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Tourists flock to Dubai’s malls—but skip this cultural coffee treasure

Why the Dubai coffee museum is worth a visit

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Dubai Coffee
Emily Caldwell / The Manual

I’ll admit it—I’m a bit of a coffee nerd and I’m not afraid to admit that. No matter where I travel, I find myself curious to explore the coffee culture. From the Freddo Espresso of Greece to the Crema al Caffè in Italy. Naturally, my visit to Dubai opened the door for lots of coffee exploration, including a visit to the Dubai Coffee Museum located in the Al Fahidi historical neighborhood in Old Dubai.

As you plan your trip to Dubai, you’ll certainly hear lots about the endless malls and attractions in this modern city. Yet, in a city focused so much on luxury attractions and shopping, there’s a hidden cultural coffee treasure waiting to be explored. Though everyone seems to be talking about the Dubai Frame and the Burj Khalifa, tourists shouldn’t overlook this unique coffee experience. And the best part is, you don’t have to be a coffee nerd like I am to enjoy a short visit to this coffee museum.

What to explore

Dubai Coffee
Emily Caldwell / The Manual

There’s something everyone can learn about coffee by visiting this museum — whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual coffee drinker with limited knowledge. Inside the museum, you can explore coffee beans sourced from countries and learn about coffee styles from different parts of the world — including Arabic coffee. You’ll also get the chance to watch a demonstration of roasting coffee beans and get a small sample cup to sip on.

History of coffee

Dubai Coffee
Emily Caldwell / The Manual

As you roam through the various exhibits, you can explore the history of coffee, learning the legend of Kaldi dating back to the Ethiopian highlands. I enjoyed checking out the large timeline outlining the history of coffee. Regardless of your coffee knowledge, I think understanding the roots and origins of this favorite beverage is something everyone can find fascinating. Even my husband, who despises coffee, found learning about the history of coffee interesting.

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My personal favorite part of the experience was checking out the antique coffee artifacts, including coffee grinders and kettles used way before my time. While exploring these, it felt like a good reminder that the city we know as Dubai today is a long way from what it used to be. The museum’s location within the Old Dubai area is fitting, as a museum like this wouldn’t make sense in the center of the flashy, luxury downtown area of the city.

Tips for visiting the Dubai Coffee Museum

Dubai coffee
Emily Caldwell / The Manual

If you’re interested in visiting the Dubai Coffee Museum, I recommend doing so on a day you plan to explore all of Old Dubai. This attraction is located in the Al Fahidi Neighborhood, an area that’s easily accessible on foot. The museum itself is fairly small, taking at most 30 minutes to an hour to explore (depending on how long you move throughout the various rooms).

With this in mind, it’s perfect to add to your Old Dubai itinerary as you explore other attractions in the area, such as exploring the spice souks and taking an abra ride across Dubai Creek. The entrance fee is only 10 Durhams per person (less than $3 USD) and includes a coffee sampling.

Emily Caldwell
Emily Caldwell
Contributor
Emily is a Features Writer at The Manual, where she specializes in food, beverage, and travel content. She focuses on weaving…
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