Owner of Habibi Restaurant Plans to Extend the Business in Suva
The owner of Habibi restaurant in Denarau, Nadi, Pooja Koleakar is planning to expand her business in Suva.
The restaurant is a well established brand of Mediterranean Restaurant with Shisha (Hukkah) and Bar.
Speaking to Fiji Sun Ms Koleakar said plans to expand the business are in the pipeline.
She is from Lautoka and is the managing director of Fiji’s unique Habibi Restaurant and Bar.
Its unique atmosphere, with Middle East backdrops plus the different menus makes dining and relaxation totally different and which is not found in local market.
“It is also the only authentic Shisha Bar in the country with variety of flavours from Middle East and Tunisia,” Ms Kolekar said. “We created a unique experience by offering un-paralleled menus and restaurant ambience. “This place is always an instant hit especially with tourists and expatriates.
“This is where tourists, expats and locals could meet and where everyone could feel at home, enjoy a delicious Mediterranean cuisine and relax having a Shisha.
The sitting concept is a low seated area Bedouin style and is unique in Fiji.
The atmosphere is different with large cushions laid out on carpets while one enjoys the Shisha Bar. “That’s why it works as everyone finds something they like at Habibi. “From the chandelier to the low seated area where couples, groups of friends and families can come and experience something that is totally different in set up. Habibi combines Tunisian and French cuisine.
The restaurant itself is surrounded by a luxurious tropical vegetation.
Ms Kolekar said the restaurant opened in June 2015 and since then has been patronised by the locals and expat community of Fiji and visitors, including those who arrived on their yachts. Habibi’s menu includes the famous Lamb Tajine, Chicken Brick, Hummus, Baba Ghanoush and Falafel.
“We also do wood fire pizzas in more than 10 varieties.
“Most of our food is prepared in the wood fired oven with slow cooking and special spices and aroma.
“Our focus clientele are travellers and tourists but we have seen a very positive trend in local customers and they enjoy their evenings with friends or business associates in relaxed environment with drinks, cocktails and Shisha,” Ms Kolekar said.
For the past four years, Habibi received the prestigious Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor all from the 5 star reviews from its customers.
“Our focus clientele are travellers and tourists but we have seen a very positive trend in local customers and they enjoy their evenings with friends or business associates in relaxed environment with drinks, cocktails and Shisha,” Ms Kolekar said.