After I told my friend at Binghamton University the name of the new coffee shop opening in Collegetown, she was on her way to Ithaca within the hour. She was already a loyal customer of the chain from her location back home, and I was already planning on visiting the newly-opened Qahwah House myself, but her reaction made me all the more curious to try it out.
Qahwah is the Arabic word for coffee, and Yemen is widely regarded as the birthplace of coffee culture. During the 15th century, Sufi monks in Yemen began cultivating and brewing to help them stay awake for midnight prayers, eventually spreading the practice across the Islamic world. Qahwah House serves a variety of Yemeni coffee, such as Mofawar and Rada’ey.
Situated on Collegetown’s Dryden Road between Wings Over and Kung Fu Tea, the coffee chain has seen a near-constant stream of customers since opening its doors last week. Founded in 2017 in Dearborn, Michigan, Qahwah House has grown to nearly 30 locations across the country, with a strong following in southeastern Michigan and the New York area. With my friend as my guide, I was looking forward to finally trying out the offerings of the cafe myself.
After we placed our order, we received a pager, similar to the buzzer a restaurant gives you while you wait for a table. I appreciated this; the traditional name-calling approach of coffee shops can be nerve-racking in congested environments. I also enjoyed how our dine-in order came in glassware and a wooden tray, perfect for carrying multiple items at once.
My first item to try, as recommended, was the Adeni Chai. Our small pot came in a glass carafe with accompanying teacups. The black tea is brewed with evaporated milk and the spices cardamom and nutmeg. Although the small pot is recommended for up to two people, I think it was portioned well enough for a group of four if you use the teaware. I enjoyed the taste, especially how the spices came through without overpowering the tea. I usually gravitate towards iced drinks, but the hot version won me over because the spices were balanced rather than overly sweet. The drink felt warm and comforting, which made it easy to keep going back for another cup. The Adeni Chai is one of the most popular menu items.
I also tried two of their Yemeni pastry options: the Khaliat al-Nahl and the Sabaya. Both are sweet and would pair nicely with a drink for breakfast, or stand alone as a dessert.
The Khaliat al-Nahl, in Arabic, translates to “beehive” and is a slice of conjoined cheese-filled bread rolls drizzled with honey and topped with sesame seeds. The hexagonal arrangement of the pull-apart pieces resembles a honeycomb. The bread is soft and airy, malleable enough to pull apart with a fork and share with others.
The Sabaya is a flaky, multi-layered, sweet butter pastry also coated in honey and sesame seeds, along with black cumin seeds. Honey is historically important to Yemen and production is a source of livelihood for an estimated 100,000 Yemeni beekeepers. Comparatively, it is denser yet thinner-looking than the Khaliat al-Nahl. It is constructed in layers, so the pastry would need to be cut into pieces for sharing.
I was also able to try the seasonal iced strawberry matcha and enjoyed the presentation; it was layered neatly and well put together. It leaned more tart than sweet, with the matcha coming through more strongly than the strawberry. However, if I were to order another iced drink, I would be interested in trying a coffee option — perhaps the Yemeni Latte, as I enjoyed the spices in the Adeni Chai.
Qahwah House also sells coffee beans and specialty blends for those who enjoy making coffee on their own. The location’s seating offers plenty of room for groups, so check it out with your friends, but you may have to stand around for a bit before a table frees up! Considering the steady flow of customers and my friend’s loyalty to the chain, Qahwah House seems likely to maintain a strong presence in Collegetown in the weeks and even months ahead. Overall, I had a positive experience at Qahwah House. The drinks felt distinct from what you typically find in Collegetown, and it is an enjoyable place to sit and chat with friends. I would go again, especially to try one of their coffee options next time, and I can see why the chain has built such a loyal following across the United States.
