Haraz: A wonderful Atlanta cafe with Middle Eastern food + drinks

What I got at this Atlanta cafe

• Iced Pistachio Latte and Iced Salted Caramel Latte 

Drink Rating:

• Iced Pistachio Latte: 6/10

  • The Iced Pistachio Latte was overwhelming with the pistachio flavor. In my first couple steps, I was wow-ed by how strong the pistachio flavor was within the latte itself and the pistachio cream on the sides of the cup- it was very flavorful, intentional, strong, and noteworthy. It wasn't a watered dow, boring flavor.

  • However, as I continued to drink my latte, it became a bit too strong for my taste, and I got a bit tired of the strong pistachio flavor and the sweetness of my drink.

  • That goes to say- I’ve tried matcha and caramel coffee, and I found those to be my favorites! This Atlanta cafe definitely has lots of amazing drinks to try.

• Iced Salted Caramel Latte: 10/10

  •  I dream about this latte. It is the perfect flavor profile for a sweet but not overwhelmingly sweet drink, with enough espresso to wake me up for a bit! It is creamy, well made, balances flavor perfectly, and honestly, it makes me happy every time I drink it.

  • I associate it with studying because I once got this latte prior to a study session, so let’s talk about my Study Score for this ATL cafe. 

Study Potential Score: 8/10

No matter what day it is, or what time of day it is, Haraz is always full of Atlanta college students. Many of them have a matcha, chai, or latte in hand, maybe even with a milk cake/croissant half eaten next to their laptops. I see students working on essays, reading their biochemistry textbooks, and intently working on their assignments.

With free Wifi, a warm and cozy ambience, and amazing drinks, this cafe is a wonderful study spot for students who want an evening cafe spot. Haraz is open till 8-9pm, making it an ideal after-class venture. 

Due to the hustle and bustle, finding a table can be a challenge in and of itself. If you get lucky, you might be arriving just when someone is getting ready to leave- so stick around! There is ample seating, so you will likely get a spot within 10-15 minutes while your drink is being prepared. Bring headphones or earbuds, because it can get loud. 

My only qualm is the Beeper system Haraz uses to notify customers that their drink is prepared. The beeping can be loud and distracting, and it is constant because customers are constantly moving in and out of the venue. I’ve had some trouble connecting to the Wifi as well. Regardless, the vibes are immaculate and the traditional Middle Eastern drinks make this study spot pretty top notch and close to campus. 

Picture Potential Score: 9/10

Especially if you order chairs dine-in, the cutlery, presentation, preparation, and display of sweets and drinks is incredibly ornate and thoughtful. This is definitely an Instagram-story worthy location, because the decor and layout is well-made and features traditional Middle Eastern designs and elements. This picture's potential score also contributes to my willingness to study at this cafe, because I feel more joyful when I am in a joyful environment. 

Drink Variety: 10/10

No complaints. If you want traditional, well-spiced chai… You got it. Do you want coffees, with both traditional Middle Eastern and non-traditional flavors? You got it. You want a Matcha with interesting add-on flavors? You got that too. If you are also craving a Biscoff milk cake, pistachio milk cake, sambusa, Pistachio Croissant, etc - customer satisfaction is absolutely guaranteed, because there is a wide variety of options.

Customer Experience: This cafe is always bustling in Midtown, so you might be waiting for up to 8-10 minutes for your drink. Each barista takes great care in making your drink,

My Review

In conclusion, Haraz is an amazing study spot, great drink variety, authentic Middle Eastern spices and flavor profiles, and provides an escape from campus into a bright, ambient atmosphere to lock in with a latte or chai. 

Study Strategy Recommendation:

The layout, the decor, and the different elements of the sense that the location appeals to (a very specific smell of traditional spices, visual ambient lighting, the sounds, etc) reminds me of a similar study strategy: connecting your subject with a specific sense. Common suggestions in the study space include chewing gum, lighting a specific candle, or playing specific music when you’re taking notes or locking in, in general.

Next time you have a specific subject, connect it with a sense-related activity like one of the above, and try to make it a habit/study routine to maintain it across all your study sessions for that subject.