If you’ve been watching Fresno’s cafe scene lately, you’ve probably noticed something brewing — and it smells like cardamom.
Three Yemeni coffee shops are either expanding or opening fresh locations across the city, bringing spiced lattes, honeycomb bread and more to the Central Valley.
Here’s what coffee lovers need to know:
Nagi Alazani prepares a cup of Yemeni coffee at Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. in Fresno. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com Sana’a CafeSana’a Cafe is opening its first Fresno location at 4470 West Shaw Ave. in a 6,000-square-foot space near Costco Wholesale. It’s expected to debut in early 2027.The Bay Area-based chain, which got its start in 2023, named after Yemen’s constitutional capital city.Sana’a Cafe’s menu features espresso and specialty drinks, plus pastries including pistachio milk cake, tiramisu and Dubai chocolate cheesecake. Diners can also choose from food options such as chicken shawarma and beef turnovers.Prices for drinks and desserts will average $5 to $7, with planned discounts for law enforcement officers. 
Coffee beans imported from Yemen, along with cascara, at Mokha Harbor Cafe in Fresno. JOHN WALKER jwalker@fresnobee.com Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. is adding a second Fresno cafe at 6825 North Willow Ave. in Fresno, just a five-minute drive from Fresno State. Co-owner Nagi Alazani is aiming for an opening in the new year.In addition to traditional pours including adeni chai, Turkish coffee and mufawar, Qamaria’s menu of drinks, pastries and desserts features customer favorites including pistachio lattes, honeycomb bread and tres leches cake. Coffee is sourced directly from Yemen.Qamaria’s new Willow Avenue spot will stay open until 11 p.m. weekdays and midnight on weekends, filling what Alazani says is a gap in Fresno’s late-night cafe options.Fresno’s first Qamaria coffee shop opened in the Marketplace El Paseo shopping center near Highway 99 in 2025. 
A traditional Yemeni pastry called honeycomb, drizzled with honey, at Mokha Harbor Cafe. JOHN WALKER jwalker@fresnobee.com Mokha Harbor CafeMokha Harbor Cafe, Fresno’s first Yemeni coffee shop, is tripling its footprint with a second location near Fresno Yosemite International Airport, complete with a drive-thru and a target opening by March.Mokha Harbor’s owner Zahi Saleh says the bigger space will better serve book clubs, study groups and business meetings.The new coffee shop will share a menu with Mokha Harbor Cafe’s original Shaw Avenue location, with expanded breakfast options. Offerings include traditional Yemeni coffee drinks, lavender lattes, baklava and Biscoff cheesecake.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
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