Dubai sets record for world's most expensive coffee at £500 a cup

Dubai has set a new mark for the world’s most expensive cup of coffee, with Roasters, an Emirati chain, serving a cup priced at AED 2,500 (about £503) and earning a Guinness World Record on Sept. 13 at its Downtown Dubai flagship.

The cup was brewed using the V60 method and presented in a bespoke Edo Kiriko crystal glass. It was crafted from Panama Esmeralda Geisha beans, widely lauded for floral, fruity and citrus notes that coffee industry observers say offer a distinctly elevated sensory experience. Customers at the event were treated to Geisha-themed desserts as they sampled the record-breaking beverage, which Roasters described as establishing a new standard for luxury coffee experiences worldwide. A Guinness World Record adjudicator confirmed, during the official ceremony, that the record had been achieved by Roaster’s Specialty Coffee House, expressing congratulations to the team. The announcement was reported by coffee roaster specialists Mr Bean Coffee LTD.

The milestone comes as Dubai deepens its profile as a luxury coffee hub. In a related development, a Dubai-based startup that was only a week old at the time stunned the global coffee industry by purchasing the entire 20-kilogram lot of washed Geisha coffee from Hacienda La Esmeralda for $604,000 at the Best of Panama 2025 auction, approximately $30,204 per kilogram. That aggressive move signaled the city’s growing appetite for rare beans and premium caffeinated experiences that command top-dollar in international markets.

Roasters operates four locations across the city, continuing to push Dubai’s reputation as a center for premium coffee servings and experiential hospitality. The record has sparked discussions among investors, industry veterans and coffee leaders about the trajectory of luxury coffee pricing and the broader implications for specialty beans, sourcing, and branding in the Middle East.

Analysts and executives cited by industry outlets described the event as part of a broader trend: markets are increasingly valuing not only the beverage itself but the story, provenance and prestige surrounding high-end coffee. Dubai’s ascent in this segment comes amid a wave of ambitious hospitality projects that aim to blend ultra-luxury experiences with culinary and beverage innovation, reinforcing the city’s position in the global market for premium consumer goods.

Beyond the coffee milestone, Dubai is advancing other high-profile developments that underscore its aspirational growth trajectory. The city’s new Ciel Tower hotel, slated to open later this year, will stand about 365 meters tall with more than 82 floors and over 1,000 rooms. It is also advertised as featuring what officials describe as the world’s highest infinity pool, on the 76th floor.

The record for the most expensive cup of coffee illustrates Dubai’s expanding role in the premium end of the hospitality and consumer goods market, where limited-edition offerings, rare beans and curated experiences are increasingly driving attention and investment. While critics may point to the speculative and headline-driven nature of some luxury trends, supporters say the focus on provenance, craftsmanship and experiential retail is fueling a broader interest in specialty coffee and related luxury sectors. Authorities and industry participants alike say the development aligns with Dubai’s broader economic diversification strategy, which emphasizes tourism, aviation, real estate and high-margin consumer services.

As the market watches how these ultra-premium coffee ventures perform, Roasters’ Guinness World Record stands as a marker of what the city is willing to fund and celebrate: bold ideas, rare ingredients and a luxury service model that aims to attract a global audience of enthusiasts and investors seeking standout experiences. Dubai’s luxury coffee narrative has moved from novelty to a tested market dynamic, with implications for sourcing, pricing, branding and international competition in the global specialty coffee arena.