Baghdad’s ZaZa cultural cafe, where Italian coffee meets Iraqi youth entrepreneurship

BAGHDAD, September 28 — ZaZa Cafe, situated on the bustling Mutanabi Street in Baghdad, represents a chance for young Iraqis to showcase their entrepreneurial skills and seek opportunities outside the government sector.

The cafe, which opened nearly two years ago following the street’s revitalization campaign, offers a diverse coffee menu to its patrons.

ZaZa Cafe, functioning as an Italian coffee agency, has branches in 160 countries worldwide. It made its debut in Iraq a few years ago, first in Najaf, before expanding to Baghdad. The cafe, open from early morning until midnight, has attracted a diverse clientele, including locals and foreigners.

Mohammed Rafid, the cafe’s coffee artisan, explained: “This is an Italian agency with branches in 160 countries around the world, including an ice cream agency and Illy espresso agency. The Mutanabi branch is the fifth in Iraq, following the first branch in Najaf, which opened in 2015, and three others in the city.”

The cafe was chosen for its location in Baghdad to cater to a wide range of visitors, including Arabs and foreigners. Rafid highlighted their unique espresso flavor, stating: “We are known for our special espresso taste, as we have the Illy coffee brand, which may not be well-known in Iraq but is famous abroad. We also have our own ZaZa-branded coffee.”

“In terms of decor, each branch strives to incorporate elements that complement the city’s ambiance while reflecting the Italian touches characteristic of the agency,” he added. “The aim is to create a harmonious blend, evident in the Mutanabi branch as well as the locations in Najaf, achieving a fusion between the Najaf heritage and the Italian origins of their agency.”