10 Restaurants Empowering Refugees: Delicious Food with Social Impact Worldwide
Food lovers travel the globe for exceptional meals, yet few ponder the extraordinary journeys of the chefs preparing them. These 10 restaurants, cafes, and food initiatives worldwide hire and train refugees and asylum seekers, delivering flavorful dishes alongside meaningful social change.
Kreuzberger Himmel, Berlin
Germany welcomed more refugees during Europe's migrant crisis than any other Western European nation. Kreuzberger Himmel, a Syrian restaurant, employs newcomers from Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq. Staff member Oda Bashi from Syria says, "It’s more than a restaurant. It’s family."
The initiative offers vital job opportunities in a challenging job market while allowing diners and refugees to connect, building understanding and appreciation for Syrian cuisine. Chef-crafted dishes include fatteh makdous (stuffed baby aubergine with yoghurt and tomato), kubbeh (meat and bulgur dumplings), and freekeh with lamb.
Espai Mescladis, Barcelona
In Barcelona’s vibrant El Born district, Espai Mescladis ("mixed space")—run by a nonprofit—promotes social cohesion. Its three-month Cuinant Oportunitats (Cooking Up Opportunities) program trains marginalized individuals as chefs or waiters. Graduate Soly Malamine, a Senegalese refugee, now manages the open-air cafe, mentoring others.
Featuring organic, fair-trade, affordable fare like tapas, local ice cream, and acclaimed veggie burgers, it also offers family cooking classes and cultural workshops led by apprentices.
Emma’s Torch, New York
Inspired by Emma Lazarus’s poem The New Colossus on the Statue of Liberty, Emma’s Torch is a culinary training program and restaurant in Brooklyn. It supports refugees, asylum seekers, and trafficking survivors from countries like Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, and Venezuela.
By day, it’s a classroom; evenings serve innovative American dishes like shawarma-spiced lamb loin, grilled cauliflower steak, and pistachio bread pudding. Since 2017, this nonprofit has backing from chef Rachael Ray and expanded to Brooklyn Public Library.
Soufra Food Truck, Lebanon
Palestinian refugee Mariam Shaar turned challenges into opportunity with Soufra ("feast" in Arabic). Women from Beirut’s Burj El Barajneh camp prepare Middle Eastern specialties like dolma (stuffed vine leaves), makrouta (date cookies), and msakhan (chicken and sumac wraps, featured in Lonely Planet’s Around the World in 80 Food Trucks).
Follow their food truck via Facebook or watch the documentary by Susan Sarandon.
Parliament on King, Sydney
This bookshop cafe, run from owner Ravi Prasad’s living room, displays staff photos like a family album. Hundreds of refugees have trained in hospitality here. Afghan refugee Ms. “H” shares: “When I came, I came alone. Parliament was like finding home and friends.”
Menus highlight staff heritage with Sri Lankan curries and Burmese noodles. Open late for classes, proceeds support refugee projects.
Syr, Utrecht
Crowdfunded in 2016, Syr blends Syrian-Arabic flavors with European twists like falafel, bitterballen (deep-fried spiced meatballs), and baklava. It trains Syrian refugees—among 64,000 newcomers—while offering wine tastings and storytelling.
Migrateful, London
Founder Jess Thompson launched Migrateful after realizing food bridges cultures. Refugees and migrants teach classes in Ethiopian, Albanian, Pakistani, and more cuisines across London venues or privately.
Many alumni now run catering businesses.
Soufi’s, Toronto
Family-run Soufi’s celebrates Syrian culture with maneesh (topped flatbread) and knafeh (syrupy dessert). Since 2017, Jala’s family employs recent refugees for authentic flavors and newcomer support.
1951 Coffee Company, California
In Berkeley, 1951 Coffee trains 100 refugees yearly as baristas. Its popular house blend expands with a third spot at Berkeley BART in early 2019.
Refugee Food Festival, Paris
Started by French journalists in 2016 with UNHCR support, this June festival pairs refugee chefs with restaurants in 16 cities. It sold out fast, garnered media buzz, and secured jobs, expanding to Copenhagen and London in 2019.
