⏱ 2 min read
The Short Version
Forget standard espresso; East African Coffee House is bringing the sophisticated, spice-infused flavors of the Horn of Africa to Ohio. By serving traditional Qaxwo and sustainable coffee husk infusions, the Ismail family is reclaiming their cultural narrative one cardamom-scented cup at a time.
In This Article
In November 2025, Dearborn, Michigan, mayor Abdullah Hammoud declared his city the “Coffee Capital of America,” fueled by a surge of Yemeni cafes like Qamaria Coffee and Haraz Coffee House. While watching the Yemeni influence grow, Somali entrepreneurs Abdullah and Hodan Ismail were planning their own move. They have since brought that ambition to Gahanna, an Ohio suburb, with the opening of East African Coffee House.
We want to showcase what we can do,
Reclaiming a Cultural Narrative
The café, located at 4359 Morse Rd., serves as more than just a caffeine stop; it is a deliberate attempt to showcase a region often defined by Western media through lenses of conflict or poverty. For the Ismail family, the goal is to highlight the sophisticated flavors of their heritage. We want to showcase what we can do, says Abdullah, noting that while they aim to serve the local Northland diaspora, they also want to invite suburban drinkers seeking something exotic into the experience.
While Somalia’s semi-arid climate makes large-scale production difficult, the country maintains a robust coffee culture by importing high-quality beans from neighbors like Ethiopia and Kenya. In cities like Mogadishu or Hargeisa, cafes function as vital social hubs where students, entrepreneurs, and elders congregate. The East African Coffee House seeks to replicate this microcosm in the Midwest, offering a space for connection through traditional hospitality.
Spices and Sustainability
The menu bridges the gap between modern specialty trends and ancient customs. While the shop offers standard espresso-based drinks, matcha, and desserts like tiramisu, its heart lies in Qaxwo. This traditional Somali spiced coffee—or its tea counterpart, Shaah—is brewed with ginger, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. One standout offering is a “lesser-known gem” made from coffee husks, providing a sustainable infusion that has been cherished in Somali households for millennia.
Currently operating out of a 1,200-square-foot space in the Cherry Bottom Center, the business is already looking toward expansion. Following the success of their soft launch in June 2025, the Ismail family is eyeing potential locations in other states and even Canada. By centering traditional flavors alongside single-origin Ethiopian beans, they are betting that the American palate is ready for the complex spices of the Horn of Africa.
Do you think the rise of spice-forward coffee traditions will change how we view “specialty” brewing in the West?
Questions & Answers
What makes traditional Somali coffee unique?
Traditional Somali coffee, known as Qaxwo, is distinguished by its use of aromatic spices like ginger, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. This spiced brewing method creates a complex flavor profile that differs significantly from standard espresso-based drinks. The East African Coffee House also offers a sustainable infusion made from coffee husks, which is a lesser-known gem that has been cherished in Somali households for millennia. These traditional recipes help showcase the sophisticated culinary heritage of the Horn of Africa to new customers.
How does Somalia source its coffee beans?
Somalia maintains a robust coffee culture by importing high-quality beans from neighboring countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya. Because the country has a semi-arid climate, large-scale coffee production is difficult to sustain locally. By utilizing single-origin Ethiopian beans, businesses like the East African Coffee House can provide authentic flavors while supporting regional trade. This sourcing strategy allows the café to replicate the rich coffee traditions found in major Somali cities like Mogadishu and Hargeisa.
Where is the East African Coffee House located in Ohio?
The East African Coffee House is located at 4359 Morse Rd. in the Gahanna suburb of Ohio. The business operates out of a 1,200-square-foot space situated within the Cherry Bottom Center. This location serves as a cultural hub for the local Northland diaspora and suburban residents interested in experiencing exotic flavors. Following a successful soft launch in June 2025, the owners are already exploring potential expansions into other states and even Canada.
Why did the founders open the East African Coffee House?
The founders opened the café to reclaim the cultural narrative of the Somali region and showcase its sophisticated flavors. Abdullah and Hodan Ismail aim to move beyond Western media portrayals that often focus on conflict or poverty by highlighting the area's rich traditions. The shop functions as a social microcosm similar to the cafes in Mogadishu, where people congregate for connection. By offering traditional hospitality, they invite both the local diaspora and new drinkers to experience East African culture.
Originally reported by Barista Magazine.
