A universal truth about the street food of the world is that it is practically infinite - thus, it gives us an infinite opportunity for discovery, experimentation and surprise. Be charmed with Arabic hospitability. Relish the richness of Homestyle Arabic Street dishes and be enchanted by the shadow play of the music.
Share stories over mouthful of spiced food and when you can't eat another bite, relinquish yourself to the intensity of the day to a cup of specialty coffee or tea. Anyone who has eaten on the streets knows about street food. Sometimes it is poor people selling to poor people - that's certainly how it began long ago.
Share stories over mouthful of spiced food and when you can't eat another bite, relinquish yourself to the intensity of the day to a cup of specialty coffee or tea. Anyone who has eaten on the streets knows about street food. Sometimes it is poor people selling to poor people - that's certainly how it began long ago.
Services
At Yafa, we work together to create a great environment where our customers feel at home and our team members can thrive. We train our team to a high standard and provide opportunities for growth and allow our staff feel recognized and rewarded. Yafa is a from scratch approach fast casual restaurant focused on traditional fare that would normally only be available in Arabic homes.
Salvaging the old World! When we approached John van Leewen about our business venture, Yafa Caf on Portage Avenue, as we see much need for the city of Winnipeg for this type of food and needed to start right away. The plan, designed by van Leewen Architecture & Design, was to transform this 1911 building that had been an accounting office for over 20 years, into a caf with a handcrafted, been-there-forever, homey feel.
Arabic food is healthy and delicious. We offer not only excellent nutrition, our authentic exotic and subtle flavours make each meal a unique adventure. Our menu includes numerous vegetarian, gluten free and low calorie options, all seasoned and spiced to bring out the best of the natural flavours of our ingredients.
Yafa Caf provides cultural and economic support and promotes work done by women from our community who aim to be self-sustainable, specifically reviving traditional crafts. As it follows with Fair Trade, this is continually making impact in the artisans' lives, preserving the art and tradition and opening opportunities.
Reviews (22)
Rashmita Chatterjee
Jan 28, 2022
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Best Middle Eastern food in town! Must tries in Mains- Koshary, Musakhan. In desserts- Basbousa, Om Ali. Drink- Hibiscus tea, their hot chocolate is to die for, with an extremely rich and creamy texture!
The ambience and the decor are perfect and feels like you're transported.
Very accessible by bus too.
Will definitely be going back multiple times to try everything on the menu.
The ambience and the decor are perfect and feels like you're transported.
Very accessible by bus too.
Will definitely be going back multiple times to try everything on the menu.
Ebby
Jan 23, 2022
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Oof!
I had really high expectations for the food at Yafa!
The restaurant ambience is quite unique. Their menu is tastefully created, with pictures for each or most menu items. Music suited to transport you somewhere with a strong Arabian culture.
The food though, in my opinion, did not live up to my expectations. Even if I lowered them.
I consider myself a Shawarma connoisseur of some sort. The beef Shawarma at this restaurant seemed to have beef bone marrow in it and had a really dry taste. It nearly made me gag at some point. I could go no farther.
The Chicken shawarma though? Was much tastier
I had really high expectations for the food at Yafa!
The restaurant ambience is quite unique. Their menu is tastefully created, with pictures for each or most menu items. Music suited to transport you somewhere with a strong Arabian culture.
The food though, in my opinion, did not live up to my expectations. Even if I lowered them.
I consider myself a Shawarma connoisseur of some sort. The beef Shawarma at this restaurant seemed to have beef bone marrow in it and had a really dry taste. It nearly made me gag at some point. I could go no farther.
The Chicken shawarma though? Was much tastier
Sarah Moose
Jan 17, 2022
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I wanted to check this place out because it's so beautiful on the outside. But it is equally beautiful on the inside, and the music had me vibing the whole time. The food though...mm mmm mmmm. So delicious! We had the hummus with naan and the spinach and cheese "pizza" type thing. Everything was so fresh and flavorful! I'm the type to usually find something I like and stick with it, but there was so many dishes I can't wait to try. We will definitely be back!!
C. A.
Jan 12, 2022
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Recently went with a friend. This is a cool looking spot with colourful decor and art on the walls. Covid-19 cards checked on entry or at the till counter. You find a seat, choose what you'd like off the menu, then go to the till counter to place your order. Food is then brought to your table. The shakshuka appetizer and beef shawarma meal were good, good portions. Didn't like how the meals were brought out at very different times. Also, I've had tastier shawarma plates elsewhere and the chicken shawarma my friend had was dry. I'd come back and try something else.
Olivia
Jan 07, 2022
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Ahsan Mahboob
Dec 24, 2021
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Horrible experience. And not just this 1 time, they've messed up our orders 80% of the times that we've been there. We ordered 2 chicken maqloubeh's and 1 beef maqloubeh. It took 1 hour to prepare them and when they finally arrived, they accidentally brought 2 beef and 1 chicken, even after repeating the order multiple times. So they took the extra beef one away and somehow they magically got a new chicken one in 3 minutes (not from the kitchen). Then this new one had inedible chicken (pictures attached) so the server offered to either pay half price or get a new one. On the 3rd try, after an additional
Fausto Tony Melendez
Nov 27, 2021
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Chris Gleeton
Nov 04, 2021
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An amazing little restaurant. The atmosphere and decor is folksy and appropriate for the venue. The food takes a while to come out, but that's because it is prepared fresh. The falafel pita was the best we've ever had. Coffee is roasted in-house and delicious, and you've got to try the baklawa either as a desert, or a treat with morning coffee.
Sandra Leigh McKay
Nov 01, 2021
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Delivery order packaged several semi-liquid items in thin fragile plastic with lids that popped off easily; the plastic was already broken by the time it reached us. Soup all over the inside of the bag,… including coating the bread. Also a drink was missing.
I called, they briefly apologized, said that they would talk to the manager and get back to me, but they did not call me back.
The Foule was decent, but do not get delivery, and do not expect customer service.
I called, they briefly apologized, said that they would talk to the manager and get back to me, but they did not call me back.
The Foule was decent, but do not get delivery, and do not expect customer service.
Syed A.
Oct 17, 2021
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Mike Hocquard
Jul 25, 2021
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Nozomi Breaghn-Sato Colyer
May 25, 2021
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Aya Altamimi
Feb 21, 2021
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Amazing freshly baked and prepared food. I love love that you serve freshly baked bread with Hummos. Delicious shawerma and manakeesh. Amazing presentation!! I love every single detail about your presentation and the atmosphere you‘ve created in ur restaurant. Great job!! Keep up the great work. 7 stars, well deserved 👍👍👍👍
Jose C.
Dec 30, 2020
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Abdul Basit
Aug 15, 2020
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I dont recommend this place at all. My experience was not good at all. I went with my family and ordered food over the counter. (Note: I didnt call in advance to prepare my food as they use this excuse all… the time) So food (like kabobs, rice etc) should have come hot & freshly prepared but unfortunately, it was cold. It was like they just use microwave oven to heat up the food and present it. You can see the steam coming out of the food if prepared fresh but in my dining experience there wasnt any steam coming out of the plate at all. The food price is expensive as well. I bet, they
Reyna A.
Aug 04, 2020
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Heather Witherden
Jun 27, 2020
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Annabelle Olanosa Janolo Rempel
Jun 20, 2020
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Rachel Elizabeth
Jun 04, 2020
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Nardeen A.
Jan 01, 2020
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Genuinely one of the best meals I've had in a while! The set-up is vibrant and the atmosphere is warm and friendly. The wait for the food made sense... it was clear that the bread had just come out of the oven; everything was SO fresh - well worth the wait. All the food was perfectly seasoned; the flavours were vibrant but not overpowering. The poutine with chicken shawarma was divine! I would also highly recommend checking out their drink selection; the peppermint tea was an experience in and of itself.
Out Of Towner R.
Aug 25, 2019
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Rob S.
Jun 04, 2018
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Checked this place out yesterday. I enjoyed it and I'll be going back to try some other things there. I had the cheese, eggs and herbs on a pita (can't remember the actual name of it) and it was quite good. They have a fair amount of veggie options, although none of their main entrees is vegetarian. The thing I had was a bit small to be a whole meal. Next time I go I'll order more.
The waitress was nice, but maybe a little inexperienced. When I went in, I asked if I should seat myself and she said yes and handed me a menu. I assumed because they have menus that they come to your
The waitress was nice, but maybe a little inexperienced. When I went in, I asked if I should seat myself and she said yes and handed me a menu. I assumed because they have menus that they come to your