These days, traveling can get expensive. For those who want to experience a whole new world without dropping a fortune, get a taste of Yemeni cuisine right in the heart of Wildwood.
A spot that formerly housed Local House Bistro is now home to Aldar Yemeni Cuisine, a half-restaurant, half-coffee shop that serves classic Yemeni fare and beverages.
Aldar was started by a pair of friends, who asked to remain anonymous. Sourcing inspiration from their love of Yemeni food. The pair first recruited Salah, the restaurant’s head chef. The team grew after Mohammed Alavdalla and Youness Hassoun, co-owner of Mochapoint Yemeni Coffee, joined the venture.
And thus, Aldar Yemeni Cuisine was born at 16524 Manchester Road , opening its doors to the public in May.
Al Dar, which means “the home” in Arabic, represents a warm, welcoming feeling customers experience when they step inside the 4,300-square-foot space.
Hassoun is the mastermind behind Aldar’s decor. Bathed in shades of brown, black and white, Aldar transports you to a traditional Yemeni home. The carved wooden paneling offsets the sleek, black furniture.
“We’re fighting to get new, nice designs that represent our culture – not just the neoclassical designs,” Hassoun said.
The new decor is a complete 180 from its predecessor. Curtains were removed to bring in natural light, and dim bar lights were swapped out for warm fluorescent lights.
“It used to look like a bar. I don’t like it to be like a bar because we don’t sell alcohol. People like darkness when they drink [alcohol], but I don’t… We want to change [the decor] so that when people visit our restaurant, they can experience the Yemeni culture,” the owner said.
Complete with a private dining room and patio seating for 40 people, Aldar is perfect for every occasion.
To the right of the entrance is Mochapoint Yemeni Coffee, complete with four traditional Arabic-style booth seats with brightly patterned rugs and throw pillows.
It’s the perfect spot to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While you watch the games, peruse the menu and grab a beverage, options ranging from smoothies, freshly squeezed juice, Yemeni teas and coffees, lattes, frappes and mojitos. The Araysi Yemeni smoothie is perfect to beat the heat: a sweet mango smoothie streaked with pomegranate juice, mixed with pieces of cashews, apple, banana, and topped with crushed pistachios, shredded coconut and drizzled honey. The Ayran Yogurt drink is an option for those looking for a milder, low-calorie drink. It’s tangy, ice cold, and pairs well with a spicy meal. The cafe offers traditional Arabic sweets as well, such as areekah, Masoub, walnut baklava and more.
Hang a left and grab a seat at Aldar. Come hungry, because there’s a plethora of options to choose from. Prepare your palate with the Shafoot: layers of Mulawah bread, chilled yogurt and spices. Take pieces of tameez, a traditional oven baked Yemeni flatbread, and dip them into Sahwaq, a mildly spicy Yemeni salsa.
Now, it’s time for the main courses. With over 19 options to choose from, it can seem overwhelming. The owners recommend the Muva fish, a baked butterfish served over seasoned rice. However, the lamb specials are what Aldar truly excels in. Fahsah, a shredded lamb stew, arrives at your table in a stone pot, sizzling hot. Cooking Fahsah is a labor of love. For 12 hours, lamb is simmered with tomato, onion, potato and pepper. The tender lamb fat combines with the savory stew, which is a perfect complement to the Tameez, which is used to scoop up pieces of tender meat.
Haneeth Lamb is a different ballgame. Slow cooked in an oven for 12 hours, the lamb is simply seasoned with 2 ingredients: salt and khimp, a desert shrub commonly found in India and the Middle East. Served on a bed of tender potatoes and rice, Haneeth Lamb makes for a comforting and filling meal.
For vegetarians, the Foul Madar or the Fasolia Nashef are fantastic options. Like its lamb counterparts, the Foul Madar arrives at the table, furiously bubbling. The earthiness of the fava beans balances out the bright red tomato stew. Served with a side of tameez, the Foul Madar is meant to be dipped and scooped, perfect for a cold day. Foul Nashef is a close cousin, featuring slightly mashed beans, minus the stew.
Whether it’s to grab a quick bite or to have a hearty meal, stop by Aldar Yemeni Cuisine, open seven days a week, from noon to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from noon to midnight on weekends. Visit their Instagram, Facebook or their website for more updates.