by In the middle of four nearby eateries in Allston is a family whose strong relationship has fueled the expansion of their modest enterprises.
According to one of Lazuri’s controlling proprietors, Rifat Canca, the objective is to supply halal food for the Boston Muslim population. However, our initial goal as a family was simply to have something together.
Lazuri is anchored by the Cancas, who are comprised of siblings Kenan, Rifat, and Dilara, as well as parents Ziya Canca and Fatma Corbaci. The restaurant group is jointly owned by the Belmont-based family.
Four nearby eateries make up the Lazuri chain, which is located on the corner of North Beacon and Cambridge streets: Turkish Lazuri Cafe (1 North Beacon St.), Lazuri Bakery (3 North Beacon St.), Lazuri Chicken n Pizza (487 Cambridge St.), and Lazuri Taqueria (485 Cambridge St.).
The name of the franchise alludes to Laz, a language used in the Turkish province of Rize, where the Canca family is originally from.
Before selling it to his brother, Ziya Canca, who relocated to Brighton in 2003, operated Anatolia Kebab House in Brookline for around 15 years. With his children by his side, he envisioned launching more halal eateries in the Boston region.
According to Rifat, the opening of Turkish Lazuri Cafe in the same location in March 2021 was the ideal opportunity after a vegan restaurant closed its doors in 2020. The now-closed Twin Donuts is across the street from the location.
A wide variety of American and Mediterranean cuisine items are available at the halal cafe. In addition to the standard burger at Fatma’s Burger, which takes its name from Corbaci, customers may also choose traditional Turkish fare like g zleme, a crispy flatbread, and menemen, a well-liked scrambled egg dish.
According to Rifat, Lazuri wants to revolutionize the modest halal food industry in Boston.
According to Rifat, there are halal eateries everywhere you walk in New York. We don’t know many people in Boston.
Halal cuisine conforms to Islamic dietary regulations, which include prohibitions on substances like alcohol and pork as well as the humane killing of animals.
Three new Lazuri eateries—Lazuri Chicken n’ Pizza, Lazuri Bakery, and Lazuri Taqueria—were made possible by closures along the same block four years after Turkish Lazuri Cafe first opened.
Lazuri Bakery and Lazuri Taqueria opened two weeks apart in March, while the other two restaurants opened within the first few months of 2025.
Kenan Canca remarked, “It hasn’t really hit me yet.” It’s difficult to comprehend, but it demonstrates how fortunate we are that everything transpired so swiftly when we opened each store.
In the beginning, brothers Rifat and Kenan worked at the restaurants on the weekends while attending college classes at UMass Boston and UMass Amherst during the week. They have now taken on their roles full-time after graduating.
Along with their father Ziya, Rifat and Kenan are co-owners of Lazuri Cafe, Lazuri Taqueria, and Chicken n’ Pizza. Together, Rifat and his mother manage the bakery. Dilara and the rest of the family alternate between the eateries, taking turns working at each one.
According to Rifat, who graduated in 2023, he frequently visits the eatery.
He remembered fumbling through financial statistics during class and often jumping on phone conversations in between courses. He stated that he wouldn’t have it any other way, though.
According to Kenan, a number of people have referred to the taqueria as a blessing since it allows them to sample many cuisines in a way that is consistent with their religious beliefs.
All halal meat alternatives are available for build-your-own bowls, tacos, burritos, and quesadillas at the taqueria. Fluorescent lights highlight its sleek, red interior.
“It was just pure luck that the four restaurants became neighbors,” Rifat remarked.
We took advantage of this ideal chance to support and grow the Muslim community, Rifat remarked.
Delicious American and Turkish pastries are available at Lazuri Bakery, including the famous pistachio baklava, thick supangle, chocolate pudding, and a luscious raspberry cake.
The goal of Lazuri is not to displace other nearby restaurants, but to create a place where Muslims may feel included in the community.
According to Rifat, there is no attempt to steal their business. The main goal is just to give the Muslim community more options for halal food.
The Cancas have the chance to enjoy and share their Turkish culture alongside one another at the restaurant.
“I wouldn’t be able to do it at all if I were running this alone,” Rifat remarked. However, it’s lot simpler because my family is nearby.
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