Dubai – Qahwa World
“Ca Phin Coffee Supply,” founded by partners Tobi Vu and Teena Mathew, is preparing to open its first Vietnamese specialty coffee café in Dubai’s Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) in December 2025, aiming to introduce the UAE market to authentic Vietnamese coffee.
The journey began when the two partners, who were working in Dubai’s design industry, identified an opportunity to bring something unique to the city’s thriving coffee scene.
In an exclusive interview with Coffee World as part of the “Coffee World Talks” series, held on the sidelines of the International Food Week that concluded in Abu Dhabi last week, Tobi Vu shared: “We realized Dubai was missing authentic Vietnamese coffee, and we wanted to fill that gap.”
Initially, the company faced challenges in convincing consumers, as many associated Vietnamese coffee with commercial, low-quality products. Tobi explained, “At first, the response was lukewarm, but we introduced high-quality Robusta and Arabica coffee. Once people tasted it, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
” The company began by distributing samples to roasters and coffee enthusiasts in Dubai to gather feedback before officially entering the market. Following their success, the partners decided to expand by opening their own café.
Tobi Vu elaborated, “Our goal is to make Vietnamese coffee accessible to everyone, not just coffee connoisseurs, and to showcase its quality and unique traditions.
” The café will feature traditional brewing methods, most notably the Vietnamese “Phin” technique—a slow-drip process that produces a rich, aromatic coffee.
The menu will also include innovative drinks inspired by authentic Vietnamese flavors, setting it apart in Dubai’s competitive coffee market.
“We’re not just serving coffee; we’re telling a story. Vietnamese coffee is a culture in itself, and we want to bring that experience to Dubai,” Tobi concluded.
The café’s opening in December 2025 at JLT marks a significant step in promoting Vietnamese specialty coffee in the Middle East.
