International Coffee Day: where to get free brews in Dubai on October 1

As Dubai gears up to host Expo 2020 Dubai from October 1, the date also marks another occasion, launched at another World Expo. At the Milan Expo in 2015, the International Coffee Organisation deemed this day would be celebrated as International Coffee Day.

Originally meant to promote ethical industry practices (think fair trade beans, liveable wages for plantation workers and sustainable coffee farming), the day has since been marked with restaurants and cafes the world over offering patrons free or subsidised brews.

The healthy food venue has partnered with Orbis Coffee to host a free-to-attend online coffee masterclass live on @flowdubai Instagram account on Thursday, September 30, at 3pm. The first 100 guests who visit either of Flow’s two branches will get a free cuppa (the cafe is known for its ethically sourced small-batched blends).

Flow has branches in Jumeirah Emirates Towers and Dubai Internet City; call 800 666 353 for more information

Serving its own blend of organic, fair trade Ethiopian coffee that’s roasted and ground in Dubai, The Lime Tree Cafe has a two-for-one deal on Friday, at all its seven locations in the emirate. These can be enjoyed with a complimentary espresso biscotti or a new coffee cake (Dh28 for a slice) whipped up for the occasion.

Additionally, guests who pick up a Boon reusable coffee mug retailed at the cafe will get it at 50 per cent off, while those who bring in their own cups will get Dh2 off their hot coffee on the day and for the rest of the year.

The Lime Tree Cafe has branches in Jumeirah 1, Town Square, Al Quoz, Motor City, Depachika Food Hall, Sheikh Zayed Road and The Springs Souk; call 04 325 6325 or visit thelimetreecafe.com for more information

The plant-based cafe that prides itself on “veganising” popular dishes and drinks will offer the first 50 cups of coffee free of charge at its Jumeirah Road branch on Friday. Customer number 51 and onward can get any coffee for a discounted price of Dh9; a coffee and two refills for Dh12; or a coffee and three refills for Dh15, for the rest of the day.

If you want to pair your cuppa with a vegan snack, the banana and coconut French toast, Asian noodle salad and mushroom burger come highly recommended.

One of Dubai’s oldest sports lounges has long recognised that shisha and coffee pair well together. The Indian-Arabic themed spot, which boasts 12 LED screens across a 10,000-square-foot space, will serve its first 50 cold coffees free of charge. This is followed by a discounted offer of Dh35 for one shisha (flavours range from the traditional apple, grape and mint to desi paan flavours) and one coffee (either the KitKat or Oreo mocha frappe) from 4pm to 7pm.

Paying homage to its home-grown roots, Sikka Cafe will serve complimentary finjans of Emirati or Saudi Arabian qahwa at its three branches all day long on Friday, alongside platters of Arabic dates. The cafe also offers an expansive Middle Eastern menu, serving everything from balaleet, chebab and falafel to shakshuka, manakeesh and foul madamas, plus katayef and luqaimat for dessert.

Sikka Cafe has branches in City Walk (04 385 6524), La Mer, (04 385 6775) and Al Khawaneej (04 284 9521)

A cup of complimentary Arabic coffee and dates are also to be had all day at this Ottoman-inspired cafe on Palm Jumeirah. Free cuppas are available to those who buy a slice of cake, too. At Dh40 a pop, you can get a Madagascar vanilla fruit cake, a pistachio and strawberry cake or a mango and coconut cake.