Yafa Coffee, founded by two cousins of Yemeni heritage, has launched its second location in Brooklyn, New York, marking another milestone in their journey. This latest addition is located in the bustling downtown area near the Barclays Center, within the innovative Alloy Block development.
The new coffee bar, situated at 505 State Street, operates as a grab-and-go spot, with no indoor seating. Housed in Brooklyn’s first “fully electric skyscraper,” the streamlined setup features top-tier equipment, including a La Marzocco KB90 espresso machine and Mahlkönig E65s GBW, E80 GBW, and EK43S grinders for espresso and drip coffee.
Patrons can enjoy beverages through an operable walk-up window, where Yafa offers a curated selection of teas, herbal infusions, and signature drinks like the Cardamom Brown Sugar Latte and Tahini Chai. These are complemented by daily pastries sourced from Colson Patisserie, a respected Brooklyn-based bakery.
Honoring Heritage and Building Community
Ali Suliman and Hakim Sulaimani, the cousins behind Yafa Coffee, are proud to continue the Yemeni business legacy in Brooklyn. Speaking to Daily Coffee News, Suliman said, “We are proud to continue the long lineage of Yemeni businesses in the historic neighborhood and look forward to sharing many cups of coffee with the downtown community.”
Their journey began in 2019 when the duo envisioned creating a communal hub in their Brooklyn neighborhood. At the time, Suliman was a social media manager for a music publication, while Sulaimani balanced his roles as a photographer’s assistant and manager of his father’s bodega.
“We pride ourselves on serving coffees that reflect the communities and neighborhoods that we’re serving,” Suliman added, emphasizing their commitment to fostering inclusivity and quality through their coffee offerings.
Bringing Yemeni Coffee to the Forefront
Yafa Coffee’s unique appeal lies in its dedication to Yemeni coffee. Through their partnership with Shared Roasting, a Brooklyn-based co-roasting space and incubator, the cousins ensure the highest quality for their coffee. Their single-origin Yemeni offerings are distinctively packaged in black bags, while other blends and single-origin coffees are available in white packaging.
“As one of the few specialty coffee roasters offering Yemeni coffee year-round, it is an important mission for us that Yemen gets its recognition for its vital role in the history of coffee,” said Suliman. He urged other coffee roasters and buyers to support the Yemeni coffee industry, emphasizing its historical and cultural significance.
Future Prospects
While there are no immediate plans for further expansion, Suliman and Sulaimani are open to the possibility of establishing a café in the Middle East if the right opportunity arises. For now, they remain focused on serving their Brooklyn communities and celebrating Yemeni coffee heritage.
Yafa Coffee’s newest location operates daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., continuing to bring a blend of tradition and innovation to Brooklyn’s coffee scene.