Magic in a Cup: A Piece of Melbourne’s Coffee Culture in Dubai

For those familiar with Melbourne’s dynamic coffee culture, the Magic needs no introduction. Born in the early 2000s, in Melbourne, Australia — a city renowned for its vibrant and innovative coffee culture — the Magic was developed to cater to coffee lovers who sought a well-balanced yet flavourfully rich cup that was stronger than a flat white but less intense than the Italian’s Macchiato.

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The Mystery Behind the Name

While the exact origin of the Magic is a bit of a mystery, there are a few intriguing rumours that have become part of its lore. Some say it began as an off-menu “secret” drink among baristas and their friends in Melbourne cafés, crafted for those who wanted a stronger, more balanced flavour without the excessive milk. Another tale goes that the Magic was born out of a simple mistake—a barista misheard a customer’s order and improvised a double ristretto with milk in a smaller cup. The customer loved it, saying “Mate… Magic!,” and the name stuck. These stories add a layer of charm to the drink’s origin, reflecting the spontaneity and creativity that are the hallmarks of Melbourne’s coffee culture.

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The Journey So Far

It’s been more than just a few months since we opened the doors to Stomping Grounds in Jumeirah 1, but the real journey began over four years ago with a simple yet ambitious vision: to transform Dubai’s coffee culture by bringing a piece of Melbourne’s vibrant café scene to the city. As a Melbournian deeply passionate about coffee, I wanted to introduce something different to the UAE—an authentic coffee experience that goes beyond the franchise and mall-based cafés that have become so ingrained in daily life here.

Our aim was to create a space where the focus is on high-quality, thoughtfully crafted coffee, served in a setting that feels personal, welcoming, and community vibes. The idea was to elevate the coffee experience, moving away from the commercial and often impersonal settings to something more intimate—a neighbourhood café where better coffee is celebrated. With the launch of Stomping Grounds, we’ve set out to change how people in the UAE enjoy their coffee, offering a sophisticated, specialty coffee experience that is accessible, warm, and without the pretentiousness commonly associated within many the specialty coffee corners of the world.

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The Essence of a Magic

So, what exactly is a Magic? At its core, a Magic is crafted using a double ristretto shot — a concentrated version of espresso that is richer and more intense, capturing a more potent representation of the coffee beans used. This base is then topped with steamed milk, served in a 5–6 oz cup. The result is a beautifully balanced cup of coffee that highlights the unique characteristics of the beans while delivering a creamy and satisfying mouthfeel.

The Magic is about finding that perfect middle ground. The idea is to let the milk complement and add value to the coffee’s natural flavours without overpowering the palate, making it an ideal choice for those who appreciate the nuanced complexities of specialty coffee.

Perfecting the Magic: Recipe Guidelines

What makes our Magic stand out is our commitment to precision and understanding that each coffee is unique. Our recipe guidelines are crafted to ensure every cup delivers the best possible flavour experience, taking into account the coffee’s origin, roast profile, and extractability:

• Double Ristretto Base: The foundation of the Magic is the double ristretto, which creates a concentrated yet smooth shot that brings out the coffee’s full range of flavours.
• Variable Yield: Depending on the coffee’s characteristics, our yield can range between 30ml and 36ml. For example, a bright Ethiopian coffee might be extracted with a slightly higher yield to highlight its fruity, floral notes, while a rich, chocolatey Brazilian might benefit from a tighter yield to enhance its body and depth.
• Silky Steamed Milk: The milk in a Magic is just as important as the coffee itself. We use steamed milk that’s textured to a smooth, velvety consistency, which adds a layer of creaminess that enhances the coffee’s natural sweetness without overshadowing its complexity. The milk is carefully steamed to a temperature that allows its natural sugars to caramelise, bringing out a gentle sweetness that perfectly balances the intensity of the double ristretto. The microfoam should be fine and silky, integrating seamlessly with the coffee to create a harmonious blend where each sip offers a rich, velvety mouthfeel.

By adjusting the yield according to the coffee’s extractability, and focusing on our milk prep, we ensure that each Magic served at Stomping Grounds is both consistent in quality and true to the coffee’s unique profile.

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Experience the Magic

In these first few months since opening, we’ve been thrilled to see how our Magic has resonated with our customers—locals, expats, and cafe enthusiasts alike. We’re proud to be part of the evolving coffee culture here in Dubai, and we’re excited to share a taste of Melbourne with everyone who walks through our doors. The Magic is our way of inviting you to experience what we’ve always loved about coffee: its ability to bring people together, spark conversations, and offer a moment of pure enjoyment. Whether you’re a seasoned coffee lover or new to the world of specialty brews, we invite you to come by, grab a cup, and see for yourself why the Magic has become a favourite at Stomping Grounds.

At Stomping Grounds, we believe that great coffee is about partly about great beans but more importantly, more than the beans, the barista, the equipment, the decor—it’s about the overall ‘experience’; the hospitality and the passion that goes into every cup. The Magic embodies all of this, and we invite you to come and experience it for yourself. Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast or someone looking for a new favourite, Stomping Ground’s magic might just be the perfect cup you’ve been searching for.