Our Yemeni Coffee Era Has Begun: MOTW Brings ‘Coffee With a Purpose’ To Market Street
The stunning 5,000-square-foot space brings authentic Middle Eastern design, “coffee with a purpose,” and late-night hours to Market Street.
Rittenhouse is ready to embark on its long-awaited Yemeni coffee era.
The first of 3 Yemeni-style coffee shops coming to the Rittenhouse area has arrived, and we’re still processing just how absolutely stunning this place is. MOTW Coffee & Pastries opened at 2101 Market Street — right next to Trader Joe’s in the Murano condominium building — bringing authentic Middle Eastern coffee culture to a neighborhood space that’s been waiting for exactly this kind of energy.
The space — which used to house American Heritage Credit Union before they downsized to a smaller spot on Market — spans an impressive 5,000 square feet. The Indiana-based brand MOTW (which stands for “Muslims of The World”) took over half of this former banking space after the landlord agreed to divide it, and they’ve transformed it into something unique for the Rittenhouse-adjacent area.
What Makes Yemeni Coffee Shops Different
If, like us, you’ve never experienced a Yemeni coffee shop before, trust us — you’re in for something special. These aren’t just places to grab coffee and go; they’re designed to be true third spaces where community gathering is the whole point. Yemeni coffee culture emphasizes creating environments where people can study, work, socialize, and genuinely connect over coffee.
The authenticity is immediately apparent when you step inside — every design element feels intentional and rooted in tradition. The ornate hanging lanterns cast a warm glow throughout the space, while intricate geometric patterns (a hallmark of Middle Eastern design) appear everywhere from the columns to the ceiling borders.
But what really sets the space apart is how they’ve woven together traditional elements with Philadelphia touches. The most striking example? A beautiful mural featuring the Philadelphia skyline alongside a hadith (saying of the Prophet Muhammad) that reads: “Love for others what you love for yourself.”
A Mission-Driven Third Space
That hadith isn’t just decoration — it’s central to MOTW’s philosophy. A wall plaque explains how this teaching “echoes deeply with the MOTW mission” of “Coffee with a purpose,” where “every cup supports more than a good brew, it champions connection, kindness, and shared humanity.”
The owners — who moved to Philadelphia in 2023 — fell in love with the city and wanted to bring their community-focused concept here, and noticed there weren’t many late-night spaces for students and workers. So they’re open extended hours: Monday-Thursday 6am-9pm, Friday 6am-11pm, Saturday 9am-11pm, and Sunday 9am-9pm, which in itself is unique for our neighborhood’s coffee shops.
The Full Coffee Shop Experience
Of course, the “coffee” part of “coffee shop” doesn’t disappoint either. MOTW serves traditional coffee drinks alongside Middle Eastern specialties, and their pastry cases are filled with both familiar treats and authentic Middle Eastern sweets.
The food selection extends beyond sweets too — you’ll find samosas, traditional mousse varieties, and other Middle Eastern specialties that make this feel like a genuine cultural experience rather than just a coffee shop with Middle Eastern aesthetics.
Community in Action
The proof that MOTW has achieved its third space goals? The large, bright space regularly fills with students studying, friends catching up, and people working on laptops — exactly what the owners had hoped for when they brought their concept to Philadelphia.
The cultural authenticity extends to every corner, including Arabic calligraphy that runs along the ceiling border — creating an immersive environment that feels both welcoming to newcomers and authentically rooted in Yemeni tradition.
More Yemeni Coffee Culture Incoming
Here’s what makes this opening even more exciting: MOTW is just the first of THREE Yemeni coffee shops coming to the Rittenhouse area! Haraz Coffee Shop is planned for 1822 Chestnut Street, and Jabal Coffee House will open at 1524 Chestnut Street, with each one comfortably spaced apart from each other, and giving us options to find the vibe that suits our style best.
MOTW Coffee & Pastries is now open at 2101 Market Street, and we couldn’t be more excited about its addition to our neighborhood. Whether you’re looking for a late-night study spot, authentic Middle Eastern treats, or just a genuinely welcoming community space, this is definitely worth checking out, so be sure to follow them on Instagram to stay in the loop!
