First Look: Around the Corner Brings Afghan-Inspired Toasties to Nailsworth

There are three Cs that govern Around the Corner, a new hole-in-the-wall cafe in Nailsworth: custom, coffee and community.

Around the Corner was opened by husband-and-wife duo Ahmed Azimi and Suem Valiyff on May 17. Opening the cafe was the realisation of a long-held dream for the couple who wanted to create a community hub where they could share dishes that reflect their respective cultures.

Azimi was born in Afghanistan. Growing up in Kabul, he remembers that neighbourhood bakeries were at the heart of the community. “There was a tandoor bakery, which made fresh bread every morning from 5am. The whole neighbourhood would turn up to collect it. Bread was an important part of the local food culture. It became a daily gathering point,” says Azimi.

Valiyff is Australian-born with Tatar roots (a Turkic-speaking group primarily from Eastern Europe and Asia). Although she’s most recently worked in mental health services, she “worked as a barista for a long time. I started making coffee at 15 and I loved being that person serving coffee and delivering good vibes into someone’s day.”

The couple had friends who lived across the Howard Street shopfront which eventually became Around the Corner. When they visited and saw the previous tenants had moved out, they pounced and made their case for opening a new coffee and toastie spot before the owner could even put up a “for lease” sign.

The bulk of the menu is twists on classic toasties with Afghan ingredients. The kofta toastie is a crowd-pleaser. The chicken toastie is accented by a green chutney (made by Azimi’s mum) of coriander, garlic and yoghurt. All sandwiches are made with bread from nearby Rustico Bakery.

Sweets like fig and walnut brownies, orange and almond cake, and sesame biscuits come courtesy of Shirni by Parwana, the baked goods arm of the beloved Afghan restaurant. 

The pair is also serving honey cake, a dish that is hugely nostalgic for Valiyff as her mum would make it on special occasions. “Honey cake is popular in a few cultures and in Tatarstan [Russia] it’s called bal tort. We wanted to infuse elements of our heritage into the menu,” she says.

The coffee is Supreme, which Azimi first came across in Melbourne. The milk is from Fleurieu Milk Company. A cold brew topped with a honey cake cold foam has also proved popular, while strawberry matcha caters to the Instagram crowd. In the coming colder months, the duo plan to expand their menu to offer Sheer chai, a fragrant traditional milk tea that’s inherent to Afghan hospitality.

Around the Corner

1/60 Howard Street, Nailsworth

No phone

Hours:

Tues to Fri 7am–3.30pm

Sat & Sun 8am–2pm

@aroundthecorner.au