Seattle's Best Expresso

Great ambiance with beautiful ceremonial coffee service & excellent friendly staff! Able to adjust the Yemeni coffees for no cardamom or decaf if needed.

This place is amazing, authentic and beautiful. I enjoyed working on my computer with there amazing code and sweets. Owners are very nice kind and generous. I highly recommend. I took a box to my friends to taste.

First of all, the food and drinks they offer are great. Not to mention, the guys who run the establishment are kind and helpful. Even better, the establishment has a beautiful internal design that’s well-maintained

My boyfriend and I always have a great experience coming here! The baklava is heated and served with a wonderful pistachio spread and the coffee is creamy and strong! 5/5 would recommend this place.

The Mofowar coffee and Honeycomb was very good. Definitely recommend!

Stopped by for a Pistachio Latte. It was delicious, and I had a very nice conversation with Abdul who was very kind and attentive. I will definitely visit again!

Looking for a coffee place, I came upon this bright and inviting spot that offers delicious Yemini delicacies and creative coffee drinks. Lucky me!

Best coffee place in town! From the pastries to the coffee, anything you get is amazing. The staff is attentive and friendly! Could not recommend more!

Super super friendly service, super food also we loved every single thing we had, the latte and the cheese fatayer and Spanish fatayer it have it’s amazing unique taste, thank you for the AMAZING gift you guys are great.

Great, unique Yemeni coffee. Literally everything is so tasty!!! Pistachio latte and Jubani coffee so far are my favorites. Can't wait to work my way through the rest of the menu 😀

Excellent coffees and teas and desserts. Off the charts customer service. Must visit while downtown San Rafael.

I came here to study and this is the perfect study spot! Plenty of tables and outlets, and comfy seats as well. Pastries and coffee were unique and delicious and the service was friendly! I appreciated recommendations from the workers!

I had a great experience getting a Dubai cheesecake and tulmpia for an event and it turned delicious experience for everyone. I got to know the place based on friend referral who tried multiple items and every time she gets surprised of great taste and quality to explore my items. Great thank to Belal who helped to organize the order and really the time, quality, and understanding response to all our concerns. Thank you !.

Have been looking forward to this cafe opening for a while and popped in during our morning stroll for a latte. The Yemeni latte did not disappoint, with hints of cinnamon and cardamom, it was delicious and the interior design is beautiful! It’s a great addition to our neighborhood and wish them much success, we’ll be back soon.

I had a large Sanani coffee - Yemen coffee w cardamon, served extremely hot! My Irish & European friends that can't find coffee that hot enough- will love this place. The Sanani was a delightful change from my ordinary Peets or other American coffee! I ordered a shredded chicken wrap the wrap was a home made light wrap (like a tacito) little taco roll called Chicken Muskhan I had a Cheese Fatayer to go but couldn't stop eating it once I took a bite. Come to this unique little Cafe. It will transport you to foreign lands! I love it and will be back for more treats!!

+1

So nice to welcome real culture to our town! Authentic and exotic a lot to explore, I really loved my spicy drink and a cheese cake! Very comfy seating area and welcoming atmosphere!

This is my favorite place for coffee and tea in Marin. I have been searching for years and Sana'a checks all the boxes: Food: 5/5 Delicious coffee drinks, tea, and pastries. They have traditional Yemeni coffee drinks with cardamom and cinnamon. If lattes are more your thing, the pistachio latte is one of my favorites! And for a truly special treat, my partner and I ordered their Turkish coffee for two and some sweet treats. They brought out the most gorgeous tray to share with a slice of scrumptious pistachio milk cake, baklava, and Turkish delight. Service: 5/5 I love the people working here. They are always so friendly and happy to answer any questions (since a lot of things in the case are new to me). Shout-out to Nour, she is so sweet and has brightened a lot of my mornings. Atmosphere: 5/5 The work the cafe did renovating this space before opening turned out great. It is bright, open, and airy with plenty of seating options. There are nice upholstered booths if you want to cozy up with a book or get some work done. Otherwise there are tables that can seat up to 4, which are actually big enough to fit everyone's orders. It is also worth mentioning, they are open til 10PM. In Marin, it is impossible to find any late night hangouts that aren't centered around alcohol. So if you've passed by Sana'a on 4th St and been curious, this is your sign to stop in. Even if you're not in San Rafael, it's worth making the trip to check it out.

Beautiful cafe in San Rafael! Delicious drinks and pastries. We got the pistachio milk cake, chocolate baklava

This place is amazing—go check it out! The atmosphere and design is so beautiful. Unique menu items with lots of Arabian/Middle Eastern treats to choose from! The staff are very kind and friendly. Thank you to Issa for the great service! It’s a bummer that I don’t live closer, but it is always a nice treat whenever I am in town.

The coffee and tea at Sana’s Cafe are honestly outstanding. Every cup is rich, smooth, and so satisfying, and the teas are perfectly fragrant and comforting. I love going there because it just feels warm and welcoming the moment I walk in. The cakes are absolutely delicious—fresh and flavorful—and I can never pick just one. Their ready-to-eat Middle Eastern snacks and dishes make it so easy to grab something quick without sacrificing taste. Everything feels thoughtfully made and full of authentic flavor. It’s such a beautiful place to relax, connect, and enjoy amazing food, especially during Ramadan.

Absolutely delicious. We had the pistachio lattes and the pistachio milk cake, and both were outstanding-rich, balanced, and clearly made with care. The space is quiet, clean, and welcoming, making it a perfect spot to slow down and enjoy your coffee. Everything felt authentic and thoughtfully done. A real gem in San Rafael. Highly recommend.

Fantastic place. I've had a couple of savory pastries with Turkish coffee, and it was very exciting stuff, and reasonably priced too.

Great customer service and delicious dessert. A wide variety of to choose from. Also the latte I order was delicious as well. I would recommend the pistachio milk cake and I had a pistachio latte. The atmosphere is very mellow and I enjoy it very much. Definitely give them a go!

This is by far our new favorite, late night hang out spot. The milk cakes are amazing, the drinks are delicious, the atmosphere is very welcoming and the staff is wonderful , they make you feel like family. My favorite drink so far is the Mofawar, so comforting and cozy and the iced pistachio latte.. delicious. Thank you to all at Sana’a for you kindness and excellent customer service!

This is one of my favorite coffee houses. I love the coffee, Middle Eastern decor and music. The owner and staff are so very kind!

Fantastic place with amazing staff! Dessert are delicious, I would come back with friends so we can all order different desserts and share.

This place absolutely amazing. The perfect cafe I could find. Place is chill with soft music. The only difficult thing is parking and the price. For a mango smoothie and tiramisu cake is about $17. Still the taste, atmosphere and service makes me forget about the price.

my friend had recommended this place and I highly recommend it now! the iced pistachio latte definitely hit the spot for studying! The aesthetics of this place was not the only attraction but so were the desserts! Full of rich flavors! I got the pistachio cheesecake, and chocolate cakes that were filled with pistachio filling. My go to coffee spot now! The staff were very kind and patient!

This place is such a good hidden spot in San Rafael! It is really is so good for coffee/drinks and desserts/pastries. My friends and I come here and the time for various drinks and desserts. The management and owners are so nice, helpful and welcoming! There is also free wifi, outlets for charging your devices and it is cozy which makes it optimal for studying! Thank you to the staff, especially Issa, he is always so kind to us!

I’ve had my eye on this Yemeni coffee shop for a while, and I was so excited to finally check it out! After a lovely lunch with my partner, I started craving dessert and couldn’t resist the urge to try this place, especially since they’re known for their coffee. As Colombians, we absolutely love our coffee, so I couldn’t wait to see how theirs compared! As soon as we walked in, we felt right at home. The atmosphere is fantastic—such a beautiful space with unique interior design that feels glamorous yet cozy and inviting. It was the perfect setting for our little treat! We decided to try the Jumani, and oh my goodness, it was delicious! For dessert, I can’t quite remember the name, but it was this amazing dish that looked like a pizza. It had soft dough balls filled with cheese and drizzled with honey on top—such a fun twist on dessert! Once we sat down, our order was quickly delivered, and we enjoyed a nice long chat in the warm, inviting vibe of the café. I left with a big smile and can’t wait to come back for more! If you’re in the area, I highly recommend checking it out!

This is fun. Think marble and gold leaf: gaudy but on theme for that part of the world. I didn't try the spinach fatayer because I had just had breakfast, but the Turkish coffee was perfect with subtle cardamom notes. If you ask for lightly sugared you get what Syrians would call "to the smile". They have wifi so you can work and the espresso was a good west-coast style roast. Our experience was excellent.

Absolutely loved our experience at this cafe! Issa was amazing—he went above and beyond to make sure our visit was perfect. We asked for his recommendations, and he totally nailed it; every single choice he suggested was spot-on and so delicious. He even took the time to come over to our table with a few samples, giving us a chance to try more of what they offer. Not only was the food fantastic, but the atmosphere was just as impressive. It’s the kind of place where you can truly relax, and it’s ideal for studying or working, with a comfortable vibe and plenty of cozy spots. Whether you’re stopping in for a coffee break or setting up for a study session, this place has something for everyone. Highly recommend it—come for the food, stay for the vibe, and let Issa take care of you!

Belal OMG I am a coffee connoisseur if I do say so myself. I ordered a coffe with milk. Really simple. It was off the charts some of the best coffee ever!! So smooth, a teeny spice, no bitterness whatsoever. Also, my daughter and I had some special requests regarding food etc and the owner, Belal, was so kind and accommodating!! The atmosphere and decor is beautiful and the vibes are immaculate. Wish I could give them 6 stars. I’m moving in.

I’m Jojo and I love this Cafe. It has a great Menu and ambiance. Very clean and the employees are very friendly. They serve you with great pleasure. I advised Issa to encourage the team to Open a location in Walnut Creek downtown. This Cafe would thrive in Downtown Walnut Creek!!

What a delightful Yemeni cafe! 🇾🇪 The staff are wonderfully warm and welcoming, especially Issa - what a gem he is! ☺️ My sister and I are obsessed with their Adani Chai, chicken fatayer, and pistachio milk cake! Also enjoyed the mango dragonfruit refresher with bits of fresh fruit floating at the top. Oh and if you’re not convinced to stop here, they also sell the viral Kunafa bar here!! *swoon* ♥️

A Roche

Absolutely delicious. We had the pistachio lattes and the pistachio milk cake, and both were outstanding-rich, balanced, and clearly made with care. The space is quiet, clean, and welcoming, making it a perfect spot to slow down and enjoy your coffee. Everything felt authentic and thoughtfully done. A real gem in San Rafael. Highly recommend.

Alexei Isaev

Fantastic place. I've had a couple of savory pastries with Turkish coffee, and it was very exciting stuff, and reasonably priced too.

Marie Smith

Great customer service and delicious dessert. A wide variety of to choose from. Also the latte I order was delicious as well. I would recommend the pistachio milk cake and I had a pistachio latte. The atmosphere is very mellow and I enjoy it very much. Definitely give them a go!

Sparkle Girl

This is by far our new favorite, late night hang out spot. The milk cakes are amazing, the drinks are delicious, the atmosphere is very welcoming and the staff is wonderful , they make you feel like family. My favorite drink so far is the Mofawar, so comforting and cozy and the iced pistachio latte.. delicious. Thank you to all at Sana’a for you kindness and excellent customer service!

Robert So

This place absolutely amazing. The perfect cafe I could find. Place is chill with soft music. The only difficult thing is parking and the price. For a mango smoothie and tiramisu cake is about $17. Still the taste, atmosphere and service makes me forget about the price.

Marlin

This is fun. Think marble and gold leaf: gaudy but on theme for that part of the world. I didn't try the spinach fatayer because I had just had breakfast, but the Turkish coffee was perfect with subtle cardamom notes. If you ask for lightly sugared you get what Syrians would call "to the smile". They have wifi so you can work and the espresso was a good west-coast style roast. Our experience was excellent.

Lorraine Lombardo

This is one of my favorite coffee houses. I love the coffee, Middle Eastern decor and music. The owner and staff are so very kind!

Alexander Paiz

Fantastic place with amazing staff! Dessert are delicious, I would come back with friends so we can all order different desserts and share.

Rachel DiPaola

Belal OMG I am a coffee connoisseur if I do say so myself. I ordered a coffe with milk. Really simple. It was off the charts some of the best coffee ever!! So smooth, a teeny spice, no bitterness whatsoever. Also, my daughter and I had some special requests regarding food etc and the owner, Belal, was so kind and accommodating!! The atmosphere and decor is beautiful and the vibes are immaculate. Wish I could give them 6 stars. I’m moving in.

Kaith Monterroso

my friend had recommended this place and I highly recommend it now! the iced pistachio latte definitely hit the spot for studying! The aesthetics of this place was not the only attraction but so were the desserts! Full of rich flavors! I got the pistachio cheesecake, and chocolate cakes that were filled with pistachio filling. My go to coffee spot now! The staff were very kind and patient!

Femi Abin

This place is such a good hidden spot in San Rafael! It is really is so good for coffee/drinks and desserts/pastries. My friends and I come here and the time for various drinks and desserts. The management and owners are so nice, helpful and welcoming! There is also free wifi, outlets for charging your devices and it is cozy which makes it optimal for studying! Thank you to the staff, especially Issa, he is always so kind to us!

Diana Olivares

I’ve had my eye on this Yemeni coffee shop for a while, and I was so excited to finally check it out! After a lovely lunch with my partner, I started craving dessert and couldn’t resist the urge to try this place, especially since they’re known for their coffee. As Colombians, we absolutely love our coffee, so I couldn’t wait to see how theirs compared! As soon as we walked in, we felt right at home. The atmosphere is fantastic—such a beautiful space with unique interior design that feels glamorous yet cozy and inviting. It was the perfect setting for our little treat! We decided to try the Jumani, and oh my goodness, it was delicious! For dessert, I can’t quite remember the name, but it was this amazing dish that looked like a pizza. It had soft dough balls filled with cheese and drizzled with honey on top—such a fun twist on dessert! Once we sat down, our order was quickly delivered, and we enjoyed a nice long chat in the warm, inviting vibe of the café. I left with a big smile and can’t wait to come back for more! If you’re in the area, I highly recommend checking it out!

Angel Perez

Absolutely loved our experience at this cafe! Issa was amazing—he went above and beyond to make sure our visit was perfect. We asked for his recommendations, and he totally nailed it; every single choice he suggested was spot-on and so delicious. He even took the time to come over to our table with a few samples, giving us a chance to try more of what they offer. Not only was the food fantastic, but the atmosphere was just as impressive. It’s the kind of place where you can truly relax, and it’s ideal for studying or working, with a comfortable vibe and plenty of cozy spots. Whether you’re stopping in for a coffee break or setting up for a study session, this place has something for everyone. Highly recommend it—come for the food, stay for the vibe, and let Issa take care of you!

Hei-Lee Ingrande-Edwards

First time visiting this newly opened cafe and let me tell you it’s delicious. I had the Iced Pistachio Latte and a slice of Rose Milk Cake. Definitely will be returning for the coffee and vibes. The interior design of the cafe is absolutely stunning, another great addition to Downtown San Rafael!

Joan Kasande

I’m Jojo and I love this Cafe. It has a great Menu and ambiance. Very clean and the employees are very friendly. They serve you with great pleasure. I advised Issa to encourage the team to Open a location in Walnut Creek downtown. This Cafe would thrive in Downtown Walnut Creek!!

I visited this place with a friend after a customer recommendation. Upon entering, we were immediately captivated by its charming ambiance. The cashier and barista were both friendly and attentive. I opted for a match latte with oat milk and three pumps of vanilla syrup. It was an exquisite drink, expertly crafted to perfection. We also shared a slice of pistachio cake, which was equally delightful. The sweetness was just right, not overpowering I definitely will be back.

Erica J

I visited this place with a friend after a customer recommendation. Upon entering, we were immediately captivated by its charming ambiance. The cashier and barista were both friendly and attentive. I opted for a match latte with oat milk and three pumps of vanilla syrup. It was an exquisite drink, expertly crafted to perfection. We also shared a slice of pistachio cake, which was equally delightful. The sweetness was just right, not overpowering I definitely will be back.

Sylvia Krzanowski

This coffee shop is a true treasure — serving authentic Arabic coffee made from rich Yemeni beans, alongside a selection of fresh, flavorful traditional dishes, both savory and sweet. The coffee was perfect, full of depth and aroma, and the food was wonderfully prepared. While you can certainly pop in for a to-go cup, it’s just as inviting to settle in and enjoy the warm atmosphere, soft background music, and welcoming staff. We stayed for two hours, savoring every sip and bite, and left feeling both satisfied and uplifted.

Great place to study. The seats are extremely comfortable and there’s WiFi. The interior looks newly renovated so it’s extremely clean and sleek inside. Only real gripe I had was the food I got was supposed to be warmed. The outside was slightly warm but the inside cold and stiff.

Sonam

Great place to study. The seats are extremely comfortable and there’s WiFi. The interior looks newly renovated so it’s extremely clean and sleek inside. Only real gripe I had was the food I got was supposed to be warmed. The outside was slightly warm but the inside cold and stiff.

Fatayer was not good, tasted old and was cold. Coffee was ok but weak…

San Rafael has a new cafe in downtown. And it ain’t no ordinary cafe. Sana’s Cafe offers tri if my favorite things. Coffee and pastries. But not just any old coffee. They specializes in Yemeni coffee and pastries (sweet and savory). The corner cafe is decorated in a regal palette of white, black, and gold. They offer free WiFi. The customer service is a big off the day I dropped in. The cashier was not answering any of my questions. There was no language barrier. I asked what was the best selling coffee drink, and was met with smiling silence. Hmmm. There were no other people in line, just me. So I did not venture further with any questions. I ordered a Yemeni latte with oat milk. Ooolala… it was smooth and creamy, spiced with cinnamon and cardamom. They served it in a real cup and saucer. Nice touch. It added to the whole cafe experience. But the potato fatayer was so so. Even though it was warmed up, the crust was warm but the inside was cold. Like refrigerated temperature cold. Another thing I noticed l, which was odd, was that the gorgeous looking pastries in the glass counter did not have prices. The coffee/espresso drink menu had prices but not the pastries. So I was purchasing without knowing the price and the cashier was a man of few to no words.

The flavor of the coffee is GREAT, but I feel the sweetness level needs to be worked on. Every latte I ordered needed to be sweetened. I also hit my kids the lemonade and again, I feel they need to really taste what they are making. Think water with TONS of lemon. It tasted like straight lemon juice with zero sugar. The did offer to remake it in the strawberry lemonade version but all that did was add strawberry flavor with a hint of sweetness and still extremely sour. Think warheads candy. The honeycomb was delicious and the pistachio latte was great. They have all it takes to be amazing but there’s a lack in sweetening their drinks.

Lillian

San Rafael has a new cafe in downtown. And it ain’t no ordinary cafe. Sana’s Cafe offers tri if my favorite things. Coffee and pastries. But not just any old coffee. They specializes in Yemeni coffee and pastries (sweet and savory). The corner cafe is decorated in a regal palette of white, black, and gold. They offer free WiFi. The customer service is a big off the day I dropped in. The cashier was not answering any of my questions. There was no language barrier. I asked what was the best selling coffee drink, and was met with smiling silence. Hmmm. There were no other people in line, just me. So I did not venture further with any questions. I ordered a Yemeni latte with oat milk. Ooolala… it was smooth and creamy, spiced with cinnamon and cardamom. They served it in a real cup and saucer. Nice touch. It added to the whole cafe experience. But the potato fatayer was so so. Even though it was warmed up, the crust was warm but the inside was cold. Like refrigerated temperature cold. Another thing I noticed l, which was odd, was that the gorgeous looking pastries in the glass counter did not have prices. The coffee/espresso drink menu had prices but not the pastries. So I was purchasing without knowing the price and the cashier was a man of few to no words.

Samira Saleh

The flavor of the coffee is GREAT, but I feel the sweetness level needs to be worked on. Every latte I ordered needed to be sweetened. I also hit my kids the lemonade and again, I feel they need to really taste what they are making. Think water with TONS of lemon. It tasted like straight lemon juice with zero sugar. The did offer to remake it in the strawberry lemonade version but all that did was add strawberry flavor with a hint of sweetness and still extremely sour. Think warheads candy. The honeycomb was delicious and the pistachio latte was great. They have all it takes to be amazing but there’s a lack in sweetening their drinks.