Homelessness charity Crisis Skylight Oxford is based at the Old Fire Station arts centre and used to run the busy cafe which looks out onto George Street.
But the pandemic led to the charity re-evaluating its priorities, and the running of the cafe is now being managed in-house by the arts centre.
A ‘soft opening’ with coffee and cakes was launched last year by the new management but now there is a full menu and the cafe is busy.
It operates from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, and in the evening the cafe becomes a bar for theatre performances.
Read again: County council gets extra £12m to improve bus services
Alexandra Coke, spokeswoman for the Old Fire Station, said social enterprise Damascus Rose Kitchen, which supports Arabic speaking refugee women in Oxford, has been brought in to be in charge of the catering.
Ms Coke said: “The cafe is a lovely space, especially in summer when you can open the doors and it feels like you outside.
“It’s going well - customers are enjoying the food, including the vegan and gluten-free options and are coming back for me.
“I think the cafe is now getting a good following and with more tourists back in Oxford it feels almost as if the city is back to normal when it comes to people wanting to go out.”
Ms Coke said the cafe was one of a small number right in the city centre serving Middle Eastern food.
Dishes on the menu include moussaka for £8.
Hummus and tabbouleh is also served.
Read again: Petition calls for a stop to greyhound racing
Tabbouleh is traditionally served as part of a mezze in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Arab world, like hummus, baba ghanoush and other elements of Arabic cuisine.
“The portion sizes are large,” she added. “Food is survival, food is love, according to the staff at Damascus Rose.”
Damascus Rose Kitchen has already run a successful weekend service at Flo’s cafe in Florence Park.
The social enterprise website explains how it started out in the city before being involved at the Old Fire Station.
It says: “Nuha Abdo - our director, started a weekly group for Syrian women called Syrian Sisters.
“To help and support each other. We started to cook for our community, to introduce them to our culture and make friends. We started to feel that we could build a life and be proud of our culture and our journey. We realised that we have more in common than that which divides us.
Read more: Where to find Oxford's cosiest pubs
"We want to build our own futures and be proud of our culture and identity. We have tried our food and service at prestigious events, as well as running a successful weekend service in Flo’s. We aim to support our members by paying living wage, well being mentoring, and a positive and constructive work environment.
“We hope to empower other communities and create a positive experience for our staff members, customers and friends.”
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok
Got a story for us? Send us your news and pictures here
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here