I tried a new coffee shop in Charlotte. You should, too — but not for the drinks

I arrived at Haraz Coffee House precisely at noon on Friday, which was, in retrospect, poor planning.

I’d broken one of my own cardinal rules: In Charlotte, never visit a newly opened restaurant until the hype dies down.

Haraz Coffee House opened its third location in Ballantyne earlier this month, CharlotteFive reported, bringing traditional Yemeni coffee, handcrafted espresso drinks, spiced teas and pastries to Ballantyne.

The shop’s recent opening combined with employees still getting acclimated to the lunch rush meant the line stretched all the way to the door, and it didn’t move very quickly.

But the space was bright and spacious because of its tall ceilings and huge windows letting in an abundance of natural light, and the white marble surfaces contrasted nicely with the dark wood patterns throughout the room.

Overall, the atmosphere felt clean, modern, but still incredibly warm, which is a tricky balance to pull off.

Before I went, I found myself wondering what exactly distinguished Yemeni coffee from all the others. I could’ve looked it up, of course, but I was in the rare mood to let the experience reveal itself.

As it turned out, the surprise waiting for me had very little to do with the coffee at all.

Here’s what you need to know about Haraz Coffee House.

What’s on the menu at Haraz Coffee House?

The Haraz Coffee House menu includes traditional and espresso drinks, coffee and iced refreshers, along with a variety of food items, such as pastries, croissants and cheesecakes.

Prices range from $3.50-$8.

Here’s everything I got for roughly $23 (before tax and tip):

• Iced mufawar ($8): Made with coffee, cardamom and cream
• Spinach and feta danish ($7) 
• Pistachio cheesecake ($8) 

The food arrived before the drink, so I started with the savory option.

The spinach danish was warm and soft, and the gentle tang of the greens met a buttery, delicate pastry that didn’t weigh itself down. A moment later, the cheese softened into the mix, adding richness without overwhelming the balance of flavors.

As for the cheesecake, it’s worth noting that I’m firmly of the belief that a crust can make or break the entire affair — and in this case, it rose to the occasion.

The dessert looked unassuming, but one bite made its strengths clear. It had just the right amount of sweetness to let the pistachio flavor shine, and the filling was light and creamy. The crust added a perfect crunch without overpowering the dessert. It’s the kind of dish that wins you over quietly, one bite at a time.

Now, the coffee.

I picked the drink because it listed cardamom among its ingredients: a warm, sweetly floral spice I was sure I had tried and liked. Yet the first sip made it clear something was off.

I tried to recall recent meals and scrolled through my phone to find the culprit. It didn’t take long to realize the truth: I had never actually tasted cardamom.

The memory I thought I had came from a trip to SouthPark, where a fragrance associate had recommended Azzaro’s The Most Wanted, a cologne with cardamom among its top notes. I hadn’t bought it, but the scent lingered in my memory, a reminder that sometimes our noses remember more than our mouths do.

While my chosen drink fell flat, the food at Haraz Coffee House is absolutely worth the trip, and with a range of other beverages to suit every taste, there’s more than enough reason to explore and discover your own favorite.

Location: 15205 John J Delaney Dr Ste B, Charlotte, NC 28277

Location: 1204 Central Ave #100, Charlotte, NC 28204

Location: 3441 South Blvd C, Charlotte, NC 28209

Menu

Cuisine: Authentic Yemeni coffee, tea and pastries

Instagram: @harazcoffeehouse and @hrzballantynenc