Hundreds of years ago, Yemen helped introduce the world to coffee. Now, the mountainous, war-ravaged country is exporting another treasure: its vibrant coffee culture. Yemeni coffeehouses are opening at a rapid pace across the United States, offering a unique blend of tradition and community.
Rapid Growth of Yemeni Cafes
According to Technomic, a restaurant industry consulting firm, the number of cafes run by six major chains serving Yemeni-style drinks grew by 50% last year, reaching 136 locations. This figure does not include numerous smaller chains and independent cafes that serve coffees and teas imported from Yemen. The expansion reflects a growing demand for authentic global experiences.
Why Yemeni Coffeehouses Are Thriving
Several factors contribute to the popularity of Yemeni coffeehouses. They stay open late—often past 3 a.m., especially during Ramadan—and provide a welcoming space for socializing. This is particularly appealing to the increasing number of Americans who abstain from alcohol. A 2025 Gallup poll found that only 54% of U.S. adults reported drinking alcohol, the lowest percentage in 90 years.
“Generally in the Middle East, our nightlife is coffee, right? People hang out at coffee shops, they play cards, they talk. We wanted to bring that here,” said Ahmad Badr, owner of an Arwa Yemeni Coffee franchise in Sunnyvale, California.
Another driver is the growing Arab American population. Between 2010 and 2024, the Arab American population in the U.S. rose by 43%, compared to about 10% growth for the overall population, according to the Arab American Institute.
Expanding Beyond Traditional Hubs
While most Yemeni coffee shops are concentrated in areas with high Arab American populations—such as Michigan, California, and Texas—they are also opening in diverse locations like Alpharetta, Georgia; Overland Park, Kansas; and Portland, Maine. This widespread appeal underscores the universal attraction of Yemeni coffee culture.
A Taste of Home for Yemeni Americans
Faris Almatrahi, co-founder and owner of Texas-based Arwa Yemeni Coffee, which operates 11 cafes across the U.S. with 30 more in development, explained that the ongoing civil war in Yemen has prevented many Yemeni Americans from visiting their homeland. He aimed to recreate the essence of Yemen in his cafes. Arwa locations feature natural desert tones, archways reminiscent of mosques, and lampshades shaped like the hats worn by Yemeni coffee farmers.
“One of the ways to actually visit without traveling there was to bring that experience to the U.S., and that was a huge passion for us when we opened our first location,” Almatrahi said. “It was extremely emotional for all of us due to the fact that it really transported us to Yemen.”
Interestingly, Almatrahi noted that most of his customers are not of Arab descent. Americans of all backgrounds are seeking new global flavors and authentic experiences, according to market research firm Datassential. Social media also accelerates the spread of food trends.
Unique Menu Offerings
Yemeni cafes typically serve specialties like Adeni tea, a spiced tea similar to chai, and qishr, a traditional drink made from dried husks of coffee cherries. Familiar drinks like lattes may include special spices or honey; at Arwa, lattes feature the outline of a camel stenciled in spices. Bakery items include khaliat nahal (Yemeni honeycomb bread, a cheese-filled pastry drizzled with honey) and basboosa (a cake soaked in sugar syrup, often flavored with lemon or rose water). Many menus also incorporate typical U.S. coffee shop fare, such as matcha lattes or berry refreshers.
Cultural Cafes as Growth Drivers
Peter Giuliano, a researcher with the Specialty Coffee Association, noted that culturally specific cafes have been a key growth driver in the U.S. coffee industry in recent years. Besides Yemeni cafes, he cited the Latin-style chain Tierra Mia in California and Nguyen Coffee Supply, a New York-based company that roasts Vietnamese beans.
Customer Cindy Donovan, who visited Badr’s shop for the first time after an internet search, praised the Yemeni coffee. “I think they're much more refined and mellow, and much more full of flavor than a regular cup of dark roast, for instance,” she said. “The cardamom in the drinks is fantastic. Very, very flavorful, rich but not heavy.”
Traditional Preparation Methods
Most Yemeni coffee is sun-dried, enhancing its flavor and bringing out undertones of chocolate and fruit, Almatrahi explained. Yemeni cafes often mix coffee with special spice blends known as hawaij, which may include cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, or nutmeg.
“Our coffee and teas are not just made through a fully automatic machine,” said Mohamed Nasser, director of operations for Haraz Coffee House, a Dearborn, Michigan-based chain with 50 U.S. outlets and 50 more in development. “We have to manually blend and mix our coffee and tea, boil it with water and evaporated milk, make sure that it comes out with the perfect taste, perfect color.”
Yemen's Coffee Legacy
Coffee has a long history in Yemen. While the plant was likely discovered in Ethiopia, by the 1400s it was being cultivated in Yemen, where monks brewed it to stay awake during prayers, according to the National Coffee Association. Yemen monopolized the coffee trade for about 200 years until Dutch merchants smuggled coffee seeds to Indonesia.
Almatrahi noted that a revitalization of the Yemeni coffee industry over the last two decades, led by coffee companies, foundations, and young entrepreneurs, made the current U.S. boom possible. Coffee is a promising sector for economic development in Yemen, where more than 80% of the population lives in poverty, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
“We are ambassadors for our culture and our people. So when we open these shops, we want to perform the outreach, to show the hospitality, to show what we have to offer,” Almatrahi said.
