Jamila’s Kitchen has expanded into Vancouver’s core after gaining popularity in the suburbs.

Malik Malikzada and his wife Jamila, the restaurant’s namesake, have opened a new location in the 2500 block of Commercial Drive, serving Afghan, Indian and Greek fusion dishes. Since 2016, the couple has operated a Coquitlam, B.C., location, which will remain open.

Malik told the Tri-City News that he and Jamila sought to open the second location due to their desire to help people in need through food. He and Jamila have a policy of not asking for payment if someone can’t afford to pay. The policy will be extended to the east Vancouver location with a special meal for patrons facing hardship.

“Our door is always open to those who ask for a free meal,” said Malik.

Malik and Jamila fled Afghanistan in the early 1990s due to war and spent six years in a Pakistan refugee camp before immigrating to Canada in 2000.

Before opening their first restaurant on Barnet Highway, he worked at McDonald’s and in a bakery and warehousing while she raised their three children.

Photo: Jamila’s Kitchen