17 November 13 - 19, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents ▼ COFFEE SPICE ROUTE IF YOU’VE YET TO SETTLE INTO A YEMENI CAFE, TRY THESE. BY SARAH IDRIS O ver the past decade, the U.S. has ex- perienced a slow but powerful emer- gence of Yemeni cafes. North Texas is no different. These spaces are most notable for traditional Yemeni drinks, specialty cof- fees, honeycomb bread and late-night hours. These cafés have become third spaces in North Texas’ burgeoning cafe scene, wel- coming aunts and uncles discussing the lat- est family news late into the night or busy professionals working remotely. These are also great spaces for coffee lovers to discover something new. The character of each lies in both the atmosphere and the menu, rooted in tradition and featuring specialty coffee from Yemen or Ethiopia (pre-tariffs). Traditional Yemeni Drinks Named after the port city of Aden, Adeni chai is a fragrant black tea brewed with evapo- rated milk. Mowafar, a dark roast with evapo- rated milk, may be an acquired taste, but it rewards the palate after a few sips. Jubani coffee, infused with warm spices, provides a lighter alternative. For a less caffeinated drink, try Qishr, a drink made from coffee husks, ginger and spices. You can find them at these Yemeni cafes in North Texas. Sayfani 817 MacArthur Blvd., Coppell Sayfani’s has much to boast about despite its small size. The owner is just as proud of his single-origin specialty Ethiopian and Ye- meni coffee beans as he is of hosting pro- grams for a local mosque. This spot is known for its signature house latte and fragrant Ad- eni chai, but don’t shy away from trying its unique, high-quality matcha. It has majlis, traditional Arabic sofas, situated in front of a slab, and its design blends modern elements with elegant gold accents. Qamarhiah 1601 E Debbie Lane Ste 1111, Mansfield There’s always a friendly face to greet you with a “Salam.” The white walls and large windows create a bright environment. Qamariah has a variety of seating options. Although the cafe offers many great drinks, we recommend the iced pistachio latte, made with pistachio sauce, and the honey cake is a must-try. Arwa Coffee 7763 N. MacArthur Blvd, Unit 375, Irving Arwa’s second location at MacArthur Park has high ceilings, geometric arches, and wicker lampshades to create a laid-back, mod- ern ambiance. Perhaps the tan, color-blocked majlis best captures Arwa’s blend of modern touches with Middle Eastern influences. On the main floor, older uncles and aunties gather to talk about politics, while students study on the majlis. It also sells Yemeni-themed candles, honey, coloring books and more. Port Coffee 411 E Royal Lane Ste 130 Irving Port Coffee is the latest addition to the cafe scene, with an extensive bakery section. The spinach and artichoke roll is a great savory op- tion and a mango dragonfruit refresher is for those with a sweet tooth. Amenities at Port in- clude a conference room and a dedicated prayer space. It also has jewelry and other merchandise by Habibi Heritage. Original Mocha Coffee House E. FM 222, Murphy For those on the outskirts of Dallas the Orig- inal Mocha Coffee House is a bright space with a distinct orange hue that comple- ments its other muted tones. Besides the OM Signature Latte, there’s a Rose Velvet Latte not found on other menus on this list, as well as a Virgin Mojito. It also serve Dubai chocolate strawberries and cheesecake alongside the traditional Sabaya, a favorite made with layered pastry and butter. Qahwa House 8880 State Highway 121 Ste 164, McKinney Qahwah House opened in 2017 in Michigan, inspiring the rise of Yemeni Cafes. Since then, it has opened locations across the na- tion. A signature of the franchise is a wooden world map, the size of an entire wall, that illustrates the coffee trade. Alison McLean Arwa Yemeni Cafe coffee and pastry treats.
