More Than a Coffee Shop
“Diwan” means a gathering place in Arabic — historically, the rooms where poets, philosophers, and scholars came together to trade ideas over coffee. Co-owner Liyan Salameh named the café after that tradition, so the same spirit of connection lives on in every cup.
The menu draws on Yemeni coffee history — a heritage the family believes more people should know. “Mocha beans come from a port in Yemen called Mokha,” says co-owner Diana Albasha. Diwan sources its beans with that history in mind and makes many of its syrups in-house, keeping the sweetness subtle so the flavors lead. Rose petals from Saudi Arabia find their way into the specialty lattes.
Above all, Diwan is a family affair — Diana (mother), Liyan (daughter), and Ibrahim (father) built it together. “One of the main reasons I wanted a family business is because in this busy life, we don't see each other,” Diana says. Late Friday and Saturday hours until 10 PM honor the culture of evening gathering — and on the Eastside, where most cafés close by late afternoon, Diwan fills a gap the community had been waiting for.