Dubai’s specialty coffee scene just welcomed one of the biggest names in the industry. Australian roastery ONA Coffee has officially opened its first-ever international flagship café in Jumeirah 1, marking a major milestone for the award-winning brand founded by World Barista Champion Saša Šestić.
For coffee enthusiasts, this is more than just another café launch. ONA Coffee has spent years building a reputation as one of Australia’s most respected specialty coffee brands, attracting a loyal following through competition-level coffee, direct-trade sourcing, and a strong focus on education and sustainability.
ONA Coffee Dubai Opens Its First International Flagship
Founded in Canberra in 2008, ONA Coffee has grown from a local specialty roastery into one of Australia’s most influential coffee companies.
The business operates flagship locations across Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane while sourcing coffee through direct relationships with producers around the world. ONA also works closely with its own Honduran farm, Finca Beti, as part of its sustainability-focused supply chain.
The brand gained international recognition when founder Saša Šestić won the 2015 World Barista Championship, a victory that helped place ONA among the most respected names in specialty coffee worldwide.
Its signature Raspberry Candy espresso blend later became one of the industry’s most sought-after coffees, earning a reputation among coffee professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Inside The New Jumeirah 1 Café
ONA’s Dubai flagship has been designed as a fully immersive coffee experience.
At the center of the café sits a large communal barista station where guests can watch coffee preparation up close. The layout creates a more interactive environment while showcasing the technical precision behind ONA’s brewing methods.
One of the standout design features is the striking glass ceiling, which floods the space with natural light and gives the venue a distinctive look compared to many cafés across the city.
The menu includes:
- Competition-grade single-origin coffees
- Guided coffee tastings
- ONA’s famous Raspberry Candy blend
- Specialty filter coffee selections
- Turkish Eggs
- Salmon Rosti
- Folded Eggs
- An all-day brunch menu
Why Dubai Was Chosen First
According to founder Saša Šestić, Dubai stood out as the ideal location for ONA’s first expansion outside Australia.
He pointed to the city’s rapidly evolving coffee culture, diverse community, and growing appreciation for specialty coffee as key reasons behind the decision.
ONA also views the Dubai flagship as a long-term investment in the region. The venue includes dedicated infrastructure for training and developing baristas, roasters, and hospitality professionals, helping support the next generation of coffee talent in the UAE.
Dubai’s Specialty Coffee Scene Keeps Growing
The arrival of ONA Coffee Dubai reflects a broader shift taking place across the UAE’s café industry. Over the past few years, Dubai has evolved into one of the Middle East’s leading destinations for specialty coffee, attracting internationally recognised roasters, independent cafés, and championship-level baristas.
Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in coffee origins, processing methods, brewing techniques, and direct-trade sourcing practices. That growing demand has encouraged global brands to view Dubai as more than just a regional market. For many operators, the city now serves as a gateway connecting Europe, Asia, Africa, and the wider Middle East.
ONA’s decision to launch its first international flagship in Dubai highlights the city’s growing influence within the global coffee industry. Rather than choosing traditional expansion markets in Europe or North America, the Australian brand selected Dubai because of its rapidly developing coffee culture and diverse community of specialty coffee enthusiasts.
For local coffee lovers, the opening introduces one of Australia’s most respected specialty coffee names to the UAE market while further strengthening Dubai’s reputation as a destination for world-class food and beverage concepts.
Where To Find ONA Coffee Dubai
Location: 1 41A Street, Jumeirah 1, Dubai
Specialties: Raspberry Candy blend, single-origin coffees, guided tastings
Offering: Specialty coffee and all-day dining
The Bottom Line
ONA Coffee’s arrival in Dubai is one of the biggest specialty coffee openings the city has seen this year. With a World Barista Champion behind the brand, a globally recognized coffee program, and its first international flagship now operating in Jumeirah 1, ONA is entering the UAE market with significant momentum.
For Dubai’s coffee community, the wait is finally over.
Cover Image: @ona.dubai/Instagram
