Exploring Life & Business with Sadeq Alaqel of Sana’a Cafe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sadeq Alaqel.

Hi Sadeq , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Sana’a Cafe was born from a simple idea rooted in a powerful tradition: sharing the rich coffee heritage of Yemen with the world.

Our journey began in San Francisco, where the very first Sana’a Cafe opened its doors on May 20, 2023. What started as a single location quickly became something much bigger. The response from the community was immediate and heartfelt—people weren’t just discovering coffee, they were experiencing a culture, a story, and a centuries-old tradition in every cup.

Within just two years, Sana’a Cafe expanded beyond the Bay Area into Los Angeles County and Orange County, including our location in Lake Forest. Today, we proudly operate over 10 locations across the Bay Area and Sacramento, with our growth continuing at a rapid pace. We are currently working toward opening our 13th location, with plans that include San Diego and further expansion throughout Orange County.

Our arrival in Hollywood represents a special milestone for us. Hollywood is a place where cultures meet, stories are told, and creativity thrives—making it the perfect home for Sana’a Cafe. Bringing Yemeni coffee culture to Hollywood means sharing our roots with a global audience, one cup at a time. It’s more than a café; it’s a cultural bridge connecting tradition with modern city life.

At Sana’a Cafe, our focus is on Yemeni-style coffee and drinks, prepared with care and authenticity. Yemen holds a legendary place in coffee history. As far back as the 1700s, Yemen was one of the first countries to cultivate and export coffee, shipping beans from the historic port of Mocha to regions across Asia and Europe. For centuries, Yemeni coffee was known for its bold flavor, complex aroma, and unmatched quality—setting the foundation for global coffee culture as we know it today.

Our mission is to continue that legacy. Just as Yemen once shared coffee with the world, Sana’a Cafe is committed to bringing Yemeni coffee to the United States, honoring its origins while introducing it to new generations. Every drink we serve represents pride in our heritage, respect for the farmers and traditions behind the beans, and a deep love for coffee itself.

Sana’a Cafe is about more than expansion—it’s about representation, connection, and sharing something meaningful. Through coffee, we tell the story of Yemen, celebrate its history, and invite the American community to experience the warmth, hospitality, and passion that define our culture.

This is only the beginning of our story, and we are excited to continue growing, serving, and sharing the love of Yemeni coffee—one location, and one cup, at a time.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like any growing business, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Overall, it has been a smooth road, but the toughest part has been navigating the permitting, city approvals, payments, and construction processes—especially as we expanded into new cities and counties. Each location comes with its own regulations, timelines, and unexpected delays, which requires patience, persistence, and constant follow-up.

That said, everything beyond those challenges has felt natural to us. Coffee is in our hands—it’s something we were raised on. Sana’a Cafe is deeply rooted in our culture, our upbringing, and our daily lives. Serving Yemeni coffee and sharing our heritage doesn’t feel like work; it feels like purpose.

Those early challenges only strengthened our foundation and pushed us to become more organized, resilient, and prepared for growth. Every obstacle has helped shape Sana’a Cafe into what it is today, and each new location feels like a continuation of a story that began long before our first café opened

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Sana’a Cafe is more than a coffee shop—it’s a celebration of Yemeni heritage, history, and hospitality. Founded in San Francisco in May 2023, our brand was built with the purpose of bringing authentic Yemeni coffee culture to the United States while creating welcoming spaces for community connection. In just a short time, we’ve grown to over 10 locations across the Bay Area and Sacramento, with expansion into Los Angeles County, Orange County, and upcoming locations including San Diego.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
We believe risk is essential to growth, but it has to be calculated and intentional. We don’t take risks blindly—every move is backed by preparation, experience, and a clear vision.

One of our biggest risks was launching Sana’a Cafe in San Francisco and expanding quickly into competitive markets like Los Angeles, Orange County, and Hollywood, while introducing many people to Yemeni coffee for the first time. Investing in locations, construction, and growth before knowing how fast the brand would be embraced was a leap of faith.

That said, coffee is something we were raised on—it’s in our hands and in our culture. That foundation gives us confidence. For us, the greatest risk would be not sharing Yemen’s coffee heritage at all. Thoughtful risk-taking is what allows us to build something meaningful and long-lasting.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sanaacoffeecafe.com
• Instagram: sanaa_cafe
• Facebook: sanaa cafe
• Yelp: Sana’a cafe

Image Credits
The CEO Bassery Alriashi- right
Sadeq Alaqel south Cal Partner- center
Hesham Hussain Sacramento partner- left