Owner Omar Bareentto on building a multicultural coffee shop where Newark comes to stay, learn, and create.
In the Oromo language of Ethiopia, qaalii means high class. It means precious. For Omar Bareentto, one of the owners of Qaalii’s Cafe, the name carries personal weight. It belongs to his niece. But when he and his partners set out to build a coffee shop in Newark, they knew the word also carried a message for the city itself.
“When people think of Newark, that’s what we want them to think of.” Bareentto said. “High class. Precious. We are representation for the city.”
Three months into operation, Qaalii’s Cafe has already embedded itself into the cultural fabric of downtown Newark. Situated on Halsey Street, the cafe occupies a corner that bridges University Heights and the downtown business district. Qaalii’s Cafe is centrally located, in walking distance for students and professionals.
Culture Meets Community
What distinguishes Qaalii’s Cafe from other coffee spots is the intentional way its identity was built. The ownership group includes partners of Ethiopian, Turkish, and Afghan descent. Rather than defaulting to a single cultural aesthetic, they pooled their traditions. Turkish lights hang from the ceiling. A mural showcases imagery from each homeland. The coffee is Ethiopian, sourced from Red House Roasters on Mount Pleasant Avenue in Newark.
“We went to Red House, and Richard taught us about the different beans,” Bareentto explained. “Dark, medium, light. He taught us the science. He really became a partner with us.”
The menu reflects this fusion. Classic espresso drinks sit alongside Afghan green tea, Turkish tea, and Oromo chai. A Yemeni-style karak chai with condensed milk has found its audience. So has the dirty chai. Bareentto laughs about the surprise hit: matcha. He admits he underestimated how popular it would become.
“We can provide what you’re used to. But look to the right of the menu, and you might find something new. People who venture to that side tend to stay there.” – Omar Bareentto
A Space That Stays
One of Bareentto’s firmest convictions involves seating. He has no patience for coffee shops that operate as grab-and-go operations, especially in a city like Newark.
“I don’t like when businesses open up in Newark and they have just to-go options,” he said. “It sends a message: we want your money, but we don’t want you to spend your time here. That’s not how you should do things.”
Qaalii’s Cafe was designed for people to stay. Outlets line the booths. The space accommodates remote workers, first dates, students cramming for exams, and groups of friends catching up. The staff is trained to learn names and orders. The goal is efficiency and acknowledgement.
“We live 20 minutes outside New York,” Bareentto said. “It’s a muscle to always be rushing. But if you can come in here and have a few seconds to chill out, that’s what we want.”
Voices from the Room
Qaalii’s has become more than a coffee shop for regulars. It has become a workspace, a creative outlet, a decompression chamber.
For writers and poets looking for a space to work on their craft, cafes have always been a safe haven. Nelly, a poet who attended Culture’s Corner, found her sweet spot at Qaalii. The vanilla bean latte helps. The atmosphere helps more. “They created a vibe that New Jersey needs more of,” she said.
Siarra Divine, a returning guest, felt it the moment she walked in. The ambience is warm, intentional, full of good energy. The pastries are fresh. The staff is genuinely kind. She has been twice already, and somehow it keeps getting better. “This is one of those places where you can bring your book, bring your laptop, get some work done, or simply decompress from the day and be present with yourself,” she said. “A space that really feels like home.”
Rachel Burrell discovered Qaalii the way many Newark residents do now — through Instagram pages highlighting what’s opening in the city. The name caught her attention first. The open mic announcement sealed the visit. As an artist, she wanted to be around fellow creatives. She found them. “The atmosphere is electric. The vibes are genuine,” Burrell said. The mango chai and pistachio muffin didn’t hurt either. She plans to return again and again. More people to meet and more menu items to explore.
Qaalii’s Qorner
The cafe’s most visible community initiative is Qaalii’s Qorner. In its first iteration, Qaalii’s Qorner is a monthly poetry night that has drawn performers and audiences spanning generations and backgrounds. The second installment featured poets ranging from teenagers to attendees in their sixties. South Asian students shared the mic with Black poets from across the city.
“It’s funny because it also feels like it was pre ordained for this cafe to be here. Not just to sell coffee & teas which is great but to be a home for creatives like us that we did not have consistent access to.” – Joseph V Moore, curator of Qaalii’s Qorner Poetry Jam
In the future, Qaalii’s Qorner will expand beyond poetry to incorporate different cultural and artistic forms of expression and experiences. With Newark’s diverse array of talent, Qaalii’s Qorner could potentially venture into intimate artist showcases or improv events. The possibilities are endless.
Bareentto credits the success to restraint. None of the owners are artists themselves, so they focused on logistics rather than creative direction. Good microphones. Enough seating. A hookah section separated from the performance area. They let the hosts and performers lead. In the social media era, everyone from managers to venue owners are taking swing at being stars themselves.
“We don’t want to get in the way,” he said. “You’re out there pouring out your souls. We’re just trying to create an environment where you feel comfortable doing that. Put the experts in position to score.”
The next Qaalii’s Qorner is scheduled for January 3, 2026. If previous nights are any indication, the room will be full.
What’s Next
Expansion plans are underway. The team intends to roll out an Ethiopian coffee ceremony experience, likely on Sunday mornings. Traditional ceremonies involve roasting and grinding beans in front of guests, then serving coffee in stages tied to a different conversational theme. Bareentto is consulting with family members to ensure authenticity before launching.
“People aren’t only going to come for the coffee,” he said. “They’re going to come for the experience. The history. The culture.”
Merchandise is also in development, along with an expanded food menu featuring paninis and savory pies. But Bareentto is clear about pacing. Qaalii’s is building for the long term.
When asked what he hopes visitors take away, Bareentto offers two things: comfort and education.
“I want them to say, ‘That place is really homey,’ and ‘I learned something.’ Maybe they didn’t know Afghans were big with green tea. Maybe they didn’t know Ethiopian coffee was so rich. They felt comfortable. They left knowing something new. That’s it.”
Qaalii’s Cafe is located on Halsey Street in downtown Newark. The next Qaalii’s Qorner poetry night takes place 7pm Friday, January 3, 2026. Register Here. Follow @qaaliicafe on Instagram for updates.
