With alcohol consumption on the decline nationally, Rochesterians are increasingly heading to coffee shops as places to socialize and find community.
One of the bigger coffee trends of 2025 has been the arrival of American-style Yemeni coffeehouses. They originated less than a decade ago near Dearborn, Michigan, which has a large Arab population. Since then, they have expanded around the country because they fill a need for a place to socialize without alcohol; nearly all are open later than American coffee shops.
Layali was the first Yemeni coffeehouse in Rochester, with Albunn opening a short time later; both are at work on additional locations. More recently, Mocha House opened in College Town and Rimal Coffee House is under construction downtown…