Our Story
Three strangers. One scholarship. A shared love for food.
How We Met
We are three Palestinians who didn't know each other before coming to Ireland. We met here in Dublin while completing our masters degrees through the Ireland Palestine Scholarship Programme.
We stayed at the same accommodation, and what brought us together wasn't just being far from home during difficult times, it was our shared passion for food. We would constantly invite each other over, cook for one another, and bond over the flavors and traditions of Palestinian cuisine.
Those simple meals became more than just food. They became a way to comfort each other, to remember home, and to keep our culture alive thousands of miles away. We realized that food has the power to connect, to heal, and to share stories.
That's when we decided: we wanted to bring this love for Palestinian food to the people of Dublin. We wanted to share not just the incredible flavors, but the warmth, hospitality, and resilience of Palestinian culture with everyone in this city that has welcomed us.
Our Mission đź’š
Madleen isn't just about great food. Part of our mission is to support families in Gaza, where Manal's family continues to face unimaginable hardship during the ongoing war.
10% of all proceeds go directly to supporting families in Gaza, helping them survive and rebuild amidst the crisis.
Meet The Team
Manal Rizq
Founder & Head Chef
đź“Ť From Gaza, Palestine
Hi, my name is Manal, and I’m from Gaza. I’m a software engineer by profession and hold a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship, but cooking has always been my greatest love. I take joy in preparing authentic Palestinian dishes made from recipes passed down through generations of my family. What began as a simple hobby became a way to support my family and help people in Gaza the place that will always be home to me. Through this restaurant, I share the true taste of Palestine, filled with love, tradition, and hope and a portion of our profits goes to support families in Gaza.
📺 Featured on RTÉ News →
Elias Amro
Founder, Web Development & Chef
đź“Ť From Bethlehem, West Bank
Hey, my name is Elias and I'm a Product Development Engineer with a masters degree in Electronic and Computer Technology. My love for technology aside, I have a lot of love for cooking and sharing food, especially delicious Palestinian food. I like to use my skills whether technical or culinary to make people's lives better & brighter. I hope one day to see Madleen a real restaurant in Dublin and share the culture and hospitality of Palestine as Dublin has done for me.
Issa Salha
Founder & Chef
đź“Ť From Ramallah, West Bank
Hi, my name is Issa, and I’m a medical doctor from Palestine with a Master’s in Global Health. Food has always been a big passion of mine, and I love introducing people to the rich flavors of Palestinian dishes while whipping up Palestinian dishes that are probably more experimental than my research… and way tastier.
Join Us on This Journey
We dream of one day making Madleen a real restaurant in Dublin, a place where we can continue to share the culture, hospitality, and incredible flavors of Palestine with this city that has given us so much.
Thank you for being part of our story