University City, Philadelphia, has a new café, Haraz Coffee House. In Dec. 2024, they announced their location at 3421 Chestnut St., home to a Starbucks until late 2018.
Haraz is a Yemeni coffee chain. Locations include New York City and Detroit, among many others. The Philadelphia franchise is owned by Farah Khan and her husband Hamzah Shaikh, who discovered the concept of late-night Middle Eastern coffee shops a few years ago. Khan and Hamzah are Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania-based, but their families are from Pakistan. The couple shared with Philly Voice that their goal is for Haraz to be a welcoming multicultural space where friends can hang out during the day or late at night without an atmosphere centered around alcohol. Along with the University City shop, Khan has been working on a completely women-owned location in Fishtown.
The shop shows off a widespread pastry program showcasing Middle Eastern flavors. Savory pastry options include Spinach Feta Pockets, Butter Croissants and Croissants with Za’atar—an herb spice mix with sesame seeds. They also offer toasts with spreads such as avocado, labneh and ricotta.
Sweet options range from Rose Milk Cake to Pistachio Cream Donuts. They offer twists on classic Danish flavors, such as Key Lime. Haraz also has a variety of appealing vegan options. Their Vegan Blueberry Crumb Bars are moist and flavorful, which is not always true of vegan selections in other coffee shops.
Local bakers’ products are highlighted, as well. They offer donuts from Donut House, a bakery in Bryn-Mawr, PA. On weekends, there are products from Manna Bakery, an increasingly popular Levantine-inspired bakery in Philadelphia that showcases Sourdough Manakeesh and Basque Cheesecake.
While Haraz’s sweet and savory baked items are good, they are nothing new. Flavor is lacking in some products, making the five-dollar price of a Danish, questionable. Even so, the pastries surpass those of corporate cafés such as the location’s predecessor. Haraz’s vegan options are noteworthy, as options for plant-based sweets are lacking in the University City area. Allergens are also clearly marked, which is helpful to those avoiding certain ingredients.
The food options are secondary to coffee, which is the main focus. The Coffee House “Haraz” gets its name from the organic sun-dried coffee beans harvested in the Haraz Mountains in Western Yemen. Standard espresso drinks are offered, as well as caffeine-free teas, juices and smoothies. They have traditional Yemeni drinks like Jubani—a coffee beverage with husks, ginger and cinnamon—as well as a Saffron-Infused latte. Their wide milk selection may benefit them; they offer whole milk, 2 percent milk, almond, oat and coconut. Price is an important factor for many college students, something to deter Haraz from having regulars. Multiple drinks are priced over seven dollars, which is steep. However, it is important to consider the recognition they give to local businesses and neighbors and the potential positive impact they could have on the community.
On a buzzing corner, Haraz Coffee House has already proven to be a hit, filled with students and laptops in its large space. Haraz may not be “the next big thing” in Philadelphia, but it will be a great space for the community to come together and learn about each other’s cultures, something needed during this time in America.
Avoid a chain coffee shop and support a small business. Visit Haraz Monday-Sunday, six a.m. to six p.m.