A growing Yemeni coffee company is now welcoming visitors to its first brick-and-mortar home in the D.C. area.
Qamaria had a soft opening for its new Vienna cafe on May 21, serving hot and cold drinks as well as freshly baked pastries in a 1,900-square-foot space at 124 Maple Avenue West that was previously occupied by Viva Sol Juice.
Based in Dearborn, Michigan, Qamaria introduced itself to the D.C. area last July with a mobile truck that can mostly be found at 3400 Payne Street in Bailey’s Crossroads. The truck will continue to operate at that site and events, the company previously told FFXnow.
“We are thrilled to finally establish a physical presence in the DMV area,” Qamaria Chief Operating Officer Sanad Mashgari said. “While our brand has flourished through mobile and private events, this new location marks a significant milestone in offering the community a distinctive Yemeni coffee experience. I am incredibly proud of our team and look forward to continued success.”
Named after qamariyas, a stained-glass window used in Yemeni architecture, Qamaria sources coffee beans exclusively from Yemen, where they’ve been brewed into drinks for hundreds of years. It then works with local master roasters “to achieve optimal flavor profiles” before the beans are distributed to its cafes and retail locations.
Since opening its first cafe in Dearborn in 2021, the business has expanded through franchising with 16 locations in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Texas, California and now, Virginia. Four more are expected to open “in the next couple of months,” spokesperson Murad E. says, including another cafe on the East Coast in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In Vienna, Qamaria says it wanted to create a “modern and chic coffee shop” with “a calming atmosphere for guests to unwind and connect over specialty beverages served from a warm kettle.”
From coffee and lattes to tea and hot cocoa, the drinks are often flavored with traditional Yemeni spices and can be modified as iced beverages or with non-dairy milk. Strawberry and mango smoothies are also served, along with pastries, like honeycomb bread and croissants.
A grand opening to celebrate the franchise’s launch is expected “in the near future,” though an official date hasn’t been announced yet. The ceremony will include appearances by local leaders and light refreshments,” according to a press release.
“This expansion into the Vienna market signifies Qamaria Coffee’s commitment to providing exceptional coffee experiences beyond its traditional markets,” the business said.
Qamaria Coffee is open in Vienna from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
