Msakhan (also spelled musakhan or mussakhan) is the national dish of Palestine, and at Yafa Café it is the dish we are best known for. We roast halal chicken with sumac — the tart, ruby-red berry that gives Msakhan its unmistakable citrus tang — and bed it on onions cooked down slowly in olive oil. Everything is served over fresh baked bread, finished with toasted nuts and a drizzle of olive oil.
Since opening in November 2017 we have served Msakhan four different ways: the classic plate, Msakhan rolls, Fatteh Msakhan and Manakeesh Msakhan, plus a family-style Msakhan Feast for groups. Our produce and halal meat are sourced in Manitoba and our spices are dried and ground in house, so the flavour is the one our mothers and grandmothers cooked, not a shortcut version.
What makes our Msakhan different
Sumac forward, never shy
Sumac is the soul of Msakhan. We use it generously so the chicken arrives bright and lemony rather than merely seasoned — the taste guests tell us reminds them of home.
Fresh baked bread underneath
The bread is the plate. It is baked fresh, then soaked in the roasting juices and olive oil so the bottom layer is soft and savoury while the edges stay crisp.
Manitoba halal chicken
Our chicken is halal and sourced from Manitoba suppliers, roasted in small batches through the day so nothing sits under a heat lamp.
How to enjoy Msakhan
Order Msakhan as a single plate for lunch or step up to the Msakhan Feast for family dinners and catering. Guests usually start with falafel or a fresh salad, pair the chicken with our lemon mint juice, and finish with Knafeh Nabulsi. If you want the same flavours in a handheld format, try Msakhan rolls.
Order Msakhan across Winnipeg
Yafa Café has served homestyle Palestinian street food from 1785 Portage Ave since
November 2017. We are open every day from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM for dine-in, takeout,
delivery and catering, and we regularly serve guests from Polo Park, the West End,
Wolseley, St. James, Silver Heights, Woodhaven, Sargent Park, Daniel McIntyre, Minto,
Weston, Brooklands, Deer Lodge and Sturgeon Creek.
Order Msakhan online,
call (204) 221-1636, or see the full
Yafa Café menu.
