A lot of items were out of stock and it's definitely pricey. In terms of flavor I wasn't terribly impressed. It's one of those tik tok type picturesque places. read more

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Delicious food, friendly staff. From the moment we popped in for lunch, the staff were incredibly friendly, with plenty of recommandations and samples. I got a cheesy spiced bread and my partner got stuffed dates (see photo). The food was delicious and prepared perfectly. I washed it down with a mint lemonade and iced chai, taking some pastries to go. There's even a shelf with fresh olive oil jars right from the West Bank. Without a doubt, we'll be back again. read more

Yafa Bakery & Cafe - Lunch - Bakeries Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Absolutely amazing authentic Palestinian bakery. They give you free samples, are extremely friendly and welcoming. Service is quick, and often very busy. The inside is on the smaller side with very few seats. Try to go off peak times, but it is usually very busy. read more

This place is amazing - stopped in on a Saturday morning, was offered some chai tea and given a few samples of what was on offer. Incredibly friendly and giving people working there - a lot of love goes into everything they're making. Got a variety of baklavas and savory pastries, barely scratched the surface because they have so many options, need to go back to explore the menu more. The vibe and generosity of the people working there really made my day, put me in a great mood, which was accented by how good the food was read more

Walking in the door to Yafa, the spirit is warmed by both the kindness of the staff and a sample of chai that will rock your world. The story goes like this: last year, my parents stumbled into this bakery while traveling through Boston to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Now, all they can talk about is how they were spoiled rotten with Abdulla's beautiful sweets and contagious kindness for hours. I was finally able to stop in yesterday (10/2/24) to try just a few things for myself. Abdulla not only remembered who my parents were without having met me before, but also sat me down and gave me a tray filled with honey-sweet samples to try. To give you an idea of what the hospitality is like at Yafa, I was unable to finish everything Abdulla gave me and he refused to allow me to pay. His reply to my request to pay him was a smile paired with his superhero catchphrase, "spread kindness." Everything. Is. Delicious. You cannot go wrong in this bakery. My dad's favorite thing is the sweet Kanafa Cream, and my mom's go-to is the savory spinach and cheese pastry snail. Somehow, they're both right. Both of them also rave about the hummus, which I'll have to go back to try. My personal favorite so far is the almond Palma, which is a sort of shortbread cookie that gives you an orgasm while you eat it. I left Yafa with a box of them. Our family lives about 5 states away from Massachusetts and we spend our free time thinking of reasons to go back just to enjoy more time at Yafa. If you appreciate kindness and excellent food, this is the place to go. read more

Service was really welcoming and warm, and the interior was clean, bright, and filled with community. I was given a Chai sample upon entering, which tasted delicious. The kunafah is really nutty and flavorful. Great place to study, chill, enjoy treats, and hang out with friends. read more

Yafa Bakery & Cafe - Exterior of restaurant - Bakeries Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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In addition to the delectable and delicious sweet and savory treats, my husband and I want to commend the superb customer service. This was even when the bakery was getting busy. The person who served us explained everything they had available since we were first timers to the bakery and had not tried many of their treats before. We got lots of samples, my favorite being the tea (?chai) and this white chocolate filled cookie. We also purchased a variety of desserts, Jerusalem bread and Zaatar bread. We loved both the Jerusalem bread and Zaatar bread which they recommended we pair with hummus. We plan to return to get an assortment of pretty and creative dates for my mom's birthday, since she loves dates. We definitely want to return in general for all the yummy things there : )) read more

Incredible customer service and delicious desserts. The man that helped us was so kind and kept giving us tasty samples. If you're in Somerville you need to check this place out! read more

Genuinely impressed by this place, owner, service, and the food! I do not leave many reviews on yelp but this place left a very positive impression on me and my wife. We immediately felt welcome when we walked in the door. Not only was the food excellent but the employees and owner were very warm and friendly. We will be back again. read more

incredible palestinian owned bakery. the service was so kind, my sister and i were immediately greeted with a tray of assortments to try and chai to also try, we ended up ordering their kunafa and no words. it was so good. read more

Yafa Bakery & Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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The manager/owner is genuinely passionate about his pastries. He really enjoys what he does. The bakeries here taste so delicious. Will definitely come back again! read more

Not only does this cafe have some of the best tasting, unique food in the Boston area, the service and kindness of the staff is unmatched. They truly care about all their customers and want them to have the best experience possible. read more

Yafa Bakery & Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Amazing place! So many different treats to choose from and they have the best chai in town.

Really cute bakery! The staff was SO nice, and even gave us some samples to try. I got the valencia almond, the palma, and two other pastries I cant recall the name of. I really liked the valencia almond, that one was my favorite. The palma was flaky, which I liked. Would def come back to try more different kinds of pastries. Only downside is it's a little expensive, but I can see why, the pastries are so pretty and unique. read more

Yafa Bakery & Cafe - a variety of desserts - Bakeries Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

It's not often that I find a bakery that absolutely exceeds my standards in every way. As a baked good aficionado and frequent cafe visitor, I've been to a lot of different establishments, especially around the Cambridge area. So do not take it lightly when I say, this is hands-down, the most outstanding bakery I've tried in Cambridge. In addition to delicious sweets and baked goods (spinach and cheese roll was a highlight), the service here is outstanding. Immediately upon arrival, the owner (I'm assuming) offered us samplings of baked goods, chai, herbal lemonade, and sweets. It was so fun to taste an assortment of goods we wouldn't have tried otherwise, and definitely inspired us to return in the future. 6/5 stars for exceptionally friendly staff, tasty treats, and a great vibe. I will be returning soon! read more

Yafa Bakery & Cafe - a woman sitting at a table with pastries and coffee - Bakeries Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Went to Yafa for the first time after hearing lots of great reviews and it was spectacular! The pastries were scrumptious and the service was amazing. The moment we entered we were greeted and offered a small sample of their chai, which I was suprised to have enjoyed so much as I typically don't like chai. As we placed our order, a worker explained to us the different pastries and gave recommendations. We ordered the walnut baklava with chocolate, a walnut-tahini baklava, and a cheese zaatar flatbread type savory pastry. All were delicious but I especially enjoyed the walnut baklava with chocolate as the syrup was made with orange blossom and rose water which gave it a subtle unique floral taste. After trying all the pastries, a man who I think may have been the owner came out and asked us what we ordered and how we liked them. Upon telling him our order and how much we enjoyed it, he brought us a plate of 4 more pastries he selected for us to try free of charge! They were all scrumptious and we were pleasantly surprised to have the opportunity to try more of a selection from Yafa. We were able to try a date filled roll, some sort of shortbread cookie, a pistachio baklava roll, and a more typical walnut baklava. My personal favorites were the date filled roll and pistachio baklava roll. I definitely plan to come back and try more of Yafa's delicious pastries! Thank you for a wonderful experience! read more

Yafa Bakery & Cafe - Walnut-tahini baklava and walnut baklava with chocolate (plus our cheese zaatar flatbread savory pastry in the background) - Bakeries Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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So good! Appropriately, Yafa means beautiful. The pastries are beautiful. I tried a chocolate covered almond filled date- YUM. They have special California dates with all these fillings. The first section has traditional pastries, then they have a display case, then they have all these fresh breads. The saleswoman recommended the butter bread, so I tried that. Buttery flaky deliciousness. I ordered the zataar one, which made it especially delicious. Also tried the Jerusalem bread, which my friend remarked had a strong sesame flavor, almost like tahini, that worked well with the slightly sweet bread. read more

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I have saved this place for a while and went there for the first time today. The service was really good-- I was greeted and was given sample chai when I enter the cafe. The chai was pretty good, full of flavor, strong ginger and cardamom notes, and smooth. I enjoyed it. There are some people studying and working there, seems all enjoying their time. I tried one dates dessert and like it. It should be more cheerful if you come with friends, so that you can sample different desserts, and they will put them nicely over a bed of dried roses for decoration. I went on my own so only tried one with dates filling. Not bad, but a bit dry on the outside. Maybe the baklava is better but I wasn't in a mood for sugar syrup but might try it next time. So food-wise, I'd say it's 3.5/5. The desserts are on the pricy side I'd say. The orange-stuffed dates are $4-5 each, which is a bit pricy. But I see people picking them to assemble as a gift. It can be a good idea. From what I read, the service and the owner is really nice here. Hopefully I'll come with friends next time to enjoy a cup of hot chai with different desserts. read more

Incredible ambiance, service, and food. Definitely try the chai! The staff was so friendly, gave us samples, and helped us find the best products for us. Highly recommend! read more

If you haven't been at Yafa bakery & cafe, u r missing out! I went today for the first time & I had the most amazing and delicious experience. This is the real authentic Palestinian kitchen & food. Amazing assortment of everything made from the best healthy ingredients. Hand crafted by the owner who's hospitality is graciously inviting. Everything I tried was so wonderful with the real taste that I know from home! I was so overwhelmed, the healthy ingredients, like the cardamom tea or the fresh mint juice or the nuts that are used into these recipes, you will be thankful & happy. Thank you for your hospitality, you made us so happy today. WOW is understatement, will be back! read more

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Delicious assortment of sweets. Some come with a layer of cream, some are made with honey like baklava, some are more like cookies that crumble as you eat them. If you like pistachios you are in luck with 6 or 7 options. Then there is the fragrant chai tea which you can also buy in a jar to take home. I felt welcome and the place is warm and inviting. Parking might be tricky. There are a few spots in a parking lot before you get there from Porter sq. read more

Yafa Bakery & Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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We went here on a cold and rainy day and the food made us all warm and cozy inside. The spices in the chai were delicious and the pastries were some of the best I've had recently. As we were looking the owner kept offering us samples, so generous and welcoming! read more

I have been meaning to stop by Yafa since I have heard such good things about it. The people at the desk were very attentive. They were quick to respond and happy to help. They even served me free chai tea! The tea was flavorful and enjoyable if you like spices packed in your drink. I decided to get the Kunafah Cream, pistachio baklava, and Safayeh CheeZaatar. Everything honestly looked amazing, and I was tempted to order more but controlled myself. The pistachio baklava was amazing. It was covered in just the right amount of syrup and had plenty of filling present inside. It was small but packed with so much, which was amazing. The Kunafah Cream was not bad, but it was not my favorite. The cream was light, and I enjoyed the floral flavor to it. The texture was surprisingly soft and melted quickly in your mouth. Their savory items run out by the mid-afternoon, so I recommend coming earlier. There is not much seating, so I brought my goodies home to enjoy instead. I would stop by to try some of their other stuff when I am in the area! read more

Yafa is one of my favorite hidden gems in Somerville. The employees are always so kind and helpful, eager to offer you a sample of their chai. On weekends, they serve an assortment of sweet and savory warm pastries. The flaky snail pastries are my favorite, and my partner likes the cheese safayeh. Honestly, everything I've had here is great! No matter what you end up ordering, be sure to grab a cup of their chai -- it's sweet, earthy and tastes homemade. read more

Yafa Bakery & Cafe - Cheese Safayeh, Potato Snail, Chai - Bakeries Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Wow, we just received a cookies selection from friends in the mail plus some tea! They are so beautiful & so delicious. Amazing! read more

Yafa Bakery & Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

A phenomenal Middle Eastern bakery, whether you are a native, a connoisseur, or a sampler of Arab sweets, pies, and ka'ak. We tried everything from their date and nut maamoul, as good as my mom's homemade, to the various types of baklava, to the amazing chocolate and date works of art, and finally to the authentic, street food ... hummus, Zaatar, and Jerusalem ka'ak topped with refreshing lemonade and spiced Karak Chai. The delicious and abundant variety is only topped by the generosity and warm welcome of the owner and his entire staff. Will be back soon and highly highly recommend it! read more

What a treat to visit @yafabakerycafe in Sommerville this weekend. We were welcomed with a sample of tea and freshly squeezed mint lemonade (just like my mama's), both were delicious! This place is beautiful, clean and the staff were friendly and helpful. The owner so welcoming, generous and accommodating to our many requests. From fresh savory pastries (Jerusalem ka'ak with zataar was my favorite) to amazing desserts (the kunafeh was superb)....truly everything we tried was Wow, I enjoyed every bite! A taste of home away from home, so excited to have this gem so close by! read more

Yafa Bakery & Cafe - Desserts - Bakeries Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

A lovely place warm reception -great ambience -and we just can't wait to go back because the food is delicious. The chai is wonderful and the people are great. read more

Love coming to this bakery. The service is amazing and quick. They greet you with chai! (That is delicious and you should order a large chai while you are here). We got the harissa desert to eat while there and took many home with us. The ambiance is very cute and the decorations are homey. read more

Yafa- my favorite cafe/bakery in Boston! The food is incredible, authentic, and creative, and there's nowhere like it in Boston. I'm a huge foodie, esp. when it comes to baked goods and mediterranean food, but the experience at Yafa is so much more than incredible eats. Being in Yafa is like coming home, and the staff's radical hospitality stands out in a city that can often feel cold. Every time I've walked in, the owner (Abdulla) tells me stories about the food in the shelves (where the recipes come from and their inspiration), greets me warmly, gives me new items to sample, and always checks in to see how I'm liking the food. He also is happy to answer questions, and share information about the beautiful art in his shop (ask him about it)! I'd highly recommend making time to sit and enjoy the food there (both so you get the full customer service experience), but also because you'll get pastries fresh, hot and plated beautifully! Here are some of my favorites: The baklava fingers (or the pistachio baklava) and the Yafa chai Karak (I normally don't like chai or baklava, but they are INCREDIBLE HERE). Knafeh with cheese (ask for this in the back and definitely sit in the restaurant so you get this fresh). Comes plated beautifully and warm (not shown in the display, so ask the owner Abdullahif he's around)! Royal knafeh pistachio - first time trying pistachio knafeh and it was delicious. They have two versions, and I chose the one with red pistachios, incredible and so unique! Qairawan- ask Abdulla about the history of this cookie! I'm not normally a huge fan of date cookies, but this one is so special, and the history it honors makes it even more of a treat! Lemonada- super refreshing on a hot day. Made with orange blossom water, which makes it extra unique! Hummus (best I've had in Boston). Made properly (homemade, warm, from dried beans). Jerusalem Bagel- by far the best I've had in the western hemisphere (no surprise, given that the owner is from Jerusalem)! This is a must try! read more

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WOW! WOW! WOW! My husband I happened to stop in today on a walk + we were absolutely blown away! Abdul could not have been kinder. He gave us chai tea, biscotti and pistachio desserts, all for free as we waited for our little pizza, just to try! Everything was amazing & I couldn't stop remarking about how beautiful all of the desserts were. We can't wait to go back and buy the date filled pastries for every special occasion! At one point, I noticed the Palestinian cookbook on their bookshelf and I couldn't have been more excited to support a Palestinian-owned business, especially during this time when there is so much strife in the world. Sharing coffee & hospitality across cultures & religions really does build bridges. I've been smiling ever since! Thank you, Yafa & Abdul!!! read more

Six stars. Best bakery of its kind within quite a distance. Very friendly people. Great chai. Cool artwork. Warm, cozy, easy-going atmosphere. I'll go out of my way to stop there and pick up goodies if I can make any excuse to be in the area. read more

Best service ever received - they always smile, no matter how busy! Delicious food and gorgeous presentation - thank you!

This is one of my favorite places in Boston. It's very difficult for me to find a good bakery around here, but Yafa is amazing. The people are so nice and friendly, and it's always a pleasure walking into a store where people are so welcoming. I love their Chai and many of the pastries that they offer. read more

I've tried a wide variety of Yafa's sweets, and all have been wonderful! I love the variety of nuts they showcase, from pistachios and walnuts to sesame (okay that's a seed) and hazelnuts. During my visits, they have been generous with samples. I almost felt bad being offered so many! The savory items I've had so far (zaatar manakeesh and spinach snail) have been tender, flaky, and flavorful. Yafa has quickly become my neighborhood favorite! read more

Yafa Bakery is a taste of the Middle East in Somerville. It is authentic, fresh and delicious. You can taste how much care and effort are put into every bite of food or every sip of a drink. Each time I go, I am never disappointed but rather reminded of why I keep going. You can't go wrong with anything here, 10/10. read more

Yafa Bakery & Cafe - Harissa . - Bakeries Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

It's not often I am compelled to leave a review. But I am - now. The place is totally fantastic. The host was extremely generous and let us try many different things. The only close place in my mind to this one is an Arabic bakery in Akko we visited years ago. Nothing around here we have seen anything close to Yafa Bakery. The taste of their baklava and different pistachio kunafa (sp?) is out of this world. And Jerusalem bagels? Last time I had a real one was in Jerusalem! Highly, highly recommend this place. read more

Love this place. The owner is so passionate about his baked goods and loves to tell you tons of history and tries to pair you with what you'd like the most when asked. Also love the free samples and the chai is amazing. read more

Quiet place. Great treats and drinks! Excellent desserts, and chai tea. Slightly pricey, but well worth it. read more

Yafa Bakery & Cafe - Outside - Bakeries Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Excellent pastries from the many traditions in the Mediterranean basin. The servers are very friendly and work hard to please. Tunisian, French, Moroccan, Syrian, Israeli, and Turkish treats draw from the gorgeous foods that have been part of the landscape since the Bronze Age. The server offers pastries made with Yaffo oranges. Honey, which is referred to in Egyptian and Hittite documents, are part of the pallet. Dates from Beit Shean (found in bills of lading from the Roman era) are on the offer along with pistachios, almonds, sesame... there are all in the flavors offered at Yafo. Some critiques - The coffee is a little over priced. It may be that I failed to taste the quality because of how it was served. The espresso machine was off but they had the drip coffee on offer in a pump dispenser. The server then took the cup to the back and microwaved it. The coffee was still a little less than lukewarm. I imagine that if business picks up there will be a more regular rotation of hot coffee ready to serve. The bread I ordered was delicious, a perfect blend of dough, salt, oil and zatar. But, again, I was asked if I want it warm and it was microwaved rather than heated in a toaster or small oven. I think that could be better handled. Otherwise, this is a special if expensive treat. read more