Gahwa: more than a drink
Arabic coffee in the UAE, gahwa, is lightly roasted, brewed with cardamom and sometimes saffron or cloves, and served without sugar because sweetness comes from the dates alongside it. It is poured from a long-spouted dallah into small handleless cups.
The pouring carries meaning. A half-full cup tells the guest that the host is ready to refill it and continue the conversation. Guests gently shake the cup when they have had enough. Sultan teaches this etiquette directly, so you leave knowing how to take part in a majlis rather than simply describe one.
The session pairs naturally with a Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque tour or a private Abu Dhabi city tour.
Choose your setting
| Setting | Atmosphere | Best for | Season | Price & guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bait Al Gahwa | Traditional coffee house | Authenticity seekers | Year-round | Same |
| Winter Desert | Open sky, evening atmosphere | Photos and ambience | Winter only | Same |
| Your Hotel | Private and convenient | Families and groups | Year-round | Same |
Your session, step by step
The order may adjust slightly for the venue and group, but the complete session lasts around four hours.
Pick-up and arrival
Meet Sultan at Bait Al Gahwa, the winter desert setting or your hotel.
Welcome and majlis seating
Settle into the traditional style used to receive guests.
The dallah and roasting story
See the green beans, traditional tools and the first roasting stage.
Grinding and brewing
Take a turn grinding the roasted beans and brewing them with cardamom.
Three-cup rule and pouring etiquette
Learn how much to pour, how to serve others and how a guest signals they are finished.
Dates, storytelling and open Q&A
Enjoy premium dates while Sultan answers questions about customs, dress and daily life.
What's included, and what's not
Included
- 4 hours with Sultan Karrani, including Emirati guide fees
- Arabic coffee throughout the session
- Premium dates
- Choice of Bait Al Gahwa, winter desert setting or your hotel
- Hands-on roasting, grinding and brewing
- Traditional dallah and cup set
- Open storytelling and Q&A
Not included
- Venue transfer when the session is not held at your hotel
- A full meal
- Personal expenses and tips
Who this session is for
This experience is designed for first-time visitors who want to understand Emirati hospitality, families seeking a hands-on cultural activity, couples wanting a quieter personal experience and guests who prefer open conversation to a scripted cultural show.
Perfect if you...
- Want to take part rather than only watch
- Enjoy cultural stories and open questions
- Are visiting as a family, couple or small group
- Want a meaningful addition to a city or mosque tour
Maybe not, if you...
- Are looking for a full lunch or dinner
- Prefer a large staged cultural show
- Do not have around four hours available
Led personally by Sultan Karrani
Sultan Karrani is a DCT-accredited Lead Emirati Guide and Guide Trainer. He specialises in cultural understanding sessions, heritage storytelling and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque tours. This coffee experience grew from the etiquette briefings he leads for international guests.
Have a date in mind?
Send your preferred date, group size and venue. Our Abu Dhabi team will confirm availability for the coffee session with Sultan Karrani.
Check availability
Frequently asked questions
Gahwa is traditional Arabic coffee, lightly roasted and brewed with cardamom and sometimes saffron or cloves. It is served unsweetened in small handleless cups and is central to Emirati hospitality.
A half-full cup is a sign of respect and generosity because the host can keep refilling it and continue the conversation. Filling it to the brim can suggest that the visit should end.
The experience runs for around 4 hours, including the seated majlis session, roasting, grinding, brewing, pouring etiquette, storytelling, questions and the closing conversation.
Choose Bait Al Gahwa, a traditional coffee-house setting, a winter desert setting, or a private venue at your own hotel. The desert option depends on season and weather.
The price is 490 AED per adult and 390 AED per child, with a minimum of two adults. Arabic coffee, premium dates and Sultan Karrani’s guide fees are included.
Yes. The experience can be added to a half-day or full-day private Abu Dhabi city tour or paired with a Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque tour.
Yes. Children can take part in grinding and pouring under supervision, and the storytelling can be kept simple and engaging for younger guests.
Yes. This is a small-group seated experience with limited availability, so advance booking is recommended, especially for a particular venue or date.
