Asal Yemen

- 7616 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209

Welcome to Asal Yemen, a standout coffee shop located in the heart of Brooklyn's Bay Ridge neighborhood. This inviting spot offers a delightful blend of authentic Yemeni coffee culture and a modern cafe experience, quickly becoming a beloved local hub. The name 'Asal' itself translates to 'Honey,' a key ingredient and symbolic offering that perfectly captures the sweet, warm, and comforting atmosphere of the shop.

If you're a New Yorker in search of a coffee experience beyond the standard brew, Asal Yemen is your next must-visit destination. The cafe specializes in traditional Yemeni coffee preparations, which are known for their unique, often light roast flavor profile, infused with exotic spices like cardamom and ginger. Beyond coffee, Asal Yemen provides a spacious, cozy, and work-friendly environment, complete with a full menu of unique pastries, delicious brunch items, and artisanal honey products. It's more than just a coffee shop—it's a cultural haven where you can relax, study, or meet with friends while savoring the rich flavors of a centuries-old coffee tradition.

Location and Accessibility

Asal Yemen is conveniently situated at 7616 5th Ave in the vibrant Bay Ridge area of Brooklyn, NY 11209. This prime location on Fifth Avenue, a bustling commercial corridor, makes it easily accessible for Brooklynites and visitors alike.

For local commuters, the location is generally considered easy to reach. While street parking is available, it is often paid street parking, which is typical for a busy commercial strip in the neighborhood. The shop’s large storefront and presence on a major avenue make it a highly visible and recognizable local business. Furthermore, Asal Yemen is committed to being an inclusive space, offering a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible restroom, ensuring comfort for a wide range of patrons.

The atmosphere inside is consistently praised by customers for being casual, cozy, and trendy, with plenty of seating options, including couches, making it a perfect spot for solo dining or working on a laptop. It truly caters to the local community, providing a welcoming and relaxed environment for everyone.

Services Offered

Asal Yemen offers a comprehensive range of services and menu items designed to cater to various needs throughout the day, emphasizing both traditional Yemeni offerings and familiar cafe staples.

• Specialty Yemeni Beverages: Including the signature 'Monk's Morning Brew' (Yemeni Coffee with traditional spices), Yemeni Tea (boiled with cardamom and ginger), and Yemeni Qesher (a traditional decaf, cascara-style drink made from coffee husks, cinnamon, and ginger).
• Espresso Bar: Offering all the classics like Double Shot Espresso, Americano, Latte, Cappuccino, Cortado, and specialty lattes such as Asal Latte (with Yemeni spices), Golden Milk Latte, Ginger Latte, and Cardamon Latte.
• Brewed Coffee: Fresh Brewed Drip and Cold Brew options for traditional coffee lovers.
• Tea, Juice, and Smoothies: A variety of teas (including Valerian and Saffron Tea), Hot Chocolate, and refreshing juices like Hibiscus, Watermelon Lemonade, and the signature Asal Juice.
• Breakfast and Brunch: A full selection of savory and sweet morning meals, including Avocado Smashed on toast, Morning Glory Hero (Yemeni Eggs with traditional sauce), Golden Broiche Bliss (Asal Eggs Bun with halloumi and honey), Sweets French Toast, and Broiche Brunch Classic (Asal Benedict).
• Traditional Yemeni and Other Pastries: Offering a wide array of baked goods like the highly recommended HONEYCOMB (bread with cream cheese and honey), BASBOSA (semolina cake), Sabaya (flaky pastry with honey), various Cheesecakes (including an Avocado Cheesecake), Croissants, Cupcakes, and Cookies.
• Quick Bites and Salads: Savory options like Sambosa (Kofta or Tuna), Asal Salad, Fattoush Salad, and Honey Moon Salad.
• Retail Items: Customers can purchase products to enjoy at home, including Yemen Almonds, various Coffee by the Pound options (including Quesher and Gum), and different sizes of genuine Yemeni Honey.
• Dining and Accessibility: Services include dine-in, takeout, and delivery options, along with comfortable indoor seating and access to a restroom and complimentary Wi-Fi.
• Payments: Accepting modern payment methods including Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC Mobile Payments.

Features / Highlights

What sets Asal Yemen apart is its dedication to showcasing the unique flavors of Yemeni coffee and cuisine, combined with an outstanding commitment to customer experience. The cafe’s highlights are centered around its specialized offerings and comfortable environment.

• Authentic Yemeni Coffee: The star of the show is the traditional Yemeni coffee, which is a light roast, often prepared with milk and a distinctive blend of warm spices like cardamom and ginger, offering a flavor profile that is sweeter, smoother, and more rustic than typical American or Italian espresso blends. The 'Monk's Morning Brew' is a must-try.
• Focus on Honey: True to its name, 'Asal' (Honey) is heavily featured. The shop sells high-quality, imported Yemeni honey (Sedr, Mountain, Somer, and Almarai varieties) and incorporates it into many drinks and pastries, allowing customers to experience the authentic pairing of Yemeni coffee and pure honey.
• Signature Baked Goods: The Honeycomb bread (sweet, cream cheese-filled bread drizzled with honey) and Basbosa (semolina cake) are customer favorites that provide a sweet, authentic complement to any beverage.
• Exceptional Customer Experience: The staff is frequently noted in reviews for their friendliness and excellent service, contributing to the very welcoming and personal atmosphere.
• Cozy and Work-Friendly Atmosphere: With a spacious dining area, comfortable seating options, and free high-speed Wi-Fi, the cafe is highly popular among locals for working, studying, or simply lounging with a cup of coffee.
• Diverse and Unique Menu: The menu successfully blends traditional Yemeni items (Yemeni Eggs, Qesher) with modern cafe fare (Avocado Smashed, various lattes), ensuring there's a delicious option for every palate.
• Availability of Authentic Ingredients: The option to purchase unground or ground Yemeni coffee beans and jars of Yemeni honey allows patrons to bring a piece of the authentic experience home with them.

Contact Information

For local New York patrons, here is the essential contact and location information for Asal Yemen:

Address: 7616 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209, USA

Phone: (347) 560-6329 / +1 347-560-6329

What is Worth Choosing

For anyone in the NYC area, Asal Yemen represents a unique cultural and culinary experience that sets it apart from the city's many other coffee options. The primary reason to choose Asal Yemen is to immerse yourself in the rich, complex flavors of authentic Yemeni coffee and sweets—a tradition often considered the very birthplace of coffee itself. Choosing to visit is about supporting a local immigrant-owned business that brings a piece of Yemen’s cherished heritage to Brooklyn.

The most highly recommended combination is ordering the Monk's Morning Brew (Yemeni Coffee) or the Asal Latte (with its ginger and cardamom spices) and pairing it with a piece of the Honeycomb pastry. The Honeycomb, with its soft, cheesy interior and sweet, honey-drizzled exterior, is an unparalleled treat that perfectly complements the coffee’s spiced notes. For a savory start to the day, the Morning Glory Hero (Yemeni Eggs) provides an authentic and hearty brunch experience.

Beyond the food and drink, the atmosphere is a major draw. Asal Yemen is a great local business that provides a beautiful, relaxed space. It’s a perfect retreat from the hustle of New York life—a cozy, clean cafe where you can comfortably spend a few hours on your laptop, meet a date, or simply enjoy a quiet moment. If you're looking for great coffee, an inviting ambiance, and a true taste of Yemeni tradition, make your next coffee run to Asal Yemen in Bay Ridge.

Asal Yemen

7616 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209, USA