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Brooklyn, New York · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive

Yafa Café

Editorial sacred-geometry artwork for Yafa Café; not a documentary photograph
IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Farm level
TagsYafa CaféNew York coffee roastersYemenColombiaBrazilSumatraIndonesiaCosta RicaGuatemalaIndependentFarm levelRoasts in-house
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Yafa Café is a Brooklyn-based, family-owned roaster and cafe that bridges Yemeni heritage with specialty coffee culture. Founded by cousins Hakim Sulaimani and Ali Suliman, the brand is dedicated to ethically sourcing Yemeni beans while serving as a community hub in Sunset Park and Downtown Brooklyn. They combine traditional Yemeni coffee practices, such as the use of qishr, with modern specialty roasting techniques.

Ownership
Yafa Café is an independent, family-owned business founded by cousins Hakim Sulaimani and Ali Suliman.
Founded
2019
Roasting
Reported to roast in-house (also names Shared Roasting as a partner).
What it's known for
Yafa Café is recognized for being one of the few specialty coffee roasters in the U.S. to offer Yemeni coffee year-round, focusing on cultural preservation and community-focused hospitality in Brooklyn.
Sourcing countries
Yemen · Colombia · Brazil · Sumatra · Indonesia · Costa Rica · Guatemala
Farm-level sourcing
The brand sources Yemeni coffee directly from family-run terraces and farmers, often naming specific producers or collectives such as Ahmed Mohammed Al Ghowaidi and the Wadi Qibal collective. They also offer a variety of single-origin coffees and custom blends from other global regions to complement their signature Yemeni offerings.
Notable coffees
  • — Moonrise Blend
  • — 45th Street House Blend
  • — Yemeni Mokha (Ibb)
  • — Wadi Qibal Collective
In the news

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

2026-08-31 · FLTR Magazine
The Best Specialty Coffee Shops in New York | 2026 guide

Yafa Café was featured in a 2026 guide to the best specialty coffee shops in New York. The publication highlighted the brand's role in connecting contemporary roasting and brewing techniques with traditional Yemeni coffee culture.

2026-08-17 · Sunset Post
Yafa Cafe closes for month-long renovation

The flagship Yafa Café location in Sunset Park closed for a month-long renovation to address necessary maintenance. During the closure, the business planned to stock its popular coffee offerings at the nearby Yafa Deli to maintain service for local customers.

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 identifies specific Yemeni farmers and collectives in early coverage, it is unclear if every single-origin offering from other countries currently carries the same level of farm-level transparency.

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