At YABA by Chef Shaheen in Jumeirah, baristas are trading standard espresso pulls for techniques often reserved for fine dining kitchens. The cafe concept by Chef Shaheen, operating out of Vita Mall on Al Wasl Road, approaches beverage preparation like plating a dessert, utilizing smoke, flavored bubbles, and elaborate garnishes.
YABA takes coffee to a whole new level
The cafe’s menu treats standard drinks as a base for complex flavour layering. It goes beyond the normal with extravaganza seeping into every coffee order. The Orangeeno, priced at 40.95 AED, infuses coffee with orange and is finished with a thick layer of vanilla cream. Another coffee option, the Sakura (36.75 AED), blends yuzu with freeze-dried raspberries and is topped with a dome of edible strawberry bubbles.
Matcha preparations also incorporate tableside theatrics and distinct flavor pairings. The Snow Time matcha (38.95 AED) is presented in a cloud of dry ice smoke and topped with crispy coconut flakes. A rich pistachio alternative, the Misteca, is available for 39.50 AED.
The Blueberry Bomb is the menu’s most structurally unusual offering. Costing 42 AED, the blue matcha beverage is served underneath a massive sphere of blue cotton candy that extends far past the edges of the cup.
The counter setup at YABA by Chef Shaheen operates more like a culinary lab than a traditional espresso bar, with each drink built to order using specialised kitchen tools.
Key information
- Location: YABA Modern Iraqi, Vita Mall, Al Wasl Rd, Jumeirah 1, Dubai
- Timings: 8AM to 12AM
- Price for two: AED 300-400
