Buffalo Food: Raha turns corner of Grant/Amherst into coffee hotspot

By Veronica Bargnesi

It’s 10 p.m. on a weekday in Buffalo, New York. On the busy corner of Amherst and Grant, when many people are sleeping and businesses are closed, Raha glows against the evening sky, a beacon that calls to coffee lovers, frantic studiers and chatting friends. It’s a one-of-a-kind spot influenced by the flavors of Yemen and vibrantly decorated; beaded couches with bolster pillows and high top tables create the cozy environment that many know and love. 

For most immigrants, it’s not uncommon to crave the community and culture you left behind in your homeland. You can learn a new language and the customs of a new country, but you can never forget the flavors of home. Food is non-negotiable. So when Raha opened in 2023 and established a new space inspired by Arab culture, it created new opportunities for Buffalo Arabs to be immersed in their community without traveling thousands of miles home. 

Mariam Ashour, a frequent patron at Raha, explained the complexities of coming to America and how Raha’s environment brought her one step closer to home. 

“I like to come here because I can speak Arabic with the baristas and I like that the drinks and the desserts are Arabic, it allows me to feel more connected to my culture,” she said. 

She said Raha has allowed her to feel more at peace because she is able to ensure she won’t forget her language, as she lives away from her family and it isn’t often that she can speak Arabic to others who will understand her.

Raha’s coffee shop is just one of many Yemeni coffee shops that has opened up around the Buffalo community. Others include Qamaria in Williamsville, Socotra in Lackawanna, Mokha Reserve on Hertel Avenue and Haraz on Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo. 

As for the mouthwatering desserts and thirst-quenching refreshers, Raha’s menu is full of unique flavors and signature spices that elevate the traditional Yemeni delicacies. Raha’s house made Adeni Chai uses notes of cardamom and clove, crafted in the traditional Jebena-style brewing method which involves boiling coffee beans with water in a clay pot, creating a vibrant earthy flavor. Most patrons would pair this signature drink with Raha’s iconic Bee Bites. They consist of a buttery pastry filled with cheese drizzled with honey and topped with sesame seeds. 

These delicious treats don’t just stop at Raha.  

“It’s a good thing that there are more Yemeni coffee shops and there are also more Arab restaurants popping up,” Ashour said. “I think there were three new Arab restaurants that opened within the last few months. It’s great for the local economy but also it’s a great way to get more people to appreciate our culture and to bring more cultural awareness to Arab cultures,”

 Although a flight to Yemen is over 24 hours long, owner Bassam Harhara has created a home away from home. When picking up your coffee you can’t help but notice a bulletin board overflowing with community events; for example there are always flyers with information on learning English or protests going on in the area. This simple measure has allowed Raha to encapsulate the feeling of community, allowing people to connect with each other and promote a sense of belonging. 

“It’s not necessarily just Yemeni or Arab people that come here to convene, there are actually a lot of international students that gather here and have formed their own groups,” said Harhara.

For instance Harhara mentioned that there is a group of people that get together at Raha to learn Japanese. Yemeni coffee shops have created a new spot for people to gather and enjoy a space that has been cultivated to host a plethora of people. Harhara also mentioned that in Yemeni culture,  coffee is more than just a drink, it is a way for people to gather and enjoy each other’s presence in a relaxing manner. Hence the word Raha in Arabic, literally translating to “comfort” in English. 

Not only is Raha a space for Yemeni culture to be appreciated, it has transformed a corner that many only passed by to a social hub with the introduction of Raha.

Veronica Bargnesi is a junior at the University at Buffalo, where she majors in English. She is from Buffalo. This article was written as part of the State University of New York’s Institute for Local News program pairing classroom writers with professional publications.