Yafa Cafe

Absolutely love this place -- my neighborhood go-to. Always a pleasure, staff super friendly, atmosphere very welcoming, and some of the best Yemeni coffee in NYC (and that's a high bar!). I buy my beans here too, and it's definitely worth the price tag. Very proud to be a regular here! Adding my favorites and recommendations to my review: For drinks, I'm a huge fan of the classic adeni chai. The baristas here are so talented at getting the milk steamed perfectly and the sweetness at an excellent level (compared to somewhere like Qahwah House, where the drinks are super sweet). The seasonal honey butter latte was an immediate favorite as well. The lamb stew is phenomenal. I have celiac disease and can't confirm how good the sandwiches are, but every friend I bring here is obsessed with the chicken and lamb. I've had friends come all the way down from upper Manhattan just to get the sandwiches again. Staff are super accommodating about dietary restrictions. The fries are fantastic as well and I regularly get them as a side or on their own with a coffee.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Yafa Cafe is such a special place! The food is absolutely amazing — full of authentic flavors and cooked with so much care. But what really touched me was the Yafa coffee. The moment I tasted it, I felt like I was right back in Yafa, reminded of my grandma’s qahwa — warm, comforting, and unforgettable. The staff are so kind and welcoming, and the whole atmosphere is cozy and relaxed. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a delicious meal and a taste of tradition. I can’t wait to come back again!

The coffee shop is nice, it’s quiet and the vibe is very friendly. Usually I have latte and avocado toast and it tastes so good ✨

After attending the pop-up with Akram Cooks, we decided to come back the next morning for breakfast at Yafa Café—and I’m so glad we did! My sister is actually a regular here, but this was my first proper visit. I usually stick to the typical pancakes, but I wanted something different, and Yafa’s menu did not disappoint. The variety was so impressive that we honestly had a hard time deciding what to order—we almost got everything! Every single dish that came out was perfect to the tee: fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. You could really taste the love and quality put into the food. I enjoyed every bite from start to finish. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the staff are friendly and attentive, and the overall vibe makes it the kind of place you can happily linger in. If I lived in New York, I could absolutely see myself becoming a regular here. Since I only visit once a year, I’ll be looking forward to making Yafa Café one of my must-stops every trip.

Amazing customer service by the man, the myth, the legend, Sarhad Hamrukulov. The food was absolutely delicious, and lastly the atmosphere was out of this world!! 10/10 experience 👏