A new coffee shop chain will soon debut in San Antonio, but don’t expect the usual assortment of vanilla lattes and Americanos. Haraz Coffee House will share Yemen’s time-honored brewing traditions at two locations, at 8435 Wurzbach Rd. and 10907 Culebra Rd. #120.

Yemeni immigrant Hamzah Nasser built his first outpost in Dearborn, Michigan in 2021. According to Hour Detroit magazine, he dabbled in owning a gas station and long-haul truck driving before landing on a concept inspired by the melting-pot neighborhoods of his Detroit-area youth.

In Yemen, coffee culture is far removed from the grab-and-go habits of the United States. The brew is an extension of community, often served from a single pot (or dallah). The host serves the drink in a steady, unbroken stream as a gesture of hospitality.

The coffee is different, too. Although sometimes brewed whole-bean, the coffee grown in Yemen’s mountainous Jabal Haraz region is just as valued for its husk. The chaff is brewed with spices like cardamom or whole ginger, then mixed with milk for a lighter beverage more akin to American tea.

Haraz has made a few concessions for the Starbucks generation. Common espresso drinks like caramel macchiatos and matcha lattes are on the menu, along with a flat white-style foam. But most of the offerings are served in traditional pots meant for four to six guests.

The bites also reflect the Middle Eastern palate. Haraz serves sabaya (or bint al-sahn), a traditional Yemeni layered pastry with black cumin seeds, and several Turkish specialties like mosaic cake and Istanbul cheesecake, a Basque cheesecake with a distinctive caramelized top.

So far, Haraz has not made any official announcements about the upcoming stores, but Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation records give a general timeline for the San Antonio arrival. In April, the company submitted paperwork for the Culebra Road outpost, pinpointing a May 2026 end date.

The Wurzbach Road project was filed in late May. State records say that renovation will wrap up in mid-September.