A new Yemeni café and bakery is preparing to debut in Boston’s South End.
C’Yool Yemeni Coffee & Bakery (pronounced “see-yool”) is taking over the former Atlántico space at 600 Harrison Ave, according to the café’s Google Business listing. The concept is led by local restaurateur Ahmed Mahmood, owner of Bab Al-Yemen, which is widely regarded as one of Boston’s best restaurants and a key force in shaping the city’s growing Yemeni food scene.
While Mahmood has not yet responded to requests for comment from What Now Boston, he told Boston Magazine that C’Yool was created to be “intentionally Boston-born,” developed with “deep respect for both Yemeni heritage and the city’s food culture.” That distinction matters, he noted, as Yemeni coffee continues to gain traction locally, with several new shops and outposts—including a Texas-based Arwa franchise—entering the market.
The name C’Yool refers to the surge of Yemeni rivers after heavy rainfall, a symbol of renewal and the beginning of the coffee harvest. Fittingly, the café is designed as a modern interpretation of a Yemeni village gathering space, with warm, rustic touches and seating for approximately 115 guests. The space is expected to be filled with the aroma of coffee roasted onsite and traditional Yemeni breads baked throughout the day in a wood-fired oven.
The drink menu will highlight Yemeni coffee traditions, including qishr (a spiced coffee husk beverage), Yemeni mountain coffees, and Yemeni chai, alongside a full lineup of espresso-based drinks. Food offerings will include sabayah and honeycomb bread, as well as dishes that “thoughtfully bridge Middle Eastern and European influences.” Expect items like customizable manakeesh—a Levantine flatbread topped with cheeses, herbs, and other savory additions—designed to pair seamlessly with coffee.
“C’Yool is rooted in authentic Yemeni coffee culture — a lived tradition shaped by patience, craft, and origin,” reads the Google listing. “Boston-born and community-driven, C’Yool is built to endure.”
An exact launch date has not yet been announced, but Mahmood mentioned he’s aiming for a 2026 debut. Once open, C’Yool plans to keep late hours, with weekend closing times stretching to around midnight. For grand opening updates, be sure to follow the café @cyoolcoffee on Instagram.
