Downtown Columbus recently got a new coffee shop, and a big one at that! Qahwah House is the first Columbus location of a chain of Yemeni coffee shops based in eastern Michigan. It’s similar in style to Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Shop, which also hails from Michigan and has opened locations in Hilliard and Lewis Center (and is teasing a third).

Qahwah House occupies the ground floor of the new apartment building The Harlow on Main, near the corner of East Main and South Fourth streets (so, right around the corner from Mikey’s, Dirty Frank’s, Little Palace, etc.).

The space is large and beautiful, with plenty of natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows, tables scattered throughout, and a giant 3D map on the wall showing the movement of coffee from Yemen around the world. Yemen is considered one of the coffee’s countries of origin (I think Ethiopia also has a claim). The theme of Yemen as a starting point for coffee is woven throughout Qahwah House’s space and branding.

As you would expect, they use Yemeni roast for their drinks. I once heard Yemeni coffees described as “rustic” and I think the description is accurate. They are often earthy and very rich in flavor.

Qahwah House’s menu includes traditional Yemeni drinks, Turkish coffee, Italian espresso drinks, cold drink, iced and hot tea.

In the center of the space, behind a glass door, is a small coffee roaster. So they make fresh coffee right there.

At the back is a long counter with a small display case with pastries, bottled drinks and a preparation area.

I ordered at go awaya drink that combines light and medium roast coffee, coffee flakes, cardamom, ginger and cinnamon. One of the joys of Yemeni cafes is watching the traditional drinks prepared right in front of you. They use a set of induction burners to bring the coffee to a boil, add the spices and then filter it into a cup.

Jubani was earthy and heavy on the ginger notes. They offered some sugar which I liked.

We tried too they don’t stinga very flaky pastry that comes with a little cup of honey for drizzling.

Qahwah House has enough space to stretch out, read, work on your laptop.

Qahwah House is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m. to midnight; Saturday, 8 a.m. to midnight; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m

Qahwah House
189 E. Main St.
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 372-5313
Web: qahwahhouse.com
FB: Qahwah House
IG: @qahwah_house