Haraz Coffee House — Restaurant in Alafaya

I had family visiting from out of town where there exists a plethora of Yemeni coffee/tea houses and I was disappointed to see how the gentleman at the cash wrap was being condescending and combative when we explained that the Adeni tea served didn't have any sugar in it. He claimed that it had in fact been sweetened and yet when he confirmed with the young lady who actually MADE the tea, she admitted that she hadn't added any sugar to it. We gave the teapot back so they could actually add the missing sugar in it and honestly we truly didn't notice a difference. It tasted exactly the same as when we got it the first time so we then said, "no, we can't drink this." We ended up getting a regular latte instead. The taller manager on duty, sort of ginger haired, made sure we didn't get charged for the new order, which I mean, was the most logical thing being that we weren't refunded for the $17 small pot of tea

The ladies working there weren't the issue at all, they were just about their job and getting tasks done, however, the same gentleman who'd been combative then questioned my family member, asking out loud, "What was wrong with it?" Who does that? We were discreet about not wanting to finish the "sweetened" tea, let them know quietly so not to draw attention to other customers, and to have this individual now ask aloud why we didn't want it and proceed to say, "That's the first time because we have a lot of Yemeni customers who like it".

Okay, so everyone's palate is the same if they're Yemeni? What does that even mean? It's not even a matter of flavor at this point, or whose taste buds are alive and well, it's now come to feeling challenged, spoken down to, and as someone who's been in training and educating large teams in the customer experience field, this was NOT the expectation one would look to have in a place where we're seeking growth and empathy from our people to one another. I am an advocate in supporting local businesses, especially in the economic world we're currently in, and to receive this kind of experience is unacceptable.

The decor is beautiful, it's great to have seen your business filled with customers, but the customer experience training needs to...

After a whole debacle of figuring out what foods were safe for me to eat (nut allergy) the baristas help me decide on a chocolate croissant. However, the guy decides to rearrange the almond croissants with the same tongs he plans to grab my chocolate croissant with. I politely ask them to just grab the croissant with gloves if they can’t use other tongs, which they obliged. I thought that was all fine. I see chai is on the menu so I try asking for a chai latte (I was mistaken, not the same kind of chai) and the barista quips “We’re not Starbucks.” A little bit of attitude, sure, I understand why they might be offended. I apologize. I order an oat milk mocha. I receive it. I go to my car and take a sip, instant realization that the barista used almond milk. After the whole long interaction about how I have a nut allergy and just want to be able to try this coffee shop, the barista puts almond milk in my latte, despite the fact that I asked for oat milk (and the label says oat milk). I can’t see how this couldn’t be deliberate. I’m about to take Benadryl and take a nap. Don’t go here with allergies unless you want...

If you’re a coffee (or dessert) lover in East Orlando, Haraz Coffee House on Alafaya is a must-visit! We stopped by to dive into their seasonal and signature treats and were blown away.

☕ Pumpkin Spice Latte & Pumpkin Spice Matcha: Both drinks hit that perfect fall vibe, cozy, and full of spice without being overpowering. The matcha twist on pumpkin spice was surprisingly smooth and unique.

🍯 Bee Bites: These little bites are the perfect sweet pick-me-up alongside your drink. Light, slightly chewy, and drizzled with just the right amount of honey.

🍌🍰 Banana Pudding Cheesecake: Hands down our favorite. It’s to die for super creamy, rich, and packed with real banana pudding flavor. If you’re a cheesecake lover, this one’s non-negotiable.

🍫 Dubai Chocolate Brownie: Decadent and fudgy with a Middle Eastern twist. It’s chocolate heaven for brownie fans.

Overall: Haraz blends specialty coffeehouse vibes with Middle Eastern inspired desserts beautifully. The space is modern yet cozy, perfect for studying, catching up with friends, or a sweet solo escape. Definitely worth a stop if...