The Midway area is a diverse community with a rich cultural mix of individuals, businesses and stories to explore. Rafiki Coffee and Cafe not only embraces this notion but intends to continue it within its location nestled in the heart of Hamline-Midway. I had the pleasure of visiting Rafiki with my partner, James Williams, and we were both blown away by its fantastic espresso and equally fantastic attitude.

Once we entered the restaurant, Williams and I were immediately entranced by the warm atmosphere; featuring collaborative space with tables, comfortable chairs and more. It is a place that encourages you to linger, which isn’t always easy to find in bustling areas of the Twin Cities. Williams stated that he loved the “cozy vibes,” which I wholeheartedly agree with. We were both charmed by the fish tank by the cash register, a fun and unique addition to the shop.
I had the opportunity to speak with the owner, Ian Oundo, about the cafe’s background. Rafiki opened on Jan. 30, 2023, but despite their recent arrival, they have made a long-standing impact on the community. The name “Rafiki” comes from “friend” in Swahili, which Oundo is fluent in. Oundo’s mom is Kenyan, and his dad is Ugandan, which he explained was an essential cultural part of his identity and upbringing.
“Rafiki’s mission, ‘to build a more resilient, flourishing, & connected community one coffee cup & conversation at a time’, doesn’t necessarily have to do with coffee, which is intentional,” Oundo said. “It’s about community and how you build resilience.”
Oundo went on to passionately explain his experience with community and how he survived because of it, and how it has been an integral part of how he interacts and connects with people.
“Empowering community is the foundation of empowering yourself, everything you do should have some sort of power in empowering community and empowering yourself,” Oundo said.
He channels this into how he presents Rafiki in the Midway area, as his love for the community, in general, is generously pushed into how he interacts with others through his business.
Oundo explained that they are “intentional in grounding Rafiki and integrating themselves in the Midway community,” and that they always aim to “find opportunities and ways to be active participants.” For example, they have a longstanding pact of supporting local non-profits to contribute positively, such as providing extra space within their building to use for events.
He informed me that Rafiki is a part of the Little Africa district of Midway businesses, a piece of Midway culture many people don’t know about.
“It’s best to contribute positively rather than to the negative,” Ian said, after describing how despite its troubles, he adores how diverse this community is.
When asked if there was anything in particular he wanted people to know, Oundo stated that he is extremely grateful for “how receptive and supportive the community has been,” and for “having good customers that want to see us grow and thrive, and see us as a great and positive addition to the community.”
Once it was time to order, I took a look at their extensive menu, which I found to go beyond the usual confines of a cafe.
It includes a large variety of classic coffee favorites, such as flavored lattes, mochas, cappuccinos, frappuccinos and anything else on your essentials list. For non-coffee drinkers, they have you covered too with hot chocolate, a plethora of teas, smoothies, refreshers and lemonades. With a wide menu that is customizable to your tastes, you are sure to find something to quench your thirst.
If you are looking for a bite to eat, they have a wide selection of food to satisfy cravings. For breakfast, they have omelets, pancakes with sausage, bagels and toast. For lunch, they have various wraps, paninis, salads and most interestingly–wings with various flavors, such as buffalo, Jamaican Jerk and lemon pepper.
Lastly, if you have a sweet tooth, there are plenty of tasty pastries to choose from. They have cookies, muffins and danishes with flavor variations–as well as fresh ice cream.
I ordered an iced caramel latte and received one of the best versions of this classic drink that I’ve had. The espresso was extremely smooth and didn’t hold a bitter taste, and it was complemented by the creaminess of the caramel flavor with milk and stirred to perfection. It is an elevated experience here, as every ingredient is fresh and bursting with flavor, even for the simple items.
”The espresso is fresh and mellow, but packs a punch in how it complements the drink, Williams said.
As we sat for a bit, enjoying our order, I noticed the calm atmosphere of the shop. The patrons were all at ease and not in a rush to head off, something I found very refreshing amid my busy school and work schedule.
“It’s like a breath of fresh air,” Williams said. “It feels like everyone is encouraged to stay and enjoy.”
I can say with absolute certainty that Rafiki is a gem to our Midway community, and not only opened my taste buds to amazing coffee but to a new look at our world and the way we interact with it. I left feeling not only satisfied with the delicious drink that they served me but inspired by their message and genuine love for this area and its people.