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Washington, DC, District of Columbia · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive

Yellow

Editorial sacred-geometry artwork for Yellow; not a documentary photograph
IndependentNamed roasting partner: Lost Sock RoastersSourcing: Limited public info
TagsYellowDistrict of Columbia coffee roastersIndependent
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Yellow is an acclaimed Levantine café and bakery in Washington, D.C., founded by chef Michael Rafidi as an evolution of a pop-up concept originally housed within his Michelin-starred restaurant, Albi. The brand is celebrated for its vibrant, modern interpretation of Middle Eastern culinary traditions, blending French pastry techniques with regional flavors to create unique offerings like za'atar-dusted croissants and wood-fired pita sandwiches. Beyond its food, Yellow maintains a sophisticated specialty coffee program curated by Coffee Director Ayat Elhag, which emphasizes intentional sourcing and the integration of traditional Middle Eastern ingredients such as cardamom, dates, and halva. With multiple locations in the District, the brand has established itself as a neighborhood staple that balances high-quality craftsmanship with a fun, accessible atmosphere.

Ownership
Yellow is an independent cafe concept founded by Chef Michael Rafidi, who also owns the Michelin-starred restaurant Albi.
Founded
2020
Roasting
Named roasting partner: Lost Sock Roasters. Other roasting arrangements are unverified.
What it's known for
Yellow is widely celebrated for its Levantine-inspired menu, which features wood-fired pita sandwiches, za'atar-dusted pastries, and a specialty coffee program that incorporates Middle Eastern flavors like halva, cardamom, and dates.
Farm-level sourcing
The brand does not publicly disclose specific farm or producer names for its coffee offerings. They utilize two custom blends developed in collaboration with their local roasting partner, Lost Sock Roasters.
Verify original product sources

Retailer information: Yellow

Documented physical retailers
YELLOW Georgetown
Historical source note (not live inventory): Carries the brand's 12oz retail bags of Sungold and Poppy coffee blends.
Physical
YELLOW Union Market
Historical source note (not live inventory): Carries the brand's 12oz retail bags of coffee blends for in-store purchase.
Physical

I was able to verify that Yellow sells retail bags of their custom coffee blends exclusively at their two physical cafe locations in Washington, D.C.; no third-party online or physical retail distribution was found.

These references come from public store locators, retailer listings and brand materials — last checked Oct 11, 2026. They are research links, not proof of current stock or a buying recommendation. Verify availability, price and location directly with the source.
In the news

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

2024-07-09 · Axios Washington D.C.
Yellow café brings hit pita sandwiches, pastries to Union Market

Levantine-inspired café Yellow opened its second location in Washington, D.C.'s Union Market District. The expansion follows the success of the brand's Georgetown location and its founder, Chef Michael Rafidi, who recently received a James Beard Award.

Sources used in this deep dive
Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-03. 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 explicitly states it sources coffee through Counter Culture, it does not publish a specific list of single-origin coffee farms or countries of origin on its website.

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