Haraz Coffee House, the Michigan-born chain known for its spiced Yemeni brews, has quietly slipped into Lyn-Lake, opening its first Minnesota shop at the high-traffic corner of Lyndale Avenue and Lake Street. The cafe has taken over the large former Iron Door Pub space and began welcoming customers during a low-key soft opening this week.
Franchisee Hussein Alobaidi is running the new Minneapolis location, which held a soft opening through July 9 and plans to expand its hours after that trial run. According to Bring Me The News, the cafe is slated to be open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 7 a.m. to midnight, Saturday from 9 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. That outlet also notes the chain has grown fast since its 2021 debut, with roughly 126 locations worldwide and 61 in the United States.
A Taste of Yemen
Founded in Dearborn, Michigan, in 2021, Haraz builds its menu around traditional Yemeni coffee, using cardamom, warm spices and cream, alongside familiar espresso drinks and assorted pastries. Its lineup leans into spiced brewed drinks and specialty creations that distinguish it from more standard coffee chains, according to Haraz's menu.
A Big Corner With a Long History
The prominent corner space was home to the Iron Door Pub until that longtime Lyn-Lake bar closed in March 2025, as reported by Eater Twin Cities. Local restaurant coverage later confirmed Haraz's buildout and gradual opening this summer, with Racket noting the shop began serving customers late last month.
What This Means For Lyn-Lake
Haraz's arrival brings a fast-growing national brand with a distinctive specialty to a stretch of Lyndale that has seen both longtime spots shutter and new concepts move in over the past few seasons. The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal first reported the chain's plans for the Lyndale site last year. Broader coverage has framed Haraz's rapid expansion as part of a larger wave of interest in Yemeni-style coffee and flavored brewed drinks, including reporting from Axios.
