The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة
The Coffee Lab UAE is a Dubai-based specialty coffee retailer operating since 2015, selling globally sourced coffee beans, premium equipment from La Marzocco and Hario, teas, and Cocoa Pod chocolates via a Shopify DTC storefront serving UAE home baristas and cafe operators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersDubai, United Arab Emirates
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة does
The Coffee Lab UAE (مختبر القهوة) is a Dubai-based specialty coffee retailer founded in 2015, operating primarily through a Shopify-hosted direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront at thecoffeelab.ae, with a single physical pickup location at Shop 4, Marina Cubes, Port Rashid. The company sells globally sourced specialty coffee beans organized into five product lines (Black Line, Red Line, Gold Line, Yellow Line, Arabic Coffee), along with drip coffee, instant specialty coffee, and a tea selection spanning matcha, single-estate Darjeelings, and herbal blends. Its equipment catalog spans entry-level accessories (Dhs 12-500 range) up to premium commercial espresso machines from La Marzocco priced as high as Dhs 135,000, alongside barista tools from Joe Frex, Hario, Pesado, MHW-3BOMBER, and Subminimal. The firm also operates a confectionery sub-brand called Cocoa Pod covering chocolate bars, truffles, bonbons, and spreads.
The business monetizes through one-time product sales across coffee, equipment, tea, and Cocoa Pod chocolate, plus a paid professional consultation service priced at Dhs 5,000 per 60-minute session delivered by founder Osama Al Shalash. Its go-to-market is direct-to-consumer with no disclosed wholesale or marketplace channels, and customer acquisition is driven through organic social media across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Snapchat, and Pinterest, supported by SEO-oriented product content. Target segments are UAE home baristas and coffee enthusiasts, cafes and professional operators procuring commercial equipment, and a secondary segment of tea connoisseurs.
Operationally, the company ships within the UAE, with chocolate products restricted to Dubai and Sharjah due to fulfillment constraints. Headcount stands at 69 employees. There is no disclosed revenue, no funding history, no parent company, no patents or trademarks, no formal partnerships, and no AI capabilities evidenced in the source material — these represent material data gaps for any external diligence effort. The company is privately held and registered in Dubai under UAE governing law.
The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة
- Legal name
- The Coffee Lab UAE
- Website
- https://thecoffeelab.ae
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Coffee Lab UAE is a Dubai-based specialty coffee retailer operating since 2015, selling globally sourced coffee beans, premium equipment from La Marzocco and Hario, teas, and Cocoa Pod chocolates via a Shopify DTC storefront serving UAE home baristas and cafe operators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Coffee Roastery and Equipment Retail
- NAICS
- Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920)
- SIC
- Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Coffee (Roasted, Ground, Whole Bean) (CRADAHAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Specialty Coffee & Tea Retail (Beans, Leaves, Accessories) (CRAHAGAI), Coffee, Espresso & Tea Appliances Retail (CRACADAC)
Keywords
Where The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dubai
- HQ country
- United Arab Emirates
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Sales - Coffee & Equipment: Sale of specialty coffee beans sourced globally, brewing equipment, espresso machines, barista tools, servers, kettles, scales, and accessories. Products range from entry-level home brewing tools to professional-grade equipment like La Marzocco espresso machines.
- Product Sales - Tea & Cocoa: Sale of specialty teas including herbal blends, Darjeeling teas, and matcha powder, as well as artisanal chocolate products under the Cocoa Pod brand including chocolate bars, truffles, and bonbons.
- Consultation Services: Professional coffee consultation sessions with founder Osama Al Shalash lasting 60 minutes, priced at Dhs. 5,000 per session. Sessions are conducted after order confirmation to schedule suitable timing.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Coffee beans - multiple product lines including Black Line, Red Line, Gold Line, Yellow Line, and Arabic Coffee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Brewing equipment and tools |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Professional espresso machines |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tea products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cocoa Pod chocolate products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Professional consultation with Osama Al Shalash |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Coffee Lab UAE is a Dubai-based specialty coffee roaster and equipment retailer that sells globally sourced specialty coffee beans across curated lines (Black Line, Red Line, Gold Line, Yellow Line, Arabic Coffee), drip coffee, instant specialty coffee, premium teas, and professional-grade espresso machines and barista accessories from brands such as La Marzocco, Hario, Joe Frex, Pesado, and Subminimal. It also sells artisanal chocolate products under the Cocoa Pod sub-brand and offers paid 60-minute specialty coffee consultation sessions with founder Osama Al Shalash.
Product overview
The Coffee Lab UAE is a specialty coffee retailer and roaster based in Dubai, operating through Shopify e-commerce platform. The company offers a comprehensive coffee ecosystem including specialty coffee beans (Black Line, Red Line, Gold Line, Yellow Line, Arabic Coffee), drip coffee, instant specialty coffee, and tea products. Their equipment portfolio encompasses espresso machines (La Marzocco, Subminimal NanoFoamer), brewing tools, servers, grinders, tampers, and accessories from brands like Joe Frex, Hario, Pesado, and MHW-3BOMBER. Additionally, they provide chocolate/confectionery products under the Cocoa Pod sub-brand and professional consultation services. The product range is complemented by various barista accessories including milk pitchers, scales, cleaning products, and replacement parts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- COCOA POD: A chocolate product sub-brand offering chocolate bars, dragees, truffles, bark, and spreads.
Products and services
- Specialty Coffee Beans Globally sourced specialty coffee beans sold across multiple curated product lines including Black Line, Red Line, Gold Line, Yellow Line, and Arabic Coffee, positioned for home baristas and coffee enthusiasts in the UAE.
- Drip Coffee Pour-over style specialty coffee products for home brewing, sold as a standalone category on the storefront.
- Instant Specialty Coffee Premium instant coffee products made from specialty coffee beans, positioned as an accessible entry point into specialty coffee.
- Specialty Tea Selection of specialty teas including Matcha Powder, Darjeeling teas (Castleton Second Flush FTGFOP1, Risheehat EX-46/25, Okayti Estate), Blue Tea, Earl Grey, Jasmine Green, White Peach, and various fruit and herbal blends, sold through the storefront at thecoffeelab.ae/collections/tea.
- Espresso Machines Commercial and home espresso machines including La Marzocco LEVA X, Linea PB, Linea Classic, Strada, GB5 X, KB90, and Wally Milk Steamer, as well as the Subminimal NanoFoamer PRO and NanoFoamer PRO GEN-2 for barista-quality milk microfoam, sold at thecoffeelab.ae/collections/espresso-machines.
- Brewing Tools, Equipment & Barista Accessories Coffee brewing equipment and barista accessories including kettles, scales, filters, servers, grinders, tampers (Joe Frex, Pesado, MHW-3BOMBER, Pressino), milk pitchers (Joe Frex in 200ml to 590ml sizes), Hario V60 servers and thermal servers, cups and mugs, cleaning products, water, and replacement parts sold at thecoffeelab.ae/collections/equipments.
- Cocoa Pod Chocolate Artisanal chocolate and cocoa products sold under the Cocoa Pod sub-brand including chocolate bars (70% Dark, 50% Milk), chocolate truffles, bonbon boxes, dragees, bark, cocoa powder, chocolate spreads, and peanut butter at thecoffeelab.ae/collections/cocoa-pod, with delivery currently restricted to Dubai and Sharjah within the UAE.
- Coffee Consultation Service 60-minute specialty coffee consultation session led by founder Osama Al Shalash, priced at Dhs. 5,000 per session, providing personalized specialty coffee expertise and guidance to customers who purchase the service through the storefront.
Companies that use The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- RAW Coffee Company: UAE-based specialty coffee roaster and retailer operating its own cafes and e-commerce. Most direct comparable in geography, product mix (roasted beans + equipment), and target customer (home baristas and professional operators).
- % Arabica: Global third-wave specialty coffee brand with presence in the UAE. Competes on the same premium single-origin positioning and design-led brand identity targeted at quality-conscious consumers.
- Stumptown Coffee Roasters: Specialty coffee roaster with direct-to-consumer e-commerce selling single-origin beans, drip coffee, and brewing equipment. Closely aligned with The Coffee Lab's assortment and enthusiast target customer.
- Seattle Coffee Gear: Online retailer specializing in espresso machines, grinders, and brewing equipment from La Marzocco, Breville, and similar brands. Comparable as a specialty equipment retailer serving home and professional buyers.
- Counter Culture Coffee: Specialty roaster with strong direct-to-consumer and wholesale presence, including training and consultation services for professionals. Comparable curatorial positioning and educational content approach.
- The Roastery (Alchemy): Dubai-based specialty roaster with cafes and bean subscriptions. Competes for the same UAE home barista and cafe customer base with a similar premium positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Blue Bottle Coffee: Large specialty coffee roaster and retailer with global e-commerce and cafe operations. Comparable as a premium specialty bean and equipment retailer targeting enthusiast consumers, though at much larger scale and broader geographic reach.
Others
- Hario: Japanese coffee equipment brand (V60, servers) carried by The Coffee Lab. Relevant as a key equipment supplier whose own direct channels and brand presence shape the competitive dynamics in specialty retail.
- La Marzocco: Premium Italian espresso machine manufacturer whose products The Coffee Lab retails. They are both supplier and indirect competitor through La Marzocco's own direct channels and brand stores globally.
Regional players
- Patchi: Lebanese-origin premium chocolate brand with strong UAE and GCC retail presence. Comparable to Cocoa Pod as a regionally positioned premium chocolate/gifting brand targeting similar UAE and Gulf consumers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة social profiles
Digital presenceThe Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة
What does The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة do?
The Coffee Lab UAE is a Dubai-based specialty coffee roaster and equipment retailer that sells globally sourced specialty coffee beans across curated lines (Black Line, Red Line, Gold Line, Yellow Line, Arabic Coffee), drip coffee, instant specialty coffee, premium teas, and professional-grade espresso machines and barista accessories from brands such as La Marzocco, Hario, Joe Frex, Pesado, and Subminimal. It also sells artisanal chocolate products under the Cocoa Pod sub-brand and offers paid 60-minute specialty coffee consultation sessions with founder Osama Al Shalash.
Is The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة a public or private company?
The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة founded?
The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة was founded in -1. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة based?
The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East region.
How does The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Product Sales - Coffee & Equipment is the primary driver. The others are product Sales - Tea & Cocoa and consultation Services.
Who are The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are RAW Coffee Company, % Arabica, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Seattle Coffee Gear, Counter Culture Coffee and The Roastery (Alchemy). Blue Bottle Coffee is listed as a broad incumbent. Others are Hario and La Marzocco. Patchi is listed as a regional player.
Does The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة.
What industry is The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة in?
The Coffee Lab | مختبر القهوة's product category is Specialty Coffee Roastery and Equipment Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAHAG, Coffee (Roasted, Ground, Whole Bean), with a secondary code of CRAHAGAI, Specialty Coffee & Tea Retail (Beans, Leaves, Accessories). Its NAICS code is 311920 and its SIC code is 2080.