Yafa Café — Restaurant in Winnipeg

Just returned from dinner at yafa cafe with my friends.

The owners are fantastic. Very friendly and personable. They are also very world conscious and do little things to try to make the world a better place.

They have a contest for those that dine in. It is a gift bag made from burlap such as coffee Bean bags and other recycled/repurposed items full of food goodies! It's at the counter if you want to participate.

Atmosphere is very cheery, warm and bright. You can't miss this restaurant at night. It's like a bright shining 🌟 star as you drive down portage.

I would recommend looking at the drink section that is their Arabic taste. We got the chai karak tea served in a larger pot. We also tried a number of their coffees (everyone ordered one and we shared to taste) They have all kinds of coffee (latte, flat white, espresso, Turkish coffee as examples) with a number of other drinks (non alcoholic) The owners also make a very good London fog, often quoted by my friends as the best in the city.

We had a number of different appetizers. I did not do the ordering so am trying to piece the dishes with the names. We started with the sfeiha, zaatar cheese, zaatar shatta and the spinach and cheese manakeesh We tried some of the dips. The hummus, labneh and the mhammara dip. The last one was my favorite but I do like having the variety with the sampling appetizer ($12 for 3 instead of $5-$6 each)

I do like that a lot of their menu has pictures of the food with the name next to it if you are a visual person who likes to order that way. We tried the amba arous and shawarma chicken for sandwiches. Everyone agreed the chicken was 5 🌟. The amba arous garnered mixed reviews. One of the highlights is the makloubeh that is a layered dish with rice, Arabic spices, veggies and more. Protip: the makloubeh takes half an hour to cook so pre order or order asap when you get there.

We were lucky tonight. I got a shot of them pouring the honey onto the baklava, a process I've never seen before. We finished the night with basbousa (so good, a nice light honeyed cake made with semolina) , cookies and knafeh (a sweet cheese dessert with shredded wheat). We did not get a chance to try the baklava at the restaurant but it looked so good I did bring a piece home to have for later (and try)

from what I gathered parking is available on the street in front of the building after 5:30 and on the side streets. I did not notice a parking lot but I did not ask either.

Point of interest: they have a prayer room where you can pray...

If you're looking for a dining experience that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you feeling completely satisfied, look no further than Yafa Restaurant. Located in the heart of the city, this restaurant is a hidden gem that deserves to be discovered.

The first thing you'll notice upon entering Yafa Restaurant is the warm and welcoming atmosphere. The decor is elegant and sophisticated, yet still manages to feel cozy and comfortable. The staff is friendly and attentive, and you'll immediately feel like a valued guest.

But it's the food that truly sets Yafa Restaurant apart. The menu is a carefully curated selection of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes that are bursting with flavor. From the silky smooth hummus to the perfectly spiced falafel, every dish is a masterpiece. And the portions are generous, so you'll never leave feeling hungry.

One standout dish is the lamb kebab, which is perfectly grilled and seasoned to perfection. The meat is tender and juicy, and the accompanying sides of rice and vegetables make for a perfectly balanced meal. The seafood dishes are also excellent, with the shrimp skewers being a particular standout.

But it's not just the main courses that impress. The desserts are equally delicious, with the baklava being a standout favorite. It's sweet, sticky, and nutty, and is the perfect way to end a meal.

In summary, Yafa Restaurant is a must-visit for anyone who loves good food and a welcoming atmosphere. The attention to detail, the quality of the ingredients, and the skillful preparation make this restaurant a true standout. Whether you're a local or a tourist, make sure to add Yafa Restaurant to your list of...

Oof! I had really high expectations for the food at Yafa! The restaurant ambience is quite unique. Their menu is tastefully created, with pictures for each or most menu items. Music suited to transport you somewhere with a strong Arabian culture. The food though, in my opinion, did not live up to my expectations. Even if I lowered them. I consider myself a Shawarma connoisseur of some sort. The beef Shawarma at this restaurant seemed to have beef bone marrow in it and had a really dry taste. It nearly made me gag at some point. I could go no farther. The Chicken shawarma though? Was much tastier and filled with such goodness. It was like day and night tasting both shawarmas. Their falafels were tasty but small-sized, tantalized with a dressing I considered rather bland. We decided to be adventurous and try a soup kind of salad. Quite the flavour going on with this salad. The Gaza salad. If I had to rate the salad over 10, I’d give it a 4.5-5. Or maybe it’s an acquired taste that grows on you. The salad had really rich flavours and if you’re seeking to expand your palette, it might be worth tasting.

All in all, my experience here was ok.

The Hibiscus tea was tasty with the extra brown sugar we added. Would highly recommended. It tasted like kombucha,...