Qishr Coffee House

Editorial Review

Salam AljabbanTHF Editorial Author

Qishr Coffee House felt different from a typical downtown Toronto café as soon as I walked in. The spacious, modern setting has a clear Yemeni identity, and I liked how the menu introduces traditional drinks such as qishr, Sanani, Mofawar, Jubani and Rada’ay alongside Adeni tea and familiar espresso drinks. During my visit, I tried the date pie, and it was one of the biggest surprises. It was baked perfectly, with a crisp texture that cracked easily into pieces and almost melted as I ate it. The best part was that it was not overly sweet, which made it especially enjoyable with coffee or tea. I also tried the Kinder Bueno cheesecake. It was rich, smooth and well-balanced. One useful detail: the cheesecake comes with a very thin support strip wrapped around it, so make sure to remove it before eating. The café was comfortable and suitable for relaxing, studying, meeting someone or visiting with a group. The service was friendly, the washrooms were clean, and the cashier provided the access code for the restroom door when needed. For a first visit, I would recommend trying one of the traditional Yemeni drinks with the date pie if you prefer a dessert that is crisp, flavourful and not too sweet. The Kinder Bueno cheesecake is a great choice when you want something richer. Overall, I enjoyed the atmosphere, the desserts and the opportunity to experience Yemeni coffee culture in the heart of downtown Toronto.