Capturing Café Suliman
Tucked inside Seattle’s Melrose Market, on the edge of Capitol Hill, is the hidden gem: Café Suliman.
Walking into Café Suliman feels like stepping into a warm hug. Think stylish dinner party meets your coolest friend's living room—with little hidden soccer references (everywhere).
Chef Ahmed Suliman has crafted a space that fuses the heart of Arabic home cooking with the energy of a modern-day gathering spot. Inspired by the flavors of the Levant, North Africa, Egypt, and the Arabian Gulf, every dish tells a story—comforting, soulful, and unapologetically bold.
Café Suliman shares its space with Cantina Sauvage, a natural wine bar curated by Marc Papineau. Together, they've created a place where the atmosphere is effortlessly alive, the community is engaged, and the hummus and braised lamb have you coming back for seconds.
While shooting this project, I chatted with Suli and asked him about the different types of olives he was preparing. From our two-minute conversation about Soury and Baladi olives, you could tell—this man isn't just cooking; he's storytelling. His passion for flavor, culture, and connection is magnetic.
It was an absolute honor to capture this space and this moment in Suli's business. Moments like these remind me why I love what I do—documenting not just space, but the heart behind it.
Pre-service dining setup at Café Suliman, capturing the cozy elegance shot by Brooklyn Schuagr
Chef Ahmed Suliman of Café Suliman gazing thoughtfully into the distance, captured by Brooklyn Schugar
Close-up of natural wine bottles on a shelf inside Café Suliman, with warm ambient lighting and textured walls.
Behind-the-scenes look cafés kitchen designed with open shelving and stainless steel surfaces.
A cozy natural wine bar on top of Café Suliman, featuring curated bottles by sommelier Marc Papineau.
A corner of the shared space showing natural wine selections from Cantina Sauvage, curated by Marc Papineau.
Warm, modern interior of Café Suliman with seating, subtle soccer references, and ambient lighting.
Artfully arranged natural wine bottles and minimalist decor at Cantina Sauvage, cohabiting with Café Suliman.
Chef Ahmed in his element—where every dish tells a bold, heartfelt story.