Filli Café from Dubai Opens Its First U.S. Branch, Bringing Saffron Chai to Long Island
Long Island – Qahwa World
A touch of Dubai has reached New York as Filli Café, the UAE-born tea brand, opened its first U.S. branch in Hicksville, Long Island, offering tea lovers a warm and aromatic experience that blends tradition with modern flair.
From the moment guests step inside, they’re greeted by the distinctive aroma of Zafran (saffron) chai, the signature drink that defines the Filli brand. The idea for the new location came from franchise owner Sagar Khanna, who discovered Filli Café during a business trip to Dubai. Moved by the scent and flavor of its tea, he decided to bring the concept home. “We’re a chai shop, not a coffee shop,” Khanna said. “There’s nothing like this in Long Island.”
The café officially opened on October 4 at the newly developed Soni Center, attracting large crowds on its first day, with lines stretching outside and wait times exceeding an hour. Weeks later, the place remains packed every weekend as customers return for another taste of the fragrant saffron tea that has made Filli a global name.
The menu adds to the charm, combining Middle Eastern and South Asian influences with a creative twist — from Pakistani-style flatbreads and a reimagined smashburger, to multi-layered club sandwiches that customers say are unlike anything else in New York. Among the favorites is a spicy pasta dish called Foodles, which Khanna personally recommends.
Founded over two decades ago in Dubai by Rafih Filli, the brand has grown from a small neighborhood café into a global chain with more than 110 branches across the Middle East, the United Kingdom, Canada, and now the United States. Khanna describes the aroma of the saffron tea as “a beautiful addiction” that keeps people coming back for more.
Filli Café Hicksville Opening Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Friday–Saturday: 2:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Sunday: 2:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
