Welcome to Tsion Café!
Welcome to Tsion Café, pronounced ‘see-on’.
A cultural hub nestled in the Sugar Hill area of Harlem, Tsion Cafe is now an event venue offering catering, packaged products, and immersive dining experiences. Over the last decade we offered walk-in dining to nourish the community, and we are excited to now step beyond traditional table service.
We honor the legacy of Jimmy’s Chicken Shack, former owner of our space. We remember the icons that passed through our doors during the heyday of Harlem renaissance; such as Redd Foxx, Charlie Parker, Malcolm X, Billie Holiday, Hazel Scott, Art Tatum, amongst others.
We offer both in-house and off-site catering. Book our space for your celebrations and gatherings, or inquire about The Gursha Experience to immerse yourself into Ethiopian-Jewish culture.
Discover a Cultural Odyssey: The Gursha Experience… Step into a world where food is more than sustenance—it's a gateway to connection, storytelling, and joy. At Tsion Cafe, we invite you to join an intimate, transformative journey that celebrates Ethiopian heritage through immersive group experiences.
Our curated events are more than meals; they're living stories where ancient traditions come alive. Be prepared to engage all your senses—learn centuries-old coffee roasting rituals, explore the art of spice blending, and share meals in a way that connects you deeply with Ethiopian culture and each other.
Each gathering is unique, crafted to spark curiosity, foster understanding, and create moments of genuine human connection. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or seeking a truly memorable cultural experience, Gursha welcomes you to a table where every bite tells a story, and every interaction is an invitation to explore, learn, and feel truly nourished—body and soul.
Come. Be Inspired. Experience Gursha.
Chef Beejhy
Beejhy Barhany- is a distinguished chef, author, and cultural bridge-builder who uses food as a universal language to connect communities worldwide.
She is the founder of the Beta Israel of North America Cultural Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering and celebrating the rich legacy of Ethiopian Jews, and proprietor of Tsion Café—an acclaimed Ethiopian-Israeli restaurant serving as a nurturing community hub in Harlem.
Her pioneering cookbook, Gursha: Timeless Recipes for Modern Kitchens from Ethiopia, Israel, Harlem and Beyond, made history as the first Ethiopian Jewish cookbook from a major American publisher and earned recognition among The New York Times' Best Cookbooks of 2025.
As a sought-after speaker, educator, and facilitator, Ms.Barhany conducts cooking demonstrations and cultural programming worldwide, fostering understanding and breaking barriers one meal at a time.
