Growing up as a Dubai kid in the ’90s was something incredibly unique. The population back then was around 400,000, with quite literally half of that being people who came from all over the globe. There were only a handful of schools, so everyone pretty much knew everyone. That sense of community was magical, and it’s something I’ve carried with me ever since.
That feeling is what I want to recreate through my cafés. Each Homebrew location is designed to be more than just a place to grab coffee and go. It’s a hub where people can genuinely connect. That’s why location scouting is one of my top priorities. I look for areas that feel like they’re craving community.
That’s where I know I can contribute something meaningful.
Hello, Satwa
Homebrew has a new location opening in Satwa on 22B Street in early September. The cafe interior is something incredibly unique for Dubai and somewhere that definitely deserves a spot on your Instagram grids. Designed by T. Zed Architects, it brings together nomadic living with contemporary design.
Rooted in Local Flavour
In the Dubai I grew up in, food had a different kind of soul. We relied on local and regional sourcing, which created this natural closeness to the ingredients and flavours around us. As the city evolved into the international hub it is today, we’ve gained access to global cuisines, which I love. But there’s still something special about celebrating where you are, the produce, the people, the flavours that thrive in that place.
My childhood, shaped by Middle Eastern influences and small, local brands, taught me to appreciate what’s right in front of me. That’s the energy I want to bottle at Homebrew: a balance between local roots and international reach.
When Coffee Meets Code
As for my transition from tech to coffee… I don’t think they’re all that different. Coffee and coding go hand in hand. I’ve always been a coffee lover, and starting my own café was a longtime dream. Now I get to code from a space I created, surrounded by like-minded people. It’s a win-win.
What connects both my digital and physical work is community. Online, I’ve built a platform around learning, sharing knowledge, and helping others grow through code. In real life, I want my cafés to feel the same: safe, welcoming, unhurried. A place where people can be themselves, ask questions, start conversations, or simply sit and exist. That requires intention in design, whether it’s the layout, the lighting, or how you train your staff. It’s about putting people first.
Rebuilding the 400,000 Feeling
Nostalgia plays a big role in the vision. In the ’90s, you’d go somewhere and see familiar faces. The barista knew your order. You’d stay a while, chat, bump into friends. It was unfiltered and slow, and you felt like you belonged. That’s what I call the “400,000 feeling.” I want people to feel it the second they walk through the door.
Designing with Intention
My coding brain did come in handy in unexpected ways. I designed the logo, the branding, built the website, did the 3D AutoCAD renderings, visualisations, and even the architectural drawings. I studied architecture before switching to software, so it was a fun full-circle moment. I drew the line at electrical wiring, though that’s one area I happily left to the professionals!
For Locals, Nomads & Everyone In Between
The crowd we get at Homebrew is exactly what I hoped for: designers lost in their projects, digital nomads setting up for the day, people grabbing their regular order on the run. I love seeing the mix of locals, internationals, creatives, and professionals. It feels like a reflection of Dubai itself.
What Matters Most
The biggest compliment someone can give me is actually a compliment to my team. They’re amazing, and seeing them recognised, whether for their coffee artistry or just their warmth, means the world. Watching regulars form their own rhythms, seeing familiar faces day after day, even saying emotional goodbyes when someone moves away… it all reminds me why I started this.
At its core, Homebrew is about belonging. Whether you’re here for ten minutes or three hours, I want you to feel like you’re part of something. That’s what atmosphere means to me. It’s not a look, it’s a feeling. And just like with code, when you get the logic right, everything flows.
Ania’s Instagram: @aniakubow
Homebrew Instagram: @homebrew.ae
Website: homebrew.ae
