"A European-style cafe serving Turkish coffee and za’atar and feta toast has recently opened in Downtown Fort Worth. Pax & Beneficia, a locally owned cafe that debuted in Las Colinas in 2019, opened its second location inside Fort Worth’s sleek new AC Hotel, which opened last September. The coffee shop, founded by friends Mouyyad Abdulhadi and Mamdouh Khayat, has an “Andalusian/Arabesque/Turkish vibe,” the duo told Paper City Fort Worth. Abdulhadi and Khayat, who are both Palestinian American, dreamed up the idea for the cafe while on a train ride through Norway. The name, which means “peace and blessings” in Latin, evokes the spirit of togetherness and connection the duo hope to cultivate at their coffee shops. The Las Colinas location has already developed a loyal following thanks to Pax & Beneficia’s frothy, unfiltered Turkish coffees, flavored with cardamom and served in intricately hammered metal cups. The cafe also serves a specialty drink called Sunshine in a Cup, an espresso flavored with house-made lavender and vanilla syrups and tempered with a dash of lemon. The shop’s beans are sourced from San Antonio’s Merit Coffee Company. There are also teas, including matcha, chai lattes, and Rosella, made with hibiscus. Foodwise, Pax & Beneficia puts a Mediterranean spin on the ubiquitous avocado toast with toppings like labneh, feta, and za’atar. There are also sweet bites like Nutella toast and ricotta toast topped with berries. The Mediterranean theme carries over into the decor, with Moroccan tiles and Persian rugs alongside pale wood floors and lots of plants. At 1,400 square feet, there is plenty of room to spread out, and the cafe also offers online ordering for takeout through its website." - Brittanie Shey
