Forget unicorns and the perfect swirls on your coffee’s frothy microfoam, that’s so 2021. 2022 is all about putting your face on a cup of joe and taking self-love to the next level at The Dolci. This chic little Italian café in City Walk harbours a well-kept secret: they create Dubai’s only selfie coffee. Like the name suggests, YOU will be the work of art on the latte.
The Dolci have only been serving their hi-tech java only for two months but it’s already been getting tongues wagging and Instagram feeds buzzing. Why wouldn’t it? Just look at the photorealistic precision of the latte art…
How do they do it? Exit human baristas and enter AI – a robotic coffee printer is their secret to recreating any image you desire on the canvas of frothy milk using edible ink made from coffee extracts.
Like any trending dish worth its salt foam, the printed coffee art is off-menu. Mention ‘coffee with a photo’ to the wait staff and they’ll happily oblige, walking you through the simple three-step process of twinning with your drink.
First, figure out what kind of hot coffee you’d like to sip on; the artwork is only possible on warm coffee with foamy milk, but you get to choose from a wide array of cappuccino, latte, mocha, spanish latte, etc. Once your drink has been finalised, scan a QR code on your phone, which instantly hooks you up to the coffee printer’s webpage. Then, upload a picture of your choice or even take a photo live and the image is sent to the machine.
Once the barista prepares you coffee the old-school way, it’s placed on the printer et voila! In 20 seconds (or less, depending on the image chosen) your bespoke coffee art is ready.
Is the resemblance to the original picture uncanny? Yes. Is it unsettling to see your own face stare back at you from a cup of mocha? Very. But is it a wildly unique and whacky experience to have? One hundred percent. And as if all those weren’t enough reasons to try this coffee out, here’s the cincher: it only costs AED 17.
The machine prints more than just selfies and portraits on your coffee. If it’s an image of your favourite anime character, K-pop icon, or an intricate mandala design that catches your fancy, this coffee printer is a genie that will grant your wish.
They’ll even print out an inspirational quote from a fridge magnet if that’s the shot of caffeine that get you pumped to take on the day.
As you’re busy Instagramming your selfie coffee from every angle possible and the munchies kick in, there’s plenty to order from The Dolci’s expansive menu of breakfast, main courses and desserts.
Nibbling on croffles or tiramisu, as your face dissolves into beige nothingness is an existential dining experience like no other.