Digital-first coffee shop chain Drinkit enters Abu Dhabi following Dubai growth

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, January 2026 — Drinkit, a digital-first coffee shop chain, has confirmed the opening of its first location in Abu Dhabi, marking the brand’s entry into the emirate and the next stage of its development in the UAE. The first Drinkit coffee shop will open at Al Qana, a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2025 recipient and one of Abu Dhabi’s established lifestyle destinations, known for dining, informal business meetings, and social gatherings.

Drinkit has built a strong footprint in Dubai and plans to open at least seven additional locations across the UAE by the end of 2026, bringing the total number of coffee shops in the country to 15 and doubling the brand’s presence in the market. This approach reflects Drinkit’s development strategy of bringing a high-tech coffee experience to more neighborhoods, making great coffee accessible throughout the city.

The company operates physical coffee shops with traditional cash areas replaced by a self-developed ordering system run on in-store kiosks and mobile application. Today, around 90% of orders across the chain are placed digitally, supporting efficient operations and a consistent customer experience. This technology-driven model allows Drinkit to scale reliably across different markets and location formats.

“The UAE has proven to be a strong market for Drinkit. Our eight locations in Dubai demonstrate that the concept performs well across different urban formats,” said Katerina Borodich, CEO of Drinkit*. “Building on this experience, we are expanding into Abu Dhabi and planning further development across the country in 2026 and beyond. Over three years of operating in Dubai, our business model has shown stable performance, with an average ROI of under three years, depending on the location. We see strong interest in Drinkit in business districts, residential areas, and malls, driven by our wide menu, accessible pricing, and convenient digital ordering experience”,* adds Borodich*.*