Our Family Story

Our story begins thousands of miles away in Jordan and Indonesia, where food was never just something to eat; it was how love was shown, traditions were preserved, and every guest was welcomed like family.

In 1995, our family brought those values to the Washington, D.C. area, starting with a small farmers' market stand. Long before Habibi’s Kitchen & Market existed, our days began before sunrise, unloading fresh produce, meeting neighbors, and earning the trust of our community one customer at a time. What started as a humble market became a way of life built on hard work, honesty, and treating every customer with respect. Today, we continue that tradition by operating a small farm on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where we grow and nurture the ingredients that connect us to the land and the food we share with our community.

Those values have been passed from one generation to the next. The name Habibi is an Arabic word that means “my dear” or “my love.” It’s a word of friendship, affection, and hospitality. We chose it because it reflects exactly how we hope every person feels when they walk through our doors, not like a customer, but like a welcomed guest.

Today, Habibi’s Kitchen & Market is a reflection of our family’s journey and the cultures that shaped us. Our menu honors the timeless dishes of the Middle East while embracing the bold flavors and techniques of Jordanian and Indonesian home cooking. Some recipes stay true to tradition, while others are thoughtfully reimagined through the lens of our family’s heritage. It’s our way of preserving the past while creating something uniquely our own, where authenticity isn’t about standing still, but about honoring tradition with creativity, care, and respect.

The photographs surrounding you tell the story of the people who made this journey possible. They remind us where we came from, the sacrifices that were made, and why we continue to do what we do every day.

Whether you’re here for your first meat pie, fresh pita, shopping for ingredients to bring home to your family, or here for a chat, we’re grateful you’ve chosen to spend part of your day with us.

From our family to yours,

Welcome to Habibi’s Kitchen & Market.