Empaths: This Sheikh Zayed Coffee Shop Just Makes ‘Sense’

If you were wild in the 80s—well, not the actual 80s, more like summer 2023—you might recall spotting a bright orange truck serving coffee under the name Senses at your favorite events, like the Backstreet Boys concert in New Cairo. If you were lucky, you might have even sampled its offerings before it evolved into a full-fledged coffee shop in Sheikh Zayed—now too much of a local celebrity to recognize you.

On its journey to spread potent coffee, indulgent breakfast and brunch options, and a philosophy of holistically experiential dining, Senses has become a bit of a star in its own right. Frankly, it only makes sense, given that its founders, Ramy and Mazen Kamel, started with one simple goal: to create “Coffee that makes sense.”

Ramy and Mazen grew up abroad, falling in love with coffee as soon as they were old enough to sip it. Their fascination with the bean took them across the globe, exploring coffee cultures far and wide. Back home in Egypt, they dreamed of opening a coffee shop with its own distinct personality. “We believe coffee is more than just a drink,” Ramy, co-founder of Senses, shares. “It’s an experience for all your senses. From the taste to the aroma to the texture, everything comes together to create the perfect cup.”

And so, their bright orange truck—complete with an elephant logo—hit the road, aiming to remind people that coffee is more than a mere beverage or a daily ritual; it’s an experience. “The elephant in our logo represents the strength of the senses, particularly smell and touch,” Ramy explains. “Elephants are known for their powerful sensory abilities, which aligns with our belief that coffee should be fully experienced in every dimension your senses can muster.”

At its core, Senses is inviting, intentional, and grounded in a commitment to quality. Its vibrant aesthetic reflects this ethos—a beckoning call for anyone with a taste for something extraordinary. “Even the colors of our cups were carefully chosen to catch the eye and captivate every potential ‘Senser,’” Ramy says. “By Senser, we mean someone with a refined sense of taste and a deeply emotional connection to their food and drink.”