Cafes and restaurants run by refugees are more than just places to eat — they are community hubs that offer cultural dining experiences and support for those who need it most.
Australia’s culinary landscape is rich with diversity, thanks in part to the vibrant cafes and restaurants owned and run by refugees and asylum seekers. These unique spots offer delicious food and also heartwarming stories of resilience and hope.
Located in Sydney’s bustling Inner West, Parliament on King is more than just a cafe; it’s a social enterprise that supports asylum seekers and refugees. This cafe offers a unique culinary experience, with a menu that changes frequently to reflect the diverse backgrounds of its staff. In addition to serving delicious food, Parliament on King provides training, skills workshops and employment opportunities for refugees, helping them integrate into Australian society.
This social enterprise cafe in the Melbourne suburb of Sunshine employs refugees and asylum seekers who’ve recently arrived in Australia. SalamaTea, established in 2019, was founded by Hamed Allahyari after he fled his home in Iran. Hamed serves up Persian staples, including delicious homemade falafel plates, dips and sweet Persian baklava.
Parwana Kitchen is a vibrant family-run restaurant sharing rustic and authentic flavours of Afghanistan. The restaurant was set up by the Ayubi family in 2009 and serves as a love letter to the country they left behind. This refugee-run cafe doesn't just dish up hearty home-cooked meals, they also support a local homelessness charity by donating their corkage fees.
Kyiv Social is another Sydney gem. This establishment employs Ukrainian refugees who serve up authentic Ukrainian cuisine. Kyiv Social is part of the Plate It Forward group, a cohort of humanitarian food projects that support refugee and asylum seeker communities in Australia and abroad. For every meal sold at Kyiv Social, they donate two meals — one to someone in Sydney and another to someone in Ukraine.
Run by Syrian refugee Nayran Tabiei, Flavours of Syria serves up colourful, healthy, and hearty dishes from Syria. Open five days a week, this refugee-run cafe is the perfect spot for brunch, lunch or afternoon tea. Flavours of Syria also runs cooking classes where you can learn the basics of Syrian cooking. Nayran Tabiei also caters for events around Melbourne.
World Music Cafe is a social enterprise based in Perth, celebrating creativity and multiculturalism through music and food. The World Music Cafe team amplifies migrant and refugee voices through their exciting dinner and show nights, featuring performances from diverse and talented musicians. World Music Cafe also provides work experience and skills training for new Australians from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
Ayla’s Cafe, described as “Adelaide’s hidden Persian gem", serves up classic Australian cafe fare with an Iranian twist. This vegan-friendly cafe offers plenty of plant-based Persian-inspired food. Arian Rezaei, the cafe owner who came to Australia in 2012 from Iran, and his mum, Shoheilia, produce burgers, wraps and coffee with a warm smile.
Refugee cafes have a significant impact on both the people who run them and the communities they serve. These businesses provide job opportunities and a sense of purpose for refugees who might otherwise struggle to find employment in Australia. They also promote cultural understanding and social cohesion by bringing people from different backgrounds together through shared culinary experiences.
By supporting these cafes, we can make Australia a more inclusive and compassionate place. So next time you're looking for a quick bite, a cup of coffee or something more substantial, consider visiting a refugee-run cafe and enjoy the diverse cultural experiences they have to offer.
The majority of funds raised by Australia for UNHCR are directed to UNHCR’s emergency operations, providing the ready funds and resources to respond quickly and effectively in situations of crisis and disaster.