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National Post

From Café-Croissant to Couscous Royal, Rayah Brings French-Moroccan Flavours to Cabbagetown

Article content A new café-pâtisserie and restaurant in Toronto blends Maghrebi roots, Parisian charm, and halal comfort food in one joyful all-day spot. Article content TORONTO — Rayah has officially opened its doors at 507 Parliament Street, and it's not quite like anything else in Toronto. Bringing a soulful French-Moroccan dining experience to Cabbagetown, Rayah is a café, a pâtisserie, a restaurant, but above all, a place to gather. Article content From buttery croissants and bold espresso in the morning to couscous, tagines, and mocktails in the evening, Rayah flows seamlessly from day to night. It's the kind of spot where you can ease into the day with a café-croissant, catch up with friends over shakshuka and mint tea, grab pastries with the kids after school, or settle in for a warm, comforting dinner, all in a space that's design-forward but delightfully unfussy. Everything is 100% halal, rooted in heritage, and served with one promise: good food, fair prices, and chill vibes. Article content Rayah is the first concept from Wafa El Rhazi, born in France and of North-African descent, the kind of childhood where Fridays meant family couscous and after-school flan from the corner bakery. After a tech career, Wafa moved to Toronto in 2021 with her husband and child and decided to follow a long-held dream: creating a vibrant spot that reflects her story, somewhere between her Moroccan roots, French upbringing, and Parisian life. Article content 'Rayah has always been about bringing both sides of me together,' said Wafa El Rhazi, owner of Rayah. 'I'm French and Moroccan, and I wanted to create a place that feels like both, where you can order a croissant or a lamb tagine, and halal food is simply part of the experience. I don't drink, and I used to envy the fun of cocktails, the shaker, the garnish, the glass, so I wanted our mocktails to feel just as thoughtful. For me, Rayah is about making everyone feel at home, wherever they are from.' Article content On the menu: Article content Couscous Royal – The most Parisian of couscous dishes: slow-cooked, layered with vegetables and tender halal meats. Lamb & Prune Tagine – A sweet-savoury dish reserved for special occasions in Moroccan households. Cordon Bleu – Breaded chicken filled with melty cheese and pastrami, pure nostalgic comfort. Merguez-Purée – A North African twist on the classic French 'Saucisse-Purée,' featuring homemade merguez. Refreshing Mocktails – Non-alcoholic drinks like hibiscus & rose, orange blossom & almond, and pear & violet. Article content Rayah's interiors reflect Wafa's diasporic journey, featuring zellige tiles, vintage French posters, and thrifted tableware. A 1983 Moroccan Grand Taxi stands at the entrance, the iconic beige Mercedes known as Taxi Biad, used for long trips across Morocco. Every summer, Wafa's family would hop in one to visit relatives or head to the beach, a ritual that holds a special place in the memory of the Moroccan diaspora. Inside, a Peugeot 103 is on display, and the women's washroom nods to her childhood, styled after the dressing rooms at TATI, a beloved French department store. Article content The name Rayah is inspired by Ya Rayah, an Algerian song about exile, nostalgia, and one-way departures, originally written by Dahmane El Harrachi and later made famous worldwide by Rachid Taha. Meaning 'the one who left,' the name reflects the immigrant experience and a longing to pause, connect, and feel a sense of belonging. Rayah is a response to that feeling, a place to feel at home, no matter where you're from. Article content Whether you're stopping in for coffee and a croissant, enjoying brunch with friends and family, or ending the day with couscous and mocktails, Rayah welcomes everyone to the table. The restaurant is currently open Wednesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with the café open all day, brunch served from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner beginning at 6 p.m. To celebrate the opening, Rayah is launching a special Instagram contest where two lucky winners will enjoy a dining experience, complete with private transportation in the restaurant's classic Moroccan Grand Taxi. For more details and to enter, follow @rayahcafe on Instagram. Article content About Rayah: Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media Inquiries: Article content Article content Article content Article content