In recent years, the discussion surrounding the spread and popularity of Yemeni coffee culture in the United States has gained remarkable traction. Once a niche aspect of Middle Eastern tradition, Yemeni coffeehouses have become a growing phenomenon, catching the attention of major American media outlets, including The New York Times and other influential publications. These cafés, with their unique brewing methods, rich history, and deeply rooted social traditions, are transforming the coffee scene across the country.
Most recently, Bon Appétit published an in-depth report highlighting this trend, detailing how Yemeni coffeehouses are reshaping American café culture. From Michigan to California, these establishments are not just places to grab a cup of coffee but vibrant cultural spaces that bring communities together. Their late-night ambiance, traditional drinks, and authentic Yemeni aesthetics have contributed to their rapid expansion. Given the significance of this evolving movement, we at Qahwa World have chosen to republish the report, offering our readers insight into the growing influence of Yemeni coffee in the American market.
A Flourishing Presence Across the U.S.
On a late Saturday night in Memphis, a group of young customers gathers at a Yemeni café, sipping fragrant coffee infused with cardamom and cream. Over 400 miles away in Richardson, Texas, baristas pour teapot after teapot of aromatic Adeni chai in a bustling 3,000-square-foot coffee shop. Further north in Dearborn, Michigan, families search for seats in a packed coffeehouse, eager to enjoy traditional honeycomb bread alongside steaming cups of qishr—a drink made from dried coffee cherry husks.
Scenes like these are becoming increasingly common as Yemeni coffeehouses establish themselves as essential third spaces in American cities. More than just cafés, they serve as community hubs where diaspora and immigrant communities come together, preserving cultural traditions while attracting a wider audience of coffee enthusiasts.
A Market on the Rise
The expansion of Yemeni coffeehouses is driven by a combination of cultural preservation, a growing demand for unique coffee experiences, and the increasing popularity of Yemeni coffee itself. According to Amr Abozaid, director of the merchants’ enrollment program at the Yemeni American Merchants Association (YAMA), these factors have fueled the rapid spread of Yemeni cafés across the U.S.
Today, there are approximately 30 Yemeni-owned coffeehouse brands with active locations and franchises in states such as Michigan, New York, California, and Texas. Some cafés, like Aldar Cafe in Tennessee, remain independent, while others, such as Qahwah House, have expanded into national chains. Many of these entrepreneurs maintain direct connections to coffee farms in Yemen, ensuring that their offerings remain authentic and high quality.
For these businesses, the mission extends beyond selling premium coffee. They aim to provide alcohol-free social spaces, particularly appealing to young Muslim patrons, and support Yemeni coffee farmers, reinforcing a deep-rooted cultural legacy.
“Yemeni coffee is our identity,” said Mohamed Algushaa, who co-founded Aldar Cafe with his father in early 2024.
A Unique Coffeehouse Experience
Although these cafés operate similarly to Western-style coffee shops, they differ in key aspects. Many stay open late into the night, serve an extensive menu of traditional Yemeni beverages, and integrate cultural elements into their design and service. Over time, they have become lively social spaces with a loyal customer base.
“The U.S. market for Yemeni coffee shops is still in its infancy, but there’s plenty of room for growth,” said Faris Almatrahi, co-founder of Arwa, the first Yemeni coffeehouse in North Texas.
Most Yemeni cafés share common characteristics: spacious, beautifully designed interiors with traditional décor, comfortable seating, and intricate mosaic walls. They emphasize traditional presentation, serving roasted Yemeni coffee beans in glass or ceramic cups, often accompanied by honeycomb bread and other pastries.
Their menus highlight distinctive Yemeni drinks, including:
- Jubani – A coffee beverage made with the husk of coffee cherries, cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon.
- Mofawar – Coffee brewed with cardamom and cream.
- Qishr – A lightly spiced infusion made from steeped coffee cherry husks, ginger, and cinnamon.
- Adeni Chai – A rich Yemeni black tea with cardamom, nutmeg, and milk.
Beyond the drinks, Yemeni cafés prioritize ambiance. Many feature earthy tones, gold-accented décor, and geometric patterns inspired by Yemeni architecture. Arwa Yemeni Coffee in Texas, for example, includes design elements reflecting Queen Arwa Mosque, one of Yemen’s oldest mosques.
“Our coffeehouses are not just cafés; they are elegant, immersive spaces designed to showcase Yemeni culture while providing a family-friendly, alcohol-free environment,” Almatrahi said.
Bringing Yemeni Coffee Back to Its Historical Significance
One of the major drivers behind the rise of Yemeni coffeehouses is the desire to reintroduce Yemen’s historical role in coffee cultivation. Ibrahim Alhasbani, founder of Qahwah House, immigrated from Yemen to New York in 2011 and opened the first Yemeni coffee shop in Dearborn, Michigan, in 2017. Coming from a long lineage of coffee farmers, he felt compelled to highlight the overlooked history of Yemeni coffee.
“Many people don’t even know where Yemen is, let alone its role in coffee history,” Alhasbani said.
While Ethiopia is often credited as the birthplace of coffee, historical records indicate that Yemen was the first country to cultivate coffee commercially. The famous port of Mokha, which inspired the term “mocha,” was once the heart of the global coffee trade.
Determined to reclaim this legacy, Alhasbani rapidly expanded Qahwah House, which now operates 26 locations nationwide, with plans to reach 100 by 2027.
A New Model of Coffee Culture
Unlike major coffee chains such as Starbucks and Tim Hortons, Yemeni coffeehouses offer a more personalized experience, emphasizing hospitality and tradition.
“When you walk into a Starbucks, no one welcomes you. You order, grab your coffee, and leave,” said Hamzah Nasser, founder of Haraz Coffee House. “But in a Yemeni coffeehouse, the atmosphere is completely different. You have Arabic music playing, a welcoming ambiance, and a space to truly relax.”
Nasser, a third-generation Yemeni immigrant, has witnessed a shift in customer demographics. Initially, Haraz Coffee House catered to predominantly Muslim communities, but expansion into cities like Charlotte, North Carolina, has attracted a diverse clientele.
“There’s a growing demand for alternative social spaces—places where young professionals can gather without alcohol,” Nasser said.
With 27 locations already operating and 167 additional locations in development, he believes that Yemeni coffeehouses are on track to become a major part of the U.S. coffee scene.
“By 2030, people will be able to drive just a few miles and find a Yemeni coffee shop, just like Starbucks,” he said.
Almatrahi agrees that the future is bright. “As more people discover what we have to offer, the growth of Yemeni coffeehouses will only accelerate,” he said.
Three Notable Yemeni Coffeehouses in the U.S.
Aldar Cafe (Memphis, Tennessee)
A family-run café offering an extensive menu of Yemeni coffee and pastries. The café also hosts coffee-tasting classes.
Address: 4514 Summer Ave #1, Memphis, TN 38122
Bab Al-Yemen Cafe (Fresno, California)
Known for its fresh, spice-infused Yemeni coffee and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Address: 3173 W Shaw Ave, Suite 102A, Fresno, CA 93711
Arwa Yemeni Coffee (Richardson, Texas)
A coffeehouse featuring intricate Yemeni-inspired designs and a menu rich in cultural flavors.
Address: 888 S Greenville Ave, Suite 223, Richardson, TX 75081
The Yemeni coffee movement in America is growing rapidly, and its influence is only beginning to be fully realized. As these coffeehouses continue to expand, they bring with them a legacy of tradition, craftsmanship, and community that is reshaping the café culture across the country.