Shisha, the age-old practice of smoking flavoured tobacco through a water pipe, has enjoyed remarkable growth in recent decades. Transcending its Middle Eastern origins, it has spread to the four corners of the globe, adapting with finesse to local cultures and offering a variety of experiences. This sensory journey takes us to the most emblematic shisha bars in the world's major cities, where tradition and modernity meet to offer moments of conviviality and culinary discovery. From Paris to Tokyo, via the beaches of Santorini and the skyscrapers of São Paulo, let's plunge into a world where shisha becomes a bridge between the cultures, flavours and atmospheres of each city.
Paris: French Art de Vivre
In the City of Light, shisha is a favourite in the chic lounges along the Champs-Élysées. Imagine enjoying your shisha on a terrace overlooking the Arc de Triomphe, in one of the prestigious establishments in the Golden Triangle. This emblematic district offers an incomparable atmosphere, combining Parisian refinement with the oriental tradition of v. Shisha bars in this area offer sophisticated tobacco blends, often with red fruit or mint flavours, perfectly matched with French delicacies. Accompany your session with an assortment of delicate macaroons and refined pastries, creating an exquisite fusion of French gastronomic savoir-faire and oriental aromas. In the lively Bastille district, you'll find trendier establishments where shisha is enjoyed in a more relaxed atmosphere. These places attract a young, cosmopolitan clientele, combining Oriental flavours with a Parisian spirit. The Latin Quarter, meanwhile, offers a more intellectual atmosphere, with shisha bars frequented by students and artists, where lively discussions and fragrant volutes mingle.
Dubai: Luxury and tradition
In Dubai, shisha culture reaches new heights of refinement, reflecting the city's opulence and innovation. In the Downtown district, near the Burj Khalifa, the lounges offer one of the most popular shisha flavours among Orientals: a refreshing blend of lemon and mint. This duo of flavors goes perfectly with Tabouleh, an ultra-fresh Lebanese salad made with parsley, juicy tomatoes and bulgur, all spiked with lemon juice and olive oil. The panoramic view of the futuristic skyline adds a whole new dimension to the experience. In the historic Deira district, you can enjoy a more authentic experience in traditional cafés. Here, shisha, often flavoured with double apple, is enjoyed with mint tea and fresh dates, in stark contrast to the ostentatious luxury of the city centre. In some of Jumeirah's prestigious establishments, you'll find shishas in gold or set with precious stones, reflecting the opulence of the city. These luxurious establishments offer personalized shisha services, with 'Shisha Masters' who, like sommeliers, advise customers on the best blends. The expertise of the 'Shisha Masters' in Dubai is echoed in the lounges of St Petersburg, where shisha masters create bespoke experiences.
Saint Petersburg: Imperial elegance and intense flavours
In the Venice of the North, shisha is enjoyed with refinement, reflecting the city's rich history and sophisticated culture. The lounges near Nevsky Prospect offer an ambience reminiscent of imperial palaces, where the art of shisha smoking becomes a genuine social experience. Black tobacco is particularly prized in Russia for its robust smoke sessions. This tobacco, rich in nicotine and essential oils, offers an intense flavour and a richer smoking experience. In St Petersburg, shisha enthusiasts discovered a surprising pairing between fruity black tobacco and Mors, a sweet and refreshing berry-based drink. Mors, with its fruity, slightly tart flavours, contrasts nicely with the powerful aromas of black tobacco, creating an intense taste experience. Chai, a black tea often drunk with sugar and lemon, also pairs perfectly with black tobacco. Its rich aroma and spicy notes enrich the smoke, providing a harmonious contrast to the complex flavours of the tobacco. St Petersburg's 'Shisha Masters' excel in the art of preparing black tobacco, guaranteeing tailor-made sessions that go perfectly with local drinks such as Mors and Chai.
São Paulo: Brazilian fusion
In the Brazilian megalopolis, shisha has adapted to local flavours, creating an experience that reflects the diversity and energy of the city. In Vila Madalena, a bohemian and artistic district, you can enjoy a coconut-flavoured chicha while savouring Brigadeiros, creamy chocolate Brazilian truffles. The sweetness and delicate aroma of the coconut in the shisha blend perfectly with the rich, chocolatey taste of the Brigadeiros, offering a harmonious and delicious combination of Brazilian flavours. The shisha bars in Itaim Bibi, a trendy district of São Paulo, offer innovative blends inspired by Brazilian cuisine. You'll find shishas flavoured with açaí, accompanied by tropical cocktails. These establishments, often with panoramic terraces, offer impressive views of São Paulo's urban skyline, ideal for a sunset shisha session. Interestingly, São Paulo is home to the largest Lebanese community outside Lebanon, which has a significant influence on the shisha scene. This strong Lebanese presence is reflected in the quality and authenticity of the shisha experiences on offer, blending Middle Eastern traditions with Brazilian innovation.
Abidjan: Afro-Eastern fusion
In Abidjan, shisha culture has blended harmoniously with local traditions, offering an original and captivating experience. The shisha bars in the lively Abobo district create a lively, modern atmosphere. They offer tobacco blends with exotic notes of fruit such as guava and passion fruit, which go perfectly with Bissap, a traditional African drink made from dried hibiscus flowers. The result is an elegant fusion of East and Africa, combining tropical flavours with the tangy freshness of Bissap. Shisha bars in Abidjan are often enlivened by musical evenings where Zouglou, the emblematic musical genre of Côte d'Ivoire, blends with the oriental aromas of shisha, creating a festive and convivial atmosphere. The presence of a large Lebanese community in Abidjan, one of the most influential in the region, has had a strong influence on the city's hookah culture, as it has in São Paulo. This community, established since the 19th century, has brought with it its culinary and social traditions, including the practice of shisha. Today, many shisha bars are run by Lebanese-Ivorians, offering a fusion of Middle Eastern and West African flavours.
Barcelona: Mediterranean and modern
The Catalan capital takes a Mediterranean approach to shisha, blending Spanish tradition with Oriental influences. In the Gothic Quarter, you can enjoy a peach shisha while savouring a seafood paella, creating a refined harmony between Oriental and Mediterranean flavours. The sweetness and lightness of the peach shisha adds a fruity, refreshing note that complements the richness of the seafood in the paella perfectly. Together, they offer an elegant and delicate culinary experience. The shisha bars in Barcelona's trendy Born district attract a young, cosmopolitan clientele. These establishments often offer themed evenings, combining shisha, fusion tapas and flamenco music. On the terraces of Passeig de Gràcia, you can enjoy a shisha while admiring Gaudí's modernist architecture, creating a memorable visual and culinary atmosphere.
Santorini: views of the Aegean Sea
On this idyllic Greek island, shisha smoking becomes an unforgettable panoramic experience. In Oia, famous for its spectacular sunsets, establishments offer shishas in Mediterranean flavours such as grape or watermelon, which go perfectly with traditional Greek mezzés. Fira's shisha cafés, perched on the cliffs, offer breathtaking views of the caldera. Here you can enjoy a shisha while sipping a refreshing cocktail of local flavours, creating an ideal marriage between the aromas of tobacco and the fruity notes of typical Santorini drinks. Some establishments even offer shisha sessions on the island's characteristic black sand beaches, offering an exceptional sensory experience between sea, volcano and oriental flavours.
Tokyo: Tradition and innovation
The Japanese capital stands out for its unique approach to shisha, combining traditional aesthetics with culinary creativity. In the Shibuya district, establishments offer original blends such as citrus shisha, perfectly matched with sushi and sashimi. The minimalist Japanese aesthetic is reflected in the design of the lounges, creating a zen and modern atmosphere.
Shisha bars in Akihabara often incorporate elements of Japanese pop culture, offering themed shisha inspired by manga or anime. The historic district of Asakusa contrasts with this modernity, with discreet shisha bars that blend harmoniously with the traditional alleyways. Here you can enjoy a shisha while admiring the view of Senso-ji temple, blending historical heritage and modernity in a singular experience.
From Paris to Tokyo, via Dubai, St Petersburg, São Paulo, Abidjan, Barcelona and Santorini, shisha has become a veritable cultural and social phenomenon. It transcends borders, adapting to local tastes while retaining its convivial essence. Whether in a luxury lounge overlooking the skyscrapers of Dubai or on a black sand beach in Santorini, shisha offers much more than a simple smoking experience. It has become an art of living, an invitation to the senses to travel and share. This age-old practice continues to evolve, reflecting the richness and diversity of contemporary urban cultures. In its ability to bring people together and create unique moments of sharing, shisha remains a living testimony to how traditions can adapt and thrive in our modern, interconnected world.
