It’s a social project born from the belief that food and culture can be tools for inclusion, growth, and transformation.
Every day, we work to create a place where differences meet, stories intertwine, and opportunities take shape.
Our menu is a mosaic of flavors that blends Senegalese and Malian traditions with a Sicilian touch. Each dish is crafted to tell a story — of a land, a culture, and the people who live there.
You’ll discover authentic recipes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients and a special focus on quality.
Ciwara was created with the aim of:
Promoting integration: By offering job opportunities and a welcoming environment to people from different backgrounds and countries.
Valuing traditions: Through authentic recipes, prepared with care and respect for African roots.
Creating connections: Through music, cultural events, and sharing meals at the table.
We dream of a future where Ciwara can become a replicable model —
a place where food becomes a tool for empowerment and integration, proving that another way of doing business is possible.
“Ciwara is not just a restaurant: it’s a vision of a fairer world, where respect and solidarity guide every choice.“
— Doudou
The word Ciwara comes from two words in the Bambara language of Mali: Ci means “place,” and Wara represents strength — both physical and of will.
So, Ciwara is, above all, a place where one can challenge themselves and overcome their own limits.
Ciwara is also a mythological figure — hermaphroditic — made up of an antelope, a lion, and an anteater. It is said that Ciwara taught humans all the secrets of agriculture, making the land rich and fertile.
But when, because of the abundance of crops, humans no longer honored Ciwara, it felt offended and left the Earth. Since then, every year at the time of sowing, at the start of the rainy season, a ritual takes place involving the entire village: the Ciwara dance, which reenacts the hard work of farmers and their skill in making the earth fertile.
Leading the dance are the Ciwara masks — a male and a female — worn to celebrate the union of Sun and Earth and to honor Ciwara, so that with its long beak it may once again plant the seeds and fertilize the land, ensuring a rich harvest.
“Ciwara is a call to our commitment to build something together — uniting cultures and people through food and music.”
— Doudou
Doudou is much more than a chef: he’s a musician, an educator, and a man who deeply believes in the value of community.
Raised in Senegal, he learned early on the importance of giving and building connections — values that led him to bring the dream of Ciwara to life.
“Every dish I prepare is a gift. It’s how I share my culture and my heart with everyone who walks into Ciwara.”
— Doudou
With his energy, Doudou not only leads the restaurant but also creates a unique atmosphere — one where people feel truly at home, surrounded by flavors and sounds that speak of integration and authenticity.
