Stracciatella e Macchiato

Literally at every other corner of Dubai you would find a coffee shop offering the usual fare in paper cups of different sizes. For coffee connoisseurs on the other hand it has been tough to find what they are looking for. This is now changing.

Caffeine seekers would typically choose from a handful of brands and franchises fully dominating the market. Starbucks, Costa Coffee, Tim Hortons and a few Caffè Neros here or there. A quick online research suggests that the UAE coffee market has been one of the fastest growing ones in the world since 2010 – no wonder seeing people sipping cappuccinos, lattes and frappuccinos around the clock. I do like a cup from those global brands once in a while, however true enjoyment comes only from a well prepared cappuccino made of freshly roasted beans. While the mentioned domination of the coffee market is far from over, there is a small but fine coffee scene evolving in Dubai.

Over the past few years some brave entrepreneurs started ventures in this field. They have opened independent coffee shops, invested in proper espresso machines from La Marzocco, La Cimbali or similar and put quality at the top of their agenda. Among a few others there are two pioneers who were and still are instrumental for this development: Raw Coffee Company in Al Quoz, which daily roasts ethically sourced coffee beans from around the world (read about our visit here). And Tom&Serg, also located in Al Quoz.

A bit hidden in Dubai’s industrial borough – which is slowly developing into an art hub – Tom&Serg is located in a former warehouse that has been fantastically transformed into a truly urban coffee bar and restaurant. They call themselves “a proper café” and I believe thats what Tom&Serg is. Think cool places in Melbourne, Sydney & San Francisco and you can imagine this place’s interior design. I believe the correct term is industrial interior design, but what ever it is called, it hits the pulse of time. Glas storefront, high ceilings, white tiles, exposed brick walls and lots of concrete make a bright interior, clean and comfortable. Ample tables on the ground floor as well as upstairs, this place is able to cater for a good number of coffee lovers simultaneously.

The barista deserves his title and puts the La Marzocco to good use. A great double shot of espresso topped with perfectly firm milk foam makes it one of the best cappuccinos in town. Not to forget the obligatory foam art of course. Cappuccino is only one way of how to enjoy a cup coffee here – espresso, latte, flat white, cold brew, cold drip and the re-born filter coffee are just some of what one can choose from. Breakfast comes in different flavors, embracing global trends as well as regional tastes and there is no passing the pastry counter without ordering something.

While weekends are quite busy all day, breakfast on a weekday is less bustling and makes a great occasion to also read a newspaper. But guests at Tom&Serg are not limited to coffee and breakfast only. We get to know from one of their staff that lunch is one of their busiest times every day before the shop closes at 4PM on weekdays and 6PM on weekends.

If you haven’t been there yet I do recommend to stop by sometime soon to not only enjoy a great cup of coffee but to join the developing coffee scene appreciated by Dubaians of all origins.