I’m staying at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi at the moment, courtesy of the Etihad Airways stopover program. Over the years I’ve had many meals at the Emirates Palace (some of Abu Dhabi’s best restaurants are here), though this is my first time actually staying here.
I’ll have a full review soon of the hotel soon, though the thing that really stands out to me is how good service here is. Usually service in the UAE is a bit disorganized, but this hotel has true international 5-star standard service. I haven’t come across a single employee who wasn’t incredibly polished and proactive. But I’ll save that for the review, and for now focus on the purpose of this post — gold cappuccinos!
The UAE is all about having the biggest and best and weirdest of everything. From the world’s tallest building, to the world’s largest in-door ski slope, to the world’s most extravagant afternoon tea, the UAE has no shortage of things that share well on social media.
When I stayed at the St. Regis Dubai a few months ago I had their signature bloody mary, called the Gold Mary. Given that this is the UAE, I’m sure you can all guess how it got its name.
However, today I had another first — I had my first ever gold cappuccino. The Emirates Palace serves this throughout the day at Le Cafe, which is one of their lobby lounges.
I actually didn’t realize until recently that the Emirates Palace serves this. In January I wrote about how the Armani Hotel Dubai started serving gold cappuccinos, and people pointed out that the Emirates Palace has been serving these for years.
Here’s how the Emirates Palace describes their gold cappuccino:
If you only have one hour at Emirates Palace, spend that hour enjoying the famous Palace Cappuccino. Sprinkled in real 24 carat gold flakes, this is the epitome of indulgence at the Palace.
At Emirates Palace, we use only the finest ingredients to create our signature gold cappuccino. Also known as the Palace Cappuccino, this superior blend of aromatic coffee is sprinkled with gold flakes to give you a taste of royalty, making it unlike anything you have ever tried before.
Served on a polished silver tray, you can enjoy your cappuccino with a special date and dark chocolate. There is also a palate cleansing glass of water to finish with.
The Palace Cappuccino is served throughout the day in Le Café from 7:00 am to 12:30 am.
There are actually two signature drinks to choose from. In addition to the gold cappuccino, there’s also a camelccino. As the name suggests, this is made with camel milk.
I ordered the gold cappuccino for 60AED, or ~16USD. That’s definitely the most expensive cappuccino I’ve ever ordered.
The cappuccino is served with a side of dark chocolate and a date, and the art on the cappuccino is gorgeous.
So, what does the gold cappuccino taste like? A cappuccino. I actually found the gold flakes to be a bit annoying, since they’d fly all over if you breath ever so slightly (either through your mouth or nose) near the cappuccino. I solved that problem by mixing the gold flakes into the cappuccino (then again, it also eliminates the whole point of a gold cappuccino).
Bottom line
The gold cappuccino is exactly what I expected — it’s a cappuccino that looks great on social media. Everyone can decide for themselves if the novelty of having a gold cappuccino is worth that price. For me I was just happy to take my laptop down to the lobby and have a change of scenery for an hour, as there’s great live music in the lobby.
Gold is bad for you. There is a House episode where a woman poison her husband with gold. DONT EAT IT. Just take a pic with it, post it on FB and Instagram, and leave it alone. Besides, why would you want to turn gold into shit? This whole thing is ridiculous.
Good points, Callum
Ben, enjoy everything you possibly can in this life and don't allow anyone to make you feel guilty. You're not hurting anyone ... your adventures help the economies of wherever you travel. Your infectious smile and genuine friendliness are appreciated throughout the world, I'm sure!
@Callum - the point is it is his money and his experience and nobody should judge it. I don't have a DVR to me it isn't worth the money. I don't judge those that think otherwise. I like to go to nice restaurants to get things I cannot replicate at home myself. I don't judge those that think that's a waste of money. You are just as entitled to think it is a waste and...
@Callum - the point is it is his money and his experience and nobody should judge it. I don't have a DVR to me it isn't worth the money. I don't judge those that think otherwise. I like to go to nice restaurants to get things I cannot replicate at home myself. I don't judge those that think that's a waste of money. You are just as entitled to think it is a waste and not do it as others are to think it is worth the time/money for the experience. I won't judge your opinion. Do not judge mine please.
I had one when I was there. Yes, ultra expensive for a cappuccino but in the scheme of things a lovely setting and less than a cocktail at many other places so totally worth it relatively.
THANKS for again a very good tip. It's going on my list. unfortunaly not the hotel since that would be somewhat above my budget.. and have fun with your next flight :-)
While at the Emirates Palace, I hope you get a chance to taste the camel milk ice cream served at the Mezlai Emirati restaurant. And it's more affordable than the golden coffee ;)
Well said Big G.
FYI the art on top is a drawing of the hotel (more or less)
Looks like hell on earth. Also cappuccino served until 12:30 am. Who the hell drinks a cappuccino after breakfast? Looks awfull and thrashy like Donald Trumps penthouse.
I did the high tea experience there at Emirates place for 160 dirhams or about $45 and I found it funny how you only allowed to order one gold flake cappuccino as part of the experience. You can have unlimited tea however
@omgstfualready - I was about to explain why many people would consider spending $16 on a coffee with annoying and tasteless (using both meanings of that word...) gold powder on it to be more wasteful than a trip to the cinema with snacks, but if you can't figure it out yourself then I think it's a waste of time!
This perfectly sums up why I despise the UAE - wasteful extravagance solely designed to...
@omgstfualready - I was about to explain why many people would consider spending $16 on a coffee with annoying and tasteless (using both meanings of that word...) gold powder on it to be more wasteful than a trip to the cinema with snacks, but if you can't figure it out yourself then I think it's a waste of time!
This perfectly sums up why I despise the UAE - wasteful extravagance solely designed to show off your rich and important status, built on the back of slavery.
"There is also a palate cleansing glass of water to finish with."
I found this bit hilarious, as if the hotel implies they charge for water, or do they? Then again, Dubai is in the desert so fresh water could be considered a "luxury".
Hope it was worth however many Indian slaves died to build the place!
@Lucky I'm pretty positive you had as expensive Cappuccinos if not
More in either Costa Smeralda or Venice!
Glad you bought it to try it even if you'd not do it again. The point of disposable income is to enjoy things. Your experience is on par with a movie and a snack in price and time spent. Why would people think the latter is fine and the former is a waste? Thanks for giving it a go and sharing the experience (this is as close as I'll get since I don't travel there and don't drink coffee, lol).
TBH, the camelccino sounds much, much more intriguing.
That's it? Here in Seoul, the W charges 16$ for a normal cafe latte!
They could have Alpha. But that requires thought and skill. Why waste time in that when you can just sprinkle gold flakes on anything and get the 'grams and facebook posts?
TBH, I think they could try a little harder with this.
A gold cappuccino has novelty, sure, but this is just some lame machine-grade cappuccino with gold dumped on it. For the price, they could've done some amazing stuff with latte art, the frothing, and the presentation (they could've suspended it in the milk froth, used it to create the pattern, etc.)
OK - I am officially jealous. Looking forward to returning to UAE at some point. Not much more than the cost of a Cap in Venice, btw.
"... but obviously not a huge dent on my wallet" that made me chuckle.
I had it and thought the same thing. I had to have it for the experience - the price is nuts for a cappuccino, but obviously not a huge dent on my wallet, so I went for it. Nothing special, but yes, I did instagram it.
Hmm, looks like the gold cappuccino is as useless as gold status on AA ;-) But it's a nice buildup for the Residence experience.