Donia Bijan

The Last Days of Café Leila follows Noor, an Iranian-American woman who returns to Tehran with her young daughter, Lily, after years of living in the United States. She comes back to the family café, a beloved gathering place run by her father, Zod, whose cooking and hospitality have long brought people together. Although Noor hopes to find comfort and reconnect with her roots, returning home forces her to confront painful memories, unresolved family tensions, and the choices that led her to leave Iran. As Noor and her father attempt to rebuild their relationship, the café becomes a symbol of belonging, cultural memory, and the traditions that bind generations together. Through food, family stories, and the changing atmosphere of Tehran, Donia Bijan explores the complexities of immigration, identity, and the meaning of home. The novel also examines the tensions between personal freedom and cultural expectations, revealing how family bonds can endure despite distance and disappointment. Warm and reflective, it celebrates the power of shared meals and inherited traditions to reconnect people with their past.