There’s a new coffee shop in town, and it might just be in the running for my favorite in the city. (Don’t worry, Café Aqui, you’re still at the top of my list—for now.) With three locations in the greater Minneapolis and St. Paul area, Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. has finally opened up shop in Rochester, MN. This café chain has been on my Twin Cities to-do list for quite some time, so I was excited to check it out and see if it lived up to the hype. Spoiler alert: It definitely did.
Where Caffeine and Culture Meet
Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. is like no other coffee shop in Rochester, serving up flavorful brews and bites with a side of Yemeni tradition. The entire experience takes inspiration from Yemeni cultural and culinary traditions, starting with the coffee itself.
Coffee beans are sourced directly from Yemeni farmers, who continue their harvest in spite of the devastation wrought by the country’s war-torn past, ensuring that all beans are organic and conflict-free. Batches are then processed the same way they have been for centuries. Stateside, the beans are roasted and thoughtfully blended to celebrate coffee’s customary preparations across Yemen, taking taste buds on a whirlwind tour of the country with every sip. Finally, you won’t find any machine-brewed coffee here, as each cup is brewed to order using traditional methods to infuse it with Yemeni spices, like cardamom, ginger and cinnamon, and bring out the beans’ natural flavors.
Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. in Rochester, MN
As I mentioned earlier, Qamaria Coffee has been on my radar for quite a while now. So, once it opened its doors in Rochester, I had to stop by for a visit. Fortunately, it definitely won’t be my last.
Location and Hours
1529 US-14 Suite #100, Rochester \\ 7 days a week, 8:00am-Midnight (or later!)
Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. is located on Rochester’s southeast side, just off Highway 14 near Opa! Opa!! and Air Insanity Indoor Trampoline Park. Unfortunately, the setup of the parking lot is slightly cramped and awkward. Although there are plenty of spots, some of them can be tricky to get to because of the Little Caesars drive-thru lane. That said, Qamaria does have a drive-thru of its own if you’d rather not get out of your car.
The café is open seven days a week, starting at 8 AM daily. Unlike other Rochester, MN, coffee shops, Qamaria Coffee stays open late, typically until midnight or later. This is another nod to Yemeni and other Middle Eastern cultures, where coffee shops are often late-night social hubs where observant Muslims can gather over cups of coffee instead of alcohol. Currently, Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. in Rochester is serving until 2 AM to accommodate those fasting for Ramadan. In other words, if you need a caffeine jolt before a late shift or nighttime drive, Qamaria Coffee is the place to go.
The Experience
As someone who loves international travel and exploring other cultures and cuisines, the entire concept of Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. is right up my alley. From the moment I stepped inside, I was not disappointed. The café itself is bright and airy, with basket-like pendant lamps and large murals of a Yemeni woman in traditional dress and a scene reminiscent of a souk with men chatting alongside a camel and an elaborate rug. Seating is abundant, including bar seating overlooking the parking lot, many tables and chairs, a cushy sofa and delightfully comfortable and colorful upholstered booth seating. The latter even reminds me of a woven rug I picked up from a market in Qatar during a long layover at the Doha airport. There are also plenty of outlets if you want to get some work done and a number of board games to play when you need a break.
Ordering was quick, easy, and friendly during my visit, and I was given a buzzer to alert me once everything was ready for me to pick up at the counter. However, as I sat there enjoying my treats, I did notice quite lengthy lines form once or twice that each moved relatively quickly. That said, when I went through the drive-through the day before to scope the place out, there wasn’t a line at all, and my drink (a Matcha Latte) was in hand quickly.
As a sucker for dates (I’m talking about the kind that looks like oversized raisins, but the occasionally awkward ones are good, too), I went with the seasonal Date Latte, which is a special drink for Ramadan. While I wish that it was hotter, the flavor was fantastic—rich, creamy and with the taste of a very complex caramel. I would definitely order it again, although I would probably ask to have it slightly less sweet the next time. For what it’s worth, the sweetness level appears to be the only quibble that people seem to have about Qamaria’s drinks, so keep that in mind when placing your order as you will be asked if you want to adjust the sweetness at all. Other Qamaria drinks on my to-do list include the Adeni Tea, a creamy chai-like beverage; Sheeba, a caffeinated coffee alternative known as Qishr made from the dried husk of the coffee cherry and warming spices; and Juban, which combines both coffee and Qishr for a uniquely Yemeni beverage.
As this was my first visit, I decided to go all out and also get something sweet and something savory to go with my drink. Although I was tempted by the Cheese Pie (because cheese) and the Pizza Pie (because cheese and pepperoni), I opted for the Meat Pie instead, which had a flaky crust filled with delicately spiced mince. I’m not sure if it was beef or lamb, but it sure was tasty. It reminded me of the cinnamon-warmed meat that comes atop velvety hummus at my favorite Lebanese restaurant in DC. Delicious!
That said, when it comes to food, the Pistachio Milk Cake was the true star of the show. The generously sized slice was moist, fluffy and soaked through to the top with sweetened milk. The topping was an airy, lightly sweet whipped cream crowned with a flourish of ground pistachios and a dried rose petal. It was indulgent without being overly rich, and I can’t wait to go back to try one of their other milk cake flavors (Turkish, mocha and Biscoff are also available). Honestly, with other sweet options on the menu like Date Cake and Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake, this might just be the place I go when I have a late-night (or midday) dessert craving. Everything looks and sounds amazing.
All in all, if you’re a coffee lover looking for a new place to get a quality cup for your caffeine fix, you need a comfortable place to do some remote work, or you want a relaxed spot to hang out with friends or enjoy something sweet on a date night, I can’t recommend Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. enough. Warm and welcoming with delicious bites and beverages, it’s a delightful addition to Rochester’s coffee shop scene.
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