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Sunaina Rana / EMIRATES BUSINESS
Cafe Rider incorporates a specialty coffee bar, custom motorcycle workshop and event venue all in one humble warehouse that will leave you with envy for the interior.
Known as a safe haven for coffee lovers, motorbike enthusiasts and lifestyle connoisseurs alike, Cafe Rider is the place to be.
This local restaurant has made quite the impression with the regulars describing it as their ‘second living room’ and a ‘relaxed place to be with kind staff’. Whether you’re looking to walk away with the best coffee in town, a custom-built bike or simply a cozy place to spend your days at, Cafe Rider is the specialty coffee bar in Dubai. It has been catching everyone’s eye and is located on the outskirts of the Dubai’s Al Quoz industrial zone.
Murtaza Moulvi, who owns Cafe Rider reckons his love for the machines has been since a very young age. Recalling his first bike 750cc Ducati that through him off several times, over the course of three years has made him a better rider. He operates Cafe Rider with his close friends Anwar and Dima.
In the early 90’s Murtaza went to London, graduated and went into the finance sector.
Emirates Business talks to Murtaza about his adventurous venture into the world of machines and coffee.
What makes Cafe Rider different from the other coffee bars in town? How did it initiate?
The Cafe Rider showcases some stunning vintage bikes along with a workshop where we custom build motorbikes.
We believe ourselves to be the
curators of art. We source the best coffee beans we can get our hands on both locally and internationally in order to bring you that perfect cup of coffee.
My dad was a keen rider and I just had an innate love for motorcycles and cars. I spent most of my youth in the garage with my dad and got my bike license even before I got a car license, and I bought a bike immediately after I got it, too.
I was really passionate about coffee, I spent six months at the London School of Coffee, I even learnt gardening, butchery, survival tactics, you name it, whatever I wanted to do. I
always wanted to do something with coffee and now I have this place to enjoy riding and coffee. I have the privilege after a long journey getting here, to share with other passionate people.
What is Caffeine Cruise?
Every Friday morning we have a Caffeine Cruise where bikers and drivers meet with their favourite wheels to cruise through the city and sometimes into the mountains to relax and enjoy their machines after a long week. We have lots of events that happen at the cafefrom movie nights to weekend digs, which we put in a newsletter every month and also on our Facebook page.
We have pop ups for trendy new businesses and rent-out space for creative and professionals holding classes and meetings. It’s a lovely mix of
people that keeps our cafe alive.
What do you witness more? The bikers admiring your special
coffee or coffee connoisseurs admiring the bikes?
We get this one a lot about who we are and what is the typical Cafe Rider customer. I think the answer is found every day on the cafe floor. There is such a crossover and has become a place for artist’s, professionals and families, we continuously make sure to concentrate on product and go to lengths to be true to where we live and spark the revival of cafeculture in this region. Over the last 2 years we have been delighted in growing our Cafe Rider community with coffee being the common thread.
What kind of services do you offer at Cafe Rider?
Our retail is now the third fastest growing part of Cafe Rider after coffee and custom bikes. Our concept for this is lifestyle, combining creative professionals, enjoying premium products with a classic vintage twist.
Besides our T-shirts, which are very popular, we also have old school leather messenger bags, retro bikers gloves, helmets, sunglasses and biker jeans. We work with some very cool names that bring a great lifestyle
experience to the cafe and something for everyone.
Al Quoz is an unusual location, why did you decide to open a cafe in the industrial zone?
We chose Al Quoz as it’s a road less travelled by the likes of many people who think there is only one side of Dubai, which is glamour. We opened Cafe Rider to be able to show a
different side of Dubai, for people to be able to unplug themselves, gets headspace and feel free to relax.
Local independent business like us is not a copy and paste like the rest of Dubai and paste of an international franchise. It’s home grown and organic, and that’s what we find resonates with the residence and tourists here in the UAE.
Can you share, who are the creative minds behind this inovative concept?
It’s got a right mix of people who give fuel to the fire of creativity. The Cafe is run by Nicky (the owner), and me (the inspiration behind the concept), who along with Dima (manager), lead a team of highly
passionate people.
