The Coach Cafe pop-up, which is on until September 20, is the first of its kind in the Middle East. Photo: Coach
The Coach Cafe pop-up, which is on until September 20, is the first of its kind in the Middle East. Photo: Coach
The Coach Cafe pop-up, which is on until September 20, is the first of its kind in the Middle East. Photo: Coach
The Coach Cafe pop-up, which is on until September 20, is the first of its kind in the Middle East. Photo: Coach

Lifestyle

Food

Coach opens first Middle East cafe at Bloomingdale's Dubai

The space is decked out entirely in yellow gold and is inspired by sunset over New York

Sarah Maisey

July 24, 2023

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American fashion house Coach has opened its first pop-up cafe in the Middle East, at Bloomingdale's in Dubai Mall.

Coach Cafe is decked out entirely in yellow gold – the same colour as the neighbouring Coach pop-up store – inspired by sunset over New York, the city where the brand was founded in 1941. Celebrating the so-called golden hour – when the light turns golden as the sun drops – the walls and furniture are painted in a variety of yellow hues.

Staying with the New York theme, the menu features cheesecakes, jar desserts and choux pastry, plus hot chocolate, coffee and even a turmeric latte to match the walls. Savoury diner fare will be introduced over the next few weeks.

The counter, meanwhile, is decorated with the Coach logo – joined capital Cs – in tones of mustard on tan.

The golden yellow interior of the Coach Cafe pop-up at Bloomingdale's Dubai. Photo Coach
The golden yellow interior of the Coach Cafe pop-up at Bloomingdale's Dubai. Photo Coach

Running until September 20, the cafe is the first of its kind in the Middle East, and is filled with limited-edition leather goods curated exclusively for Coach Cafe.

These will also be available at the Coach pop-up inside Bloomingdale's.

The all-yellow interior of both spaces echo a recent online campaign called Bring the Sun With You, featuring pieces in similar tones. Deliberately bright and uplifting, the collection features classic shoulder bags in a cheery shade of golden yellow.

Building on its New York heritage, Coach often makes bold statements, of which the all-yellow cafe is the latest iteration. In June, for example, it staged a pop-up inside a real aircraft in Malaysia to show its Coach Airways Collection, which featured a range of travel-friendly pieces.

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Engine 3.0L twin-turbo V8

Transmission Eight-speed automatic

Power 530hp @ 6,800rpm

Torque 650Nm @ 2,000 rpm

Fuel economy, combined 10.7L / 100km

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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

While you're here
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

While you're here
Poacher
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Tips for entertaining with ease

·         Set the table the night before. It’s a small job but it will make you feel more organised once done.

·         As the host, your mood sets the tone. If people arrive to find you red-faced and harried, they’re not going to relax until you do. Take a deep breath and try to exude calm energy.

·         Guests tend to turn up thirsty. Fill a big jug with iced water and lemon or lime slices and encourage people to help themselves.

·         Have some background music on to help create a bit of ambience and fill any initial lulls in conversations.

·         The meal certainly doesn’t need to be ready the moment your guests step through the door, but if there’s a nibble or two that can be passed around it will ward off hunger pangs and buy you a bit more time in the kitchen.

·         You absolutely don’t have to make every element of the brunch from scratch. Take inspiration from our ideas for ready-made extras and by all means pick up a store-bought dessert.

 

Updated: July 25, 2023, 12:12 PM
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