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, quality coffee, and authentic pizza, Abu Dhabi has unveiled an extraordinary destination. DRVN Coffee stands as a distinctive hybrid establishment where visitors can simultaneously admire rare vehicles while enjoying refreshments. This innovative concept serves as both a gathering place for automotive aficionados and a showcase for exceptional automobiles within the United Arab Emirates.
Rashed Al Fahim conceived this innovative idea in 2019, aiming to merge his three greatest interests into one cohesive experience. The establishment functions as a public gallery displaying vehicles from his father’s extensive collection. Currently, Al Fahim oversees approximately one hundred automobiles, though his journey to this position of authority began with a rebellious act of independence.
Ever since, it’s been this cat and mouse game. 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.
As a child, Al Fahim was strictly forbidden from touching any of the vintage vehicles in his father’s treasured collection. His response to this restriction was characteristically bold. He secretly drove his father’s 1964 Jaguar E-Type to a local garage, where the restoration process would eventually span seven years. When his father discovered the missing vehicle, the work had already begun.
Before establishing DRVN, Al Fahim worked as a commercial pilot for Emirates Airlines. He developed his business concept during a lengthy flight traveling from Dubai to Manila. The timing proved serendipitous, as the inaugural DRVN location opened near Al Bateen Executive Airport. Since that initial opening, two additional venues have emerged—one within Abu Dhabi and another situated near the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.
Al Fahim’s connection to automobiles runs deep through multiple generations. His grandfather, Abdul Jalil Al Fahim, established an automotive repair business in 1958. That enterprise eventually evolved into the ALFAHIM Group, a diversified family conglomerate operating across real estate, energy, and travel sectors. Mohammed Abdul Jalil Al Fahim currently directs the organization and passed his enthusiasm for classic vehicles to his son during childhood.
We’d arrive at school and all the other kids are gathered around this classic car and parents are looking. 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.
The café hosts various community events beyond vehicle displays. Visitors can attend car meetups, watch Formula One races, or participate in Pilates sessions. DRVN maintains one fundamental rule regarding its collection: any automobile available for purchase through standard retail channels will not appear in the showroom. This commitment to exclusivity has attracted remarkable vehicles to the establishment.
Among the notable displays is a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL converted for racing, bearing Brad Pitt’s autograph. Another significant piece is the Mercedes 600 Pullman, which transported Queen Elizabeth II during her official visit to Abu Dhabi in 1979. The Dubai location, established in partnership with Porsche in 2022, once exhibited nearly $400 million worth of Porsche history, including the brand’s inaugural model.
Every car that’s built, it’s a form of art. These engineering marvels are what built humankind, and it will continue to be like that.
Al Fahim envisions substantial growth for DRVN beyond the Middle Eastern market. He believes the global appreciation for automobiles presents opportunities for international expansion. The establishment continues to evolve as a space where automotive culture meets everyday social interaction, creating an environment accessible to both seasoned enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
