Owner of ‘authentic’ Turkish cafe in Birmingham says mum is ‘brains behind menu’

A new Turkish cafe is set to open in the Jewelery Quarter, serving ‘memorable’ dishes inspired by the owner’s mother. Bona’MI has yet to announce a launch date for the Great Hampton Street location, but owner Mervan Kaya has given an insight into what customers can expect at the new “authentic” cafe.

Mervan Kaya revealed that Mesmia’s mother is “the brains behind the menu” because she “wanted a place where people could experience what my siblings and I grew up with.” The dishes, which Mervan says are “made with love, heritage and history”, include “flavorful meat dishes and hearty stews”, as well as borek, pide and gozleme cakes.

“My mother’s passion for cooking was a guiding light in shaping the menu and atmosphere of our cafe,” said Mervan. “We started this business for her and she is the mastermind behind our menu. To this day I will try to avoid eating out just to eat at home. It is made with love, heritage and history.

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“We’re from Mardin, old Mardin to be exact. If anyone knows Mardin, they’ll tell you how rich it is in culture. So it’s food from Mesopotamia to Birmingham, from our family to yours.”

Mervan’s mother, Mesmia, grew up in Turkey, and the menu is a “tribute” to the flavors and traditions of her native country. He said: “Our menu showcases the diverse and vibrant culinary heritage of our hometown, but also from the north of Turkey to the south and from the west to the east.”

Dishes on the menu include Mantı, dumplings filled with spiced ground meat and topped with creamy yogurt and a garlic-infused tomato sauce, and Cılbır, a brunch option consisting of poached eggs topped with garlic-flavored yogurt and a drizzle of melted butter . infused with paprika and chili flakes.

All bread in the cafe will be baked fresh daily, and dishes that include sourdough will be made to order. Olive oil and olives will be sourced from Turkey and Greece.

In addition to the food, Bona’MI will serve menengiç coffee, a traditional Mardin drink made from the roasted and ground seeds of the wild pistachio. Similar to coffee, Mervan explains that menengiç coffee “offers a distinct flavor profile, featuring earthy and nutty notes with a hint of sweetness.”

The restaurant has not yet announced an opening date, but it is expected to be later in the spring. We’ll keep you updated in our food and drink newsletter, Brum Food Club, which is available free to subscribers on Thursday.