Za'atar is the wild thyme blend at the centre of Palestinian cooking, mixed with sesame, sumac and salt — and like our other spices, we dry and grind it in house. Whisked with good olive oil and spread over fresh dough, it bakes into something herby, tangy and deeply savoury. Add cheese and it becomes the plate guests order for the table without thinking.
You can have manakeesh with za'atar alone, cheese alone, or the half-and-half everyone actually wants. We also bake Manakeesh Msakhan — the same flatbread topped with our sumac chicken and onions — for anyone who wants our signature dish in flatbread form.
What makes our Za'atar and Cheese Manakeesh different
House-ground za'atar
Our za'atar blend is prepared in house so the thyme is aromatic and the sumac still tart, not dusty and flat like pre-mixed jars.
Dough made and pressed fresh
Each round is shaped by hand and baked on order, which is why the crust stays soft in the middle with crisp, blistered edges.
Za'atar, cheese or both
Order it plain za'atar for a lighter brunch, all cheese for the kids, or split down the middle — the way most Winnipeg regulars take it.
When to order manakeesh
Manakeesh is our brunch staple and the easiest thing to add to any order — alongside falafel, before a chicken shawarma platter, or as part of a catering spread with Msakhan rolls and spinach and cheese bread.
Order Za'atar and Cheese Manakeesh 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 Za'atar and Cheese Manakeesh online,
call (204) 221-1636, or see the full
Yafa Café menu.
