The rise of coffee shop culture: Beyond the brew, how cafes are ideal spots for friendship, business and solitude

Let’s note down the cafes first.

Before every trip, a close friend of mine meticulously notes down all the different cafes and coffee shops in the city or town we are about to visit. It’s her favourite part of the holiday: Skipping from one café to the other. And I can see why, she always finds differently coloured, warm coffee shops to sit in for hours; shops that have comforting décor of some sort, including notes on the wall, plants, or the ones who always serve a little heart in the coffee.

There’s always something beckoning in coffee shops, even for a person like me, who doesn’t even drink coffee. Still, I find myself saying "let’s grab a coffee" whenever meeting friends, whether on weekends or during holidays. The atmosphere is comforting, as it’s filled with the rich, delightful aroma of brewed coffee. Then, there are the sounds of beans grinding and the gentle hiss of whipped cream from the machines. It’s easy to see why someone would just want to spend their day, relaxing on a comfortable chair, with a cup of coffee.

In any café, you’ll find a mix of personalities. Some are tucked away in corners, working away; others linger for hours, chatting over endless cups of coffee and shared desserts. Then, there are those who come for solitude, a book in hand and a light snack to accompany them. There’s a unique energy and warmth that coffee shops provide—an environment that draws people in, regardless of their reason for being there.

Victoria Saldungaray, a senior PR executive based in Dubai, shares why she enjoys visiting coffee shops: “I love the relaxed environment. They’re not as hectic as restaurants. It’s an experience in itself—the sound of the steamer, the aroma of the coffee—and you can come with family or friends,” she says.

And there’s always something to discover. “You can even choose your beans or learn about the coffee’s origins,” adds Saldungaray.

This sense of familiarity and comfort is not limited to just those enjoying a quiet afternoon. For many, coffee shops have become a sanctuary for productivity and creativity.

A retreat for authors

The clocks keep ticking, the coffees never run out and the authors keep writing, from morning to afternoon. Nayantara Chawla, a Dubai-based freelancer, has spent over six years, writing her novel in one particular coffee shop in Abu Dhabi. Her routine is simple: She finishes her main work by 1 pm, and from then on, she just writes her novel, while sipping different coffees. There’s one particular place that she likes very much: It’s right by the window, and by now, the shop owners even consider it as her seat. “It’s a second home now,” she says. “They greet me with the brightest smile, point me to my seat, and bring a cappuccino to me in minutes, along with some shortbread cookies that I really love. They even celebrate my birthday,” chuckles Chawla.

Elaborating on why she just prefers a coffee shop to write, she says, “I feel it’s just a lot calmer and less bustling than a regular restaurant. The sounds and smells of coffee in the background, somehow really serve as a push for my creativity, along with my own music, of course. It just feels so relaxing and simultaneously, so stimulating, because I get so much work done, something I don’t manage back at home.”

As she says, she feels at peace. And that, helps her write more. “There’s a sense of belongingness and familiarity associated with coffee shops, and I don’t find that in other places as much,” she says.

Echoing a similar sentiment, Purva Grover, a Dubai-based author recalls her own routine, “I would leave home with my laptop at nine am every day. As I hopped from one café to another, I soon had their Wi-Fi passwords saved in my device; other than that, I'd tasted the lattes and mochas within a radius of a kilometer and, of course, had enough croissant,” she says.  Her first book was inspired from all the hours spent in the surroundings, including coffee beans and the scent of cinnamon. “The joke within my social circle was that I might as well add a personal touch to my writing desk at the coffee shops — a vase, a stationery holder. I'd walk in and plug in the laptop; the barista would get my preferred coffee, sometimes spoil me with an extra cookie, or play my favourite track. The staff at most of these cafés soon knew me by my name and were kind enough to reserve the corner chair for me. They knew I would turn up.” 

And while they’re a refuge for the creative mind, coffee shops are equally a space where friendships blossom and business deals unfold.

A place for friendships and business connections

It's a place where crucial business meetings take place, yet also where you can unwind with friends for hours. Dubai-based Jason Scott, a businessman, explains from his own experience that coffee shops are generally places where people can meet. “It’s low-maintenance, and just so much easier to communicate there, I would say. You can have a casual chat with friends, a business meeting or even a study session. My sixteen-year-old son has had regular study sessions in coffee shops, and he concentrates there better than he does at home,” adds Scott.  “There’s just something about coffee shops that spells friendship, connections and networking. It’s more than just the coffee; it’s always a fun experience of being in the same space,” he adds.

The art of creating an atmosphere

So, what goes on behind really making a coffee shop a hub of social activity and such a comfortable retreat? Ryan Baird, the Corporate Director of Operations and Food & Beverage at The First Group, who designed Risen café, explains his story. As he says, he felt that the most important elements for a café, are a sense of nostalgia. And that’s what he wanted to imbue the café with. “So, I decided to bring certain elements that could remind people of nostalgia. We worked with natural elements, including marble, rock and stone, to create a comforting and home-like environment,” he says. They focussed on music and ambience, so that there’s an atmosphere catering to everyone: From those who are coming for a catch-up, or those who have just arrived on a rushed morning. Music, food, coffee are always the focus: The perfect balance of all, is what crafts the right atmosphere of a coffee shop.  He also emphasises on the importance of lighting.

Elaborating on the different people he sees, “There are so many different kinds of people we see, from creative persons, to graphic designers, and architects. And, everyone needs to be served in a different way. With some, you can’t be over-engaging; they need their space.

The crew at Hoof Café, Dubai, echo similar sentiments. As Eric Delmoro Mabaquiao, the senior barista explains, “People come for some high-quality coffee, or just generally seek a different and unique experience as there’s always such an inviting atmosphere,” he adds.