Jirso Cafe
Shams Faisal crafts a serene coffee haven on Basra’s 14 Tammuz Street
BASRA — Becoming a barista, a professional coffee maker, is gaining traction in Iraq, evolving beyond the simple settings of tribal guesthouses to encompass the art and complexity of coffee blends that require skill.
On central Basra’s bustling 14th Tammuz Street, Shams Faisal has mastered her craft as a barista over the past three years, and decided to leverage her expertise by opening a cafe, named Jirso.
Faisal enlisted the talent of an artist from Diwaniyah to design the cafe’s interior, drawing inspiration from Sumerian culture and other ancient civilizations in Iraq.
The cafe also boasts a diverse library, offering literature in various languages and fostering a quiet environment conducive to reading and relaxation.
“I had been working as a barista for three years and has decided to open a non-traditional cafe with an added touch that people love,” Faisal told 964media.
Despite ongoing street maintenance and unfinished signage, the cafe has already attracted a significant following.
Jirso Cafe offers monthly memberships for 35,000 Iraqi dinars ($26), rewarding repeat patrons with substantial discounts.
Faisal added, “Despite the hard work and effort, it’s a joy to channel my energy into something so positive.”
Essam Ahmed, a regular at the cafe’s library, commented on the reading selection, “The library includes books in English across various genres like novels, self-help, and philosophy, particularly those that are widely recognized in bookstores and publishing houses.”