Karak House Coffee To Open in Uptown Charlotte This August

Karak House Coffee will open its first Charlotte location at 220 N. Pine St. this August. The shop sells Gulf-style karak chai and Middle Eastern-inspired desserts.

Franchise owner Lythe Elhulu, a Charlotte native, will run the shop as the brand grows across the country. "More than anything, we want this to be a space people naturally gravitate to — whether that's for a quick coffee, a place to work, or just to hang out and connect," Elhulu told CharlotteFive. "Charlotte is home for me, so building something here that reflects both culture and community means a lot."

Co-founder Rohail Malik said Charlotte's mix of cultures and interest in global flavors made the city a natural next stop, according to WhatNow Charlotte. Brothers Junaid, Zohaib, and Rohail Malik created the brand. It has locations in Chicago, New York, San Diego, and Orange County.

The store will occupy a 1,828-square-foot ground-floor retail condo at the Shops at Fifth & Poplar. Large windows fill the space with light, and it sits inside a Harris Teeter-anchored development that should bring steady foot traffic from neighborhood residents, office workers, and evening visitors.

The menu will feature the signature karak chai latte, cardamom latte, and strawberry matcha. Karak chai is a spiced tea brewed with black leaves, fresh cardamom, and evaporated milk until it turns deep caramel, according to the company website.

Dessert options include Biscoff cheesecake by the slice, Dubai chocolate cookies, and lotus basbousa with Biscoff cream. The chain layers flavors like cardamom, rose, pistachio, and saffron across both drinks and pastries.

Elhulu told WhatNow Charlotte that guests should expect a coffee experience that feels both fresh and memorable. He wants the shop to work as a hangout where people can meet, work, and stay awhile.

The team plans to share a firm opening date and hiring details as construction moves ahead. The brand's locations page lists Charlotte as "coming late summer 2026."

Haraz Coffee serves Yemeni coffee and has multiple locations across Charlotte, including a Ballantyne cafe that opened last year. That chain has plans to expand to Concord soon.