our story
From our family, to yours
our story
From our family,
to yours
Making healthy feel joyful since 2009
Melda, The Big Sister
Melda grew up in kitchens, learning from her grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunties - still cooking well into their 80’s.
Recipes weren’t just instructions; they were generations of knowledge, tested, tweaked, and full of bold flavours. Melda has followed in their footsteps, allowing that same curiosity and devotion to weave itself into her cooking.
From day one, she wanted more time in the kitchen. With inspiration and learnings from Moroccan cooks, Lebanese and Catalonian chefs, she’s never stopped pushing local favourites into unexpected territory. Even steak isn’t safe - every plate becomes a Café Tamra signature with homemade sauces that delight and surprise.
Everything Melda makes carries curiosity, care, and a nod to family tradition. Every menu tells her story, her heritage, and her unapologetic love of bold, honest food.
Zaid, The Little Brother
Zaid grew up around hospitality. Food and service were simply part of everyday life.
His journey has taken him around the globe, where the corporate world of finance and banking opened up before him, but the pull of hospitality simply never left.
A trip to London to see his sister changed everything, and in 2016 he joined Café Tamra.
Since then, Zaid has helped the business grow, crunching numbers, meticulously refining systems, and turning big ideas into reality. For Zaid, growth is not about that corporate world; it’s about building something lasting: cafés rooted in their communities, full of character, warmth, and good food. Spaces that are authentically different in all the right ways.
Rob, “Where’s Rob?”
Born in the Highlands of Scotland, as an oilfield engineer Rob ventured far and wide across seas, deserts and jungles. Fate led him to Northcote Road - where he met Melda, and what started as a connection at the café quickly became a partnership in life and business.
Another corporate escapee, Rob now applies his technical know-how to all the café’s moving parts. Something broken? Something bent? Too hot? Too cold? Weird noise? No noise!? “Where’s Rob?”
Whilst Melda dreams of all things Tamra, Zaid has the systems in laser focus and Rob keeps the engine running, it’s their love of good food which is the binding ingredient.
Peanut, The Boss
Peanut may be small, but she’s mighty. The inspiration for our logo, she’s clever and decisive, knows exactly what she wants. We wanted to capture a bit of her adventurous, rebellious spirit - bold, curious, and unapologetic. A little wild, authentically different - just like Café Tamra.
She keeps us on our toes and reminds us that great things come with a little attitude. She approves of bold flavours and naps in equal measure. You can ask for her approval, but be warned: this little rocket is very selective.
The Founder Favourites
Rob is all about the Breakfast Quesadilla. It’s simple, delicious, and a little bit indulgent, just the way he likes it.
Zaid can’t resist the Halloumi Wrap with a side of fries - hearty, vibrant and packed with flavours that keeps this dish as his firm favourite.
Melda’s favourite is our Lebanese Breakfast - healthy, filling and full of bold flavours that remind her of home.
And Peanut? She’s the true boss of taste and gives her full approval to our dog treats. She loves them so much, she’s happy to share with all Café Tamra’s four-legged friends. Just ask any member of our team for one.
“Home away from home”, every visit, every time.
Our Purpose
Healthy shouldn’t equal boring. We think it equals nutritiously joyful. Our cafés feel like a “home away from home.” Every visit, every time.
Our Vision
To be the café people choose again and again - because we are authentically different, and it shows.
Our Mission
Bringing vibrant, healthy Middle Eastern and Mediterranean brunch to life. Great coffee. Warm welcomes. Real flavours.
Our Values
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Everyone belongs. Teams, guests, communities, suppliers: we build relationships that matter.
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Bold dishes and good coffee. We never cut corners; quality is how trust is earned.
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Fresh, handmade, authentic. Every dish is crafted on-site with care, no shortcuts.
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We challenge the idea that healthy food is boring. We go for vibrant, colourful and flavourful food; it’s our thing and we’re very good at it.
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Personal, genuine, welcoming. Service that makes everyone feel instantly at home.
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Because consciously thoughtful business is better for our people, our neighbourhood, and our planet. Sustainability baked in, if you will.
Our Values,
On The Ground
Sustainability isn’t a statement for us — it’s how we run the kitchen. With First Mile, we’ve hit Bronze status and kept 18 tonnes of waste out of landfill (that’s four full-grown African elephants).
Our takeaway packaging comes from Vegware and is all fully compostable, and our used cooking oil goes to Cater Oils, a family-run team turning it into biofuel.