The Uncommon: Sharjah's stunning mirrored desert pop-up cafe opens

Owner Fawagee Almana says it’s been designed to reflect and highlight the natural beauty of the UAE

The Uncommon is a new desert pop-up cafe which has opened on Mahafiz-Al Fayah road in Sharjah. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National

The Uncommon is easily accessible by vehicle.

The design for The Uncommon features an all-mirror exterior.

The glass kitchen has been designed to pay tribute to the natural beauty of the UAE.

Visitors can interact with and take pictures of the mirrored kitchen.

The kitchen has been designed in such a way that operations do not obstruct the natural beauty of the place.

There are plenty of seating areas at The Uncommon.

The Uncommon has light bites and baked goods on the menu.

Customers enjoy the natural beauty of Sharjah at The Uncommon's winter pop-up.

Guests take photos of the mirrored kitchen.

Tiramisu is one of the desserts available on The Uncommon menu.

A red velvet latte for those with a sweet tooth.

Mirrors make up an integral part of the design at The Uncommon.

The inspiration for the design came from The Invisible House in California.

The Uncommon is open daily from 4pm to 1am.

The Uncommon will only stay in its location for the winter.

There’s nothing common about new desert dining destination The Uncommon.

The space, which popped up seemingly overnight by the Mahafiz-Al Fayah road in Sharjah, is still in its soft opening phase, but that hasn't stopped pictures of it from going viral.

The reason why the cafe is taking social media by storm has a lot to do with its unique design. The exterior of the space is done up with mirrors, reflecting the desert background it is set within. In front of it, there are several tables and chairs set up for those wanting to relax, grab a cuppa and take pictures.

The inspiration for the space came from The Invisible House, a mirror-clad house that was designed to reflect its surroundings in California, says Fawagee Almana, 25, owner of The Uncommon.

“I had heard about the concept before and thought it would work very well in a place such as Mleiha,” she says. “I’ve always had an interest in speciality coffee. It’s been a dream of mine to open my own place. And winter is my favourite season. So why not open something in the middle of the desert?”

In keeping with the ethos, the venue has been designed so people can interact with and enjoy the mirrors. The only entrance and exit is at the back, so that “operations don’t interfere with the beauty of the place”.

“I wanted the mirrors to reflect and highlight the natural beauty of the country. I didn’t want anything average. It was about going big or going home.”

For those heading to the venue, there’s a wide variety of speciality coffee from lattes to V60. Expect some unusual drinks on the menu as well, including a blue sky, a blue coffee-based drink, and a red velvet latte for those with a sweet tooth. Also on the menu are baked goods and other small bites.

There are plans to expand on the menu in the future, too, says Almana.

“We’re good for now. We’re still in our soft opening phase, the grand opening will be at the end of the month,” says Almana, who was surprised that the place went viral so quickly.

As with all desert pop-ups in the UAE, such as One Degree on the Dubai-Sharjah border, The Uncommon will only stay in that specific location during the winter.

“But this not the end of The Uncommon,” says Almana. “This is just the beginning.”

The Uncommon is open daily; 4pm to 1am; Sharjah; Instagram: @theuncommon.ae