Brand new Namji cafe officially opens in Milton Keynes

Monday, 12 June 2023 16:15

A brand new cafe has opened in Central Milton Keynes, by Namji.

Namji's Desi Cafe officially opened on Sunday (11 June) at Acorn House, MK Community Foundation House.

Namji's Desi Cafe is a not-for-profit eatery that will be run by Naseem Khan for the community. Restaurateur Naseem is known across Milton Keynes for her Namji restaurants and she has been serving up food to those in need – giving away 100s of hot meals to families and individuals in Milton Keynes every week.

“I feel extremely blessed and emotional for my dream coming true. I have so many people to thank and I am extremely grateful too. Please support in my mission - no child should sleep on an empty stomach," Naseem told MKFM.

Diners at the cafe will be able to donate a 'suspended meal' to provide a homeless person with a hot meal - an easy way to do something positive in our community.

“It is about giving back to Milton Keynes,” said Naseem, “I want a place where every diner can sit down to enjoy their food without question. Having a hot meal is a basic human right - no one, least of all a child, should sleep on an empty stomach,” she added. “I am doing this for my love of Allah – my religion teaches us to be charitable and I fully subscribe to that.”

The cafe will open between 8am and 5pm seven days a week, serving a delicious menu of popular Punjabi street food including samosa chaat, chana chaat, masala chips and curries – vegan and vegetarian options will be available.

“I have wanted to realise this dream for a long time and I am so pleased to finally be able to turn it into reality,” Naseem said, “The Desi Cafe will be a place for everyone to call their own and where everyone can feel at home.

“I want to give accessibility to more communities, including those who are struggling during this cost of living crisis, which has had a devastating effect on so many.

“I want it to be a place for the elderly, for the homeless, for mother and children groups, for breakfast clubs, for friends and families... a place where everyone can enjoy affordable, nutritious food.”

The 'giving back' ethos will extend to those working there - Namji Desi Cafe will provide people with work experience to enhance their skills and allow them to gain confidence.

“It's a not-for-profit cafe with the profits going straight back into supporting the community; to support homelessness projects, to help women with further education and so on.

“Times are tough for many people, and I believe those of us who are in more fortunate positions have an obligation to do what we can to help – Namji Desi Cafe is the place where we can all work together to achieve great things,” Naseem promised.

For more information visit the website.