Want to actively participate in coffee culture? Navigating away from commercial coffee providers such as Starbucks and Costa, Coffee Culture has a new tide and its rooted in specialty coffee. Not limited to providing a good imported bean and instagrammable marble table top – it takes much more to qualify for the top of a caffeine snobs list. Considering vibes, offering and even brand ethos, according to our caffeine snobs, here are the coolest coffee culture cafes, bringing culture to the region through more ways than just the cup.

Amongst Few Café

Coffee with a side of authenticity, located opposite views of the Jumeriah mosque , warm sunlight and the finest curated playlist of Rap, Hip Hop and R&B.

Located in Palm Strip Mall, at the center of OG Dubai, Amongst Few Café is not here to play games when it comes to coffee. Perfectly roasted beans, a variety of dairy alternatives (oat, coconut or soy milk – you name it!) and a team of baristas who know what’s up.

More than just a Barista, Amongst Few are active participants in the culture, with their locally designed streetwear shop at arm’s length from the cafe. Serving up legendary pancakes and even a burger dubbed the “ASAP Ferger” by none other than ASAP Ferg himself, coffee is not the only contributor to culture at this place.

For all the late-night hustlers, last minute university cram sessions or freelancers burning the midnight oil- Amongst Few stays open from 8:00 A.M. up until 11:00 P.M.

Selectshop FRAME

In the heart of D3, where all Dubai’s creative spirit participates in their version of the 9-5, Frame is the creative oasis for coffee lovers and streetwear collectors alike.

Bringing LA Vibes, curated art and streetwear education, frame shares its space with its sister concept YUI – one of the best Ramen stores in town.

A great place to network without having to sacrifice a good bean – Frames baristas know how to put it down when it comes to the art of the roast. Bringing life to signature hot or cold brews, they also have a selection of ice teas, Spanish lattes and specialty caffeine brews that will have you addicted.

Though it is situated in the heart of office buildings for the creative mind, Frame’s selection is so strong that it is even packed on weekend evenings.

Seven Fortunes

Since opening up their café in 2015, Seven Fortunes have been bringing the goods from Ethiopia, Brazil, Columbia, Guatemala and much more. Acting as more than just a cafe, Seven Fortunes supplies some of the city’s top baristas with their bean and even trains their staff on how to roast.

So.. what if you could go straight to the source? Want to refine and test your coffee buds? Pop into Seven Fortunes for a more peaceful secluded afternoon and put your coffee knowledge to the test while you work straight from their warehouse outlet and coffee bar in Al Quoz. A literal lesson in coffee culture, Seven fortunes is one of the first providers in the region to invest into the coffee culture of not just their café, but several in the region and for that, they will always be a caffeine snobs favourite.

For more recommendations we got you covered here!