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Step into Café Tanja on bustling Crown Street in Surry Hills and you’ll feel like you’ve entered a welcoming North African home. Earthy tones, woven baskets, flatwoven patterned rugs and textured cushions set the scene, while the welcome is always warm. Opened in 2024 by husband-and-wife duo Sanah Djebli and Nadim El-Zein, alongside Mama Linda, this family-run spot brings the rich culinary traditions of Morocco and Algeria to Sydney.
The menu celebrates Maghrebi flavours that are still rare in the city. Expect everything from crisp brik pastry filled with tuna, potato and egg to comforting chicken with couscous and msemen flatbreads stuffed with spicy mince or chicken. The signature lamb tagine is a must – slow-cooked until the meat falls off the bone, it’s finished with almonds and sweet prunes and served with house-made matlouh bread, perfect for soaking up that sauce.
For brekkie, the tchouktchouka (shakshuka) is a standout – eggs baked in a rich tomato and capsicum sauce – along with a Zaazaa smoothie, a nourishing blend of avocado, banana, honey and nuts that’s a must-have during Ramadan.
No visit is complete without Moroccan mint tea (hatay), poured high from an ornate silver teapot in a ritual that feels both theatrical and comforting. Finish with something sweet like chebakiya or a pistachio ice cream sandwich, and it’s easy to see why Café Tanja has quickly become a local favourite.
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