A Camden Tale: My Village Hawraman Cafe
Our story began in 2006, with a dream shared between brothers: to create a space where community flourished. We stumbled upon a poignant scene at 37 Chalk Farm Road: The Off Stage Book Shop, a beloved local institution for 24 years, was closing its doors, another casualty of the rising tide of online commerce. We saw an opportunity, not just to open a cafe bar, but to carry the torch of connection that the bookshop had held.
Six months of tireless work followed, seven days a week, long nights fueled by passion. Finally, in that same space, "My Village Cafe Bar" was born. For ten years, it was our Camden home, a haven where laughter echoed, stories were shared, and friendships were forged. But like so many other small businesses, we faced the relentless pressure of rising rents, the squeeze of private developers. In 2016, we were forced to close, our hearts heavy but our spirit unbroken.Fate, it seemed, had other plans. Just next door, at number 38, a mysterious sauna and massage parlour beckoned. We seized the chance, pouring another five months into building, brick by brick, dream by dream. "My Village Hawraman Cafe Bar" rose from the ashes, a testament to our resilience.
​​In a rapidly changing Camden, we stand as one of the few remaining authentic small businesses, a beacon of genuine community. Here, you won't find the glow of screens, the quiet hum of laptops.
Hawraman, a creative mountainous region in the south of Kurdistan, became our inspiration – its spirit, its flavors, its warmth woven into the very fabric of our cafe. We celebrate this region, and the wider Mediterranean, through our food, our atmosphere, and the connections we foster.
Instead, we offer the tangible comfort of books, the playful challenge of table games, and the irreplaceable joy of face-to-face conversation. We believe in the power of real connection, the kind that happens when we unplug and truly engage with each other. We’re more than just a cafe bar; we're a village, a gathering place, a reminder of the soul of Camden, and we’re here to stay.
