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Sana'a Cafe continues to serve the community. It was a soggy Sunday. The streets were quiet, but Sana'a was the place to be. Almost every seat was busy with chatter or laptop strokes. Thankfully, there was barely a line and we knew exactly what we wanted. Drinks: Qisher ($4.79) tasted more like a tea than coffee. This lighter brew is made with coffee husks along with cinnamon and ginger. If you want something lighter than coffee, this is a great choice. Adeni Chai ($5.19) is made with Yemeni black tea, cardamom, and cream. It's a soul satisfying brew. The sips are full of flavor and deep notes of black tea. Eats: Tahini with walnuts was really good. Not one of the best sellers but to me, it tasted like a Butterfinger. Fig, hazelnut, and pistachio Turkish delight paired well with my tea. It was a not too sweet treat. I really like that it was sliced into shareable (or not) bites. I was told the milk cakes were best selling and I can't wait to return to try them.
My new favorite go to coffee spot in Marin, especially if I am in downtown San Rafael. I tried two things I have never eaten before, and they both changed my world. I don't say that lightly. I'll start with Arabic light roast coffee that was a golden color and infused with cardamom. It was exactly what I was looking for that day. It tasted great, and it gave me to pick me up. I needed for the rest of the afternoon. I have never seen coffee that color. It was delightful. As for the fatayer, it is basically the Yemeni version of an empanada. I am very much a savory breakfast person, so this was a special treat. The spices were amazing, and it was cooked to perfection. This is one of the items you can see in the display case that they warm up for you on the spot. There were also many desserts and other food options. I should also note that I ordered on a large tablet display, which included several different drink, and food options. Honestly, the menu was a little bit overwhelming given the number of choices, but it also makes me think that there is so much more that I need to try next time. I needed to get some work done, so I sa myself down on the very comfortable couch, which conveniently contained a Wi-Fi password stuck to the edge of the adjacent table. It was very chill, and if I didn't have an appointment to get you I certainly could've stayed there all day. I am excited to try some other things on the menu and continue to support this local business.
Great service and now they have a wide variety of foods They have a great variety of fresh brewed coffee s and teas , and delicious (but rich) snoothies also. Service is good and fresh. Lots of Spaces to sit that feel luzurious and private perfect for work meetings of video calls
I stumble upon Sana'a Cafe while attending a Yelp event in San Rafael. Curious of it's lavish Gold interior that can be seen from the outside, I stopped by after my event. I discovered that this was a Mediterranean Cafe. I ordered a pistachio latte and paired with with the Dubai Milkcake. It sure hit the spot. I also noticed a lot of folks just hanging out while enjoying their food and beverages. Super fast service, the place was very clean. Will definitely come back to try other savory items they offer!
Amazing, can't believe I hadn't tried this earlier. Such a special place, a true cultural experience.... Enjoy some amazing coffee w the twist of another continent. Easily my favorite spot in Marin for coffee... it's not Starbucks so don't expect to blow in and out quickly.
Spacious cafe, open late, offers wifi, and has a variety of drinks and desserts to choose from. I've been here a couple times to both eat in as well as take out, and service has always been fast and friendly. The tables and serving ware are beautiful and classy, making for a lovely setting for incredible bites. There's a single use bathroom at the back of the restaurant and metered street parking out front. Call ahead to check if they're open on holidays -- I believe earlier this year we went on Thanksgiving or the night before Thanksgiving and they were open their usual hours.
Amazing drinks, food, and service! I stopped by to get some work done with a nice warm chai. Upon entering, there are plenty of tables with upright seats and cozy couches, with many customers studying or conversing. You order at the counter where there's a display case of beautiful and delicious pastries, cakes, shawarmas, and treats. I got a warm chai and honeycombs - delicious. They have free wifi, and I was able to be super productive with getting work done on my computer. The barista was also very friendly and kind to all who came through the door! Would definitely recommend!
Another great experience with The Kid. Ordered the Sana'a latte with condensed milk. Sweet and full of flavor from cinnamon and cardamom. The katafi baklava was sweet and sticky. The service was exceptional. The atmosphere and ambiance is elegant and regal with beautiful tea sets and gold decor. Definitely recommend giving them a try.
This isn't my first time at Sana's Café, and it definitely won't be my last. I ordered a café latte with oat milk, and honestly, it's one of the best I've ever had -- hands down. I'm not sure what magic they're working behind the counter, but their oat-milk lattes stand out from every other one I've tried. Creamy, smooth, and perfectly balanced. Highly recommend.
I stayed around the area for a week and came here everyday. I absolutely loveddddddd their iced pistachio latte. I tried it both hot and iced but the iced wins since you get more of the pistachio flavor. I'm missing this drink just as I'm writing about it now. Also, they carry a great selection of sweets and even some savory items all day. The staff are super friendly and the decor is very pretty as well. Great place to get some work done or just relax with a good cup of coffee and sweet.
San Rafael has a new cafe in downtown. And it ain't no ordinary cafe. Sana's Cafe offers two of my favorite things. Coffee and pastries. But not just any old coffee. They specialize in Yemeni coffee and pastries (sweet and savory). The corner cafe is decorated in a regal palette of white, black, and gold. Giving off posh resort vibes. They offer free WiFi. The customer service was off the day I dropped in. The cashier was not answering any of my questions. There was no language barrier. I asked what was the best selling coffee drink, and was met with smiling silence. Hmmm. There were no other people in line, just me. So I did not venture further with any questions. I ordered a Yemeni latte with oat milk. Ooolala... it was smooth and creamy, spiced with cinnamon and cardamom. They served it in a real cup and saucer. Nice touch. It added to the whole cafe experience. But the potato fatayer was so so. Even though it was warmed up, the crust was warm but the inside was cold. Like refrigerated temperature cold. Another thing I noticed l, which was odd, was that the gorgeous looking pastries in the glass counter did not have prices. The coffee/espresso drink menu had prices but not the pastries. So I was purchasing without knowing the price and the cashier was a man of few to no words.
Loved the atmosphere, the coffee and the pistachio cake. Very cool vibe. Also the cake was not super sweet. Perfect for me. Also dog friendly. They let me bring my giant Bernese inside although I kept him outside at first. I'll be back. By the way Grok directed me here when I asked for later night coffee.
What a transformation from the last coffeehouse. Sana'a looks like you've stepped into a palace! Very interesting Mediterranean desserts and hot beverages in beautiful serving dishes. The staff is so friendly and welcoming.
14 days ago
Sana'a Caffe brought us in with its vibrant, lively ambiance and welcoming, cool layout. The drinks and treats were incredible overall: Yemeni Tea (5/5): Absolutely perfect! We added a note asking for it to be extra hot, expecting it might be overlooked, but they nailed it--piping hot just as requested. Baklava : 5/5 Yemeni Latte: 5/5. Rose Latte (4/5): unique blend, strong rose flavor. The Pistachio Milk Cake, didn't hit the mark for us, so I'd skip that next time. Overall, amazing drinks, great atmosphere, and impressive attention to detail in service. Highly recommended! read more
Beautiful cafe. I was looking for something sweet and intrigued by the milk cake. Pistachio and Dubai chocolate were recommended but I'm not a practice fan and didn't want chocolate. I opted for the vibrant red rose. It tasted exactly like a flavorless sponge drenched in l milk. Not even a hint of rose. Incredible, the white icing was equally flavorless, although it looked beautiful, with a sprinkling of dried rose petals. The overall effect was like eating a piece of cake that had fallen in a puddle of milk - with dried leaves in the icing. I had three bites and then told them guy behind the counter that it had no flavor and all he could offer was "I'm sorry". For $8 and no offer to make it right, it was a really bad experience and I would never go there again. read more
Sana'a Cafe continues to serve the community. It was a soggy Sunday. The streets were quiet, but Sana'a was the place to be. Almost every seat was busy with chatter or laptop strokes. Thankfully, there was barely a line and we knew exactly what we wanted. Drinks: Qisher ($4.79) tasted more like a tea than coffee. This lighter brew is made with coffee husks along with cinnamon and ginger. If you want something lighter than coffee, this is a great choice. Adeni Chai ($5.19) is made with Yemeni black tea, cardamom, and cream. It's a soul satisfying brew. The sips are full of flavor and deep notes of black tea. Eats: Tahini with walnuts was really good. Not one of the best sellers but to me, it tasted like a Butterfinger. Fig, hazelnut, and pistachio Turkish delight paired well with my tea. It was a not too sweet treat. I really like that it was sliced into shareable (or not) bites. I was told the milk cakes were best selling and I can't wait to return to try them. read more
My new favorite go to coffee spot in Marin, especially if I am in downtown San Rafael. I tried two things I have never eaten before, and they both changed my world. I don't say that lightly. I'll start with Arabic light roast coffee that was a golden color and infused with cardamom. It was exactly what I was looking for that day. It tasted great, and it gave me to pick me up. I needed for the rest of the afternoon. I have never seen coffee that color. It was delightful. As for the fatayer, it is basically the Yemeni version of an empanada. I am very much a savory breakfast person, so this was a special treat. The spices were amazing, and it was cooked to perfection. This is one of the items you can see in the display case that they warm up for you on the spot. There were also many desserts and other food options. I should also note that I ordered on a large tablet display, which included several different drink, and food options. Honestly, the menu was a little bit overwhelming given the number of choices, but it also makes me think that there is so much more that I need to try next time. I needed to get some work done, so I sa myself down on the very comfortable couch, which conveniently contained a Wi-Fi password stuck to the edge of the adjacent table. It was very chill, and if I didn't have an appointment to get you I certainly could've stayed there all day. I am excited to try some other things on the menu and continue to support this local business. read more
Great service and now they have a wide variety of foods They have a great variety of fresh brewed coffee s and teas , and delicious (but rich) snoothies also. Service is good and fresh. Lots of Spaces to sit that feel luzurious and private perfect for work meetings of video calls read more
I stumble upon Sana'a Cafe while attending a Yelp event in San Rafael. Curious of it's lavish Gold interior that can be seen from the outside, I stopped by after my event. I discovered that this was a Mediterranean Cafe. I ordered a pistachio latte and paired with with the Dubai Milkcake. It sure hit the spot. I also noticed a lot of folks just hanging out while enjoying their food and beverages. Super fast service, the place was very clean. Will definitely come back to try other savory items they offer! read more
Amazing, can't believe I hadn't tried this earlier. Such a special place, a true cultural experience.... Enjoy some amazing coffee w the twist of another continent. Easily my favorite spot in Marin for coffee... it's not Starbucks so don't expect to blow in and out quickly. read more
Spacious cafe, open late, offers wifi, and has a variety of drinks and desserts to choose from. I've been here a couple times to both eat in as well as take out, and service has always been fast and friendly. The tables and serving ware are beautiful and classy, making for a lovely setting for incredible bites. There's a single use bathroom at the back of the restaurant and metered street parking out front. Call ahead to check if they're open on holidays -- I believe earlier this year we went on Thanksgiving or the night before Thanksgiving and they were open their usual hours. read more
Amazing drinks, food, and service! I stopped by to get some work done with a nice warm chai. Upon entering, there are plenty of tables with upright seats and cozy couches, with many customers studying or conversing. You order at the counter where there's a display case of beautiful and delicious pastries, cakes, shawarmas, and treats. I got a warm chai and honeycombs - delicious. They have free wifi, and I was able to be super productive with getting work done on my computer. The barista was also very friendly and kind to all who came through the door! Would definitely recommend! read more
11 months ago
Another great experience with The Kid. Ordered the Sana'a latte with condensed milk. Sweet and full of flavor from cinnamon and cardamom. The katafi baklava was sweet and sticky. The service was exceptional. The atmosphere and ambiance is elegant and regal with beautiful tea sets and gold decor. Definitely recommend giving them a try. read more
This isn't my first time at Sana's Café, and it definitely won't be my last. I ordered a café latte with oat milk, and honestly, it's one of the best I've ever had -- hands down. I'm not sure what magic they're working behind the counter, but their oat-milk lattes stand out from every other one I've tried. Creamy, smooth, and perfectly balanced. Highly recommend. read more
I stayed around the area for a week and came here everyday. I absolutely loveddddddd their iced pistachio latte. I tried it both hot and iced but the iced wins since you get more of the pistachio flavor. I'm missing this drink just as I'm writing about it now. Also, they carry a great selection of sweets and even some savory items all day. The staff are super friendly and the decor is very pretty as well. Great place to get some work done or just relax with a good cup of coffee and sweet. read more
1 year ago
San Rafael has a new cafe in downtown. And it ain't no ordinary cafe. Sana's Cafe offers two of my favorite things. Coffee and pastries. But not just any old coffee. They specialize in Yemeni coffee and pastries (sweet and savory). The corner cafe is decorated in a regal palette of white, black, and gold. Giving off posh resort vibes. They offer free WiFi. The customer service was off the day I dropped in. The cashier was not answering any of my questions. There was no language barrier. I asked what was the best selling coffee drink, and was met with smiling silence. Hmmm. There were no other people in line, just me. So I did not venture further with any questions. I ordered a Yemeni latte with oat milk. Ooolala... it was smooth and creamy, spiced with cinnamon and cardamom. They served it in a real cup and saucer. Nice touch. It added to the whole cafe experience. But the potato fatayer was so so. Even though it was warmed up, the crust was warm but the inside was cold. Like refrigerated temperature cold. Another thing I noticed l, which was odd, was that the gorgeous looking pastries in the glass counter did not have prices. The coffee/espresso drink menu had prices but not the pastries. So I was purchasing without knowing the price and the cashier was a man of few to no words. read more
8 months ago
8 months ago
Loved the atmosphere, the coffee and the pistachio cake. Very cool vibe. Also the cake was not super sweet. Perfect for me. Also dog friendly. They let me bring my giant Bernese inside although I kept him outside at first. I'll be back. By the way Grok directed me here when I asked for later night coffee. read more
What a transformation from the last coffeehouse. Sana'a looks like you've stepped into a palace! Very interesting Mediterranean desserts and hot beverages in beautiful serving dishes. The staff is so friendly and welcoming. read more
8 months ago
Super interesting spot -- visually stunning, operationally... evolving. I'll admit it: the Instagram got me. The videos, the photos, the aesthetic -- all beautifully done and clearly working in their favor. It's no surprise they're pulling strong Yelp traffic. What surprised me more? There are three coffee shops practically side-by-side in that stretch. When I went to grab a friend after ordering, we drove back and he kept pointing: "Is it this one? This one? This one?" I genuinely didn't realize how concentrated the caffeine competition was. And yet -- this place was packed. Now, onto the experience. There were only two employees working, and the system felt... improvised. Orders were taken one at a time, then that same person would step away to make the drink, return to take another order, and repeat. No visible ticket system, no clear flow. It created a noticeable lag. In most cafés, there's some division between ordering and production. Here, it felt more reactive than streamlined. The space itself definitely has personality. You can see what they're going for -- high-glam, luxe, gold accents, curated signage. But it felt more DIY than designed. Think: white walls dressed up quickly rather than a space architected with intention. Compared to places that truly invest in cohesive interiors, this one felt temporary. Aspirational, but not fully realized. That said -- the matcha? Divine. Easily top tier in Marin. Favi Roasters still holds my #1, but this is up there with Endless Quest. Flavor-wise, no notes. Where things felt off was in the details. They use gold plates and trays (on brand), but they don't wash particularly cleanly. You can see faint marks from prior use, which subtly chips away at that "luxury" feeling they're aiming for. Pricing transparency was another oddity. Drinks had prices listed. Pastries did not. I overheard multiple customers asking how much items were before ordering. That's uncomfortable for people who are budget-conscious. I'm personally not spiraling over a $10 vs. $12 charge, but not everyone has that flexibility -- and pricing should never feel mysterious. Even more confusing: the menu listed matcha at $7.07, but I was charged $6. I'm not complaining -- I just prefer consistency. If the posted price doesn't match the register, it raises questions about what else may be inconsistent. The tiramisu was good. Not life-changing, but enjoyable. Pastry selection overall looked solid. My overall takeaway: they're clearly outperforming neighboring shops for a reason. The product is strong. The branding is magnetic. But the execution feels rushed in places -- like they prioritized aesthetic buzz over operational polish. Would I go back? Probably not regularly. Parking was a hunt, and if I'm doing takeout anyway, there are equally strong options nearby with smoother flow and more cohesive environments. That said -- I respect what they're building. There's ambition there. If they refine the details and tighten the systems, this place could absolutely level up. For now: great matcha, strong visual identity, a few growing pains. read more
5 months ago
Cute cafe to hang out inside, with yummy beverages and pastries. Every food item we got was delicious - Baklava, fatayers (spinach and potato), chocolate croissant. Pistachio latte was creamy and rich, which is so much better than how other cafes make them. For the iced Adeni chai, next time I would order it as "more sweet" instead of "regular." I like a sweet beverage, and the "regular" level felt like hardly any sweetness! But again, I prefer something sweet, so take that with a grain of salt. Parking on the street was easy on a week day. We ordered on the tablet so didn't have any interaction with the employees. Our drinks came out quickly though, and food was warmed up without it us having to request it. 10/10 read more
6 months ago
Sana'a Café was where I went to meet a friend on the weekend. I ordered a cappuccino and the design on the foam touched my heart even before the coffee touched my lips. Nicely done! Staff was super friendly and I felt very welcome to be there. Even the guests seated inside were all smiling and conversation between tables sprouted up here and there. Next time, I will try their chai which I am told is the best in the area. Also, I will not be able to hold off my urge to try one of their desserts that was tempting me in the display case. read more
3 months ago
6 months ago
Went here very clean and hospitable, lots of variety with coffees and middle eastern deserts. Asked about maybe getting coffee bun bread a popular bread to eat with coffee in the Middle East they said they would look into it and have it next time I go in. Over all excellent service perfect Turkish coffee I had and I will be back again! read more
3 months ago
6 months ago
Really good coffee & sweets!! Our favorite is the pistachio latte:) another plus is the clean and comfortable seating! read more
Yemeni coffee in San Rafael! The interior is bright and light filled: white with lots of gold touches. There are a number of seats throughout and they offer free wifi, which was helpful so I could get a little work done. The drink menu offers traditional espresso drinks and Yemeni specialty coffees and teas, including the cozy flavors of cinnamon, cardamom, clove, mint, ginger, and more. The staff were super helpful in explaining the different drinks and flavor profiles. I ordered and really enjoyed my Yemeni Latte (with cardamom and cinnamon) for dine in, served in a pretty mug and saucer, and they happily accommodated my request for light sweetness. Creamy, warm, flavorful! The cafe also offers imported chocolates (including the viral Dubai Chocolate, which I need to try next time!), pretty tea sets, and a case of freshly made sweet and savory pastries. I'll definitely stop in again when I'm in San Rafael. read more
6 months ago
The ambiance felt like home, seating was very comfy, the customer service was superb! I really enjoyed the food and drinks. Bring your relatives! read more
9 months ago
1 year ago
Very nice cafe! Food is good, service is excellent and cozy ambiance. Dogs are allowed too :-) ordered their homemade dubai choc, hope its good read more
11 months ago
Try a different cake or fatayer EVERYDAY trust me... try the milk cakes ans triangle fatayer ... theyvtaste like a saltine cracker type of fluffy wheat read more
This place absolutely amazing. The perfect cafe I could find. Place is chill with soft music. The only difficult thing is parking and the price. For a mango smoothie and tiramisu cake is about $17. Still the taste, atmosphere and service makes me forget about the price. read more
What a find! A Yemeni cafe, an alternative to the run of the mill coffee shops in Marin. Lots of delicious drink and food options. We ordered a Turkish coffee and a Latte, in addition to the potato fatayer and beef fatayer, which I expected to be more crispy, but delicious nonetheless. It wasn't super busy at 11:30, we likely missed the morning rush. Vibe is full of energy. The space is open, light and bright, with lots of tables. Music a bit loud for me, making conversation a bit challenging. Overall a good addition to Marin's coffee shops and hope they are successful. read more
1 year ago
Smoothest Turkish coffee I've ever enjoyed. Open til midnight, at least this Saturday nite. The pistachio and honey pastries we tried were very much to my liking and paired very well with the coffee. They sell Dubai Chocolate bars for $7 less than a shop East of the freeway. They're still expensive, but I got to try one without totally emptying my wallet. Very pleasant place to enjoy a break. read more
1 year ago
Sana'a Cafe is a Yemeni coffee shop chain, and this location is in downtown San Rafael. The ambiance is aesthetically pleasing and there's plenty of seating for small groups indoors. The baristas were nice and made good recommendations. The pastries are pretty but aren't really sweet or flavorful. I'd rate the pistachio cheesecake a 5/10, but would definitely try the place at least once. read more
2 months ago
I watched a play at one of the local high schools and was looking for somewhere to go for a late night snack. I was excited that this cafe is open late! What caught my eye was that they have the viral Dubai chocolate bars. They have two kinds which were both good. I would've liked a bit more pistachio cream. One is a thicker bar and it's in a pink box. The other one is a more delicate bar and that one is in a wrapper. I walked in and wow - beautiful decor, open seating with lovely high ceilings and a decked out display case. What a gorgeous addition to downtown San Rafael. If this place was open when I was in college or even during the many years I lived there - I would've been there multiple times a week! I had the honeycomb which one of the friendly and helpful workers recommended. I also had the kenafa cheesecake which was amazing. I would like to try everything there. Turkish delight, cakes and other baked goods, sandwiches, baklava. They have so many delectable items!! I love this place already and I will not only be back but will be telling others to go! read more
My boyfriend and I saw the "grand opening "signed with a bunch of balloons out front and he knows I love coffee so we just had to check this place out! It was a lovely Saturday afternoon and we were lucky enough to get parking on the side/meter and it was free for that particular Saturday! Lol perfect! Lol As I walked in, there were two different baristas behind the bar and since I had never been a Yemen coffee shop before.... I figured the best thing to do was to ask a barista what their specialty drinks were! He steered me to a hot coffee, but it was honestly too hot for something with hot coffee so I got an iced version of the companies name as a coffee! He said it was the way his mom made his coffee growing up and it was with espresso beans and cardamom, so it had a sweet spice to it. I honestly love cinnamon in my coffee and tea so the combination sounded very interesting to me!! I favor light roast, this particular roast was rather tasty but a little strong for my stomach lining! Lol carrot cake that I bought was delicious as well as the two pistachio baklava!! After I ordered, I saw they had a cinnamon roll coffee cake! OMG where was that all my life?! I will definitely have to go back and try their cinnamon roll coffee cake ! But on a day that I'm safe with all my gluten-free items! Yes, gluten-free! But I have cheat days! Lol Overall, the service was very personable, and both baristas spoke to me on different occasions about the pastries and the other gentleman regarding their coffee and how it was brewed! I truly love their hands-on, personable, friendly service, and the coffee was strong, but tasty!! Nothing that some ice couldn't handle! I will definitely be going back!! They also have a great following on Instagram! read more
8 months ago
Omg! This establishment is beyond amazing. Their Dubai cheesecake is phenomenal. We had to come here twice in a row. It's smooth and creamy. Has amazing texture and flavor. And their iced caramel macchiato is delicious. Perfectly balanced. The establishment is clean and their service is fast. The vibes in here are great. Cute little cafe I'd highly recommend going. For a good pastry and a good coffee. read more
Looking for a coffee place at night can be tricky While walking downtown San Rafael we found this place which honestly exceeded my expectations. Very nice people working here , desserts to accompany coffee . I got this Turkish coffee and it was delicious same as the Rose milk cake which really tastes like roses Love it . Coming back .? Yes . It's a must visit place for coffee read more
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