The vibrant post-iftar scene in NJ

Aliza Ahmad’s Ramadan routine is simple: break her fast, pray namaz at the masjid, drink chai, repeat. 

For Ahmad, a 23-year-old Somerset resident, going to Desi and Arab cafes to get a masala chai or pistachio latte has become an essential part of the Ramadan experience. As more of these coffee shops pop up, Muslims are finding new spaces to gather at night without being surrounded by alcohol — especially so in Ramadan, a month centered on community. 

Ramadan is as much a social time as it is a spiritual one for many young Muslims. They break their fast with iftar at the mosque, or at home with friends and family; stay up to eat sehri at whatever diner is open at sunrise; and chat into the night at ethnic coffee shops — the buzz of karak chai, card games, and good conversation keeping them going until morning prayers. 

“Getting chai is just a nice way to slow down and check in with everyone,” Ahmad said. “And honestly, we Desi people really do love yapping. It’s really a combination of everything we love.”

Khyber Cafe in New Brunswick sees bustling crowds night after night. The spot is known for its classic chais and fusion drinks like a Rooh Afza matcha latte. And Pink Pistachio Cafe in Somerset serves up its namesake pink pistachio chai in a frilly, floral shop. 

Of course, there’s no talking about Muslim-owned cafes without mentioning Qahwah House, a Yemeni coffeehouse with 26 locations across the U.S. The popularity of the chain has cemented the coffee giant as a meme on TikTok, with users joking that people are leaving the mosque early to secure a table. 

@yah.ax

LOL #qawahhouse #yamini #coffee #taraweehvibes #aftertaraweehtreats #tea #coffee #fyp

Abdel Rahman, the morning manager at the Qahwah House in Clifton, says his cafe has seen a massive uptick in customers during Ramadan. They have extended hours for the month, staying open until 2 and 3 a.m. across locations. 

“After iftar, right away, we start picking up traction,” Rahman said. “After that, people go pray and come back to us. Around nine o’clock, once they come back, that’s when you’ll see all sorts of people gather.” 

Even though Qahwah House specializes in Yemeni coffee, Rahman says Muslims from across the diaspora traipse through the cafe after iftar — from Arabs to Black Muslims to South Asians. 

“Everybody has a place at Qahwah House,” he said. 

But the late night coffee house isn’t just a diaspora phenomenon. In South Asia in particular, where people don’t shy away from drinking masala chai or cold coffee after 3 p.m., cozy late night tea houses are a staple — as is socializing around tea, even if it’s just at home. 

“I think the cafe in particular is a draw for us because it just goes back to Pakistan,” Ahmad said. “Everyone would stay up late and sit on the ground, just having a cup of chai and talking.”

Suhoor fests are trending

The Ramadan post-iftar scene in the tristate area also goes beyond late-night coffee shops. Suhoor fests, or night markets with halal vendors, have become popular across the diaspora as a place for young people to spend part of their Ramadan nights. 

The Muslim Center of Middlesex County hosted its third annual suhoor fest in the parking lot of the Piscataway mosque on March 15. It featured everything from halal birria tacos to bubble tea and local vendors such as Dastaan, Fiesta Mexican Grill, and Khan’s BBQ. 

But for the event organizers, suhoor fest is about more than the menu. 

Organizer Imran Rizvi from Jersey Halal Spots and his wife Keren Khawaja said they wanted to “bring young people to the mosque,” encouraging them not just check out halal vendors but also attend taraweeh — a special evening prayer some Muslims observe in Ramadan.

“The main goal for the event was to provide a halal and fun setting for people of all ages to come together during Ramadan and embrace the feel of community,” Khawaja said. 

Hundreds of young Muslims attended the event, huddled in groups over shared plates of hot chicken and giggling between sips of chai. For them, suhoor fest is a chance to connect with their community. 

One of the patrons, 16-year-old Hafsa Khan, says her typical Ramadan weekend consists of attending mosque and hitting Wawa afterward. Suhoor fest gives her the chance to try new halal restaurants, while staying out late with her friends. 

“I love that there’s no curfew during Ramadan,” Khan said. 

IHOP embraces Ramadan

Outside of Muslim spaces, businesses are catching on to how to cater to the Muslim community during Ramadan. 

IHOP, a long-time sehri haven for young Muslims, is offering a Ramadan menu this year at select locations, including certain New York stores. It features standard breakfast staples with halal meat options. 

Seeing more late night “third places” that foster community and center halal food is heartening for Muslims who didn’t grow up with as many options. 

“No one wants to go home after iftar,” Ahmad said. “You can finally eat. You're with everyone. You want to do something afterwards. So it's really nice that so many places are opening, and there's something to do after iftar for the young Muslim community.” 

Zoya Wazir is a 2024-25 reporting fellow at Central Desi. She also works as a production assistant at NBC News NOW, NBC News' streaming platform.

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