Restaurant
Raqwa Cafe & Bakery
224 Plenty Rd, Preston VIC 3072, Australia
Find Raqwa Cafe & Bakery
224 Plenty Rd, Preston VIC 3072, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Raqwa Cafe & Bakery
Step past an unassuming Plenty Road bakery counter and walk out back into an expansive open-air beer garden serving authentic Syrian wood-fired cooking. Regulars bypass standard brunch eggs for morning sfiha pulled blistering from the wood oven, alongside bowls of spiced chickpea fatteh folded with crisp flatbread and labneh. Service is family-run and personal—the team explains dishes with genuine care and treats newcomers like guests at a home table. The courtyard fills with cardamom aromas from proper Arabic coffee, mint lemonade, and smoky walnut-stuffed makdous.
- Hidden Courtyard Beer Garden: A narrow shopfront conceals a spacious rear courtyard garden setting for relaxed morning meals or casual group gatherings.
- Syrian Wood-Fired Fare: Wood-fired oven dishes include fresh meat sfiha, walnut-stuffed makdous, and chickpea fatteh finished with labneh and crispy flatbread.
- Arabic Coffee & Refreshments: Espresso and traditional Arabic coffee served alongside fresh mint lemonade and tea.
What's On at Raqwa Cafe & Bakery
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Diners Choose Raqwa Cafe & Bakery
Authentic wood-fired Syrian flavours, a leafy courtyard escape, and welcoming family hospitality in Preston
Hidden Garden Oasis
Hidden behind a modest storefront, the cafe opens up into a spacious, leafy rear courtyard that offers a peaceful escape from Plenty Road.
Walk through the front and be transported to a whole different world in the beer garden at the back.
JoJo Foo Fresh Wood-Fired Syrian Baking
Dough baked fresh in a wood-fired oven pairs with authentic Syrian breakfast specialties like sfiha, makdous, and loaded fatteh.
The dough was a standout and was baked fresh in a wood fired oven that morning.
Michael Bambino Hospitality Like a Family Guest
Guests are welcomed with thoughtful, heartfelt generosity that feels like sharing a meal inside a host's private home.
You feel welcomed not as a customer, but as a guest in someone’s home.
Mudasar Ghansar Transportive Cultural Warmth
Rich aromas, handcrafted Syrian touches, and friendly warmth evoke fond nostalgia and cultural comfort.
The moment I stepped inside, the atmosphere instantly transported me back to winter days in Syria - the warmth, the sense of community, the comforting aromas
Kino Dedicated Private Milestone Celebrations
The versatile garden venue accommodates milestone celebrations with wall projection, photo backdrops, and dedicated event support.
For the party they provided a big projector that was presented on the brick wall on the building next to where they are located, this allowed for beautiful photos to be presented throughout the night.
Kiara D Attentive Family-Style Group Hosting
Staff provide attentive, hands-on care for group gatherings, including custom menu coordination and dietary accommodations.
On the night they helped my guests navigate through what each food was and even when back into the kitchen to cater for my gluten free and nut free friends and family
Kiara D
Most popular items
Authentic Syrian breakfast favorites and wood-fired wood-oven specialties
Chickpea Fatteh
Had the Chickpea Fatteh with lamb was amazing and super filling, the wood fired choices are tasty and filling.
Cali Syrian big breakfast
sharing the Syrian big breakfast, an experience that unfolded like poetry across the table.
Mudasar Ghansar Lamb skewers
The lamb skewers with sides were so juicy, tender, and packed with flavour definitely a must-order!
Alicia Loh Sfiha
I got the Sfiha which was unlike anything I’ve ever had before. The dough was a standout and was baked fresh in a wood fired oven that morning.
Michael Bambino
Other favorites
Traditional Syrian beverages and freshly baked specialty breads
Arabic coffee
OMG, it’s been a while since I’ve had a proper breakfast with real Arabic coffee.
Batul Sharef (LOLA) Mint Lemonade
fresh lemon juice and mint
JoJo Foo Spiced Chai
I had the Spiced Chai and Makdous—both were delicious! The chai was perfectly spiced
Divyang Patel Zataar
for food I tried the zataar, the eggplant and hummus and the tomato breads, everything was so delicious. Usually I don't like zataar but this place makes it so tasty, the flavours are just so rich and delicious
Z
Beyond the menu
Personal hospitality and tailored touches that set the dining experience apart
Generous Complimentary Dish Offering
Upon noticing diner enjoyment during the Syrian breakfast, the team brought an extra serving of their delicate, walnut-infused eggplant creation to the table on the house.
Hands-On Celebration and Setup Hosting
For milestone events, the team assists with setup, inflates party balloons when hosts run behind, and personally guides guests through each Middle Eastern dish.
Individual Allergen and Dietary Cooking
During group dining functions, the kitchen prepared fresh tailored meals directly from the kitchen to accommodate gluten-free and nut-free guests.
Brick-Wall Projector and Garden Swing Setting
Private gatherings feature a large projector beaming photo slideshows against the adjacent brick wall alongside a garden swing backdrop.
Before you head over
Practical advice on layout, daily operating hours, and ordering for your visit
Head Straight to the Back Courtyard
Walk straight past the modest shop entrance to reach the spacious, welcoming outdoor courtyard and beer garden at the rear.
Plan Around the Afternoon Break
Be aware that the cafe pauses service and closes in the late afternoon between daytime hours and dinner.
Order Substantial Dishes to Share
Syrian specialties like chickpea fatteh and wood-fired sfiha are rich and hearty, making them ideal to order for sharing.
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