It’s a Yemeni coffeehouse with over twenty locations in the USA. I have visited their Westbury, New York location several times.

Qahwah is the word for coffee in Arabic. I know, I know. You might be wondering why I am I reviewing a coffeehouse on a tea blog! It’s because they have several Yemeni tea offerings–and a surprisingly wide selection of other teas–that keep me coming back! There are other reasons as well.

Yemeni-Style Teas at Qahwah House

Every tea-lover’s review of Qahwah House must start with their delicious Yemeni-style teas.

On their menu, they have “Adeni Chai” and “Yemeni Tea.” Both have Yemeni black tea as their base. The Adeni Chai also includes cardamon, nutmeg, and milk.

The Yemeni Tea is made with cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves–no milk. The spices and tea really shine in both drinks. To my great pleasure, you can get them unsweetened and then customize to your preference.

I would caution caffeine-sensitive people–both of these Yemeni-style teas are STRONG. If I had to guess, I’d say they use more tea leaves and steep it longer than I typically do. (It could also be the tea cultivar they use. I have to investigate that.) The teas are delicious, yet I can’t even drink a whole (rather generous) serving. Well, I could if I wanted to levitate home! But, I am more caffeine-sensitive than most tea drinkers. So, after I enjoy some tea in the cafe there, I get a to-go cup and bring the rest home. I chill it for the next day. It really packs (a very delicious) caffeine punch!

Qahwah House also serves Yemini (and other) desserts. I can’t eat most of them due to some unfortunate dietary restrictions, but they look delicious and others have given me very positive feedback on them!

The coffeehouse also carries seasonal tea drinks that aren’t of Yemeni origin. For example, in Summer 2025, they offered Iced Matcha, including different seasonal flavors like Iced Strawberry or Mango Matcha. I tried the Iced Strawberry Matcha and it was delicious!

Other Teas and Herbal Teas

My review of Qahwah House wouldn’t be complete without mentioning that they have a very respectable selection of other teas, especially for a coffeehouse! In fact, there’s a whole category of “organic teas” on the menu. English Breakfast, Matcha, Cloud and Mist (green tea…I assume this is Yun Wu), Moroccan Mint (contains green tea), Ginger tea, and others! I haven’t tried these yet, but I’m so tempted by other teas on the menu.

The Space and Ordering at Qahwah House

Maybe I’m used to tiny NYC tea- and coffeehouses. But, to my mind, Qahwah House in Westbury is so spacious! There are lots of tables. The ceilings are high. And, the decor is rich brown (giving those coffee vibes) with pops of greenery. The vibe is casual, comforting, and very pleasant.

You order at one counter. They give you a pager that buzzes when your order is ready, and then you pick it up your tea at another counter.

Before I wrote this review of Qahwah House, I visited three times. (I already have plans to return.) I am not 100% sure how they decide whether to serve you in teaware or a to-go cup, but my current theory is that if you order a cup, the default is served to-go (although you can enjoy it at the cafe).

If you order a pot of tea, however, I believe you automatically get a teapot and teaware. The first time, I ordered a pot of tea, so teaware came with it.

Another time, I ordered tea for one and was surprised it came in a to-go cup. When I have asked, they were very gracious about providing me teaware. I’ll try to clarify this issue on feature visits and update the post.

Address and Parking

Qahwah House website

Long Island Address: 541 Old Country Rd, Westbury, NY 11590

Although there is an entrance that faces Old Country Rd, you can also enter from the parking lot. The door is between the Qahwah House mural and the sign for the nearby laundromat.

Parking: There is free parking behind Qahwah House in Westbury. But, make sure to park in section for their business.

The post Review of Qahwah House on Long Island appeared first on Tea Infusiast.

Tea Bars or Coffeehouses with Good Tea

• BesTea Tea Bar by Hitch in Babylon (Suffolk County)
• Humble Cafe in Williston Park (Nassau County)
• Qahwah House in Westbury (Nassau County)

Indian Restaurant with Good Chai

I’ve reviewed this Indian restaurant on Long Island for their chai. They serve very good (and strong!) Kadak Chai and Saffron Elaichi (Cardamom) Chai. (I also really enjoy their food.)

• Varli in Williston Park (Nassau County)

Long Island Bubble Tea, Plus

Here’s a place where you can get chai or bubble tea! (This is on my @teainfusiast Facebook page, which I don’t keep up so much anymore. I’m most active on Instagram @teainfusiast.)

• Chai Shop inside BeneCare Pharmacy in New Hyde Park (Nassau County)

Here is a bubble tea place on Long Island that I recommend:

• Tea Magic in Williston Park (Nassau County)

Here is another bubble tea place that I really enjoyed, and share a video of the interior, but haven’t written up reviews yet!

• Möge Tee in New Hyde Park (Nassau County)

The post Tea on Long Island appeared first on Tea Infusiast.

Types of Chai at Varli

Let me start by saying all their chai is kadak, or strong, to me. Their tea is bold, thick, creamy and rich. It’s very satisfying and cozy. The chai includes a good quantity of black tea and milk boiled with spices. It packs a punch of flavor and caffeine.

Varli offers several different types of chai.

• Kadak Chai (strong tea)
• Pudina Chai (mint chai)
• Saffron Elaichi Chai (saffron and cardamom chai)

Flavors of the Tea

The Kadak Chai clearly has green cardamom (or elaichi) in it. That’s the predominant spice I tasted. I love green cardamom, so this chai delighted me.

The Pudina Chai was also boiled black tea with milk. And, it has mint, too. Straight mint herbal tea doesn’t often call to me. Usually, it’s too minty, for me. The black tea and milk with the mint at Varli, by contrast, was lovely. I could clearly discern the mint. But, the black tea and milk tone it down. I really enjoyed it that way. The presentation was also lovely, with a mint leaf resting on top to the chai. [Update September 2025: Varli slimmed down their menu. As I write, Pudina Chai is no longer on the menu.]

The Saffron Elaichi Chai was just what you would expect–with the saffron and the cardamom clearly coming through in each sip. They serve it with a few strands of saffron on top. I really enjoyed this tea, too, even though I have mixed feelings about saffron in general. If you already love saffron (and, of course, cardamom), you’ll love it!

How Varli Serves Their Chai

If you order chai as part of your meal dining in at Varli in Williston Park, it arrives steaming hot on a colorful tray in a painted clay cup without handles. A plate of Parle G cookies and packs of sugar are served beside it.

I deeply appreciate that Varli prepares their chai without sweetener and serves it with sugar packets on the side. It’s great that patrons can customize the sweetness to their preference.

If you order a chai to go, it comes in a to-go cup with a handful of Parle G biscuits in a separate container. Both are placed in a handheld, cardboard carrying container.

It brings to mind the metal carriers you might have seen holding glasses of chai from photos in India. Very cute.

Interior of Varli in Williston Park

The eating area inside Varli has lots of natural sunlight on one side due to the large exterior windows. The floor has patterned tiles.

One wall has photographs of Indian street scenes and an agrarian scene.

The wall opposite has a huge mural of a woman’s face over a table full of nostalgic Indian products of all types–food, spices, hair accessories, etc.

Varli decorates their tables with small vases of faux flowers (orange, yellow, or red). It’s a really pleasant space.

Varli Cares

Varli’s website includes a “We Care” tab. After clicking it, I was happy to learn that they support a wonderful cause.

Their website says:

Varli Indian Street kitchen has partnered with the Varli Foundation in helping to make a difference in the lives of children in need globally.

2% percentage of proceeds from the sales in the restaurant will go to the Varli Foundation.

Address and Parking in Williston Park

Address: 78 Hillside Ave, Williston Park, NY 11596

Parking/LIRR: Free parking is available on Hillside near Varli but it can be hit or miss with availability. Luckily, there is additional parking (time-limited) behind some of the businesses across the street on Hillside Avenue and on the side streets. Make sure to read the signs as some parking near that area is reserved for cars with certain permits.

Varli Indian Street Kitchen in Williston Park is a short walk from the LIRR East Williston station (Oyster Bay line).

More Tea Options in Williston Park

Interested in other locations with good tea in Williston Park, New York?

For really good matcha lattes, hojicha lattes, or other tea that isn’t boba, check out my Review of Humble Cafe in Williston Park.

For really good boba tea (AKA bubble tea) and sweet treats, check out my Review of Tea Magic in Williston Park.

The post Varli in Williston Park: Chai Review appeared first on Tea Infusiast.