Draft:Hajj Zabala

Hajj Zabala
Haji Zabala (right) on Rashid Street
Restaurant information
Established	1900
Food type	Juice
Location	Baghdad, Iraq
Other locations	3

Hajj Zabala Drinks (Arabic: مرطبات الحاج زبالة), commonly known as Haji Zabala, is the oldest continuously-operating juice bar in Baghdad, Iraq. Established in 1900 during the Ottoman era, the store is known for its dark raisin juice, crafted from a multi-generational family recipe. Originally opened in the Karkh district, the shop relocated in 1912 to its current location on Rashid Street, near Maidan Square.

Over its century-long history, Hajj Zabala has served as a cultural landmark and meeting place, attracting Iraqi political figures including kings Faisal I and Faisal II, prime ministers Nuri al-Said and Abd al-Karim Qasim, and presidents Saddam Hussein, Jalal Talabani and Barham Salih, as well as international dignitaries such as King Hussein of Jordan, Mohammed V of Morocco, Ahmed Ben Bella, Hosni Mubarak, and Yasser Arafat.

Etymology

The name Haji Zabala incorporates the honorific Haji (Arabic: حَجِّي, romanized: ḥajjī), traditionally used for Muslims who have completed the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and the word Zabala (Arabic: زُبَالَة, romanized: Zubālah), which is colloquially associated with waste or garbage in Arabic.

According to local family lore, the name Zabala was given to the founder by his mother during infancy to protect him from the "evil eye," reflecting a regional superstition in which children were sometimes given undesirable names to ward off harm.

History

Origins and Relocation (1900–1912)

The business was founded in 1900 during the late Ottoman era by Abdul Ghafour, a merchant popularly known as Haji Zabala. The shop initially opened in the Karkh district, where it operated as a small stall selling fresh raisin juice alongside traditional accompaniments like white cheese and fresh bread.

In 1912, a few years before the British occupation of Baghdad, the shop moved to its permanent location on Rashid Street. This situated the business in the bustling commercial and administrative heart of the capital, positioned directly in front of Al-Sayyid’s Cakes and near landmarks like the Hassan Ajami Café and the old Government Saray.

Restoration and Expansion (2025-)

In early 2025, during phase three of the Baghdad Downtown Initiative, the store underwent an extensive renovation. The government-funded project fully restored its façade and officially designated the shop as a protected landmark monument along Rashid Street. The initiative also enhanced the surrounding infrastructure by transforming the area into a pedestrian-only zone equipped with new street furniture and a tram line, which was completed in 2026.

In March 2025, Haji Zabala expanded its operations by opening a branch in the Mansour District. In April, the brand operated a promotional stall at the Baghdad Beauty Festival, hosted within the Palms of Baghdad recreational complex. By December, a third location was launched at Iqraa Downtown. This cultural and commercial development sits on Sarai Street adjacent to the historic Qushla compound, serving as another component of the ongoing Baghdad Downtown Initiative.

Process

The shop continues to be operated by descendants of Abdul Ghafour, who state they use a secret family recipe and manual extraction methods passed down generations.

The raisin syrup is made using black raisins sourced from northern Iraq, including areas around Duhok, Dukan, and Khoshnaw, which are then soaked, pressed, and fermented using traditional methods.

See also

• Al-Rashid Street, Baghdad
• Cuisine of Iraq