Birmingham officially became a city in 1889. Its heart began to pulse with industry in the late 18th century and truly flourished during the height of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, earning the title “Workshop of the World” for its thriving industries, from jewelry to weapon making.

Today, a different aroma rises in the air: the smell of Kurdish meatballs, specifically kfta sabunkaran, a beloved dish from the city of Sulaymaniyah.

With its iconic industrial legacy and growing cultural diversity, Birmingham has long embraced change. Amid its bustling streets and ever-expanding food scene, a young Kurdish man named Shawane has opened a restaurant that is far more than a place to eat. It is a celebration of memory, migration, and identity – a space where tradition is served fresh, every single day.

Since arriving in the UK in 2000, Shawane has carried a dream deep in his heart: to redefine Kurdish identity, not through slogans or speeches, but through something as intimate and universal as a shared meal. The only brother among seven sisters, he took a path that was both personal and bold. He didn’t want to open just another Kurdish restaurant. Instead, he envisioned an immersive experience, one that blends cuisine with culture, flavor with history.

Inside this warm and inviting restaurant, it is not only traditional Kurdish dishes that are served, although they are the heart of the menu. It is also the story of a homeland carried across borders. The walls themselves speak: historical artifacts from Southern Kurdistan (Kurdistan Region of Iraq) are displayed proudly, brought intentionally to tell the story of a people and their roots. From a 150-year-old mirror, once hanging in Shawane’s grandmother’s home, to antique samovars, ceramic cups, and carved wooden tools, each item whispers the past into the present.

A unique business

While preparing a steaming plate of kfta sabunkaran, Shawane speaks with energy and emotion:

“I wanted to start a unique business, so I opened a restaurant that serves Kurdish cuisine. But I didn’t stop at just the food. I brought actual pieces of my heritage from Kurdistan and decorated the space with them. I wanted people to feel like they’re not just eating, but traveling through time and place.”

And that is exactly what happens. Seated at the elegant wooden tables are customers from an array of cultures, backgrounds, and generations. To the right, a young boy sits beside his father, a Saudi PhD student named Saif Saud. After finishing their meal, they sip traditional Kurdish tea, poured from an aged brass teapot. Saud smiles and says:

“This is my first time visiting, but definitely not the last. I love the food, especially the traditional Kurdish dishes. They remind me of home. And these artifacts, the way the place is decorated, it makes you feel like you’re in another country, even another era. Today, I learned a lot about the Kurds.”

Shawane walks between tables, exchanging greetings in Kurdish, English, and sometimes Arabic. He points to the large antique mirror on the wall and chuckles:

“This mirror was in my grandmother’s house. It’s over 150 years old. At first, my family didn’t agree to let me take it, especially my grandmother. But once I brought it here and showed her pictures of how I’d used it, she was happy. Now she’s proud. It’s better for these pieces to be here, where people see them and ask questions about our culture.”

The restaurant is not just a space – it is alive. In the middle of the lunch rush, a man with fair skin and dark hair enters, scanning for an empty table. After sitting down, we begin chatting. His name is Asim, and he’s a regular.

“I come here all the time. I love Kurdish food. It reminds me of Moroccan dishes – rich, flavorful, and hearty. Even the heritage, the way the space feels, it’s somehow familiar. There’s a deep connection between our cultures,” he says.

A bridge

Between his trips to the kitchen and casual conversations with guests, Shawane moves with calm energy. He calls out from across the room: 

“Come here for a second! I want to show you something.”

He proudly gestures toward the back of the room.

“I brought this traditional Kurdish oven all the way from Kurdistan. I use it to bake fresh Kurdish bread. People love it, it’s become one of our most popular items.”

That bread, warm and fluffy, arrives at tables wrapped in cloth, paired with dishes like kfta sabunkaran, dolma, kalabab, qaz, and qozi. But it is not just the flavors that linger, but the atmosphere. There is music playing softly in the background, the clinking of teacups, laughter, and stories being shared across tables.

In every corner, the Kurdish spirit breathes life not just into the food, but in the air, the textures, the colors, and the conversation of the restaurant. It is, in every way, a bridge. One that connects the rugged hills of Kurdistan to the heart of Birmingham. One that invites strangers to become friends, and food to become memory.

Shawane’s restaurant is more than just a business. It is a living archive of his people’s culture, a quiet revolution served on a plate. Through every bite of kibbeh and every sip of black tea, visitors taste not just a dish, but a story – a story still being written, one meal at a time.