Caffeena Coffee House, a Michigan-based Yemeni coffee chain, is set to open a location on Forbes Avenue in Oakland this summer.
Joining a host of established favorites like La Prima, Redhawk Coffee and La Gourmandine already situated in Oakland, Caffeena will add a new flavor and storefront-style to the neighborhood. The Caffeena Forbes location will be the first of three planned storefronts in Pittsburgh, with the other sites expected in Shadyside and Downtown. The opening date for the Forbes location has not yet been announced.
In recent years, Yemeni coffee shops have expanded across the U.S., particularly in states like Michigan with large immigrant communities shaped by the Yemeni civil war. There, several café chains, such as Qahwah House, Haraz Coffee House and Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. have established a presence. Another Yemeni café, Shibam Coffee, opened in North Oakland last spring.
Simon Saleh, managing director of Caffeena Coffee House, said the new café will aim to offer authentic Yemeni coffee traditions while offering a high-end, community-focused experience.
“[Caffeena] is very different from what most people in the U.S. are used to,” Saleh said. “Yemeni coffee has a richer taste, and it comes from methods that have been used for generations.”
Yemeni coffee is known for its complex taste with notes of spice, chocolate and dried fruit. Coffee cultivation in Yemen dates back centuries, with beans traditionally grown on terraced mountain farms and harvested by hand. Yemen’s port city of Mokha served as one of the earliest commercial hubs for the global coffee trade, and the term “mocha,” which is now commonly used to describe chocolate-flavored coffee drinks, was derived from the city’s name.
Saleh said Caffeena works to preserve Yemen coffee’s traditional methods while adapting them for contemporary customers. The chain’s elevated modern interiors, warm tones and marble finishes are designed to bridge the gap between the café’s heritage and its customers’ modern urban lifestyle, according to Saleh.
The Forbes café location will offer a range of teas, specialty drinks and fresh pastries. The site will also include a dedicated multi-faith meditation room, designed as a peaceful and inclusive space for prayer, reflection and mindfulness, along with a reservable office space and additional seating areas for students and visitors, according to Saleh.
“We want this to be a space for everyone,” Saleh said. “No matter your background, your beliefs — it’s somewhere you can feel comfortable.”
Saleh said the café will partner with local organizations and Pitt in an effort to make the space accessible to students. As part of this initiative, Saleh said the company will also accept Panther Funds, allowing students to use their University card balances for purchases.
“We’re really trying to foster community,” Saleh said. “We understand students have budgets, and we want to cultivate a place where they both want and can afford to come regularly.”
First-year molecular biology major Isabella Hall said the option to use dining dollars at a new café like Caffeena would be a defining factor in her decision to visit.
“I would definitely be interested in [visiting Caffeena], because it makes it a little more affordable rather than coming straight out of my bank account,” Hall said. “I try to go to Dunkin’ because it’s a little bit cheaper. But if something else is available and still walking distance from campus, I’ll go there.”
Mia Masters, a first-year criminal justice major, agreed that convenience and cost are major factors in her morning coffee choices.
“I probably go [get coffee] about four times a week,” Masters said. “I know there are a ton of places around here, but I usually stay on campus because it’s convenient.”
However, Masters said specialty menu items at Caffeena could draw her to try a new shop.
“When I can, I feel like I go to coffee places to try things that Dunkin’ or Starbucks don’t have,” Masters said. “I’ve actually been meaning to try someplace new as long as it’s not.”
Sofia Diaz, a sophomore English writing major, shared a similar perspective, naming the campus-run Saxbys in the Cathedral of Learning as her go-to spot.
“I usually buy breakfast sandwiches out on campus,” Diaz said. “Convenience matters a lot to me.”
While coffee is the primary draw for most, Diaz mentioned that diverse food offerings at cafés are also an attraction.
“I would be interested in trying new pastries [at Caffeena],” Diaz said. “A lot of my friends also really enjoy trying new coffee shops too, so I think people would appreciate a new location.”
Despite the existing competition, Saleh thinks Caffeena’s focus on experience and community will distinguish it from other cafés.
“Caffeena isn’t just fast coffee,” Saleh said. “It is a luxury experience — a place where people can sit, relax and spend time.”