Logma Cafe: Comfort in Exile

0:00On March 22nd, a new Iranian Iraqi cafe called Logma and East London's Hackney has exploded in popularity, drawing huge queues down the street for its. Sandwiches that sell out in just an hour or two. Social media posts have fueled the buzz with crowds lining up by noon on weekends. The owners admit the sandwiches started as an unplanned fix when they opened without plates or cutlery. Ziyad Haluim and Farsin Rabiai, who previously ran pack supper clubs in the city, launched Logma on December 21st to celebrate the Iranian. Windsor solstice festival of Yalda. But just days later, massive protests erupted across Iran, met with a harsh government crackdown that included thousands of deaths and a near total internet shutdown. For the couple, especially Rabiai who is Iranian, the timing feels bittersweet amid the national tragedy. They responded by giving out free coffee and traditional sweets to those grieving, turning the cafe into a space for support.

1:00Iranian customers keep coming back, treating it like a cozy living room to share family updates, and find comfort in familiar foods during exile, or worry. Experts know how Persian cooking evokes home through its smells and tastes, helping people cope when contact with loved ones is cut off. The cafe's long communal table encourages strangers to chat, cry, laugh, and bond, making everyone feel right at home like they're a grandma's house. It's a vital spot preserving culture and connection right now.