A locally owned Yemeni cafe has opened its doors in Falls Church, serving spiced coffee, pastries and brunch fare from avocado toast to za’atar labneh.
Rashfa Cafe soft opened last week at 310 S. Washington Street and is planning a grand opening next month, owner and founder Abdulrahman Al Harethi told ARLnow.
For the next few weeks, the staff plan to spread the word about Rashfa, satisfy customers and test out drinks and dishes before finalizing the menu.
“I want to represent my country, my hospitality, my culture,” Al Harethi said.
Baristas prepare Rashfa coffee the way it is traditionally done in Al Harethi’s home country — light or medium roast and brewed with spices such as cardamom, saffron, cloves, nutmeg and ginger.
“It brings that taste and flavor to it,” the Alexandria resident said. “So far, everybody likes it.”
This blend of spices is lead barista Luna Johnston’s favorite part of the job.
“I just love messing around with Middle Eastern flavors. It’s something that I didn’t really ever get to do at other coffee shops,” said Johnston, who has worked as a barista for two and a half years.
American cafe chains are typically “all pumpkin spice, pumpkin spice … and then here, we can play around with the cardamom, the nutmeg, the ginger,” she added.
All of Rashfa’s syrups are made fresh in-house, Johnston said as a fellow barista whisked a bowl of blueberry syrup behind the counter. Johnston plans to make an apple crisp sauce for seasonal apple-cinnamon lattes.
“It’s got cozy vibes and drinks that you will not find at other coffee shops in the area,” Johnston said. “Everyone has cappuccinos. Everyone has lattes. Not everybody has brewed-to-order specialty drinks with ginger and cloves and everything infused.”
Customers can sip their drinks in a cushioned area in the 1,500-square-foot shop, which Al Harethi hopes creates a homelike atmosphere.
“It’s Arabic seating where people can sit and relax and enjoy,” Al Harethi said. “[Rashfa is] not just about tasting coffee. It’s about creating moments, having that slow sit-down gathering with friends, building up connections.”
The greater D.C. area is home to about 10 Yemeni chain cafes and the independent shop Qahwah Drip, also in Falls Church, according to Axios.
“It’s vibing everywhere, and I want to be part of it,” Al Harethi said.
