Cabana Restaurant, the evening counterpart to Cabana Cafe, serves Middle Eastern cuisine and premium shisha seven nights a week. This CBD-surrounds venue is designed as a social hub, offering a carefully curated atmosphere for connection.
Every detail has been carefully considered, creating a space that feels both familiar and completely unique. A striking feature wall with a rock-like texture and a glowing embedded “CABANA” sign anchors the interior. The tiki hut theme flows throughout, with rattan light fixtures adding warmth, while floor-to-ceiling collapsible windows keep the space bright and airy, offering an alfresco feel when the weather allows.
Restaurant owner, Mohsin Mosawi, speaking on behalf of himself and Cabana Cafe owner Vichika Beung, said “When we were designing the shop we wanted the interior to look really nice and feel really cozy.”
“Vicke was really into designing… so I gave Vicke the financial approval to go ahead with the design,” Mohsin continued. “The interior had no budget restrictions and we presented the most unique space.”
On the menu, Head Chef Hend is serving up Middle Eastern foods with Syrian and Lebanese cuisine at the heart of the kitchen. Hend comes from a successful run operating a food truck, and Mohsin tells us Middle Eastern food is her specialty.
Customer favourites are the shawarma, with a choice of lamb or chicken and a helping of fries on the side, and the kabseh, an aromatic Middle Eastern rice dish. You can also opt for a fresh and healthy falafel salad or a fattoush chopped salad with pita bread.
“I wanted the food to stand out and be the best quality, so I had to run around to plenty of suppliers to find ingredients that are the most fresh and tastes good as well so people can enjoy what they pay for,” Mohsin said.
The drinks menu has its own unique flair, with mocktails and flavourful refreshments at the forefront. The citrus blossom with orange, berry, and edible flowers as a garnish comes highly recommended.
It wouldn’t be cabana without the shisha though, and Mohsin is all about the experience. “I tried a lot of shisha that’s in Australia and I just couldn’t get a product that would give you the best experience,” he said. “So I went on a hunt until I found a supplier from Egypt that had the products I was looking for. I invested a lot in securing those products and importing them to Australia exclusive to Cabana Adl.”
Every detail has been considered—even the tap water. After extensive research, Mohsin found a top-tier filtration system that removes all chemicals and impurities, ensuring the highest quality water possible. It cost an arm and a leg, but Mohsin reckons it’s all worth it in the name of customer experience.
Mohsin came to Australia from Afghanistan as a refugee, and raised himself from the age of 13. He said growing up so independently has shaped his approach to life—and he’s used those values to shape his venue.
“When you don’t have family, you always want to be out socialising,” Mohsin said. With that in mind, he designed Cabana as one of the area’s few late-night venues, naturally drawing a social crowd.
Before Cabana, Mohsin worked as a social worker helping refugees with case management with his wealth of experience.
Following a trip to the Gold Coast almost three years ago, his dream to open a venue was ignited, and after countless hours of planning, Cabana was born.
“Like I always say, no business is better than business of honesty. Our culture always teaches us to take good pride in hospitality of your guests, so that’s what we do at Cabana, we provide an unforgettable experience in hospitality,” said Mohsin.
“Every customer that comes in for shisha gets served with complimentary carrots and nuts that they can snack on while having a good or bad conversation, so at least they’re enjoying something, if not the conversation,” Mohsin concluded.”
At Cabana, it’s all about delicious food, great company, and welcoming hospitality. Unwind with shisha, share a late-night bite, and soak up the vibe—Mohsin and his team have created a space where everyone feels at home.
Cabana Restaurant
When: Restaurant: 7 days 5pm til late | Cafe: Friday – Tuesday 7am – 3pm
Where: 135 Melbourne St, North Adelaide, 5006
For more information, click here.
More News
