Seven Parisian cafes that inspire the Middle Eastern coffee scene

Parisian coffee rituals are winning over new audiences in the Persian Gulf, where they could bring a new dimension to the regional coffee culture.

Once considered secondary to the culture of European tea rooms, cafés have regained prominence and are delighting a new generation of coffee lovers. For over a century, Paris and coffee have maintained a deeply rooted relationship: its cafés have been cultural centers where gastronomy, conversation, and intellectual life converge.

In the Middle East, high-end coffee culture is booming in Dubai, Riyadh, and Doha, where establishments function as social spaces, creative hubs, and lifestyle destinations. Against this backdrop, Parisian coffee has an image associated with European elegance, creativity, and sophistication, and several institutions in the city appear well-positioned for international expansion.

One model is that of historic cafés. Founded in 1680, Le Procope is considered the first café in Paris and hosted Voltaire, Rousseau, and Benjamin Franklin. Les Deux Magots was associated with Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Ernest Hemingway, and the Café de Flore, in Saint Germain des Prés, combines a world-famous terrace with an Art Deco interior.

The second model is specialty coffee, which is treated as a gastronomic ritual. Coutume selects beans based on their origin and roast, KB CafeShop, near Montmartre, helped introduce third-wave coffee culture to a wider Parisian audience, and Ten Belles is recognized as one of the pioneers of modern specialty coffee in Paris.

The third model is coffee as a lifestyle brand. Café Kitsuné, developed by the creators of Maison Kitsuné, merges minimalism, a distinctive visual identity, and contemporary coffee culture, and has a strong presence on social media. A hybrid concept combining coffee, design, and fashion could be very well received in cities like Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.

The rise of high-end coffee in the region is a response to rapid urbanization, the growth of an affluent middle class, and the strong influence of global culture. However, this expansion requires adaptation: successful concepts in the Gulf typically feature larger premises, striking architecture, and offerings tailored to regional preferences.

Beyond business, the presence of these cafés abroad could be a new form of culinary diplomacy, much like French gastronomy has been. The Parisian café could write its next chapter far from the Seine, without losing its unmistakable essence.

Rotana expands pipeline with 40 properties under development
Once considered secondary to the traditional tearoom culture across Europe, cafes have in recent years regained prominence, delighting a new generation of true coffee enthusiasts. Indeed, Parisian cafes are today experiencing a renewed cultural relevance, blending heritage, craftsmanship and lifestyle appeal.
Ideal lifestyle ambassadors
For more than a century, Paris and coffee have shared a deeply rooted relationship. Indeed, the city’s cafes have long served as cultural hubs where gastronomy, conversation and intellectual life intersect. Today, this tradition may be entering a new phase. Parisian café culture is evolving from a local institution into an exportable hospitality concept. In the Middle East, premium coffee culture is accelerating in cities such as Dubai, Riyadh and Doha. Across the Gulf, coffee shops have evolved far beyond simple beverage venues. Beyond this, they now function as social spaces, creative meeting points and lifestyle destinations. Within this environment, the Parisian café carries a powerful brand image associated with elegance, creativity and European sophistication. As a result, several iconic Paris institutions and innovative café brands appear well positioned for international expansio
A touch of history
Paris’s iconic literary cafes and celebrated terraces represent far more than simple hospitality venues. Their Art Deco interiors, elegant design and timeless atmosphere have made them enduring cultural landmarks. In global cities such as Dubai and Doha, prestigious European brands already carry strong appeal. Accordingly, concepts inspired by these historic institutions could evolve into cultural destinations. Combining French gastronomy, Parisian design and heritage storytelling, for example, could resonate strongly with Gulf audiences.
Paris and specialty coffee
Additionally, over the past 15 years, the French capital has witnessed the emergence of a dynamic specialty coffee movement. Pioneering addresses have helped redeﬁne the role of coffee in Paris. These cafes treat it as a gastronomic ritual selected for origin, roasting proﬁle and brewing method. Moreover, they bring barista craftsmanship to the forefront. This new generation of venues has introduced global coffee practices and, as a result, is reshaping consumer expectations.
A lifestyle brand
A third model emerging from Paris is the café as a lifestyle brand. Merging minimalist design, contemporary coffee culture and a distinctive visual identity, such concepts are strongly positioned on social media. In turn, they appeal to a young, international audience seeking curated lifestyle experiences. In cities such as Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, malls, design districts and creative hubs already shape urban culture. Here and in similar locations, a hybrid concept bridging café, design and fashion could therefore ﬁnd signiﬁcant traction.
An expanding market
The growth of premium coffee culture in the Middle East is driven by several factors. These include rapid urbanization, a rising affluent middle class and strong global cultural inﬂuences. Major Gulf cities are now competing to attract international brands across gastronomy, retail and lifestyle sectors. Within this environment, Parisian café culture holds a distinctive advantage thanks to its association with French elegance, culinary heritage and creative expression. However, international expansion requires adaptation. Successful concepts in the Gulf typically involve larger venues, striking architecture and food offerings tailored to regional preferences and cultural expectations.
Gastronomic diplomacy
Beyond commercial opportunity, the international presence of Parisian cafes could represent a new form of culinary diplomacy. Just as French gastronomy and pastries have long served as global ambassadors of French expertise, cafe culture could become another pillar of France’s hospitality inﬂuence. For decades, the terraces of Saint Germain des Prés have symbolized European creativity, intellectual exchange and coffee rituals. In an increasingly globalized hospitality landscape, the Parisian cafe may simply be preparing to write its next chapter far from the Seine yet still unmistakably Parisian. Noelle Faure, chef, food sociologist co-creator Un Couple en Cuisine @noelle_faure sensorielbynoelleetdavidfaure.eatbu.com CAFE DE FLORE Located in Saint Germain des Prés, this cafe showcases a world-famous elegant terrace and Art Deco interior. Historically, it was a popular meeting place for w