I’m always down to support a good cafe on wheels, and Qaffee House might be my new favorite. I caught them parked on Banneker over in Columbia before work one morning, grabbed two drinks (because why not, lol), and I’ve been thinking about that chai ever since.
This is desi-style specialty coffee, so think cardamom, Kashmiri chai, and all the warm aromatic flavors you don’t get at your average drive-thru. Their signature move is a cardamom-infused latte, but the Kashmiri chai’s the one that stole the show for me.
If you’re in Howard County and you love a good specialty latte or a cozy cup of chai, Qaffee House is absolutely worth tracking down.
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What Makes Qaffee House Stand Out?
What makes Qaffee House special is that it’s not trying to be your standard coffee shop. The menu’s short but focused, built around South Asian and Middle Eastern flavors – think cardamom, pistachio, Kashmiri chai, karak and more. Everything I had was SO aromatic!
There’s also a really sweet backstory here. The truck got its start serving folks breaking their Ramadan fasts outside Howard County mosques, and it’s since grown into a real staple in the Howard County community (they even just opened their first brick-and-mortar over in Baltimore’s Highlandtown). For another lovely local coffee stop, Sidamo Coffee & Tea in Maple Lawn is a favorite of mine too.
What to Order at Qaffee House
Here’s what I grabbed, plus a couple more I’ve got my eye on for next time.
Qaffee Signature ($6.50)
Their signature latte, infused with cardamom, and it’s such a warm, cozy sip. The cardamom’s aromatic without being overpowering, and it makes a regular latte feel way more special. If it’s your first time, it’s a great intro to what they do.
Kashmiri Chai ($6)
Okay, THIS was my favorite. It’s a pink green tea with milk, garnished with pistachios, and it’s creamy, delicate, and so pretty in the cup. I actually enjoyed it a tiny bit more than the signature latte, which says a lot. If you’ve never had Kashmiri chai before, you NEED to fix that, and this is a great intro!
Pistachio Latte
I didn’t get to this one, but it’s first on my list for round two. They make it with a house pistachio sauce, and after how good everything else was, I have a feeling I’m going to love it.
Beyond those, the menu runs deep for such a small operation. There’s karak chai (sweet black tea with cardamom and ginger), a Spanish latte with condensed milk, classic espresso drinks, fruity refreshers like mango dragonfruit lemonade, and even gourmet hot chocolate and steamers for the kids. So whether you want something adventurous or a classic latte, they’ve got you.
What’s Kashmiri Chai?
If you’re new to it, Kashmiri chai (also called noon chai or pink tea) comes from the Kashmir region. It gets that signature rosy pink color from a special green tea brewed with a pinch of baking soda, then it’s finished with milk to make it creamy and topped with crushed pistachios. The flavor’s mild, a little nutty, a little floral, and honestly so comforting. Qaffee House’s version is a great way to try it.
The Vibe and Experience
Qaffee House is a mobile truck, not a sit-down cafe, so there’s no fixed address to walk into. Their home base is on Banneker Road in Columbia, but they move around, so the move is to follow them on Instagram, where they post their schedule and location. I caught them on a quick before-work run and it was such a good find. If you want a cozy cafe to actually post up in nearby, Luna Coffee Bar over in Ellicott City is a great one to pair with your Qaffee House hunt.
Good to Know
- Home base: 📍 5840 Banneker Rd, Columbia, MD. They’re a mobile truck, so this isn’t a daily walk-up spot.
- Finding them: Check their Instagram (@qaffeehouse) for the daily location and hours, since the truck moves around.
- What they serve: Desi-style specialty coffee and tea, cardamom lattes, Kashmiri and karak chai, espresso classics, refreshers, and kids’ drinks.
- Prices: The Qaffee Signature runs $6.50 and the Kashmiri Chai is $6.
- Ordering: Online ordering’s available through their Square site.
- New spot: They just opened their first brick-and-mortar in Baltimore’s Highlandtown neighborhood.
- More info: See their website for the full menu.
Is Qaffee House Worth Checking Out?
For specialty coffee and chai you can’t get just anywhere, Qaffee House punches way above its size, and the fact that it started as a little community truck makes me root for them even harder. It’s a must if you’re a chai person, and I’ll be chasing them down for that pistachio latte soon. If you’re building a Howard County cafe crawl, Cafe Columbia is another fun stop right in town for crepes and coffee.
Have you guys tracked down Qaffee House yet? LMK your go-to order in the comments, Nomsters, and if you find them parked somewhere good, tell me where so I can pull up. Save this one for your next chai craving.