Arte de Café is more than a coffee shop – it’s a creative space where art, family and community come together. Founded by Khalid Shukri, the café blends the richness of European coffee culture with Bahrain’s artistic spirit, offering a cosy haven for people to relax, socialise and immerse themselves in art.
The journey of Arte de Café began when the visionary Mr. Shukri came up with a new concept. Inspired by UV artists he met during his travels around the world, he wanted to build something special. “I’ve always been an entrepreneur since I finished school,” he says. “Furthermore, art has been around me since childhood. My father was, and still is, a professional photographer.” This early exposure to art laid the foundation for his dream of creating a space that celebrated artistic expression.
The café’s vision wasn’t just about displaying art – it was about creating a place where people could engage with both art and each other. “I wanted to bring creative people together and build a community that values art,” Mr. Shukri explains. “After seeing that the majority of people liked and appreciated my work, it really influenced me.”
Arte de Café offers more than just art; it serves an innovative menu featuring infused flavoured coffee – a concept new to the region. “The menu is only at 20 percent right now, but we are gradually expanding it,” says Mr. Shukri. Along with coffee, visitors can enjoy herbal teas, fruity bubble teas, premium matcha and snacks like croissants, cakes, cookies and salads. The café’s menu, like its vision, is always growing.
Mr. Shukri’s journey into the coffee industry was sparked by curiosity. After asking: “Where was espresso made?”’ he was led to Italy, where he discovered the Espresso Academy in Florence. There, he learned the intricacies of coffee, from green bean selection and cupping to brewing and latte art. “After visiting Florence, I learned a lot about coffee, both in and out of the course. I learned how it’s part of their culture and how much they value it,” he recalls. His aim was to bring a European, specifically Italian, coffee experience to Bahrain, inspired by his travels across Asia, Europe and Africa.
Arte de Café is a family effort. Mr. Shukri’s father, a professional photographer, helps capture the essence of the café’s art, while his sister, a graphic designer, crafted the café’s branding and visuals. His younger sister, passionate about art, adds her own creative touch to the space, and his younger brother, a flight attendant, brings back inspiration from his global travels. Their mother, an exceptional chef, rounds out the family’s contributions with her culinary expertise. “Arte doesn’t feel like a business,” he says. “It feels like home.”
The café’s goal is to offer a ‘third place,’ where visitors can relax, socialise and connect with like-minded people. Mr. Shukri reflects on how coffee plays a universal role in bringing people together. “‘It all started when I realised how coffee brings people together, no matter where they are or where they come from. No matter how rich or poor, everyone finds time to get together for a cup of coffee.”
Indeed, Arte de Café is more than just a coffee shop – it’s a journey through art, family, and the pursuit of something meaningful. Looking ahead, Mr. Shukri hopes to spend more time with his family and expand Arte globally, spreading the love of art and coffee across the world.
