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People relax at a coffee shop in Dubai
Every morning from nine to ten Ebrahim can be found at a coffee shop somewhere in Dubai. It has become part of his daily routine to sit down with an espresso, skim through the papers and ease into his morning, before heading off to the office.
Sometimes he even conducts business meetings at a cafe, and other times, he says he can spend several hours immersed in a good book, without being disturbed - a crucial element and appeal of the new style of cafe.
Coffee culture has long been alive and well in the Arab world. But in the last few years it has taken on a decidedly different face, with Western-style cafes mushrooming across the UAE - particularly in Dubai.
The new phenomenon has not escaped even countries with great coffee traditions of their own, such as Italy.
While coffee remains the central focus, many cafes are now providing free wireless services in a comfortable setting, with couches, music, newspapers and even books in some cases. People are flocking for everything from work reasons to socialising or getting some time to themselves.
"I think the concept behind the coffee shop is ingenious because things have moved from a restaurant type atmosphere to a purely social place," explained Emirati businessman and coffee-shop regular Ebrahim Al Fardan.
"You can come alone and read your book. People feel more comfortable going to a coffee shop because the concept and the system has changed, so that now you order and pay at the counter. No one bothers you - this is the secret behind the coffee shop."
Those working in the industry also extol on the current boom.
"We work in a very friendly atmosphere; everyone comes here and feels as though they are at home. They come to meet friends, relax and just have coffee," said Ciprian, a Romanian assistant manager of a coffee shop in Jumeirah.
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