A family owned Egyptian restaurant is to shut its doors for good. Samieh and Homada Farrah have decided to sell the Olive Cafe on Southgate Road after a year and a half of ownership.
Egyptian-born Mr Farrah has worked in restaurants for 18 years and said the couple had enjoyed a “successful 18 months” at the helm.
The pair are now based in Brockley and say that due to the distance they cannot continue with their business in De Beauvoir.
Owning a restaurant was a dream for Mr Farrah, having worked in catering for so many years, and he leaves Southgate Road with fond memories.
He said: “I love the area. It’s a really nice place with good people.”
Originally named “Eggs Milk Butter”, Olive café prided itself on being more than just a coffee shop.
Mr Farrah said: “I was doing something different. I wasn’t just selling coffee like everyone in Hackney.
“I’m very proud of myself for trying something different in a new area.”
The shop will become a bakery and is expected to open in January next year.
Mr and Mrs Farrah will be now be launching Egyptian pop-up food stalls around the Brockley area in the near future.
The olive cafe, image: olivecafe.co.uk
