Austin/ Food & Drinks
AI Assisted Icon
Published on July 12, 2024
Michigan's Haraz Coffee House Brings Yemeni Coffee Tradition to Austin with New Locations in West Campus and PflugervilleSource: Instagram / harazcoffeehouse

A new aroma is set to waft through the streets of Austin, as Michigan's Haraz Coffee House prepares to serve up its signature Yemeni coffee and pastries in the city, with the first location opening in the West Campus neighborhood and a second in Pflugerville. Austin coffee aficionados will find the West Campus Haraz at 500 West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and the Pflugerville branch at 801 West Wells Branch Parkway, as reported by Austin Eater. However, despite the buzz, specific opening dates for these new outposts have not yet been shared with the public.

The arrival of Haraz Coffee House is not just another chain expansion. It's a cultural infusion, with a menu featuring spiced coffees brewed in jubani (Yemeni clay pots), like the Harazi—a blend of coffee, cardamom, and cream—and an assortment of espresso drinks, iced beverages, and specialty pastries including saffron-rose milk cakes. What Now Austin detailed the Pflugerville location's $200,000 construction plan for its 2,200 SF coffee shop, aiming for completion by the end of summer.

Haraz Coffee House was started by founder and CEO Hamzah Nasser in Dearborn, Michigan, back in 2021 and has since grown to over 10 locations across five states. With roots deeply planted in the Haraz mountain range of Yemen, where its coffee beans are sourced, the cafe emphasizes the communal tradition of sharing coffee and conversation. The cafe's aesthetics and seating arrangements are designed to welcome customers for both dine-in and takeout experiences.

The Austin franchisees, Zeid Ayssa and Mufid Ghaleb, are responsible for bringing Haraz's aromatic journey to the Texas capital. According to the Haraz official website, "Our coffee is grown from altitudes over 3,000 ft in a mountainous village called Haraz, where our namesake originates," highlighting the authentic source of its coffee offerings What Now Austin detailed. In addition, the company has a stated mission to "train our staff to be genuinely hospitable, generous, and courteous members," while also crafting "authentic Yemeni-style drinks, while crafting new and exciting drinks," and supporting local businesses and community engagement.

With an emphasis on authenticity and cultural exchange, Haraz Coffee House stands poised to add a rich, spiced layer to Austin's diverse coffee scene. As locals and students in the West Campus area, along with residents of Pflugerville, anticipate the grand opening, the exact dates to mark on the calendar remain tantalizingly undisclosed. For those eager to indulge in the flavors of the Yemeni coffee tradition, the wait promises to be well worth it.