This Coffee Shop Arguably Has the Best Croissant in Michigan

I have a confession to make: I enjoy stalking buildings. Okay, okay... don’t judge me. I like to watch a building go from “For Sale” to “Sold” and then see what new dream sprouts up in the empty space. I did this with Nuts Now in Allen Park, a former dress shop turned bulk candy and stuffed date lover’s paradise.

And I've done it with another Allen Park gem, Qazzaz Coffee. Truthfully, I don’t even remember what it was before Qazzaz took over, and at this point, it doesn’t matter. This place isn’t going anywhere. I was obsessed enough with the building that I showed up for the shop's soft opening weekend. To be fair, it was a stunning coffee shop within walking distance of my house; what was I supposed to do, ignore it? I didn’t realize it would change how I approached ceramics class, or, more importantly, completely ruin me for any croissant that isn’t from Qazzaz.

When I first walked in on that soft opening weekend, the owner greeted us with a warmth that matched the smell of coffee roasting just a few feet away. He gave us a little tour and shared his big dreams for the space. Fast forward to today, and those dreams aren’t just coming true, y'all, they’re coming true in layers, like the buttery folds of a perfect croissant.

Let’s pause for a moment because this place isn’t just any coffee shop. It’s the first Palestinian coffee shop in Metro Detroit. It’s the kind of place where history meets artistry in every cup. The Qazzaz family’s story begins decades ago when founder Anwar Qazzaz left Palestine after the 1948 war and ended up in Brazil, where he fell head over heels in love with coffee. He spent years perfecting his craft, eventually opening his first roastery in Kuwait in 1965. When he and his family moved to the U.S. in the 1990s, that passion didn’t fade—it deepened. In September 2024, Anwar’s son opened Qazzaz Coffee in Allen Park (aka my new fave Metro Detroit coffee shop), and the family legacy is alive in every sip.

Turkish coffee is the crown jewel here. Brewed thick and strong, it has that velvety, almost molten texture that feels like drinking history in liquid form. Every cup comes from beans roasted right on-site, so fresh they practically sing. And for the latte crowd, the Pistachio Latte is pure magic… especially if you get the add-on of house-made foam with crushed pistachios. Y'all, I wasn’t convinced at first. Crushed pistachios in my coffee? Felt totally wrong. Turns out, it’s perfection, and I will never go without it. The nuttiness hits in layers: first earthy, then sweet and creamy all at once, while the foam is so decadent it deserves its own fan club (first member? Me!)

The brewed coffee deserves a love letter, too. Bold, fragrant, and full-bodied, it doesn’t just wake you up; it convinces you life is worth living before 9 a.m. Every sip carries that signature roast: dark and rich but never bitter. Then there are the croissants. I’ll be honest, I slept on them for far too long. Usually, when we stop by Qazzaz, we’re already stuffed from dinner at one of Allen Park’s other great spots. But then a friend came to town. She’s a coffee fanatic, so naturally, we hit Qazzaz after dinner. She grabbed a bag of beans... and a couple of croissants to go. The next morning, my phone lit up with texts that read like love notes: “That croissant changed me.” “You have to try the chocolate one.”

So I did what any sane person would do: I made it my mission to try them all. First up was the Dubai Chocolate Croissant. Let me tell you, this isn’t your average chocolate-in-a-pastry situation. This croissant is pure indulgence. The chocolate is deep and velvety, but it doesn’t stop there… it hides a swirl of pistachio cream that’s nutty and luscious, with a delicate crunch tucked inside. Each bite is buttery, flaky, and (dare I say?) perfect. Then came my new favorite breakfast, the Basil Feta Croissant. I didn’t expect to fall for a savory pastry, but here we are. The feta is whipped so light it could pass for a cloud, and the basil adds a sharp, fragrant kick that makes you wonder why every croissant isn’t herb-kissed.

These croissants aren’t just food; they’re an experience. The kind you think about days later. The kind you might text someone about at midnight.

Qazzaz has become such a part of my routine that it even changed ceramics class. For a few months, every Wednesday, I’d wander into Qazzaz, carafe in hand, ready to claim 64 ounces of their magic for the ladies in ceramics class. Some days I’d grab a few pastries too, and we’d sip, laugh, and get delightfully messy with clay and paint while the aroma of Turkish coffee wrapped around us like it was in on the joke. Each visit felt like a tiny adventure, like I was sneaking into a secret world where coffee was that good and mornings suddenly made sense.

Nowadays, I brew at home with a bag of beans direct from the roasters themselves. It’s not quite the same as visiting the cafe every week, but it feels good knowing we’re sipping the same blend that started in a tiny roastery in Kuwait nearly 60 years ago. Plus, now everyone brings their own mug (or makes one in class), so we’re cutting down on waste too.

I started this with a confession, so I’ll end with one. I love Allen Park. And it’s about to get even better. Allen Park is getting a facelift with murals brightening up the streets, and more businesses like Qazzaz are bringing flavor, culture, and creativity to this corner of Michigan. So come visit. Order a Pistachio Latte. Grab the croissant. And if you spot someone lingering near an empty storefront, don’t worry, y'all, it’s probably just me, scouting the next great story waiting to unfold.

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