A Dubai café has taken the specialty coffee trend to new heights by serving the world’s most expensive coffee at an astonishing price of $980 per cup. This extravagant offering not only showcases the café’s unique positioning within the global coffee market but also aims to elevate Dubai’s specialty scene, creating significant buzz among coffee aficionados.
The city’s specialty coffee landscape is experiencing a transformative moment, thanks to Julith, a local roaster that has introduced the Nido 7 Geisha, renowned as the world’s most valuable coffee.
Recently auctioned for AED 2,218,785 ($604,080) at the 2025 Best of Panama Auction, these extraordinary beans are now available to the public. However, scarcity is a key factor, as only 20 kg exist worldwide, with a portion held exclusively for the Dubai Royal Family.
Most Expensive Coffee in Dubai
The Nido 7 Geisha is cultivated in very limited quantities under ideal micro-climatic conditions in Panama.
Evaluated by a panel of 22 elite coffee experts, it scored an unprecedented 98 points at the Best of Panama competition, marking the highest score ever recorded in the history of specialty coffee.
This remarkable achievement eclipsed previous records, as no coffee had ever garnered a score above 96.5 points. Six judges even rated it a flawless 100, a feat considered extraordinarily rare.
A Latte Money
The extreme scarcity of Nido 7 Geisha ignited a fierce bidding war, culminating in 549 bids from coffee roasters and collectors around the globe. Ultimately, Julith secured this prized lot for AED 2,218,785 ($604,080), setting a historical benchmark for coffee auction prices.
At Julith, patrons can now savor this exclusive beverage for AED 3,600 ($980) as part of the Panama Geisha Experience, a testament to its rarity and value.
Steeped in History
This year’s Best of Panama Auction featured 50 winning lots, from which six coffees scoring above 90 points were acquired by Dubai-based roasteries. This includes other notable establishments like Archers Coffee and The Espresso Lab, alongside Julith.
Together, these roasters are positioning Dubai as a vibrant hub for rare, high-scoring coffees. The city previously made headlines by securing a Guinness World Record for the most expensive cup of coffee sold, albeit with uncertified beans, but Julith’s recent acquisition enhances its credibility.
Unfiltered Quality
While the high price tag and rarity of Nido 7 Geisha have certainly captured attention worldwide, Julith emphasizes that this offering is far more than just a marketing gimmick. It serves as a homage to nature, craftsmanship, and time.
Serkan Sagsoz, Head Coffee Roaster and Turkish Champion Barista at Julith, commented: “This is not a gimmick or a marketing stunt – we’re not serving it in a gold cup with extravagant extras. The Nido 7 Geisha is a remarkable coffee that only a handful of people on the planet will ever taste, and now, for the first time, that’s possible right here in Dubai.”
He further expressed, “With so little of it in existence, every cup feels like a piece of history. I would be truly honored to one day brew a cup for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. We’ve reserved a portion of the beans for the Royal Family, should they wish to visit us.”
Panama Geisha Experience
Julith’s Panama Geisha Experience provides a guided tasting session for one to four guests, showcasing the journey of Nido 7 Geisha from the mountainous regions of Panama to the roastery in Dubai.
Each session features a meticulously brewed cup that highlights the coffee’s floral aromas, vibrant acidity, and profound depth.
Guests can also order additional cups individually, served simply and without embellishment, marking a rare opportunity to taste this piece of coffee history.
Dubai Bean Scene
For Dubai, the introduction of such an exclusive offering symbolizes more than just a luxurious headline; it represents the city’s evolving creative economy, where craftsmanship, design, and culinary arts increasingly define its global identity.
With forward-thinking roasters like Julith leading the way, Dubai now joins the ranks of recognized specialty coffee capitals such as Tokyo, Melbourne, and San Francisco.