Tawakal Halal Cafe

Thank you to the Boston Foundation

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to The Boston Foundation for their incredible support and generosity. Your efforts made our recent event an unforgettable experience. It was wonderful to see old friends and meet new ones, all gathered to celebrate our community.

A special thank you for choosing to cater through the local community of moms and pops. Your support helps strengthen our community businesses and fosters a sense of unity.

As the owner of Tawakal, I had the honor of contributing with both hands—as Tawakal Catering and as a member of this wonderful community. The food was so well-received that it disappeared in no time—I wish I had the chance to take pictures, but it was gone before I could capture the moment!

Being back in our old grounds of East Boston brought back so many cherished memories. We truly miss being there and appreciate every opportunity to reconnect with our roots.

A big thank you to Vetto, Michelle, Lauren, and everyone else who made this event special and for thinking of us. Your dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed and made the day truly memorable.

Thank you once again to The Boston Foundation for making all of this possible.

Warm regards,

Yahya

Pictures credit to Kannan

Hello Family,

If you've been missing our presence in East Boston, we want you to know that we've been thinking about you. Our satellite location at 84 Massachusetts Ave in Cambridge (MIT Building) is ready to welcome you with open arms, just a short 13-minute drive away. Whether it's a cozy gathering or a grand event, we're here to cater to your needs. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 617-418-5890. We truly missed you! ❤️

Dear Friends and Family,

It's hard to put into words the feelings swirling inside us as we share this message. Back in 2018, we started this journey with a simple wish: to share our mothers’ cooking and the flavors of our Somali heritage with you, our cherished friends who became like family.

We wanted to bring the tastes and scents from our upbringing to more people, not knowing the challenges that came with running a business. But through it all, our love for sharing our culture through food never wavered.

What followed was beyond our wildest dreams. Each time you walked through our doors, shared a meal, or exchanged warm embraces, our small place became a sanctuary. It echoed with laughter, the clinking of utensils, and the growth of beautiful friendships over steaming plates of food.

The awards and recognition we received weren't just about us. They were about the love you poured into every dish and the stories you shared at our tables. They were proof of the connections we built together here.

As we get ready to close our East Boston location on January 5, 2024, our hearts beat with a clear goal. We're not just looking for a new spot; we're searching for a new home—a place where our heritage can fill the air again and where friendships can bloom once more.

In the meantime, we want to remind you that our satellite location at the MIT Student Center remains open to everyone. You're more than welcome to visit us there and continue savoring our dishes while we search for our permanent home.

To honor the memories we've made, we'd love to invite you. On January 6 at 11 AM, we'll be here to welcome you for a special gathering. Let's celebrate the ties we've formed, the stories we've shared, and hold onto hope for the day our paths cross again.

Thank you, dear friends who became family, for leaving lasting memories in our hearts. Your presence has been the most cherished part of our journey. With hopeful hearts, we eagerly anticipate the chance to continue the Tawakal story in a new, lasting home.

With deepest gratitude and love,

Tawakal

May this Thanksgiving season bring you a bountiful harvest of blessings, joy, and gratitude. 🍁 We're open today during our regular hours to serve you. Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

🎉 Today is the big day! 🥳 Tawakal's new MIT location will officially OPEN at 11am with a limited menu! 🚪✨ Join us at 84 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, for our culinary experience!  🍽️🔥 We can't wait to serve you! See you soon! 😃👋

📣 Quick Update! 🕒 While we're thrilled to launch our MIT spot today, kindly note that our East Boston location at 389 Maverick St. will be temporarily CLOSED until Friday. We apologize for any inconvenience and truly appreciate your understanding. Join us this weekend for more delectable experiences! 😊🍴

Get ready for a sneak peek of what's coming to a neighbor near you at 84 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, 2nd floor! 😄 We're thrilled and grateful for the chance to open a Tawakal satellite location, welcoming both students and the public. Join us for our grand opening on September 12th from 11 am to 3 pm. Special thanks to and MIT for making this possible. See you there! 🎉

Big thanks to for the awesome shoutout! ❤️

👋 A heartfelt shoutout to .boston for their fantastic support of our small business and the Eastie community! 🏙️

Your encouragement means the world to us, and we're thrilled to have you by our side.

We can't wait to serve up delicious appetizers and our special homebrewed Shaah.

See you soon 😊

🍽️🫖

Thrilled to share our Somali culture and journey with the City of Boston Age Strong Commission and the wonderful community of the friends at 🌍🗣️

Excited to savor traditional flavors and share the stories behind each dish. Let's connect, learn, and indulge together!

🎆 Happy 4th of July! Celebrating Freedom and Gratitude 🎇

On this momentous occasion of Independence Day, we want to extend our warmest wishes to you and express our deep appreciation for your continued support. As we celebrate the birth of this great nation, we also reflect on our own journey as refugees and the immeasurable gratitude we have for the freedoms and opportunities afforded to us.

We are proud to share our story with you, as former refugees who have found solace and a fresh start in this remarkable country. It is through the compassion and inclusivity of this nation that we have been able to build Tawakal and serve our community with unwavering dedication.

In observance of the 4th of July, we would like to inform you that we will be closed on this day. We believe it is essential for our Tawakal team, many of whom have similar refugee backgrounds, to take a moment to reflect, appreciate, and celebrate the remarkable journey we have embarked upon.

The 4th of July is a time for us all to celebrate the values of freedom, resilience, and unity. It is a testament to the strength and diversity that define this great nation. As we embrace this day, we invite you to reflect on the power of acceptance, compassion, and the countless stories of hope that weave together to create the tapestry of America.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation for your understanding, support, and trust in our business. Will reopen tomorrow 7/5, ready to serve you with the same dedication and commitment that has driven us since our humble beginnings.

As you enjoy this special day, filled with festivities, parades, and fireworks, may it serve as a reminder of the incredible opportunities that this country provides. Together, let us cherish the freedom we have been granted and continue to foster an inclusive and welcoming community.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and safe 4th of July! Thank you for being a part of our story and for joining us in celebrating the spirit of freedom and hope.

With heartfelt gratitude,

🌙 Eid Mubarak to all our valued customers! 🐐✨

We are joyfully celebrating the blessed occasion of Eid al-Adha with our loved ones and the community. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and patronage.

In observance of this special holiday, we will be closing our doors today. However, we will be back and open at our regular hours tomorrow to serve you with our delicious cuisine and warm hospitality.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused by our closure today, but we believe it is important to take this time to honor and commemorate this special occasion with our families and friends. We appreciate your understanding and support.

May this Eid bring you and your loved ones an abundance of happiness, peace, and blessings. From our family to yours, have a beautiful and joyous celebration!

Eid Mubarak,

Tawakal Family 🌙🕌✨

🌟 Happy Father's Day! 🌟

I woke up this morning feeling like a king, with a crown metaphorically fitted on my head and the sweet voices of my children wishing me, "Happy Father's Day ❤️." It's moments like these that truly warm my heart and remind me of the incredible privilege it is to be a father.

On this special day, I, along with the Tawakal family, want to extend our heartfelt wishes to all the men out there who have taken on the role of a father. Whether it's through blood, adoption, or stepping up as a mentor, you deserve recognition and appreciation for the love and dedication you pour into the lives of your children.

For me, being a father is a constant learning experience. Each day spent with my children brings valuable lessons and insights that shape me into a better human being. Their innocent laughter, boundless curiosity, and unwavering love have taught me the true essence of compassion, patience, and selflessness.

As fathers, we navigate uncharted territories without a manual. We rely on our instincts, love, and the support of our loved ones to guide us through this beautiful journey of fatherhood. We stumble, we make mistakes, but we also grow and learn along the way. It's the resilience and determination to be the best fathers we can be that truly matters.

So on this special occasion, let us celebrate the joys, challenges, and blessings of fatherhood. Let us cherish the precious moments spent with our children and the lifelong bond we share. And in the spirit of togetherness, I invite you all to stop by and join us for some delicious Shaah (chai) on us. It's a small gesture of gratitude for the incredible community of fathers who inspire and support one another.

To all the amazing fathers out there, happy Father's Day! May your day be filled with love, laughter, and heartfelt gratitude for the impact you make in the lives of your children. Keep embracing this incredible journey, for there's no greater honor than being a father.

With warm regards,

Hello,

We hope this message finds you well. We wanted to inform you that Tawakal will be opening a couple of hours later than usual today. Why, you may ask? Well, we are thrilled to share the reason behind this slight delay.

Khasim, the one who made us uncles, aunts, grandmothers, and parents, is graduating from high school today! We can hardly believe it ourselves. It feels like just yesterday when he was a little baby, working his first job at Tawakal, covering the front of the house with his giggles and endless curiosity.

As Khasim embarks on this new chapter of his life, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate his accomplishments and show our support as he heads off to college. This is a momentous occasion for him and our entire family, and we want to be there to witness this important milestone.

To ensure we can attend his graduation ceremony and give Khasim the recognition he deserves, we will open a couple of hours later than our regular time. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and support.

Khasim's journey from infancy to high school graduation is a testament to the passage of time and the growth we experience as individuals and as a community. We are immensely proud of his achievements, and we believe this is an excellent opportunity to honor his hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

We value your patronage and are grateful for your understanding as we adjust our opening hours today. We will resume our regular schedule as soon as we reopen, and we look forward to serving you with the same dedication and commitment that we have always strived for.

Thank you for being a part of our extended family, and we can't wait to share the joy of Khasim's accomplishment with you.

Warm regards,

Tawakal

🌸🌷 Happy Mother's Day! 🌷🌸

To all the incredible mothers out there, we want to celebrate your love, strength, and unwavering dedication. On this special day, we invite you to Tawakal, where we have a heartfelt surprise waiting for you.

In honor of Mother's Day, we are thrilled to offer a free cup of our finest Shaah to every mother who visits Tawakal. We understand the immense responsibilities that come with being a mother, and we want to express our gratitude for all that you do.

Whether you're a new mom navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood or a seasoned veteran with years of experience, your efforts deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated. You are the heart and soul of your family, the guiding light, and the endless source of love.

So, dear mothers, join us at Tawakal and let us pamper you with a warm cup of Shaah. Take a moment for yourself, relax, and indulge in the simple pleasures of life. Savor the aromatic flavors as you reflect on the incredible journey of motherhood and the impact you have on your loved ones.

Bring your mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends—let's create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where we can appreciate the beauty of motherhood together. Share stories, laughter, and perhaps make new connections with fellow mothers who understand the joys and challenges that come with raising a family.

From the bottom of our hearts, we extend our deepest appreciation to all the mothers out there. Thank you for your endless sacrifices, unconditional love, and the countless ways you make our lives brighter.

Wishing you a Happy Mother's Day filled with love, joy, and cherished moments. You deserve all the happiness in the world!

With warm regards,

Tawakal

Today is International Women's Day. Instead of highlighting a specific woman who has influenced us, we want to recognize that every day should be a celebration of women. We would like to express our gratitude to all the women around the world who continually inspire and empower us to be better every day. 🌹 🌹 👩🏻‍🍳 👩 ❤️

We're on the list! Check out Boston Magazine 50 Best of Boston 👀 😃

Stop in 🦁 or order it online 🖥 www.TawakalHalal.com

Did someone say Falafel Hummus Salad?

We promise you this dish is not plain! Homemade falafel 🧆, homemade hummus and veggies 🥗 then drizzled with our homemade tahini sauce 😋

This will change your life! You have to try it to believe it 😊

Order it online 🖥 www.TawakalHalal.com 🖥 or stop by 🦁 🙂

I'll just leave it here 😊

Nutella Chapati: Caramelized Banana & Nutella in Chapati 😋

🦁 www.tawakalhalalcafe.com 🖥

, we could get used to this! ❤️

Let's send home with some food 😋 when they lose tonight 😆

Thank you Boston Celtics for the support! Looking forward to watching you whoop the 76ers tonight 😀

‼️Yes we are open on this record breaking cold day‼️ If you have to go out stop by and warm up with our delicious signature Shaah (Chai) ♨️♨️ ! Or get delivery with .

If you know of an elderly person, homeless person, someone with heating issues or anyone that needs to warm up. We don't have much space, but they are more then welcome to warm up in our dinning room during the cold snap. No obligation to buy anything. You can bring a book or chat with us. We are open 3pm-9pm.

We want everyone to be safe, stay warm 🙏

With love ❤️ and Gratitude 🙏

I am still trying to figure out if we are in the semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation or if this is just a dream!!!

This recognition feels like the day my family and I were told that we were coming to America after running away from our home because of a civil war and living in a refugee camp for many years! It's hard to put any words together how much we appreciate the love we've gotten from the day we opened our doors until now!

This is the Dream that became a Reality ❤️

Love,

Yahya Noor

#2023

Thank you James Beard Foundation for recognizing Tawakal Halal Cafe as a 2023 semifinalist for Best Chef: Northeast

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

Happy ❤️

Beautiful space! Board Retreat ✨️ Looking forward to continuing our work!