Haraz Coffee House

The coffee was good, the sweets were outstanding. What stood out most, though, was the incredible atmosphere! If you are looking to relax a bit and really enjoy your time, this is a wonderful place to go (great service and people too)!

A Taste of Beirut in Philly For the last two months, I’ve been living a bit of a double life. Physically, I was in the rural Pennsylvaniatown of Sunbury, but my heart? My heart was in Beirut, wandering through the pages of The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother) by Rabih Alameddine. It just won the National Book Award, and honestly, its a masterpiece—hilarious, tender, and queer--deliciously queer. It's about this gay man and his mother, and their complicated dance in the midst of explosive event in Beruit, political corruption, and foreign aggression, but the "secret" protagonist is really the coffee with cardamom. In Alameddine’s world, that spiced aroma is a character. It shows up at the start of every major event, a signal that something life-changing is about to happen. I became so obsessed with that "spiced coffee magic" that I spent weeks in my kitchen trying to make it happen myself, but there is only so much magic you can conjure when your miles from a proper spice market. Then, I found Haraz Coffee House here in Philly. Stepping off the sidewalk and into Haraz felt like I was dropped into the book. The vibe is so extraordinarily gentle—a calming sanctuary with gorgeous terracotta walls and ornate tiles. Its the kind of place where time slows down. No one was in a rush. I ordered the coffee with cardamom, and it was the character I’d been chasing: bold, aromatic, and deeply soul-warming. Combined with the Chocolate Tahini Tart, it was just... sublime. Siting next to my sweetheart , the intensity deepend. The swirl of tahini across the rich chocolate was the perfect metaphor for this shop: a beautiful blend of Yemeni heritage and modern craft. If your looking for a place where "life begins" (like their neon sign says), or if you just want to get lost in a story while sipping the best cardamom coffee in the city, this is it.

If you’re looking for a coffee experience, this is the place to go. It is lovely coffeehouse with excellent service. There is a vast drink menu to choose from, and definitely something for everyone. I recommend the Turkish coffee. There is a variety of food options to choose from. Although most were labeled as to what they were, some were not. Everything I have tried has been tasty. The atmosphere is inviting to all. There is a lot of seating. I do think this establishment needs blinds on the upper part of the large windows, as the sun can be blinding depending upon where you sit. The prices are higher than most coffee houses in the surrounding area.

We had a great time here! The place is beautifully decorated with hand painted murals and poetry on the walls. The service was good. My husband really enjoyed the red tea which we were told is caffeine free. The tea pots were super cute. They have a pastry chef who makes all the pastries - which the owner told us is different from other Haraz franchises. We tried the almond croissant and the feta and cheese pastry and both were good. It’s also in a safe area in fishtown with lots of restaurants and newer apartments around. Lastly they have a small prayer area for those who need it.

Atmosphere: I was excited to try Haraz Coffee House after hearing so many recommendations, and it did not disappoint. The interior is well-lit and beautiful, with nods to Yemeni culture throughout. They also provide a dedicated, closed-off area for patrons and staff to observe their salat. Food: I ordered an iced caramel latte, served in a clear glass filled right to the brim. The coffee had a rich, full flavor that really stood out. Service: The service was warm, friendly, and very family-oriented. During my visit, the owner personally went around offering patrons samples of their pastries. Overall, I highly recommend Haraz Coffee House.