Magnificent service and food. I tried the chicken hummus dish with a side of FOUL (fava bean) . Served with bread. Absolutely delicious and plentiful. The swan tea is heavenly!! Thanks for all you do! I am smiling ear to ear. read more

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Really fine experience here, mainly due to the food, which is extraordinary. Can't say the same for the service, which is no-nonsense, but that didn't affect our enjoyment. My dinner, the aromatic and tasty flavor bomb that is the Chicken Zorbian, was the perfect amount of food for dinner AND lunch the next day. Yemeni tea on tap was a nice touch as well. Don't sleep on this BR gem. read more

Yemen Café & Restaurant - Deliciousness - Middle Eastern Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

An unassuming space, they really bring the culture of Yemen with their delicious food and warm hospitality. This place has been around for like 20 years I think and I've been wanting to try it. Did not disappoint! Soon as you walk in, you're greeted-- could be by manager, server or even a patron!-- and welcomed to sit wherever you'd like (IF space is available). Menus are brought to you and you're promptly served a large flat bread, their signify soup (which I thought was lentil, but I may be wrong) and some salsa. And a couple lemon wedges. Pro-tip: eat with an open heart - squeeze the lemon in the soup to brighten it up, go ahead and dip the pita in the salsa, drink the soup right out of the bowl-- there aren't the "rules" of traditional western dining here. We ordered the chicken haneeth but asked for no rice, shish kabob, hummus and babaghanoush. The chicken was perfect- flavorful, not too tangy, and the meat was tender. By itself, I enjoyed the hummus more (between the two dips) but once we started eating with the entrees, I thought the babaganoush really came to life. We also squeezed some lemon on the dips to brighten them up. Yemeni hummus is more tahini-rich than some other variations, which I finds benefits from some lemon splash. Of course they gave us more pita when our mains arrived :) The manager was a really nice man! We felt welcomed and our business valued-- really was one of my favorite things about the restaurant. You can grab some traditional sweet tea at the counter after your meal. read more

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Surprisingly busy place for what looks like a hole in a wall place. I wonder if it's on a traveler's must try list. We got complimentary soup which was made of lamb stock so beware if that is not your cup of tea, salad and bread. They also have complimentary tea in the back with your choice of milk. I got the chicken haneeth. The rice was delicious. The chicken piece was very small in comparison to the photos online. The grilled chicken was very tasty and fresh. It took longer than expected to get the food so they must prepare everything fresh! read more

The staff will be sure to leave you stuffed here, and dining does feel like a familial cozy experience. Complimentary hot sweet tea and breads with dipping sauce are given here. And all entrees are stew like with a colorful array of vegetables, meat, and a soup/salad side with rice. My friends and I split one dish and we were full. I sometimes wish the complimentary items were more flavorful but otherwise this is fine! read more

Yemen Café & Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The bread here is made fresh and is delicious. They give complimentary soup, bread, and tea which were satisfying. We had the chicken agda (loubia) and plain saltah without meat. These were two very similar dishes so I don't recommend getting both. Each entree comes with salad and bread. The chicken agda had the same vegetables as the saltah and was a bit bland. The saltah had the same flavor. Try some other non-stew dishes. read more

Yemen Café & Restaurant - Complimentary soup and bread - Middle Eastern Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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On a Sunday night, all the tables were filled. Thankfully someone wrapped up as we were coming in. The restaurant decor is beautiful and looks handmade. The space felt filled with families and friends, people moving with ease, refilling tea, and chatting. Each lamb dish comes with a salad and soup. The portions were generous so we tried one dish this time, with the plan to save room for dessert in the area. I had the traditional Saltah combined with shredded lamb & served bubbling hot in a clay bowl with a warm clay oven bread. This arrived with a plate of long grain basmati rice as well. Perfectly prepared and fragrant. The lamb was delicious, we shamelessly scraped the pot clean. Paired with the Yemeni bread, it just hit the spot. A fridge with puddings caught my eye and I couldn't resist. I tried the lotus basbousa it was so good. Definitely shareable - it's topped with crushed cookies and I believe cookie butter (spekuloos). This sits on top of a semolina cake and pudding. It was nice but a little too sweet for me. Can't wait to return and try more things. Oh the tea! Definitely try their tea, so lovely and fragrance. read more

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I'd been planning to come here for years and finally got around to it. The service wasn't great but the food surely made up for it. A common experience with good eats, I'd say. The lamb haneeth is so flavorful. Perfect blend of spices, nothing overpowering. I'd personally ask for extra okra next time. Very yummy. read more

Yemen Café & Restaurant - Lamb Haneeth - Middle Eastern Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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So tasty, So delicious Lamb Haneez, not sure if I wrote it correct, but I can recommend it definitely try it. We try it a lot, but they changed rice for some reason, it is not as it was before, but still good. Hey Restaurant people, if possible please get back the same rice as before, that was much better. read more

I've been meaning to try this restaurant chain, no of 2 restaurants that is, for quite some food from this region. After a long day, I thought this would be a perfect way to bring nostalgia full circle. The place was packed with many people, families, friends, marchers, dates... and I was swooped up by a group of two to a corner table, seamlessly. We were given soup (I need this soup daily, please, and thanks) immediately and salads after ordering an entree. There is a complimentary tea station with the most delicious tea blend with regional spices! Soooo good! The kitchen is incredibly busy, but the dishes were flowing out of the kitchen constantly. Everything was delicious and plentiful. The staff allows to establish and digest your food in peace. I'll definitely visit the other location as well as return here! read more

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Cozy and hearty meal from this spot! Tried the fahsah (shredded lamb in stew), chicken haneeth, and mandi. Flavors were mild and lightly salted but otherwise good. They do give generous amounts of house bread, soup, and salad so all in all, very affordable and tasty. read more

I really enjoyed the Yemen cafe entrees at the Staten Island branch. The food was incredibly delicious and had a homemade feel, likely due to being prepared by a genuine mom. The only downside was the customer service, which could be improved. I think adding Yemeni coffee to the menu would help the cafe stand out in the area and enhance the overall experience. I hope to visit this place again when I crave some Middle Eastern food. read more

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10/10 hospitality, 9/10 food, perfect for those looking to experience a authentic Yemeni vibe in a restaurant setting. The space is decorated with Yemeni art, and is perfect for larger groups since this specific location has a lot more seating than any of the other Yemeni spots I've been to in the city. When we first sat down they served us a soup and some bread, all complimentary. They also have the best complimentary tea soaked with cardamom and cinnamon flavors. We ordered the fahsa with chicken (pot of shredded pieces of Chicken braised with helba spice and butter) with their house made bread. Their bread was perfectly warm for the rainy and cold weather outside, and great to dip in the fahsa dish. I will be back! read more

Yemen Café & Restaurant - Fahsah - Middle Eastern Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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This place is hands down the best! I'm so upset the Staten Island location is not open, but I heard it will be open in the next two weeks! Yay! We came here on a Thursday night for their signature dishes. They serve a delicious lamb broth and salad with warm naan (and they keep serving naan). The service is amazing and they quickly try to get you seated. The meat (lamb/chicken is deliciously tender and juicy. Their rice is expertly seasoned with homey spices. This restaurant has tea in the back that is self serve (with evaporated milk). The ambience is laid back with a family style flair. The only negative is that parking is tough! We are usually driving for a while before we find a spot, however it's Brooklyn and that's to be expected. As we inquired about the Staten Island location we were offered desserts on the house to go! Can't wait for them to open the Staten Island location again! Please give this wonderful place a try! read more

Yemen Café & Restaurant - Fresh baked naan - Middle Eastern Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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I came here around noon on an observed holiday and it started out empty with only 2 tables occupied but as we were eating, there were many more patrons coming in for lunch. Our server was super friendly and patient explaining to us different items he recommends since it was our first time trying Yemen cuisine. Our server mentioned that although the items are under "appetizer", it's typically what Yemeni people eat for breakfast. We got the Kibdah (lamb liver) & Lamb Haneeth that was recommended to us and were super glad we did! Lamb Haneeth ($29.95): - The lamb meat fell right off the bone - it was super tender. - It had some okra and rice. - Comes with house salad and lamb soup (which was incredibly delicious, a hint of spiciness). Kibdah (lamb liver) $14.95: - I was shocked when the bread came out because they're massive! The dish comes with 2 pieces, each ~12 inches in diameter and very soft. - The lamb liver was soft and seasoned very nicely. Both dishes were huge portions, we had leftovers. We also tried the tea that was near the back and it was very refreshing with some sweetness at the end. I would absolutely come back to this spot to try other items on the menu and for their great service. read more

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My friend and I get dinner once a month. It was my turn to choose and I found the Yemen Cafe on Yelp. I chose their Bay Ridge location because I found that the neighborhood had some other cool places to check out as well. The place is fairly large and very popular. We got there fairly early, so we were able to get a table. There was a real authenticity to the place, as the crowd seemed largely Yemeni (or at the very least Arabic). The gentleman waiting on our table turned out to be the owner's son. He was friendly and proud of their food. The meal started with complimentary lamb broth, served with lemon and hot sauce. They also brought a delicious round flat bread to the table. We selected a lamb liver appetizer and a lamb in broth stew to get started. The service is quick and the food was served hot. The liver dish was tasty, it was nicely mixed with spices and peppers. The liver flavor was more present than some of the fried preparations I've had elsewhere but it wasn't overpowering. The lamb stew was amazingly tender, it went well with pieces of the flatbread. We moved on to the lamb haneeth, which was recommended as a national dish. It was a very nicely slow cooked lamb on the bone dish, served with rice and some nice winter squash. I felt very comfortable at the Yemen Cafe. I even got to have a brief conversation with the owner's son regarding Yemeni politics. We were given a complimentary cup of sweet tea and it nicely wrapped up a great experience. read more

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Self seat. There were many empty seats. Waiter brought the menu, had a hard time waving them down to order. There is tea + evaporated milk towards the back of the restaurant which is self serve. Food was good. The lamb was very tender. We got a big piece of naan and dips. read more

Are you tired of being bored with the same old food, the bland flavors, the lack of any sort of variety in your pallet? Introducing Yemen Cafe in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn! The straw of hay in a dozen haystacks right in Brooklyn's second largest borough. Just order, eat, and leave! That is if you stomach does not kick you on the way out. The secret is the sauces and overindulgence of onion in certain dishes that can make your stomach flip more than a gymnast in the Olympics. The complementary flat bread they offer tries to attack, but it is no use. Who wants that? Also, the lack of tap water, or filtered water of any kind will force your bowels to clench! All this can be yours, along with their iconic honey tea, for the low low price of $29.95! But wait, there is more! Order your food in the next 10 minutes and you will wait 30 minutes (or longer), to be served because this restaurant only has one server! What are you waiting for? Go or call now! read more

Yemen Café & Restaurant - Lamb Agada (Loubia) - Middle Eastern Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Came here with my folks on Saturday for a relaxing lunch and it was a definite hit. My family never had Yemen food before so of course they didn't know what to expect but everything that was ordered, they loved!!! When you walk in, just grab a seat to your liking and the restaurant will come by with your plates and menu. Personally, I like this style more then the one where you have to wait to be seated by the host. While waiting for the menu, my folks help themselves to some delicious complimentary tea. It's lightly sweeten and you can add evaporated milk if you like. Shortly after, I server came and he was awesome. I believe he is the son of the owner and we all loved his energy, pride is his food and friendliness. We ordered quite a few dishes and everything was tasty. I especially enjoyed their smoky babaganosh and their egg appetizer. It combined so well with the bread. As for their fish of the day, it was grilled and yummy. I love the special care they spent to remove the bone and the fish was butterflied. Overall, our experience here was wonderful and I can definitely see my folks wanting to come back. read more

This place has become part of my routine. Good cooking served efficiently. This place stands out for its helpful team. Every team member displays impressive skills. I regularly praise this place. read more

Stopped by here for a quick lunch the other day. This place is famous for their authentic Yemeni menu so I was very excited to try the food here. The lentil soup served with bread and spicy sauce was absolutely delicious. It was a fantastic start to the meal, and so warm and comforting. I ordered the mixed grill plate and my friend ordered the chicken. Both came over a large plate of long grain rice. The mixed grill also came with a vegetable curry side which was delicious and made the plate juicy and flavorful. The meat was grilled very well, I really loved the charr on it. However, I did feel the seasoning was a little bit lacking. Ambience was A okay, it's a pretty simple set up nothing too fancy. Lots of men and very few women, I wasn't sure if that was intentional or not as it was lunch hour. If you are in the neighborhood, definitely check this place out, I'm excited to go again and try other stuff on the menu like their lamb shank. read more

Yemen Café & Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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The softest and most flavorful lamb I've ever had!!!!! Service is excellent, portions are generous, staff is efficient and prices are very reasonable. Highly recommend Yemen cafe! read more

You notice how the beautiful setting elevates the meal. The personnel were warm and quick to assist. The cooking was good and servers attentive. The cost feels right for what they provide. I appreciated the workers' attention and will visit again. read more

The folks here bring their A-game to every service. Their staff maintains warm approaches. Flavor perfection achieved here. The menu items taste great and the restaurant feels cozy. Make a reservation here! read more

Whenever I'm passing through this area again, I'll stop by. The service was good and the staff member paid attention to our needs. Thanks. Their cooking reveals aspects of food you hadn't noticed. I was happy with the price-to-quality ratio. Relish every flavor! read more

Food is 10/10. Lamb Haneeth is an absolute banger. Falls off the bone. They have truly amazing food. Only reason I have to take off two stars is because they have a 4% operating fee that gets added to the check. (This is not an automatic gratuity for large groups, but applies to all customers.) Im not a fan of that, especially 5 years after COVID lockdowns when that kind of stuff (understandably) started and most restaurants don't do that anymore in 2025. The food is also kinda pricey so I don't get it. It's better to just be upfront about the menu prices. So if you're tipping 20%, for example, realize it's actually 24%+. read more

Brunch at Yemen Cafe, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. They open at 9 am. So many leftovers! Fantastic service and cuisine. Best tea as well with cardamom, cloves and cinnamon. Lamb haniff and Lamb hummus. Hummus was the best since I was in East Jerusalem and Jordan. Tea, lentil soup, bread, salad and salsa was complimentary. Tea and soup were bottomless. Cash discount available. Ambiance is interesting. Lots of displays showing stunning yemen on a loop. I want to visit. Else very basic. First Yemenite cuisine restaurant in the USA! Opened in 1986. read more

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Absolutely excellent. Service was top notch, ambiance was just fine and I loved the pillowy bread, the unctuous consommé and the delicious hot tea. Funnily enough those are all the free things you get along with the meal! As to food we ordered the rotisserie chicken was excellent, the stewed chicken (chicken agda) and the boiling fahsah lamb stew were all excellent. The lamb with hummus, the chicken with hummus and the fatah with honey were all out of this world good. It's been a long time since I've had anything as delicious as that amazing shredded lamb over hummus. This place is amazing and it's worth the trek to bay ridge (or downtown Brooklyn) for this food read more

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The TLDR, Yemen Cafe (Bay Ridge) has delicious Yemen food - service is definitely geared towards the people in the neighborhood. Here are some need to know tips: 1. Don't expect a waiter to greet you at the front if the shop has space. Walk in and grab a table yourself, then wave down a waiter. 2. The tea vat in front of the cashier is their Yemen tea and is self-service and sooo tasty. I recommend grabbing a cup after your meal. 3. There is a 4% credit card fee, so bring cash if you wanna skip that fee. 4. If you come on a weekday from 11am-3pm, look on their online menu for their lunch special. You may not get a physical version of the lunch specials at your table. On a weekday afternoon, I stepped into Yemen cafe which was half full. I had seen the lunch specials online and had never tried Yemeni food and was in the area. Looking around, there was a diverse crowd - solo diners like me, friend groups, and a family with kids - a bustling joint for a weekday lunch. There was no waiter to greet me at the front, so I awkwardly made my way to the cashier to figure out how to get a seat. I got some stares along the way since I looked that confused. Ngl, walking in alone was intimidating. I ordered the Fahsah (Saltah w/ shredded lamb) lunch special which came sizzling in a hot stone bowl - I could visibly see the stew bubbling. It came with a small salad, an incredibly spiced soup, and some huge oven baked flat bread. The bread dipped in my Fahsah was so tasty and incredible and made this experience so worth it. I would have missed the huge tea vat next to the cashier if not for observing someone else grabbing a small cup of tea from the vat and pouring some evaporated milk into their tea. When I did the same and took a sip of my tea after my meal, that tea warmed my soul. This chill local restaurant delivers with huge flavors! If you are looking to try some Yemen food, do check out Yemen Cafe. read more

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We came on a Tuesday evening around 5:45 and were seated quickly as the restaurant was fairly empty. By the time we left, the restaurant was packed! When we first sat down, we were presented with soup, salad and some bread. Between 2 people, we ordered the hummus and the lamb haneeth. The lamb haneeth lives up to the hype. The meat fell of the bone and was really flavorful and juicy. The hummus was so smooth and creamy. Really good as well. The complimentary tea is self serve. Right next to the thermos of tea, there is evaporated milk to make the tea extra delicious and creamy. I drank some during my meal, but in the end, I got another cup as my dessert. Can't wait to go back again when we are in the area! read more

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The lamb is SO GOOD. Get it. It wasn't too gamey and it was super tender. The rice was a bit underwhelming. The complimentary soup and tea were amazing. Service wasn't great but for food is still worth coming dor read more

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We took a trip to Dyker Heights to see the Christmas lights and got dinner from here afterwards and wow, best decision ever. Yemeni food just has to be my new favorite cuisine. It was so delicious. We sat down and freshly made bread and piping hot lamb broth soup was served. We got the lamb haneeth which is their best seller and it was so delectable. The lamb was cooked so well, it just fell off the bowl. We also got hummus and foul (their mashed fava beans which was so tasty). Everything was so appetizing. We got full off the bread and soup and to think we ordered 3 more dishes! Everything cost just under $50 so it's definitely a steal! You need to come here and try their amazing food. You won't regret it. read more

Yemen Café & Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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My husband and I brought my FiL for lunch here on a weekday. Great portions- we were stuffed! The lamb dishes (especially the Haneeth) were savory, tender, and seasoned perfectly. The rice complimented the meats well. There is a giant naan offered as an appetizer as well as complimentary soup and tea. We will be returning! read more

The service is amazing! The food impeccable!! Highly recommended! Been there twice and it has not failed. Bringing along family from out of state soon. I'm sure they will enjoy as I have. read more

What a hidden gem! To start we get a large bread for the table with dip and a soup as well. A wonderful way to start a meal (careful not to fill yourself up with the starters) I tried kibda for the first time and really liked it, its a liver dish so keep in mind it might not be for everyone. There is complementary tea inside as well for all customers. I came in for lunch on a Monday and it was packed! read more

Yemen Café & Restaurant - Kibdah (Lamb Liver) - Middle Eastern Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Still delicious! Huge serving of real home cooking! Enter came with salad and soup. Oh and huge bread

I went here for the first time and I will definitely go back! Not only do they give you soup and salad but the entrees are pretty big and very tasty. I loved the lamb chops, the meat was well seasoned and tasted very authentic. They also had tea for when you were done eating which was also very good! I will definitely go back and recommend everyone to go!!! My favourite yemen restaurant by far read more

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"Have you been to the Yemen cafe?" "...What?!" "...they got awesome roast lamb..." I used to enjoy tossing curveballs on my dates - if they are willing to play along, I'll take them to the Arab part of Atlantic Avenue from Henry Street to Atlantic Center. If I want to mess with them we will head to Little Egypt (in Astoria, Queens) or Fifth avenue in Bay Ridge (Brooklyn). If I really want to lay the gauntlet down, I'll take her to the Yemen cafe in Bay Ridge. I'll sit back and observe how she responds to being in a restaurant with 90% single Arab men (with a friendly staff) and see how her handles the situation. Then I get to blow their minds with the food. My wife was hooked since the first time I took her. Have you ever heard of Yemeni cuisine? No? You know where Yemen is located? It's on the Red Sea between Saudi Arabia and the Horn of Africa, it's one of the poorer Arabian states. The food is Arab, North African, with a bit of Indian influences tossed into the mix. Protein is lamb, chicken or fish, starch is usually stretchy bread baked in a hot tandoor and puffed into a hubcap sized monster, or long grain basmati rice. Here's a few clues: A) Yemeni joints recognize 2 types of meals - a small meal (breakfast), or an actual meal. Your small meal is stuff like Foul (mashed fava beans with cumin and onions, Egyptian breakfast standard), Fassoulia (navy beans, whole, sauteed with tomatoes and onions, if you ever had a gigante stew at a Greek place, this will be similar), baba ghanosh (you know this one) and Shashouka (not the North African poached eggs in tomatoes thing, it's scrambled eggs with onions tomatoes and peppers). The large meals are roast meats and stews that are served with soup, salad rice and more bread. The soup is a tumeric lamb broth that is served with a wedge of lemon, and the salad is flavored with zhug, a Yemeni salsa with fresh tomatoes, chiles, cilantro and vinegar. At this joint, bread is complementary and part of their hospitality. B) They have a tea dispenser, think of it as an extension of Arab hospitality. Tea is serve-yourself, pre-sweetened and spiced. Feel free to use the provided paper cups to pour you and your party a cup each - condensed milk is there, add to your desire. C) There are several dishes that you should try: Haneed - lamb, roasted whole in a tandoor, served in tender bone-in chunks. If you can do lamb, get this one. Salta - the national dish of Yemen - a hearty vegetable stew with potatoes, carrots, okra, lamb and tomatoes, served with a hit of Fenugreek foam on top for tonic bitterness. This is sometimes offered as a side for your Haneed. Kabsa - can't do lamb? This is a chopped chicken pilaf thing served on top of rice. Zorbian - It's another chicken pilaf thing but with yogurt in it. They also have a chicken "curry" (Glaba) that is not quite curry at all, but it's still a delicious chicken stew with Chile peppers onions and whatnot, served on top of rice. Fatah - think Bread pudding, except better and with honey and butter mixed inside. This one you want to look forward to. D) The portion size here is decently large. For 2 people, 2 orders of Haneed will result in leftovers (note that leftovers are usually left alone to denote graciousness to the host, but they are okay with you doggy bagging it here) These guys are friendly and courteous to a fault, but you would hear some shouting in Arabic from the kitchen once in awhile, and the dining room does look slightly dingy sometimes. That being said, you are eating meat like a man, tearing roasted beast from bone and slurping it down with zhug (a fiery hot sauce that is also popular in Israel, of all places). And if your date can't deal with that? Tough beans, sweetheart. Get her a PSL and a bowl from Sweetgreens, she's going back to the pile. read more

Oh my! If Yemen Cafe was closer to me, I'd probably be there daily. It's not a fancy spot, but what a great spot to go to! Always a large clientele, but turnover is fairly quick. Such a tentative staff! They bring you your food so quickly. The food is plentiful and so good! Dinners come w/a small salad, soup and tea is available (self serve) in a large pot up front. The dishes span from vegan to lamb/chicken. All are delicious. Choose one, and come back for another! Right now I'm stuck on this delicious lamb dish, and I'm trying so hard to go vegetarian! Their bread, arriving hot and fresh to your table, you just want more and more! And the soup, so rich in a lamb flavor! Go and enjoy! read more

I have always heard great things about coffee imported from Yemen, so of course, when I walked past the store, I had to go in. The inside looks very neat and clean, and the staff were helpful. I explained that I had always heard great things about their coffee and wanted to try it for the first time. They gave me several suggestions on how I should get the coffee, and I chose one of them. I was very happy and have returned several times for my coffee. read more