Takya: Redefining Coffee Culture in Jeddah's Ancient Heart

An Unexpected Discovery

I discovered Takya by accident during a business trip to Jeddah in spring 2022. After a disappointing morning meeting, I wandered into Al-Balad to clear my head. The historic district's narrow alleys and coral-stone buildings usually calm me, and that particular morning I needed the reset. Turning a corner near one of the old merchant houses, I noticed a queue of young Saudis outside what looked like a renovated shopfront.

Curiosity got the better of me. The space inside was unlike any cafe I'd seen in the Kingdom - high ceilings preserved from the original structure, exposed coral walls contrasting with sleek modern furniture, and an impressive espresso machine that wouldn't look out of place in Melbourne or Copenhagen. But what really caught my attention was the ceremonial coffee service happening at the counter: traditional Arabic coffee being prepared alongside V60 pour-overs.

The Vision Behind the Space

Layla Al-Harbi, Takya's founder, spent her twenties traveling. Two years studying coffee culture took her from Ethiopian coffee ceremonies to Tokyo's kissaten culture, from Italian espresso bars to Australian specialty shops. When she returned to Jeddah, she faced a question: how do you honor Arabic coffee traditions while embracing global specialty coffee innovations?

Her answer was Takya - a name meaning "a place of rest" in Arabic. It's not trying to be a Western coffee shop transplanted to Saudi Arabia. Instead, it's confidently Saudi while being globally aware. The menu lists qahwa (traditional Arabic coffee) alongside single-origin pour-overs. Dates and ma'amoul cookies sit next to croissants. It shouldn't work, but somehow it does.

The Coffee Experience

I'll be direct: if you want decent coffee served quickly, dozens of cafes in Jeddah will satisfy you. Takya is for people who care about the difference between "good" and "excellent." This is the kind of place where baristas ask about your flavor preferences before suggesting brewing methods.

What Makes It Special

The Qahwa Service: Forget everything you know about Arabic coffee from hotel lobbies and formal occasions. Takya's version uses single-origin beans from Yemen's Haraaz region, ground fresh and brewed in small batches throughout the day. The traditional cardamom is there, but it's balanced - you taste the coffee, not just the spice. Served in handleless cups as tradition demands, but the cups themselves are handcrafted by a local potter. Small details, big impact.

Single-Origin Pour-Overs: The menu rotates monthly, featuring beans from different regions. During my December visit, they offered an Ethiopian Guji with notes of jasmine and blueberry - sounds pretentious, tastes incredible. The barista walked me through the tasting profile before brewing, adjusting water temperature based on my preference for brighter or deeper flavors.

Cold Brew Program: Jeddah's heat makes cold brew essential, not optional. Takya takes it seriously, steeping for 18 hours and offering three different origins. Their Yemen Mocha blend strikes a perfect balance - bold enough to handle ice and milk but complex enough to drink straight.

Beyond the Beans

Takya functions as a cultural hub as much as a cafe. Friday afternoons often feature coffee cuppings where Layla guides participants through tasting different origins. I attended one comparing Saudi, Yemeni, and Ethiopian beans - fascinating to understand how geography affects flavor profiles.

The food menu is intentionally limited. Fresh-baked pastries arrive twice daily from a local bakery, and there's a small selection of sandwiches. I appreciate this restraint. Too many cafes try to be restaurants and excel at neither. Takya knows what it is: a coffee-focused space that happens to serve good food, not the reverse.

The Atmosphere and Design

Al-Balad's architecture provides natural drama - high ceilings, thick walls that keep interiors cool, intricate mashrabiya screens. Takya's design team enhanced rather than fought these features. Natural light filters through restored wooden screens, casting geometric patterns that shift throughout the day. The original coral stone walls remain exposed, their texture contrasting with smooth concrete counters.

Seating accommodates different needs: communal tables for laptop workers, intimate corners for conversations, and a majlis-style area with cushioned floor seating. Morning crowds skew toward solo workers and business meetings. Afternoons bring students and artists. Early evenings see families and tourists exploring Al-Balad.

Practical Information

Location & Parking: In Al-Balad's core, near the historic Naseef House. Parking is notoriously difficult - I recommend using Uber or parking at the Al-Balad visitor center and walking. The walk itself is worth it, taking you past some of Jeddah's most beautiful historic buildings.

Pricing: 20-40 SAR for coffee drinks, 15-35 SAR for pastries and sandwiches. Significantly higher than chain cafes, but justified by quality and setting. They also sell whole beans if you want to recreate drinks at home.

Peak Times: Mornings (8-11 AM) and late afternoons (4-7 PM) get crowded. Mid-afternoon offers the most relaxed atmosphere if you want extended seating. They don't rush customers - I've worked there for three hours on a single coffee without feeling pressured to leave.

WiFi & Workspace: Reliable internet and plenty of outlets make it laptop-friendly, but respect the culture: tables fill quickly, so don't camp for hours during peak times if you're not ordering.

Who Will Love It

• Coffee enthusiasts tired of over-roasted chains and seeking quality specialty options
• Anyone interested in how traditional and contemporary Saudi culture intersect
• Remote workers needing a inspiring workspace with reliable facilities
• Tourists wanting to experience Al-Balad through local eyes rather than tour groups
• People who appreciate when businesses respect and enhance historic architecture

The Honest Assessment

I've returned to Takya six times across eight work trips to Jeddah. Some visits were perfect - great coffee, good conversations, productive work. One time the espresso was slightly over-extracted, and service slowed when their card machine failed during a rush. Minor issues that didn't detract from the overall experience.

What impresses me most is Takya's confidence in its identity. It's not apologetically traditional or desperately trendy. It's simply excellent at what it does: serving outstanding coffee in a thoughtfully designed space that honors its location's history.

If you're visiting Jeddah and appreciate good coffee, Takya is essential. Even if you're not particularly into specialty coffee, it's worth experiencing as an example of how Saudi Arabia is evolving its cultural spaces - respecting tradition while embracing innovation.