I’ve had many coffee experiences in 2025, some old and some new and often I wonder and perhaps I pray that one of my faves will open up in the city I live in and so my prayers were answered when I read in Coffee News that Watchhouse, London premier specialty coffee chain was opening in Dubai. Best of all, it wasn’t one of those bulletins that tells you it’ll happen in 2 years’ time, but rather in a matter of weeks and that’s what happened in November 2025. Yay!
Located in a glorified pop-up district called Marsa Boulevard, which opens from 4pm-12pm, next to Dubai Festival City Mall, occupied by many local coffee and cake brands and a very few global brands is Watch house.
You’ll be glad to know that I went twice in the space of 4 days.
On my first visit I wasn’t surprised to see a long queue as I’m sure that many of the Emiratis that were queuing are quite familiar with this brand in central London.
I waited patiently with my daughter and as it was nighttime, I ordered a batch brew. There wasn’t much space to sit because it was too crowded, but we found two seats in front of their brew bar, dotted with lots of V60 brewers.
I found out later from one of the barista that they pre-dose and pack their filter coffees and place them in a freezer and just take them out and start brewing once an order is placed. As we sat down waiting for my coffee, I noticed an AeroPress champion trophy and asked, “who won this?” as I had been a judge at the UAE AeroPress championship two days back and was introduced the guy who came third.
He kindly offered us any coffee we wanted on the house and my daughter went for the matcha … (I was thinking, coffee… but you know trends and GenZ… sigh). In any case I thought, okay a flat white, so that I could sample their milk-based rinks.
I don’t know what they put in this, but it was definitely one of my favourite flat whites of the year… why? Well, I asked the manager and he mentioned the milk they used, and I thought that’s the difference, because their espresso blend, 1829 Espresso, is the same they serve in London.
The batch brew was nice too, with hints of dark fruit but then I noticed he gave me the Ethiopian instead of the El Salvador (I think) I ordered.
A few days later I met a friend for lunch at the same mall and when we finished IO realised that it was 3:30pm…. 30 minutes until Watchhouse opens. So, I strolled around and got there at 4pm prompt…. I was their first customer. I walked around, took a few shots. I was tempted to go all out and get a cake slice… who wouldn’t.
However, one of the staff suggested that a chocolate tart (last pic) will go best with my flat white, so I succumbed. My flat white was beautifully poured by one of their main baristi, hailing from Cameroon. (oops I forgot this name).
I met the head barista from Zimbabwe and he schooled me on their philosophy and I mentioned that I’ve known the brand for years and it’s my go to in London.
Another delicious experience.
I can’t wait to go back and try one of these with my wife….
Perhaps the mini-Basque cheesecake.
From Coffee With Love 