One woman who saw the opportunity to create a space where only women, Muslim or not, could spend the day either alone or with friends, decided to do something constructive about it.

She created the Marookha Gentlewoman’s Club.

Here you will find a café serving Palestinian food and a fitness studio offering Zumba, kickboxing and yoga. You can even get a mani-pedi, all in an inviting space with a charming Moroccan vibe.

Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, founder Zara Riza, 36, shared her reason for starting Marookha in 2021.

“My peers and I are mostly Muslim, and we cover ourselves outside. But we still want to have parties, we want to dress up and we don’t want to be covered all the time.”

Married to a Palestinian, Zara decided that Marookha would serve the same kind of food she cooked for her own family.

The mother of two also incorporated thoughtful touches for other mothers. For example, there is a play area for children and a diaper-changing station in the washroom.

“I want customers to feel like they’re in a rich friend’s house. Everything’s pretty, you’re taken care of, and you feel nice. You feel at home.”

So what’s good to eat here?

The Mama Marookha breakfast for starters. This is a hearty dish and frankly, it is suitable for any time of the day. The serving includes manakeesh, a Lebanese flatbread, topped with cheese and a spice mix called za’atar. There is also a selection of dips like creamy hummus and eggplant.

Served with fluffy scrambled eggs, potatoes and lamb sausages, this meal is perfect after a great workout at the fitness studio.

Alternatively, you can dig into the heavier offering of maqluba, a popular Palestinian rice dish served with a portion of chicken. The rice is fragrant and rich in flavour, perfectly complementing the juicy chicken and tangy yoghurt dip.

The lamb arayes – baked pita bread with minced lamb and spices – will remind you of a Mexican quesadilla. Delightfully crispy on the outside and generously filled with flavourful meat on the inside, this checks the boxes if you’re looking for something light to share. Or, why not forget “sharing” and devour this meal all by yourself.

Don’t leave without indulging your sweet tooth! The orange and cardamom crème brulee is a decadent option with its silky and luscious custard base and bitter-sweet crisp topping that cracks like glass with a gentle tap of the spoon. The orange and cardamom add an exotic flavour.

Alternatively, why not enjoy a slice of the sticky date cake? According to Zara, the Medjool dates from Palestine used give the cake its rich and moist texture.

Overall, Marookha Gentlewoman’s Club is an urban oasis where women can treat themselves to a well-deserved break – minus the menfolk.

Marookha Gentlewoman’s Club
Level 1, No 7
Lorong Datuk Sulaiman 7
Taman Tun Dr Ismail
60000 Kuala Lumpur

Business hours: 10am–5pm (Closed on Monday)

Learn more about Marookha Gentlewoman’s Club on Instagram.