New York, NY, New York · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive

Buunni Coffee

IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Origin / region level

TagsBuunni Coffee New York coffee roasters Ethiopia Dominican Republic Independent Origin / region level Roasts in-house

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Buunni Coffee is a New York City-based roaster and cafe operator that bridges Ethiopian coffee traditions with the vibrant culture of Upper Manhattan. Founded by Sarina Prabasi and Elias Gurmu, the company operates its own roasting facility in the Bronx and focuses on community building through ethically sourced, small-batch coffee. Their menu highlights a diverse range of Ethiopian single-origins alongside creative blends that incorporate beans from other global regions.

Ownership

Buunni Coffee is an independent, family-owned business co-founded by husband-and-wife team Sarina Prabasi and Elias Gurmu.

Founded

2012

Roasting

Reported to roast in-house.

What it's known for

Buunni is known for its deep commitment to Ethiopian coffee heritage and for serving as a vital community-centric hub in Washington Heights and Inwood, neighborhoods often overlooked by the broader specialty coffee industry.

Sourcing countries

Ethiopia · Dominican Republic

Farm-level sourcing

The brand sources primarily from smallholder farms and farmers' cooperatives, particularly in Ethiopia. While they emphasize direct relationships with these cooperatives, they generally market their coffees by region (e.g., Yirgacheffe, Harrar, Sidama) rather than publishing specific farm or individual farmer names for every offering.

Notable coffees

— Buunni Yirgacheffe Coffee
— Buunni Harrar Coffee
— Buunni Sidama Natural Coffee
— Buunni Coffee House Blend
— Addis Ababa Coffee Blend
— Organic Sheka

In the news

Recent news and media coverage about Buunni Coffee, as documented by outside outlets. We link to the original reporting and do not rewrite or endorse it.

2026-09-27 · Hoodline

Buunni Coffee Opens at Columbia Medical Center in Washington Heights

Buunni Coffee has expanded its footprint by opening two new locations on the Columbia University Irving Medical Center campus. This expansion includes a full-service café on Haven Plaza and a grab-and-go spot within the William Black Medical Research Building.

2026-09-24 · Columbia Neighbors

‘Home Is Here’: Buunni Coffee’s Journey From Addis, to NYC, to Columbia’s Medical Center Campus

Founders Sarina Prabasi and Elias Gurmu discuss the growth of their Northern Manhattan-based business, which now includes two neighborhood cafes, a South Bronx roastery, and new partnerships on the Columbia University campus. The feature highlights the brand's commitment to community-centric spaces and its Ethiopian roots.

Sources used in this deep dive

Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-11-03. This company overview is not a tasting review. Original tasting reviews are labeled separately when they exist. Ownership, roasting and sourcing details are attributed to documented sources. While the brand emphasizes direct relationships with cooperatives and small farms, I could not verify specific named farm-level partners for their current seasonal offerings beyond general regional designations.

Buunni Coffee

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