Lebanese Restaurant Cedar Cafe To Close In Burke

BURKE, VA — Cedar Cafe will close at the end of December after two decades in Burke.

The Lebanese restaurant announced the upcoming closure on or around Dec. 24 in a Facebook post. According to the post, the closure is not related to COVID-19 impacts. Rather, Chef Islam Bakeer "is ready to head back home to his wife and kids, who have been living in Jordan for the last few years, patiently awaiting his return."

Cedar Cafe dates back to 2000, which Bakeer and his wife Eman built started. The menu offers a taste of Lebanon with foods like shawarma, kabob, and mazza platters. Menu item availability may be impacted in the coming weeks as the restaurant prepares to close.

Cedar Cafe's Facebook post thanked customers for their support over 20 years, as well as the connections and memories made.

"When we opened our doors 20 years ago, we did not know what would become of our small, independent business, but the community opened its arms to us and allowed us to prosper and grow," the post reads. "It has been an absolute pleasure to serve you, and we will continue to do so until the 24th of December – give or take a few days."

Cedar Cafe is located at 6409 Shiplett Boulevard in Burke. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. For more information, visit www.cedarcafeonline.com.