I've visited Moka twice now during their soft opening, and I've had a great experience both times.
So far, I've ordered the Mufawar (medium roast Yemeni coffee brewed with cardamom, spices and creamy milk) and Saffron Adeni (black Adeni tea of milk, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon). I've never had traditional Yemeni drinks before, so I was excited to try something so beloved from another part of the world. I think someone who likes chai, fall spices, and coffee would enjoy this part of the menu. If you're less adventurous, they offer all of the standard coffee/espresso/matcha drinks.
Their pastry selection is also stunning; I will likely be avoiding them due to my nut allergy, but the owner said that the fruit pastries are made specifically for this cafe, and all of the other pastries were taste-tested and intentionally selected to be part of the menu.
The owner shared that he enjoyed the other locations of Moka & Co and felt that the area needed a place with new flavors and a comfortable space to gather with friends, especially at night when bars are the only alternative. Moka currently closes at 10PM or later, and when my friends didn't realize that the cafe had closed around us, the staff didn't rush us out, instead letting us finish our game for an extra thirty minutes.
Throughout the night, we enjoyed friendly staff and fellow customers, the night air blew peacefully through the open french doors, and we basked in soft, warm lighting. One employee insisted that we sample one of their refreshers, so she brought over Vimto refreshers (grape, raspberry, and blackcurrant infused with select herbs and spices). They were fantastic - I would compare the taste to a cherry starburst.
I look forward to spending more nights at this cafe with friends! read more