Kedzie Avenue Emerges as Chicago's Middle Eastern Cafe Hub with Four New Spots in Albany Park

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Albany Park · January 21, 2026

As coffee behemoth Starbucks closes hundreds of stores, Albany Park residents are witnessing a different trend along Kedzie Avenue: the rapid expansion of Middle Eastern-style cafes. In just the past year, four distinct Middle Eastern coffee shops have opened along a mile-long stretch of Kedzie Avenue, offering unique beverages and treats that showcase the neighborhood's remarkable cultural diversity.

Two of these establishments are the first Chicago locations of growing Yemeni coffee chains with roots in Dearborn, Michigan. Qamaria recently opened at 4728 N. Kedzie Ave. in a strip mall among other Middle Eastern businesses, while Shibam has established its city presence at 5241 N. Kedzie Ave. Meanwhile, Nubar, a Kurdish cafe located at 3200 W. Lawrence Ave. (at the corner of Kedzie), opened last year offering both coffee drinks and a full food menu. Nubar serves rich Kurdish and Turkish coffee alongside trendy specialty drinks, plus Middle Eastern mezze including hummus, muhammara, and falafel.

Visitors to these cafes can enjoy Yemeni pastries like honeycomb drizzled with honey and syrup-soaked cakes alongside more familiar desserts. Nubar even offers a Dubai chocolate latte, while Shibam features pre-packaged trendy Dubai chocolates. The cafes create welcoming spaces for residents to experience the vibrant culinary traditions that have shaped Albany Park's identity as one of Chicago's most diverse neighborhoods. Stop by any of these new establishments to warm up with a rich, spiced coffee and experience the evolving food scene along Kedzie Avenue.

Sources:
1. https://www.wttw.com/playlist/2026/01/16/new-arabic-cafes