Ifka Cafe

This place reminds me of one of my favorite Ethiopian cafes/restaurants. Per one of my friend Elites, this is a Somali place. Well, I love African food in general so when this place came up in my search (even though I wasn't necessarily looking for that specific cuisine), I wasted no time to rush to it. I just needed a late morning cup of joe and something light to eat so that's what I got today.First of all, this place is not for coffee in my opinion. I asked for a cappuccino but the guy behind the counter made me a coffee (with cream; I could call that a latte maybe??) He did put some sort of a spice in it which definitively enhanced the quality of it and it didn't taste bad to be frank but it definitely wasn't a gourmet coffee or super delicious. I wasn't unhappy or anything. However, I let it sit for about 15 min or so as it was super hot when I got it, it tasted a bit better. Like a wine has to breathe a bit after opening its bottle, my coffee had to sit until the spice was well mixed in it. Now let's move on to the sambusas. Both Beef and Veggie ones were delicious. I couldn't remember which one but one of them had a little kick in it so the spiciness lingered in my mouth for good 10 minutes after I ate it. Also, the menu had some delicious looking food on it so next time I go here, I'll definitely get a lunch plate (and it looks like they can serve you quickly so if you are looking for a quick/yummy Ethiopian food, this might be your place.)Overall, today's visit was pretty good.

Came in for some sambusa's they were only $1.00 each I got a few of the chicken and beef they were just making them so I got them fresh. They were so good. I will warn you a little spicy but I like it also a little heavy on the onions so if you don't like onions you won't like these.

Loved this place! Went back the next day for more! Great customer service with a very clean and sanitized space.

Wowee! A few doors down from Maandeeq East African Cafe (previously reviewed by yours truly) is another Somali gem, Ifka Cafe (no relation to the now-deceased Iftin Cafe which was a different (but also Somali) eatery further down Havana. But I digress). "Now Mark", I hear you ask, "how can two Somali food joints coexist in such close proximity?" Well, if you'll just hush for a minute, I'll fill you right in. Whereas Maandeeq focuses on full, sit-down meals, Ifka is more of a coffeeshop serving Somali snacks (wow, try saying that several times in succession!) Among the items offered - Sambusa (fried pastries stuffed with ground chicken, beef, or veggies, these are indeed reminiscent of South Asian Samosas), Maandazi (think of a slightly sweet Somali sopaipilla - oh, there I go with the alliteration again), Bajiye (lentil fritters), Bur Somali (another fried-bread item), and so on. Stop by early (as early as 8:30 am in fact) for the best selection! Wash it down with a delicious Shaah (spiced tea). Or maybe a Qahwo (coffee) is closer to what you have in mind? Then, finish it off with that dark, gelatinously sugary sweet called Xalwo, or the white, coconut-flavored one called Qumbe. Oh, just point - you'll know them when you see them. Ah, I get it. You want a full meal, but you just ate at Maandeeq yesterday. Well, if you come early enough you can try Fouel (thick tomato-bean stew usually served with Canjeero/Anjera - see my Maandeeq review for more about this bready item). Or stop by later and partake in a Steak Sandwich. Yes, you read that correctly. Think of Maandeeq's thin beef steak dish, stick it on a bun, add lettuce, tomato, onion and Bisbaas (hot green pepper sauce) and there you are! And there's more! From Odkac (the breakfast favorite of chopped meat slow-cooked in butter) to Kalluun (a moist fish fillet) to even Cambuulo (sweet red-bean porridge, traditionally consumed at dinner).For its tasty morsels and general uniqueness, it gives me enormous pleasure (fanfare, please!) to award Ifka with 5 stars. Yes, 5ive, like the Jacksons. Well, there were actually 9 of them but you see what I mean. NB: Once again, per Somali custom, this is an alcohol-free establishment. Please do not ask for beer, wine, etc., as this is considered insulting.

I'm going to try them again because I think I visited on an off day. Some customers said the person would be back soon to help me. The bakery case was empty and the ancient coffee urn did not look inviting. Reviews are good and I want to experience their food. Today, I simply left disappointed.

My first time here. The food was good. I got the goat and noodles. The green mint sauce was amazing. The only reason I'm giving them less stars is because many of the workers did not wear masks, even though colorado has rising Covid numbers so I was honestly a little scared to order.

I'm not often in this part of the Denver metro area so when I found myself within five minutes of Ifka, I knew I was stopping in. I came in at an odd meal time - about 3 p.m. so a lot of the items weren't available. The gentleman behind the counter was super sweet and showed me a couple breads that were available and told me the name.The malawax bread looked like a giant delicious crepe so of course I had to try that. It was a little bit thick and chewy, slightly sweet and buttery. In short, I could have eaten about five more than the one that I ordered.I also tried the savory sambuusa which is very similar to the Indian samosa. I had wanted to try the chicken but was given beef by mistake. No matter, as it was spicy and delicious. The meat was ground with onions and spice. Very good.My light snack left me with a small taste of what Somalian food represents and I would love to try more!

I will definitely go back-- friendly people and the food is really good. I've never had Somali food but the spices were perfect-- the "sweet" bread was not too sweet, the tea was amazing. I didn't know what to have so my friend and I ordered a bunch of things and we liked all of it. The chicken and rice lunch comes with a banana. I love that. The triangle things-- I forget what they're called-- were yummy and 3 or 4 would be plenty for lunch-- some are beef some are chicken and maybe there's a veggie one? I can't remember. But I know I had the beef and chicken and both were delicious. They were $1 each, so you can eat a good and affordable lunch or dinner here. Very relaxed atmosphere and the walls are awesome purple!

New to the neighborhood so the wife & I stopped in for a quick coffee. Mohammed was very nice & accommodating. My wife had a Chai latte & just a regular latte for me. Delicious, no more Starbucks for us! Mohammed let us sample the sambusa. It was excellent, a nice mince chicken in pastry dough that is nicely spiced. We will be regulars.

rude customer service, the people the answer the phone to take the orders are very imm and very disgusting niman badowin ah mesha mobile lo dhibaya dadka caynaya