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It is very easy for a self proclaimed foodie to get sucked into the world of social media. It is how everything is done these days, with every food fan and restaurant needing their own page to showcase their particular brand. This can mean restaurants that do things the old fashioned way and stick to “the word of mouth” can easily be overlooked.

It is a pity, as I highly respect this way of doing business. It is the timeless method that still holds up today. Knowing that a business has the confidence to do their craft well enough, that it doesn’t need the likes of Facebook and Instagram, says a lot.

This is why I was delighted to finally visit Tishka Cafe, on Chesterton Road, a small cafe that has been run by a Moroccan-French family for a staggering 23 years! It has managed to stay successful using this traditional method alone, with almost no internet presence. Because of this, I had no idea what to expect but I was keen to find out.

The cafe is quirky and fun, with a large black board of their menu that literally takes up the entire wall. There is everything you would expect from a cafe and more, with your British classics and huge influences from their Moroccan roots. It is a menu I could take a lot of pleasure exploring over the space of many visits, giving me a reason to come back again so again.

There is an abundance of rowing paraphernalia, with oars mounted on the wall and a ladder with lights tangled up on the ceiling. It’s a pleasant place to be, with a ton of character. Large windows let in plenty of light and allow you to sit down and watch the world go by. It has a real tranquil feeling, like you are stepping out of the chaos of Cambridge into a little bubble of your own.

Mains

We started off with two dishes. The first being falafel and the other being Greek sausage, both served in a pita bread. They were beautifully presented in a large portion that quite simply jumped off the plate in an explosion of colour and variety.

The falafel came with halloumi, feta, hummus, olives, salad, and a chilli jam. I was joined by my sister who ate the dish and had this to say about it…

I loved the crispy bread holding the very generous portions of falafel, halloumi and salad and many other goodies together. I was pleasantly surprised to find pickle and jalapenos included, favourites of mine, to add a little extra kick of flavour.

Natalie

I had the Greek sausage in pita bread. This came with Tzatziki slathered all over it. The portion of sausage wasn’t huge but it allowed the flavour to work with the rest of the salad ingredients in a more balanced way, rather than dominate it. This created a modest flavour that was as complex as it was refreshing.

The salad inside gave it a lovely fresh crunch but I found that the portion to be a little overloaded, making it hard to eat.

There was a lot going on in both of these dishes, so much so, that I was worried the poor ol’ pita bread would struggle to hold together. It is a thinner bread than usual but it somehow managed this task without collapsing. This would make a perfect lunch, as the bread isn’t as heavy or bloating 👍

Stuffed pepper

This exquisite dish is their Moroccan stuffed pepper. It was loaded with lamb and rice, making it a balanced meal in its own right but it was one of the best examples of stuffed pepper I have had, maybe ever? It gave me biryani vibes, with everything baked together in the pepper. The lamb really stood out, bringing a deep and earthy flavour, which made it impossible to put down.

Moroccan hash brown

The undisputed champion of my visit today was the Moroccan hash brown. It came loaded with carrots and greens, that were then topped off with a fried egg that burst all over, as I broke into it.

It was also a nice big portion with a lovely crispy layer on top that was incredibly satisfying on the bite, especially with the egg oozing all over.

In fact, the dish was so good that it led me to being somewhat unprofessional. I was simply unable to contain myself and devoured the entirety of the dish without sharing it with Natalie 🤣

Speaking to one of the staff at Tishka, he explained that this is his mother’s recipe. Huge compliments to her, as it is a truly special dish.

This is an absolute must for anyone visiting Tishka!

Moussaka

Moussaka is a layered potato and aubergine dish, similar to lasagne. It was served as a dollop on a plate that made it feel a little lonely. A side salad would have made this complete. It tasted great either way, with that classic thick and creamy texture, moussaka is known for.

There is a selection of desserts available across the counter, including one of all my all time favourites – Baklava! I couldn’t help myself, so I grabbed a slice to go.

Conclusion

I can see why Tishka Cafe has lasted the test of time. It offers a warm and friendly service that only a small independent family-run cafe can provide. It has a tranquil atmosphere that feels like an escape from the hustle and bustle of Mitcham’s Corner.

The cafe has a real character and provides classic dishes most people would expect from a cafe but also provides some more intriguing Moroccan and Greek dishes. Each dish clearly has a lot of love and care put into it, from the presentation all the way to the the first bite. It is reassuring to know that the dishes being served have been in the family for years.

This makes it a place I am willing to cross the city for and I encourage you all to do too.

Don’t forget to check out the video of our visit below 👇