News DeskSharjah: The Reformatory Lab, an Australian café brand backed by Arada, has expanded its presence in the UAE with the opening of two permanent outlets in Sharjah’s Aljada development.
The new cafés are located at Zad food truck park and along East Boulevard, offering residents and visitors a selection of specialty coffees and freshly prepared pastries. The openings mark the brand’s first permanent presence in Sharjah and follow its debut UAE outlet in Dubai’s Jumeirah district in November last year.
Founded in Sydney by fourth-generation coffee farmer Simon Jaramillo, The Reformatory Lab is known for its premium coffee beans, experimental brewing techniques and distinctive comic book-themed interiors. The brand sources coffee from multiple origins, including India, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Kenya, Brazil and Colombia.
The expansion forms part of Arada’s broader plan to grow The Reformatory Lab’s footprint to 10 locations across the UAE by the end of next year. During Ramadan, both Sharjah outlets will operate daily from 5pm to 3am.
Commenting on the launch, Jaramillo said the Sharjah openings represent a key milestone in the brand’s efforts to introduce high-quality, crop-to-cup coffee experiences to a wider audience in the UAE.
The Zad outlet, located within Madar, Aljada’s leisure destination, features an extended menu that includes signature pies and focaccia sandwiches alongside its coffee and pastry offerings.
The second location, branded as “The Corner Store,” is situated on East Boulevard opposite Vida Aljada hotel. The venue includes an open terrace and serves a daily selection of blended coffees and baked goods.
The Reformatory Lab operates a central roastery in Sydney and supplies coffee to both retail customers and hospitality businesses. Arada acquired a majority stake in the company in 2024.
