A former asylum seeker, Khaled Azrag just opened his first Cork café and smoothie bar

The place is already buzzing.
Businessman and fitness guru Khaled Azrag, aka Blue, has opened the doors to his very first coffee shop on bustling French Church Street.
The former asylum seeker has come a long way since first landing in Ireland in 2008 after he left war-torn Sudan in search of safer and greener fields. Khaled first lived for a short while in a Direct Provision Centre in Dublin before making his way to Cork, which he now calls home.
Blue opened his café on French Church Street last week filling it with his unique personality and serving coffee from SOMA, herbal teas, juices, freshly made fruit smoothies, and a small vegetarian Arabic and Middle Eastern-inspired food menu.
You can even grab yourself a Turkish coffee prepared in a cezve using very finely ground coffee beans without filtering.
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The cafe boasts a colourful interior with leopard print high tables and high stools, original bare brickwork on one side of the café, and lush hanging baskets on the windows. On sunny days, you can enjoy your lunch and ginger shot on the seats outside.
There are lots of vegan options available as well, ideally washed down with a luscious tropical concoction for a deliciously healthy lunch.
Blue’s Cafe is located on 4, French Church Street and open from 8am-7pm every day.