maceration, honey-processing, and anaerobic fermentation, pushing the limits of flavor and complexity. Cypher’s focus on high-acidity, fruit-forward coffees has made them a favorite among coffee professionals and enthusiasts.

Another of my friends who works in coffee here in Dubai considers Cypher the best roastery in the city. It’s tough to argue the point.

Intellect Coffee – Bridging Specialty Coffee and Accessibility

Location: Al Quoz

Intellect Coffee is one of the fastest-growing specialty coffee brands in Dubai, bridging the gap between high-end specialty coffee and mainstream accessibility. Unlike many roasters that cater solely to coffee professionals, Intellect aims to make premium coffee approachable and easy to brew at home. They also offer wholesale solutions, barista training, and coffee consulting, making them an ideal partner for businesses looking to upgrade their coffee programs.

RoR Coffee Roastery – A Scientific Approach to Roasting

Location: Al Quoz

RoR Coffee Roastery takes a precision-driven, scientific approach to coffee roasting, ensuring flavor clarity and consistency in every batch. RoR has built a reputation for high-quality, single-origin offerings and cutting-edge processing techniques. RoR is also a hub for coffee education, frequently hosting cupping sessions, brewing workshops, and barista training programs. With its commitment to pushing boundaries, RoR is a must-visit for coffee professionals and home brewers alike.

I love RoR for one reason: their Head of Coffee, Estella. A knowledgeable coffee professional and a fantastic human being.

The Coffee Lab – Mina Rashid’s Experimental Coffee Hub

Location: Mina Rashid

Located in Mina Rashid Marina, The Coffee Lab specializes in experimental coffee roasting, cutting-edge processing, and brewing innovation. Their approach is rooted in scientific research, constantly testing new fermentation techniques, roast profiles, and extraction methods. The Coffee Lab is also one of the few specialty coffee spots in Dubai with a waterfront location, offering an incredible setting for coffee appreciation. The Coffee Lab is a must-visit.

Earth Roastery – Sustainability-Driven Specialty Coffee

Location: Al Quoz

Earth Roastery is a specialty coffee brand that prioritizes sustainability, direct trade, and eco-conscious sourcing. Originally founded in Kuwait, Earth Roastery expanded into Dubai with a mission to bring ethically sourced, organic, and high-quality coffee to the UAE. Their roasting philosophy emphasizes clean, well-balanced profiles, allowing the natural flavors of the beans to shine. If you’re looking for a sustainable coffee brand with a strong ethical commitment, Earth Roastery is a perfect choice.

Nightjar Coffee Roasters – Alserkal Avenue’s Craft Coffee and Beverage Innovators

Location: Alserkal Avenue

Nightjar Coffee Roasters is one of Dubai’s most iconic specialty coffee brands, combining expert roasting, a lively café atmosphere, and a strong emphasis on craft beverage innovation. Located in Alserkal Avenue, Nightjar is a cultural hub, attracting artists, creatives, and coffee lovers who appreciate exceptional quality in both coffee and hospitality. If you want to experience specialty coffee in a high-energy, artistic setting, Nightjar is the place to go.

Boon Coffee – Dubai’s Ethiopian Coffee Specialists

Location: Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT)

Boon Coffee is a Dubai-based roastery specializing in Ethiopian coffee, founded by Ethiopian coffee expert Orit Mohammed. Their mission is to highlight the incredible diversity and heritage of Ethiopian coffee, sourcing heirloom varieties directly from farmers. Their offerings include washed and natural Yirgacheffe, Guji, Sidamo, and Harrar coffees, known for their vibrant acidity, floral aromatics, and fruit-forward profiles. Boon’s roasting style preserves the delicate flavors of Ethiopian coffee, ensuring clarity and balance. Their JLT café offers a welcoming space to experience authentic Ethiopian coffee culture, making Boon a must-visit for lovers of bright, complex coffees.

Cafe Rider – Specialty Coffee Meets Custom Motorcycle Culture

Location: Al Quoz

Cafe Rider is a unique establishment in Dubai’s Al Quoz area, seamlessly blending specialty coffee culture with custom motorcycle craftsmanship. Housed in a spacious warehouse, it offers a distinctive ambiance where patrons can enjoy high-quality, organic coffees roasted in-house while admiring bespoke motorcycles. Beyond its coffee offerings, Cafe Rider has become a community hub, attracting both coffee aficionados and motorcycle enthusiasts, making it a standout destination in Dubai’s vibrant café scene.

Scarab Coffee Roasters – Dubai’s Newest Specialty Roastery

Location: Al Qusais Industrial 1

Scarab Coffee Roasters is Dubai’s newest specialty coffee roaster, but it has already made an impact by assembling some of the most skilled coffee professionals in the region. Their approach to coffee roasting is highly precise, ensuring each batch brings out the best characteristics of the beans. Scarab sources high-scoring, traceable coffees and though still new, their attention to quality control, an expert team, and commitment to innovation make them one of the most promising roasters in Dubai.

You can’t go wrong with coffee in this city

From established pioneers like RAW and Specialty Batch to exciting newcomers like Scarab, Dubai’s specialty coffee scene has never been stronger. Whether you’re looking for a light, floral Geisha, a funky anaerobic-processed Colombian, or a classic chocolatey espresso blend, there’s a roastery in Dubai that has exactly what you need.

Dubai has firmly established itself as a global specialty coffee destination, and with so many incredible roasters pushing the boundaries of coffee quality, one thing is certain: you really cannot go wrong with coffee in this city.

Who else do you think deserves to be on this list?