Qahwah House - Skokie — Restaurant in Niles Township

I was just at this establishment with some family and friends. We decided to order a teapot to share among the 4 of us. My friend poured the tea into the glass cups. As my sister picked up her glass, the glass shattered mid-air causing the scalding tea to pour all over her left hand and left thigh. Pieces of glass flew all over our table as well. She quickly jumped up and said the tea was burning her skin. She went to the bathroom, while the rest of us notified the staff and got some ice for her to soothe the burn. Afterwards, we went back to our table. The spilled tea and major pieces of glass around our table were cleaned up, but we still noticed remnants of glass by the table next to us. My friend notified the manager of what had occurred and had to remind them several times that there was still glass on the ground. They did eventually clean it up. The manager apologized to our friend and said something along the lines of - Sorry, this has never happened before. We finished our tea at the table, but we were disappointed by the fact that no one checked in on my sister to make sure she was okay. They didn't even replace the cup that broke. We ended up asking for a paper cup as we became nervous about using the glass cups after this experience. We're not quite sure what happened as she didn't drop the glass. There must have been a small crack in it, but we didn't notice it before pouring the tea.

The tea, itself, wasn't bad. We probably would have enjoyed it more had this incident not occurred. Our experience would have been 100% better if the they showed more concern for their customers who sustained an injury while in their establishment. Most places have protocols for stuff like this - writing an incident report, reporting to their boss, etc. Unfortunately, this did not seem to happen. Luckily, the shattered glass didn't seem to injure anyone, but the burn required ice and burn gel to prevent it from causing any further damage.

My best advice would be for the managers to gather all the staff members to discuss how to handle incidents like this in the future. Customer service could definitely...

The only reason I’m writing this is because the cashier asked us to leave a good review on the “service.” I thought that was a hilarious, because we had literally just finished busting his chops about how the card reader is always glitching anytime we come to this location. He shrugged it off and then proceeded to ask, “could you leave us a good review, you know, on the service.” LOL! I’m a real stickler on service in dining places. I believe wait times should be reasonable, especially when you’re requiring that your customers stand in line to place their order. I come to this location often for their tasty drinks, and they are tasty to be sure, yet I always leave with a sour taste in my mouth due to their poor service. Every time I come in, I could be the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd person in line, and I can almost always expect to wait there for a minimum of 7 minutes before any of their staff even acknowledge me. A simple “Hi, I’ll be right with you,” would go a long way. Nope. It’s just ignoring until they finally want to take my order. On top of that, it’s clear that they do not have an efficient barista station worked out. They seem to always be backed up, despite having many hands working back there most of the time. Don’t get me wrong, the staff are really friendly when they are dealing with customers, it’s just the wait time and lack of acknowledgement that I believe are point reducers here.

Also: Important to note that this is a self serve cafe. So not only will you wait a while for your order to be taken, and then even longer for your order to be prepared, but you will also have to clean up after yourself. Something to keep in mind when they flip to the tip screen.

I know this can be harsh, but I just had to do it after the cashier asked for a positive review on the service, immediately after we admonished their bad payment system and wait times.

Clearly the drinks are worth the wait though, because despite all this, I can’t resist coming back for more. It’s proven to be true for other customers as well. This location is...

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5) Qahwah House is a true hidden gem and one of the most unique coffee experiences I’ve had. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by the warm aroma of freshly ground coffee beans and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that makes you want to stay awhile.

What sets Qahwah House apart from your average coffee shop is its dedication to authentic Yemeni coffee culture. You won’t find just your standard espresso drinks here—this place offers an incredible variety of traditional Yemeni brews, such as the qishr and mofawar, made with spices like ginger and cardamom that add a rich, aromatic depth you won’t find anywhere else.

I tried the Mofawar, a smooth and slightly sweet coffee brewed with milk and cardamom—it was incredibly flavorful and comforting. I also paired it with one of their traditional pastries, the Sabaya, a flaky layered dessert drizzled with honey. Absolutely delicious!

The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what they do. They took the time to explain the different types of Yemeni coffee, the brewing process, and even shared a bit of the cultural background behind some of the drinks. You can really feel the care and authenticity in everything they serve.

The interior is beautifully designed—elegant but homey, with traditional art and decor that reflects the rich heritage of Yemen. It’s a perfect spot whether you’re meeting a friend, working on your laptop, or just enjoying a quiet moment with a cup of something special.

Prices are very reasonable considering the quality and the experience. And the best part? Everything is brewed fresh, with beans imported directly from Yemen, supporting local farmers and ensuring authenticity.

If you’re a coffee lover—or just someone looking for a unique cultural experience—Qahwah House is a must-visit. It’s more than just coffee; it’s a warm,...