London’s acclaimed Modern Coffee brand, WatchHouse, is set to open its first UAE location this October, marking the beginning of its international franchise journey and furthering its mission to redefine coffee culture on a global stage. With more than 20 Houses across the UK and two in New York City, the brand continues its steady international ascent with the UAE launch.
The milestone comes through a master franchise partnership with Big Belly Hospitality, one of the UAE’s most established food and beverage operators. The collaboration will kick off with a six-month residency at Marsa Boulevard, a waterfront lifestyle destination along Dubai Creek, before expanding with four new Houses across the UAE in 2026.
Created in collaboration with designer Kirill Borisov, known for his work on WatchHouse Canary Wharf and Hanover in London, the new Dubai space bridges local heritage with modern design. The aesthetic takes cues from the Creek’s maritime history and Emirati architectural traditions, using warm, natural materials and barjeel-inspired structures that capture the spirit of the UAE while maintaining WatchHouse’s distinctive contemporary identity.
Roland Horne, CEO and Founder of WatchHouse, said: “Dubai has always been a city that marries ambition with taste, heritage with innovation, making it a natural step in our ambition to bring WatchHouse to a truly global audience. From the material palette to the menu, this House is a love letter to what we do best, designed for a region that’s not just ready for Modern Coffee, but hungry for it.”
Damon Conn, Growth and Business Development Director at WatchHouse, added: “We’ve always believed WatchHouse could travel, but only if it was done in a way that stayed true to the brand’s core beliefs. In Big Belly Hospitality, we’ve found a partner who truly shares our vision and values. This partnership is the result of months of collaboration and a shared ambition to bring Modern Coffee to life with purpose and precision. It’s the start of something meaningful.”
Pallav Patel, Managing Founder at Big Belly Hospitality, said: “WatchHouse brings something truly different to the UAE: a thoughtful, design-led approach to coffee that feels both global and grounded. From the first conversation, we saw the potential to grow something remarkable here, and this launch is just the beginning.”
Following its launch at Marsa Boulevard, WatchHouse will open new locations across the UAE, including Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Saadiyat Grove, and a permanent flagship in Dubai’s DIFC, with an additional site to be revealed later this year.
The UAE debut follows WatchHouse’s successful US expansion, which saw openings in New York City’s 5th Avenue and the historic Chrysler Building, as the brand continues to champion its philosophy of Modern Coffee through design, craft, and hospitality worldwide.
