🍽️ Top 10 family restaurants in the world with centuries-old traditions
We all learn our first cooking skills at home in the kitchen. Some limit themselves to burnt fingers and no longer approach the stove. Some borrow family recipes and pass them on to the next generation. But some go further and devote their entire lives to cooking. We've collected six impressive stories about people, their dreams and food!
Story No. 1. Meza Malonga, Rwanda, Africa
Are you ready to embark on an amazing gastronomic journey across the African continent? Then you should stop by for dinner at Meza Malonga.
Dieuweil Malonga was born in Congo but grew up and began his career in Germany. After working in popular Michelin-rated establishments in Europe , he embarked on a two-year trip to Africa in search of inspiration for his own restaurant.
The chef visited 48 African countries. He went to villages and met grandmothers. Along the way, I learned from them ancient cooking methods. And then in 2020 he opened Meza Malonga. Combining ingredients and culinary cultures from different countries, he proposed a new “Afro-fusion” cuisine.
His dishes use Nile perch from Uganda, Algerian olive oil and penja pepper from Cameroon.
Malong's goal is to introduce the world to the ingredients and amazing recipes found in West Africa. He also wants to bring his country's cuisine to the world stage.
He is currently building a “culinary innovation village” in northern Rwanda. It will be a $1.5 million restaurant that will include a training school. The opening will take place in 2024.
Story No. 2. Shay Al Shomous, Doha, Qatar
The dishes began to enjoy incredible popularity. Queues of satisfied customers lined up behind them. And then in 2016, Chan Hong Myung’s dream suddenly became a reality and he was included in the Michelin Guide. He became the first street food chef whose culinary art was rated so highly. Right away he couldn’t even believe that this had happened.
Over time, the realization of success came. And the chef began to expand the network of his shops, opening them in other countries: China, Taiwan, Australia, Kazakhstan and the UAE.
And although in 2021 the Singaporean shop Hawker Chan lost its star, as often happens, the taste of the dishes, according to customers, remained invariably incomparable.
Qatari grandmother Shams Al Kassabi prepares breakfast for everyone every morning in her restaurant. She was born into a wealthy and rather conservative family in Qatar. In those days, women could not just go outside. Their only educational activity was sitting at home sewing outfits.
From the age of three, the girl constantly hung around in the kitchen and watched her grandmother cook. Absorbing the secrets of local cuisine, Shams Al Kassabi already felt a passion for the process of cooking.
When she got married and started her own family, Shams Al Kassabi often pampered her family and guests with home-cooked food. Although the family had servants. Secretly, the Qatari culinary legend was waiting for the moment when he could surprise a large audience with his talents.
In 2001, such an opportunity arose. Shams Al Kassabi participated in the exhibition. There she presented marinades bottled in cream cheese bottles and spices based on her grandmother’s recipes.
In 2004, with an already established customer base, the Qatari woman opened a small store in the Souq Waqif market. She became the first woman to run her own business there.
Pressure and criticism from her father’s friends did not stop the woman. And in 2014, the Shay Al Shomous restaurant appeared. It serves a traditional Qatari breakfast every morning. For example, baid o tomato (eggs and tomatoes), baid shakshok (scrambled eggs) and hobiz regag (pancake bread).
The smiling hostess welcomes every guest with pleasure. The establishment is visited every now and then by celebrities, whose photographs adorn the walls of the restaurant . For example, the visit of Sheikha Moza, the most influential woman in Qatar, finally convinced Al Kassabi. She is moving in the right direction. And what is it worth visiting David Beckham, who devoured dishes from Shay Al Shomous and scurried around the restaurant, smelling the spices?
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Story No. 3. Enoteca Maria, New York, USA
A Staten Island diner only hires grandmas. The idea is that no one cooks better than those who have been doing it for generations.
Joe Scaravella launched his project in 2007. The loss of his grandmother, mother and sister pushed him to do this. Joe was in mourning. He lacked a business plan and experience, but had a dream to honor his Italian heritage.
At first, only grandmothers from Italy worked in the kitchen. However, in 2015, the geography of employees expanded. And the restaurant featured female chefs from Bangladesh, Algeria, Trinidad, Syria, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Poland, France, Sri Lanka and even Estonia.
The women themselves claim that they are not cooks, but simply grandmothers. At the same time, they share their culture and hug their guests like grandchildren.
Enoteca Maria has a regular Italian menu with lasagna, meatballs and seafood. However, depending on who is cooking on a particular night, the menu is replenished with dishes from the chef's native cuisine.
Story No. 4. Manju's, Brighton, UK
What is your idea of Indian food? Perhaps it's tikka masala—spicy, seasoned chicken in gravy. However, most Indians prefer Gujarati cuisine. This is a vegetarian food, the principles of preparation of which are based on religious beliefs and concern for the environment.
It was with a love for the cuisine of Gujarat that the story of one Indian girl, who was born and grew up in African Uganda, began. Since childhood, she helped her mother in the kitchen. There she was taught the intricacies of preparing classic Indian food. To survive, Manju cooked and delivered about 35 breakfasts every day from the age of 14. But in her heart she always dreamed of her own restaurant.
When East African Asians were driven out of the country, Manju had to leave. She moved to London with ten dollars in her pocket and two small children. The dream had to be forgotten for six decades. And at the age of 80, she opened her own restaurant.
Manju's, named after the owner, is located in the bustling and lively North Lanes area of Brighton. But it can only accommodate 24 people. Every dish here is made with love and passion. Manju cooks herself every night and makes sure everything is served to the highest standards. The chef was her daughter-in-law, who received her culinary education in Gujarat.
The symphony of tastes, textures and aromas of the dishes at Manju's can temporarily transport you to the real India with its cuisine passed down from generation to generation.
Story No. 5. Lettuce Entertain You, USA
It all started with one idea to create a space where everyone can be themselves.
So, in 1971, thanks to the innovative ideas of Rich Melman, combined with the business acumen of Jerry Orzoff, Lettuce Entertain You was born. This is a family-type organization. Under its wing there are currently more than 60 brands and 130 restaurants in 12 states.
Each establishment is a unique place with its own style, decor, cuisine and even target audience: from Asian fusion cuisine and upscale Italian cuisine to a cafe with French crepes. But what they have in common is delicious food, excellent service and one owner – a family.
The idea is that even people who adore a particular place get tired of going there all the time. By offering alternative cuisine options, Lettuce Entertain You avoided becoming a typical chain establishment and gained an advantage. We are talking about many restaurants within a relatively small area. It turns out that clients remain online, and the company acquires new talented partners, whose ideas it implements in its projects.
Story No. 6. Hawker Chan, Singapore
While still a teenager, Chan Hong Myung dropped out of school to help his parents in Malaysia with money. The guy got a job with a cook from Hong Kong. And he not only taught him how to cook, but also passed on the family secrets of traditional Chinese cuisine. And the teacher also gave him a dream, saying that the greatest achievement is a Michelin star.
Chan perfected his culinary art. And in 2009 he opened his own business – two shops with fast food according to a special recipe. One of them served noodles with pork and vinegar sauce. And in the second – rice and varnished chicken with soy sauce dressing for $3-4.
The dishes began to enjoy incredible popularity. Queues of satisfied customers lined up behind them. And then in 2016, Chan Hong Myung’s dream suddenly became a reality. He was included in the Michelin Guide. He became the first street food chef whose culinary art was rated so highly. Right away he couldn’t even believe that this had happened.
Over time, the realization of success came. And the chef began to expand his network of shops. They opened in China, Taiwan, Australia, Kazakhstan and the UAE.
And although the Singaporean shop Hawker Chan lost its star in 2021, the taste of the dishes, according to customers, has not changed.