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    Safwa Cafe

    4.5 (81 reviews)
    ModerateCoffee & Tea
    Open 8:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)

    Safwa Cafe Photos

    SAFWA CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Safwa Cafe

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    Spring 2026 menu
    Bao Y H.

    Second visit. I saw that they had a "brown butter oat latte". Sounded interesting but I don't drink espresso so I opted for a matcha version. I had to build it à la carte instead of it being a menu item so it took them a bit to figure out. I uploaded a photo of my receipt in case you want to try it yourself. It was very good, very unique drink. The other drink we ordered was another iced matcha but with Taro cold foam - the cashier suggested with added vanilla syrup as well as the drink is not sweet and is better with the vanilla syrup. We followed her suggestion and it was also a great drink. All in all, a good experience once again and I like the specials they come up with!

    French toast latte
    Yuri S.

    Came here on my way to Princeton since I had heard so much about this shop. I ordered a French toast latte with oat milk. I do wish they had more milk options. The service was okay and could've been better. They have ample seating inside and free WiFi for people to sit and work. The coffee was not my favorite but wasn't bad. It didn't taste exactly like a typical French toast latte and the coffee itself had an almost fragrant after taste which was strong.

    My first matcha  here
    Kimberly C.

    I was excited that there is a specialty coffee shop in Somerset not too far from work, so it's nice to have a place other than Starbucks to grab Matcha. They partner with Ooika (Princeton) so you know their Matcha is good quality. It can get very busy and packed here sometimes, so be prepared to wait a bit for your drink drinks, but typically the line goes by quickly. I've never had their coffee, but I've had the Matcha a couple of times. The first Matcha I had was not very great. I don't think the girl knew how to prepare it. Sometimes the Matcha is difficult to taste when you order it hot. But I'm glad I decided to give this place another shot because the last two times I got Matcha there, it was excellent! They prepare it traditionally, but instead of hand whisking, they use an electric bamboo whisk and then they hand mix it once the Matcha is added to the milk. You can definitely taste the Matcha and it is really good quality! They usually have seasonal specials, including some food items. I've had their avocado toast, but I really want to order some of their sweet pastries like their Tres leches cake. I also want to try their chai, but I was afraid it would be too strong to drink on a late afternoon! Customer service is good, just remember that certain times it does get very busy and packed so you may not be able to sit and enjoy your drink, but if you go earlier in the morning, maybe you'll have a better chance. They also have a reward system, which is nice if you come here frequently. Don't forget to bring your reusable cup if you're taking it to go!

    Raspberry almond matcha
    Amelia S.

    Very cute interior. Friendly staff. I ordered the raspberry almond matcha special and it was delicious. The matcha is high quality and vibrant. The syrups don't outshine the matcha.

    Spanish latte
    Apsara T.

    I visited Safwa today and it was packed. I ordered an iced Spanish latte (with less ice) and also tried the Lotus Biscoff cake. The latte tasted okay, but it wasn't filled to the top, which was really odd and disappointing for the price. The cake was good, but that alone didn't make up for the overall experience. The place felt more hectic than enjoyable, and with how crowded it was, it didn't feel worth it. A lot of people were ordering the sandwiches, but after this visit, I'm not sure I'd come back to try them.

    Salmon toast
    Curtis Y.

    I highly recommend the lattes, sandwiches, and hot chocolate here! Arguably, they source really good matcha. Better than some places in Edison. Ooika-esque. An oatmilk matcha latte without any sugar is my go to. I have not tried their drip coffee, but the espresso shot has such a nice roasted and nutty flavor. It goes great in an iced latte. Iced drinks are a big hit here! However, I recently tried their hot chocolate and the texture was sublime. Wow! Perhaps this will be my new go to drink. Thick and sumptuous, it is a nice velvety chocolate flavor with marshmallow fluff to add sweetness. Best hot chocolate in the area for sure! You have to try their sandwiches. Preferably pastrami. The meat pairs so well with the mustard and zesty mayo they put together. Contrast with some onion slices too. I appreciated their panini bread having a tight, yet soft inside and crunchy surface texture. This place is a great find for 2026!

    Spanish latte
    Mehaa S.

    I wanted to like this sooo bad, heard great things about this place for a long time and wanted to support a poc business Came here around 9pm after dinner and it was popping, definitely a popular night-time hangout spot which was a super fun concept I got the Spanish latte which came highly recommended and it was $8 my friend got the afghan chai. Unfortunately my latte was watery and disappointing flavor wise but my friend's chai was great I would come here again for the vibes and get the chai but personally stay away from the specialty drinks

    Jessi C.

    This is the most consistent coffee shop I have ever been to. It can get pretty busy in the cafe though they are quick with the drinks and there is online ordering. You may not be able to find a seat in the middle of the day but in the mornings it is lss crowded. The seasonal lattes are always fantastic, and the brown sugar shaken espresso is a favorite. I love that they are open late, though wish they were open just an hour earlier so I could stop in before work.

    Cardamom bun coffee
    Amanda G.

    Because the blower in my car has been acting up and only sometimes heats or air conditions I found myself in need a hot coffee this evening as I completed my appointments around town. I Yelped and found this shop and given the positive reviews of my help friends decided to stop in. I was set on a lavender latte until I got to the register and saw their fall seasonal menu - cardamom bun coffee??? Say less. I think: - the place is cute. I love that there are more of these social spaces popping up around town and in the state that are not alcohol centered. Mama used to love to drink but I'm old now and can't drink like that. The promise of a warm and cozy vibe and drinks assembled with care is equally appealing as my old vodka Red Bull standby. -the drink menu looked solid. I've been in cafes that are overwhelming with choices. This one was manageable. -I took mine to go but there was bench seating and chairs with arms. Depending on how full the place is most if not all body types should be able to snag a comfortable seat As for the coffee, when I order something that highlights cardamom I expect to be bombarded with that flavor profile. In fact I actually grind and make pour over at home with cardamom as my go-to - I just happen to be out of my favorite beans. The flavor in the cardamom bun coffee I purchased was lacking. Until I got a little deeper into the cup I wondered if it was cardamom in there at all. Still, the texture and mouthfeel were nice. I just had higher expectations. Service was great! One thing needling me is the current B health rating. I'd like to see that come up to an A before I stop in again.

    French Toast Latte
    Syed M.

    After my parents went to Safwa a few times, I decided to try it with them to see what it's like. And I have to say I'm quite impressed. The outside is a bit unassuming, but once you step in, you can enjoy the stylish, tasteful interior. It was crowded but we were able to find a table, and it didn't take too long for our orders to be ready. The drinks were all great. The French Toast Latte actually tasted like its namesake, not just a vaguely cinnamon-y latte. The Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso was refreshing & sweet. And the Vanilla Nutmeg Matcha was a seasonal treat. We weren't too hungry and split two items: the Hummus Toast and Pistachio Baklava. Both were great too, and the toast in particular surprised me with how well every component came together. The best part might be that the prices are very reasonable given the quality. Safwa is definitely worth a visit - or multiple!

    Bob A.

    If minimalism and good taste had a baby, it would look like Safwa Specialty Cafe. The desserts are stunning (the pistachio baklava and tiramisu especially), and the coffee actually tastes as good as it smells. The vibe is peaceful, lots of people working quietly, sunlight streaming in through the big windows, just the right hum of background sound. Only knock: we had to clean our own table before sitting. A little disappointing in an otherwise flawless experience. Still, 4 stars without hesitation.

    Selena Y.

    Cute, cozy, unexpected gem in Somerset serving up delicious coffees and teas. We tried the Afghan chai (which comes in various serving sizes) and the seasonal pumpkin spice tres leches. Both were fantastic - the chai was rich and nicely spiced, and the tres leches was a great sweet treat with a hint of autumn. I'll definitely be back to try more next time I'm in the area! Also note that this spot gets packed. I came on a Monday night and was surprised how busy it was. The place was unexpectedly filled with students and people working on their laptops; it was actually hard to find an open table.

    Menu - April 2025
    Esha Z.

    Moved from VA to South Jersey after getting married in April and this was one of the first spots my husband took me to, as it was recommended by his cousins who live in the area. I was not a fan of the Peach Breeze: it tasted like peach syrup and water, overall lacking flavor, especially as the service took a while to make. However, the mint lemonade was good. My husband ordered the pastrami sandwich, which they made without cheese, as they were out of cheese by 3pm on weekday. We returned a week later after our reception to give it another shot and I tried the Spanish latte (iced), which was better. I think I'd recommend staying away from the refreshers and sticking to the coffee. Parking is easy to find in the lot of the plaza. Seating inside is tough to find as many work from home customers were set up or people who came in groups to socialize and meet up with family and friends.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Safwa Cafe

    Are they closed? I just stopped by and the shop is closed. No hours posted and a realtor lock box on the door. Shouldn't they be open?

    Hello, we appreciate you coming by and sorry for the misunderstanding on that from our standpoint. In terms of our hours current, the past couple days we’ve been opening at 8PM, and today we will be opening at 8PM-12AM as well. Tomorrow however we… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    During my time in New Brunswick, this was my favorite coffee shop to go to! Amazing space and…read moredrinks are meticulously and deliciously crafted. Highly recommend any of their cold brews, they are all fantastic and well balanced in flavors, not overly sugary. You can appreciate the additional flavors in each drink.

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