Jordan’s capital, Amman, embodies a deep-rooted tradition of hospitality – a culture where welcoming someone means sharing food, coffee, or tea. This spirit is the foundation of Ezwitti, a unique community restaurant that operates on a “pay-it-forward” model, providing free meals while fostering social connection. Founded in 2015 by Mahmoud Nabulsi, Ezwitti is now scaling its impact with a new mobile unit, backed by a $33,175 grant from The Intrepid Foundation.
The Roots of Hospitality and Solidarity
The concept behind Ezwitti stems from the ancient Bedouin custom of sharing food with neighbors, expecting reciprocity. This tradition has continued in Amman, where rapid population growth has made food a vital tool for cultural cohesion. Nabulsi built Ezwitti to re-humanize charity, ensuring that seeking help doesn’t carry stigma while encouraging community participation.
The restaurant’s system mirrors the Italian “caffè sospeso” (pending coffee) – where customers pay for an extra coffee for a stranger – but operates as a non-profit driven by a “Golden Triangle” of volunteers, meal buyers, and recipients. Patrons who purchase a meal also buy one for an anonymous stranger, pinning an invite on a “kindness wall” for anyone in need to claim.
Serving a Diverse Community
Ezwitti’s location in Amman places it at the heart of a geopolitical crossroads, making it a lifeline for refugees fleeing instability in neighboring countries. Food insecurity is a major issue for displaced populations, and Ezwitti provides meals without judgment, serving Palestinians, Sudanese, Somalis, Yemenis, and Jordanians alike.
The restaurant’s menu reflects Jordanian cuisine, offering dishes like falafel, gallayet bandora (tomato and garlic sauté), mfarakeh (potato and egg stew), and musabaha (chickpea and tahini).
From Humble Beginnings to Global Expansion
Ezwitti started small, serving 25 people a week in a neglected alley. Today, it feeds 250 daily. Nabulsi credits the restaurant’s success to its 3,500 volunteers and the “feel-good” atmosphere that encourages community engagement.
The model has already inspired similar initiatives: a German volunteer’s article led to an “Amman corner” in a Lutjenburg restaurant, where customers can donate to Ezwitti. Branches are planned for Alexandria, Egypt, and Muscat, Oman.
The Mobile Unit: Reaching Underserved Communities
The Intrepid Foundation’s grant will fund the “Ezwitti Mobile Unit” – a refurbished step-van equipped as a kitchen. This unit will rotate through underserved neighborhoods in Amman and nearby rural areas, providing meals where need is highest.
The mobile kitchen will also partner with local bakeries, hotels, and markets to rescue surplus food, reducing waste while expanding Ezwitti’s reach. Nabulsi hopes this model will spread globally, one meal at a time.
“Ezwitti belongs to the volunteers, and that is the magic recipe.” – Mahmoud Nabulsi.
This initiative demonstrates how simple acts of kindness, combined with a sustainable model, can address food insecurity and strengthen community bonds in a volatile region.
