Yafa Bakery & Café — Restaurant in Somerville

Yafa- my favorite cafe/bakery in Boston! The food is incredible, authentic, and creative, and there’s nowhere like it in Boston. I’m a huge foodie, esp. when it comes to baked goods and mediterranean food, but the experience at Yafa is so much more than incredible eats. Being in Yafa is like coming home, and the staff’s radical hospitality stands out in a city that can often feel cold. Every time I’ve walked in, the owner (Abdulla) tells me stories about the food in the shelves (where the recipes come from and their inspiration), greets me warmly, gives me new items to sample, and always checks in to see how I’m liking the food. He also is happy to answer questions, and share information about the beautiful art in his shop (ask him about it)! I’d highly recommend making time to sit and enjoy the food there (both so you get the full customer service experience), but also because you’ll get pastries fresh, hot and plated beautifully!

Here are some of my favorites: The baklava fingers (or the pistachio baklava) and the Yafa chai Karak (I normally don’t like chai or baklava, but they are INCREDIBLE HERE).

Knafeh with cheese (ask for this in the back and definitely sit in the restaurant so you get this fresh). Comes plated beautifully and warm (not shown in the display, so ask the owner Abdullahif he’s around)!

Royal knafeh pistachio - first time trying pistachio knafeh and it was delicious. They have two versions, and I chose the one with red pistachios, incredible and so unique!

Qairawan- ask Abdulla about the history of this cookie! I’m not normally a huge fan of date cookies, but this one is so special, and the history it honors makes it even more of a treat!

Lemonada- super refreshing on a hot day. Made with orange blossom water, which makes it extra unique!

Hummus (best I’ve had in Boston). Made properly (homemade, warm, from dried beans).

Jerusalem Bagel- by far the best I’ve had in the western hemisphere (no surprise, given that the owner is from Jerusalem)! This...

I was fortunate enough to discover Yafa on the first day of my business trip to Boston--I enjoyed the experience so much that I ended up coming back every single day of the trip!

The pastries at Yafa are incredible--so artistic and delicious at the same time! Ordering the chai with your pastries is also a real treat. Beyond the food and drinks however, Abdulla and his team are truly exceptional at customer service, curating a light-hearted, community-centric environment while serving delicious food all around.

From the moment I first walked in asked for recommendations, Abdulla sprang into action and provided samples of a wide array of pastries and biscuits, noting the ingredients and adjusting the next sample based on my preferences. He didn't just do this for me since it was my first time visiting the bakery--he offered samples to everyone in the (understandably very long) line of customers, most of which were repeat customers! Needless to say that by the time you place your order, you can be assured that you will be very happy with the assortment!

It's clear that the Yafa team takes great pride in the food that they serve and in the ambiance and customer experience they create. I've experienced this first-hand over the course of (consecutive!) trips to the bakery. My last visit was in the evening during a day of endless rain--my day was instantly made better by the Yafa team selecting a few pastries for me and serving them with a hot cup of chai, which was the perfect remedy to the rainy day!

I just had to share this food experience with my family so I ended up ordering a giant box of pastries to go. The box and packaging are beautiful so this made for the perfect "souvenir" from Boston. My family was just as ecstatic about Yafa when they tried the pastries, which is high praise coming from a group of people who are generally not easy to please! :)

Visit Yafa as soon as you can! It will probably be my first stop the next time...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Yafa Bakery & Cafe, a delightful spot that truly brings a slice of Middle Eastern cuisine to life with its authentic offerings. The experience was not just a culinary journey but also a testament to exceptional hospitality, courtesy of the cafe's remarkably friendly owner.

Starting with the food, I indulged in a variety of their specialties. The hummus was creamy and perfectly seasoned, rivaling some of the best I've tasted. The labne was another standout, its silky texture and tangy flavor making it an instant favorite of mine. Both dishes set a high standard for what followed.

The bakery's Jerusalem Bread was a revelation. Having sampled the original in Jerusalem itself, I was skeptical, but Yafa's version managed not only to match but, controversially, to surpass that experience. It was superbly soft, pillowy, and imbued with just the right touch of authenticity.

Another highlight was the Spinach & Cheese Snail, a delightful pastry that reminded me of the best börek. The combination of fresh, flavorful spinach and rich cheese wrapped in flaky pastry was comforting and delicious.

The sweets, Mamoul and Baklava, were expertly crafted—sweet without being overpowering and textured to perfection. But the real star of my visit was the Yafa Chai Karak. This spiced, aromatic tea was so captivating that it alone would make me a regular if I lived nearby.

Beyond the food, what truly set Yafa Bakery & Cafe apart was the warm welcome extended by the owner. His customer service skills are indeed unmatched. He not only made us feel at home as newcomers but also interacted with regulars with such familiarity and warmth that it added an extra layer of charm to our visit.

In summary, my time at Yafa Bakery & Cafe was marked by delectable food and exceptional service. It's a gem that offers a taste of the Middle East right here at home, and I look forward to...