Founded by Simon Javan Okelo, Kezira Café is the heartbeat of Seattle's African diaspora community. It is a space where the aroma of freshly roasted Ethiopian coffee blends with the rhythmic beats of live music and the warmth of shared stories.
Kezira Café Seattle is a community-centered café inspired by Kezira, a historic neighborhood in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. Anchored by the legacy of Nigist Kidane and the work of Simon Javan Okelo, Kezira Café brings together healthy African food, coffee, live music, and storytelling.
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Founder of Madaraka Festival, One Vibe Media, the Madaraka Festival Podcast, and One Vibe Band, Simon is driven by a commitment to honor and continue the legacy of Nigist Kidane, who stewarded Kezira Café for over a decade. His vision brings years of cultural and community work into a permanent home—building on events produced across Seattle, from MoPOP, where Madaraka Festival was born, to Pier 62, its 2025 venue.
With a deep passion for African culture and a vision to preserve its heritage, Simon Javan Okelo has dedicated his life to creating a space where people can experience the richness of African cuisine, coffee, and storytelling. His commitment to community engagement and cultural preservation is clear in every aspect of Kezira Café Seattle, making it a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike.
A tribute to East African coastal tradition. Crispy, golden-fried Tilapia paired with thick-cut, deep-fried cassava root. Served with a refreshing signature salad of crisp red onions, sweet bell peppers, and cool cucumbers for a perfectly balanced crunch.
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Golden-fried chicken and crisp Irish potato fries served with a refreshing red onion, bell pepper, and cucumber salad. Accompanied by our signature Habanero-Mango Heat—a vibrant house-made sauce blending fiery habanero, tropical mango, and tangy tamarind with notes of ginger and garlic.
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A nutritious and flavorful tribute to the "Upright Man." This dish features tender beef, slow-simmered and golden-fried for a rich texture, paired with creamy beans infused with aromatic cardamom, cinnamon, and coconut milk. Served alongside fragrant white rice steamed with coconut cream and a touch of cardamom, offering a perfectly balanced and soul-warming African fusion experience.
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