Qahwah House - Lombard

"First time coming here - I had high hopes when I walked into this place, as it smelled great, had plenty of seating, and had a bakery section with small but delectable items. We ordered a ginger tea, a black tea, and an Arabic coffee. None of the drinks really stood out. The coffee was very strange, it had a savory, almost peanut butter-like taste to it but then had a weird aftertaste. At the bottom of the coffee, there was also a “sludge-like” consistency. Very strange and unappetizing, wouldn’t order again. The pastry too we ordered was like a spanakopita but sweet, less flakey, and obviously, no spinach. Looked better than it tasted."

"First time trying this place. Was a weird vibe, not very friendly/cozy. Coffee was decent but I asked for no whip cream and they added whip cream anyways. The pastry was good. Seemed a little overpriced compared to other coffee shops in the area but wasn’t bad so worth it if you have the money to spare I guess. I personally won’t be back because it’s not my vibe but I’d say it’s worth checking out once for others."

"I’ve been here a few times. It can be confusing because you have people lining up on both sides of the register. You would line up on the left. I forgot what his name was. The gentleman at the register was very helpful, knowledgeable, and pleasant. I came on Thursday night around 6:30 pm. If you come after 7 pm, then it can be hard to find a seat. I guess this is the place to be everyday at night. Prices were okay since this isn’t a huge chain. They do have a lot of seating but they can be filled up with large families. I’ve tried Yemeni Tea, Adeni Chai, khaliat alnahl, sabaya, and chocolate pistachio tart. I was actually surprised to see how busy it was, not packed but busy. The chocolate pistachio tart was not sweet, the pistachios were more subtle. I would have liked it to be more prominent. The chocolate itself was quite nice, not too rich. The Yemeni Tea was delectable. I could taste the cinnamon along with the other spices. It’s a very good tea on a cold day. The Adeni Chai was smooth, had a good amount of nutmeg, and was refreshing. The khaliat alnahl has cheese inside and comes with honey drizzled on top. The sabaya is buttery and flaky. Both of these famous pastries are worth getting. They’re best to eat when fresh, keep that in mind when taking either of them home. I would give this place a 5 but people were lining up on both sides of the register. In addition, it seemed like when one guy would order. Along came 10 more people that were also part of his order? These guys came out of nowhere, like they were all hiding under the table."

"Adeni tea was great! Yemeni qahwah was also decent. Good selection of pastries to choose from. Staff was nice and friendly. This place can get crowded in the evenings and weekends so plan accordingly."

"A Vibrant Tea Experience at Qahwah House in Lombard! it was a tea/coffee lover's paradise with a lively atmosphere. The tea/coffee choices are extensive, and each sip is a burst of delightful flavors. Whether you're a fan of traditional teas or looking for unique blends, this place has something for everyone. Some eatables are also available. The ambiance at Qahwah House is bustling, with mostly young people enjoying their tea and socializing. It's a great spot for meeting friends or spending some quality time. However, be prepared for a short wait time during peak hours. The good news is that the turnover is quick, so you won't have to wait too long."