Qima Café has opened its flagship location in Covent Garden, bringing together some of the world’s finest coffees with a distinctive design by award-winning DLSM Studio. This new site follows the success of Qima Café’s original Warren Street location, marking a significant step for the UK’s first tree-to-cup café brand.
With a sourcing network of over 7,000 smallholder farmers across multiple origins, Qima Café offers a diverse and distinctive coffee experience. Rooted in Yemen, one of coffee’s most storied regions, the brand is dedicated to showcasing the craft and complexity of coffee at every stage—from sourcing and roasting to brewing and serving. Sustainability and quality sit at the heart of the brand’s ethos, ensuring London’s coffee lovers can enjoy some of the rarest and most sought-after coffees in the world.
DLSM Studio (formerly DesignLSM) has created a space that reflects Qima Café’s artisanal coffee journey, drawing inspiration from the undulating peaks and earthy tones of the mountainous landscapes where coffee is grown. The café features a tiered ceiling that echoes the contours of coffee-growing terrains, anchoring the space with a strong sense of place. Terracotta bricks add warmth and authenticity, ombre-textured clay plaster creates depth and tactility, while refined marbles in soft cream and deep red tones introduce a sense of understated luxury.
The layout has been thoughtfully crafted to enhance engagement and discovery, with a central coffee counter serving as a theatre for Qima’s skilled baristas. Custom shelving units and organic niches in the walls highlight the brand’s curated retail selection, including specialty coffee blends and artisanal products. Seating has been designed to balance comfort and sophistication, featuring bentwood dining chairs, timber banquettes, and high seating upholstered in rich leathers, all contributing to a refined yet welcoming atmosphere.
Since opening its Warren Street café in 2019, Qima Café has built a strong reputation for exceptional coffee, expertly crafted pastries, and a deep commitment to sustainability. With a growing presence both in-store and online, the brand continues to set new standards for quality and innovation in the specialty coffee sector. The Covent Garden flagship will serve as a model for Qima Café’s future, demonstrating how thoughtful design can enhance the coffee experience.
Now open at 21-22 New Row, Covent Garden, WC2N 4LA, Qima Café invites coffee lovers to experience its tree-to-cup philosophy in a space designed to celebrate the artistry and heritage of coffee.
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