Moka & Co

Moka & Co just opened a new location in downtown Chandler's Heritage District and it is easily one of the most visually striking coffee shops in the East Valley. If you care at all about design, walk in just for that. You will not regret it.

The space stops you in your tracks. Large floor to ceiling glass panes wrap the entrance. Inside, custom geometric wood carvings cover the walls and woven pendant lights hang overhead, all of it illuminated by soft backlighting that keeps the room warm but crisp. The barista counter is wrapped in bright marble. The furniture is sleek light wood with gorgeous woven chairs that somehow feel both minimal and comfortable at the same time. It is the kind of interior that makes you wonder who designed it and whether they do residential work. Oh, and there is a gorgeous Victoria Arduino espresso machine behind the bar. The Mesa location runs a super automatic machine. Chandler gets the Eagle One. We lucked out.

There are two outdoor seating areas, one in the front and one at the back. The front faces Chandler's Heritage District and the Crowne Plaza across the street. It is a great people watching spot with the park in view and steady foot traffic on a Friday evening. The back shares a wall with Craft 64's patio, which was absolutely packed during my visit. If you want quiet, go inside or sit out front. Indoors is remarkably calm with plenty of tables and power outlets if you need to plug in.

The area itself is one of the more walkable pockets in the East Valley. Dining, unique shops, Saturday farmers market and regular events make this a destination neighborhood worth spending a few hours in.

Now, the drinks. Moka & Co is a Yemeni specialty coffee brand with a genuine farm to cup story. The original founder comes from a family of coffee farmers in Yemen who continue to grow beans on high altitude farms to this day. That origin story is real and it matters. For the espresso, I asked the barista to show me the actual beans going into the grinder and they looked medium roast to my eye. But the shot pulled bold and dark, 18 grams at 28 seconds. My honest take is that I kept thinking about what those Yemeni beans could taste like if the roast let them speak a little more (to the lighter side). But that is my bias as someone who gravitates toward light roasts. Bold coffee drinkers will be genuinely happy here.

The Mufawar was the most interesting thing I tried. It is ground coffee mixed with cardamom, a touch of cinnamon and hints of ginger, all simmered with full fat milk or cream and strained into the cup. It arrives very hot and the cardamom leads from start to finish. It was good in its own way and it felt authentic. It is not for everyone but if cardamom is your thing, order it without hesitation.

The Adeni Chai was an unexpected highlight. I only had a small cold sample but the tea flavor was clean and dominant. Worth ordering.

The food is worth your attention too. I tried the potato samboosa, the spinach pie and the feta pie. The feta pie was the clear winner, genuinely delicious with soft dough. The spinach pie was solid as well. The pastry case also has cinnamon rolls, almond croissants and various Middle Eastern options if you want something on the sweeter side.

Moka & Co is a family's legacy poured into a cup and carried across oceans to Chandler's old downtown. They are growing fast across Arizona and based on this Heritage District location, it is easy to see why. The brand is polished, the space is beautiful and the Yemeni coffee culture they are bringing to the East Valley is something most locals are only now getting their first look at. Go for the atmosphere, stay for the Mufawar and leave some room for the feta pie.

Check out the other Moka & Co's Mesa location here.