This Abu Dhabi classic car café is a petrolhead’s paradise

A Unique Fusion of Automotive Heritage and Café Culture in Abu Dhabi

This Abu Dhabi classic car café – For enthusiasts who share a love for vintage automobiles, artisanal coffee, and quality pizza, Abu Dhabi has unveiled an extraordinary destination that brings all three passions together under one roof. DRVN Coffee stands as more than just a typical café; it functions as both a gathering place for automotive aficionados and a living museum showcasing some of the most exceptional vehicles from around the globe. Visitors can enjoy a freshly brewed latte while admiring rare automobiles, all while savoring a delicious Margherita pizza.

The vision behind DRVN belongs to Rashed Al Fahim, who established the concept in 2019 with the intention of merging his three greatest loves into a single experience. What began as a personal passion project has evolved into a public gallery where families and friends can view an impressive collection of classic cars assembled by his father over decades. Today, Rashed oversees a fleet of approximately one hundred vehicles, though his journey to this position of autonomy was anything but straightforward.

From Rebellion to Restoration

As a child, Rashed was strictly forbidden from touching any of the vintage automobiles that comprised his father’s treasured collection. Rather than simply obeying, he chose action over words. In a bold move, he took his father’s prized 1964 Jaguar E-Type for a drive without seeking permission first. By the time his father discovered the missing vehicle, Rashed had already driven it to a local garage. There, the iconic British sports car sat with its parts scattered across the floor, beginning a comprehensive restoration that would span seven years.

“Ever since, it’s been this cat and mouse game,” Al Fahim told CNN. “I try to touch one of his cars, change one of his cars. He yells at me but then ends up being proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

While Rashed now manages the collection independently, the playful dynamic with his father continues. The former commercial airline pilot for Emirates actually drafted his business plan during a lengthy flight traveling from Dubai to Manila. It proved fitting that the inaugural DRVN location opened near Al Bateen Executive Airport, with subsequent branches expanding across Abu Dhabi and into Dubai near the Palm Jumeirah archipelago.

A Legacy of Automotive Excellence

Rashed’s connection to automobiles runs deep through generations. His grandfather, Abdul Jalil Al Fahim, founded an auto-repair business in 1958 that eventually grew into the ALFAHIM Group, a diversified family enterprise with holdings in real estate, energy, and travel sectors. Mohammed Abdul Jalil Al Fahim currently leads the conglomerate and passed his enthusiasm for vintage vehicles to his son from an early age.

“We’d arrive at school and all the other kids are gathered around this classic car and parents are looking,” Al Fahim remembered about his youth. “I wanted to share that passion that so many other people share, but turn it into an experience that not only car lovers could enjoy, but (also) those who know nothing about cars. It’s just being surrounded by this automotive culture.”

The café has become a versatile venue hosting everything from local car meets where residents showcase their prized vehicles, to Formula One viewing parties and even Pilates sessions. One fundamental rule governs the collection: any automobile available for purchase through standard public showrooms will not appear in DRVN’s displays. This commitment to exclusivity has attracted remarkable vehicles, including a race-modified Mercedes-Benz 300 SL bearing Brad Pitt’s autograph and a Mercedes 600 Pullman that transported Queen Elizabeth II during her 1979 state visit to Abu Dhabi.

Looking Toward Global Expansion

The Dubai location, which partnered with Porsche for its 2022 opening, once displayed nearly $400 million worth of Porsche heritage, including the brand’s inaugural model. With ambitions extending well beyond the Middle East, Al Fahim envisions DRVN growing internationally as he taps into the universal appreciation for automobiles.

“Every car that’s built, it’s a form of art,” he reflected. “These engineering marvels are what built humankind, and it will continue to be like that.”

Whether you are a seasoned collector or simply someone who enjoys a good cup of coffee among beautiful machines, DRVN offers something truly special—a place where automotive history meets modern café culture in the heart of Abu Dhabi.