Bona'me Factory in Cologne: Traditional Kurdish-Turkish cuisine meets modern gastronomy

The door closes and the seductive scents of exotic spices immediately envelop the guest as if from the Arabian Nights. Welcome to the bona'me Factory in Cologne, where the magic of the Orient permeates the hustle and bustle of the big city. "Bona'me" means "our house" in Kurdish and conveys a feeling of security and hospitality.
"Bona'me stands for passion, family and lifestyle," explains Hüseyin Dogan, one of the four siblings behind the brand. Since its foundation in 2008, bona'me has established itself with ten locations in Germany. What they all have in common: Kurdish-Turkish specialities such as pide, manti and mezze - freshly prepared and served.

A special feature of all restaurants is the open kitchen, which allows guests to experience first-hand how their dishes are created. Vegetables and spices are placed in pans, bowls and pots, sizzling, hissing, steaming and a wonderful aroma fills the air. It is a moment of watching, smelling and listening. This feast for the senses is what conveys the feeling of home in all bona'me homes. "An open kitchen creates transparency and communication," emphasises Hüseyin Dogan. The Dogan family's roots are always present, both in the dishes and in the interior, which combines oriental and modern elements. Cosy dining niches with canopies, rustic wooden stools, plush chairs and sofas invite you to linger. Golden lamps, exotic plants, dark blue walls, stone floors and mosaic tiles create an atmosphere that is perfectly accompanied by oriental music. A place where the Orient embraces the Occident - bona'me, "our house".

Each location is unique, with Hüseyin creating the design of the restaurants together with his daughter Zudal and sister Diba. Despite the concept of system catering, bona'me stands out with its individuality and quality. Two further locations are already being planned.

"We plan to expand further in the next five years," beams Hüseyin. However, it is not easy to find suitable locations. Bona'me is characterised by its ability to accommodate many guests. Often with more than 200 seats inside and additional space for outdoor catering. "Berlin, for example," Hüseyin begins, "I kept looking at locations, but it never worked out. I tend to go for the optimum, the best, and not 99 per cent, but 100 per cent. That's my philosophy. And if any of the criteria don't suit me, then I prefer to cancel. I actually realise in the first five minutes whether it's a location or not."
bona'me also makes no compromises when it comes to ordering systems and focusses on innovation: from digital terminals to QR code ordering directly at the table. "We are constantly striving for improvement," says Hüseyin Dogan, who only introduces technical innovations after thorough testing. "We work every day to make bona'me better. I'm someone who says you have to keep getting out of your comfort zone to create new perspectives."

For the Dogan family, togetherness is at the centre of the company. The values and traditions of their Kurdish-Turkish heritage are incorporated into all aspects of bona'me. "Our family is the core of bona'me," says Hüseyin. Despite the challenges of maintaining family structures in a growing company, he emphasises the importance of consideration and cohesion. Being there for each other is the family motto. "We are a passionate family. We laugh, we argue, we live - and that's bona'me: our house."