A storefront associated with Steve's Ice Cream's customized mix-ins is about to serve baklava and manaqeesh instead. Yafa Bakery & Café, the Palestinian-owned bakery known for its Spring Hill café, is planning to open a second Somerville location at 187 Elm Street in Davis Square, the space most recently vacated by the pizza restaurant Posto.
The move was reported by What Now Boston, which noted that the new spot will join, not replace, Yafa's existing café at 594 Somerville Avenue. Founder Abdulla Awad visited the Elm Street property on September 11 and expressed appreciation for the community interest in Yafa's expansion, according to the outlet's reporting. Yafa staff confirmed to What Now Boston that the second location remains in development, though no opening date has been announced.
A Storefront Steeped in Somerville Food History
Few commercial addresses in Somerville carry as much culinary weight as 187 Elm Street. Steve Herrell opened the original Steve's Ice Cream there in 1973, and the shop became known for customized mix-ins, according to Cambridge Day. What Now Boston also reported that the address later housed Carberry's Bakery & Coffee House and O'Naturals before other tenants moved in.
Posto operated at the Davis Square address for 13 years before relocating to Assembly Square in November 2024, per What Now Boston's reporting. Posto's move took it from the Davis Square address to Assembly Square in November 2024. During its run on Elm Street, Posto earned national recognition under executive chef Juan Gabriel Perez, placing 41st in the 2024 50 Top Pizza USA rankings, its second straight appearance, according to 50 Top Pizza.
Nearly Two Years of Vacancy
The storefront sat empty for roughly 1.8 years after Posto's departure. Elaine Almquist is president of the Davis Square Neighborhood Council. The property's earlier tenants included Steve's Ice Cream, Carberry's Bakery & Coffee House and O'Naturals.
What Yafa Would Bring to Elm Street
Yafa Bakery & Café was founded in June 2022 and specializes in Palestinian-inspired sweet and savory pastries, according to What Now Boston's reporting. The menu includes assorted baklava, kunafah, manaqeesh flatbreads, stuffed and novelty dates, spinach and cheese rolls, sandwiches, dips, small plates, and specialty drinks, all under the bakery's motto, “artfully delicious.”
The bakery imports extra-virgin olive oil and za'atar directly from olive groves harvested by Awad's family in Palestine, according to Atlas Obscura, tying the shop's offerings to Awad's family land.
Yafa's website describes its mission as bringing Palestinian heritage flavors, stories, and spirit to its creations, with Awad's vision rooted in preserving and sharing Palestinian culinary traditions, per What Now Boston. Yafa's Somerville Avenue café preceded its planned Davis Square expansion.
Part of a Crowded, Beloved Café Scene
Somerville's café scene ranges from historic institutions like Lyndell's Bakery, which has operated since 1887, to newer Middle Eastern and international concepts. Yafa's planned expansion would add another chapter to that varied landscape, this time in one of the city's most visible commercial squares.
What Now Boston has said it plans to share additional details about Yafa's upcoming location as they become available, and the bakery is encouraging customers to follow its social media accounts for Davis Square updates. For now, the exact opening timeline, the licensing steps ahead for the new address, and whether the Davis Square shop will offer expanded seating or additional menu items compared to the Spring Hill café all remain open questions.
