Palestinian plant-based Khamsa Cafe is giving a modern spin to Middle Eastern food

Khamsa Cafe’s Sarah Shaweesh’s Palestinian heritage is given a modern plant-based twist with bright pops of colour, pretty flowers and amazing healthy elixir lattes.

• Rising Sun Workshop goes wild at Carriageworks Night Market
• Sam Moran has cast off his skivvy to open Darlings Bistro

Vivid pops of pink and pretty purple flowers sit alongside food that packs a big flavour punch at Khamsa Cafe.

One of the new additions to the eclectic south end of Newtown’s King St, Khamsa’s breakfast and lunch menu is inspired by owner Sarah Shaweesh’s Palestinian heritage but it is given a modern plant-based twist. Shaweesh uses colour and creativity to smash through misconceptions about plant-based, vegan food being boring.

Khamsa Cafe owner Shaweesh owner and Sarah Shublaq. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

”My vision is to create beautiful colourful dishes that show how creative you can be with plants,” she said. “Many customers are not here because the food is vegan or plant-based, they just enjoy the fresh and colourful food. We prepare everything from scratch and lots of love, attention and detail goes into it.”

In the plant-based kofta, that is served in a tahini stew with vermicelli rice and roasted nuts, the traditional beef is replaced with soy and almond infused with traditional herbs and spices.

Khamsa Cafe’s Hummus Habibi dish. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

Another favourite is the hummus plate dressed with Khamsa’s signature plant-based Middle Eastern spiced “mince”, pine nuts, pickles and pita bread.

The Shaweesh-designed elixir lattes, that contain no caffeine, not only taste great but are packed full of goodness like the Golden Nights with juiced turmeric and ginger, cinnamon, maple and soy milk. There is also the Black Magic latte made with activated coconut charcoal, maple and coconut milk.

Khamsa Cafe’s Black Magic Elixir with activated coconut charcoal with coconut milk. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

While the dish names, that include gems like Baby Don’t Freekah (baby carrot salad) and Iman Fainted (eggplant boats), add to the fun, bright atmosphere of this family and dog-friendly Newtown eatery at shop 3/612-622 King St.