Arada opens first flagship branch of The Reformatory Lab in Dubai

Location and seating

Located on Umm Al Sheif Street, just minutes from Jumeirah Beach, the 90-seat café includes both indoor and outdoor seating, and features The Reformatory Lab’s full menu of single-origin coffees and house blends, alongside a newly introduced range of artisanal pastries.

Opening date and operating hours

The café will open its doors on Wednesday 26 November, operating daily from 7am-11pm Monday to Thursday and 8am-12am Friday to Sunday.

Statement from the founder

Simon Jaramillo, founder and General Manager of The Reformatory Lab, said: “This new space lets us take everything we love about coffee – the science, the story, the soul – and deliver it in a setting that matches our personality. It’s bold, it’s creative, and it’s got a whole lot of heart. Jumeirah’s energy is a perfect fit.”

Brand background

Founded in Sydney and launched in the UAE by Arada in early 2025, The Reformatory Lab is led by Jaramillo, a fourth-generation Colombian coffee grower. The brand is known for combining high-grade beans, experimental brewing methods, and a visual identity inspired by comic book culture.

Coffee origins and blends

With coffees from Colombia, India, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Panama, Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, El Salvador, Java and Brazil, The Reformatory Lab’s blends are highly graded and combine five different processes.

Expansion in the UAE

The new Jumeirah outlet follows the success of the brand’s debut UAE location at the W Residences at Dubai Harbour sales centre.

Future growth plans

Arada, which acquired a majority stake in The Reformatory Lab earlier this year, plans to open 10 Reformatory Lab branches across the UAE by the end of 2027, building on the brand’s wholesale success in Australia. Operating a central roastery in Botany, Sydney, the company sells high-quality coffee to businesses in the hospitality industry, including cafes and restaurants.