Classically trained cellist Romain Malan opened Stoke Newington’s Harmonize Cafe — an affordable, veggie eatery with regular live music — in 2025, as a response to gentrification, the cost of living crisis and ‘disharmony in society’. Here, he writes about the moment he knew he had to do this — and the relief and joy Harmonize has already brought to many.
I grew up as a classical musician in France, and finished my cello studies at the Royal College of Music. This is when I realised that there was more to performing music than for the sake of music only.
A whole new world of social music opened to me with my Masters in Participatory and Community Arts at Goldsmiths College, where I trained on how to be a musician in community and healthcare settings. My mother suffered from Alzheimer’s for most of my life and playing music to her was the only way for me to connect and give her something back. When she actually passed away listening to the sound of my cello, a lightning bolt struck me — and my new vocation and mission was confirmed: I would play music to help people feel better and alleviate their suffering and loneliness.
I did this for 10 years, teaching music to various community groups including refugees, people with severe mental health issues, and older people. Then, in 2016, with the help of my wife, I created the World Harmony Orchestra whose mission was to raise money and awareness about humanitarian causes. Two years later, we became a Community Interest Company, and when the pandemic started, we delivered socially distanced concerts across the UK, providing live music and solace to isolated people. I decided to look for a permanent space where we could have regular live music events as well as food and drinks, which makes the events more convivial. This turned out to be Harmonize Cafe.
Our clientele is extremely varied, because of the cafe’s unique location, near the crossroads of Stoke Newington High and Church streets. We have had people from all walks of life, from both poor and wealthy neighbourhoods. It is also very multigenerational, from young families and their children enjoying our box of small music instruments, to older people who enjoy the comfort of the sofa.
The homeless that we provide free food to are mainly from the local area, and some are doing better in their personal journeys than others. The refugees who we’ve helped are sometimes signposted to us, and other times they come to know us through word of mouth. The most vulnerable ones even say that the cafe is a sanctuary, a safe space where they always feel welcomed. We are also very proud that some of our new volunteers who had various issues in their lives are being welcomed, included and empowered through our project.
Music is like a stream that bursts out all social artificial barriers and brings people together in a unique way. Our eclectic lineup of artists allows people from varied musical tastes to gather, and to socialise. Most customers tell us how different from other places and how cosy and homely the cafe feels.
The food is as vibrant as the music: healthy, very tasty and colourful, while staying affordable, which is now rare. Our ‘Incurrydible’ is a West-Indian curry and our ‘Indahlgent’ is an Indian dahl. We also serve delicious vegan pancrepes (crepes meet pancakes) and tasty cakes, a socially-conscious coffee (empowering women) and organic wines without added sulphites.
We operate a three-tier pricing system with our normal price ‘fuchsia’ for people who are doing ok in their life as a whole, our ‘turquoise’ price which is a 50% discount for people who have some issues in their life (economic, social or health), and our copper price (75% discount) for people who struggle on multiple fronts. Our customers simply choose the price they are comfortable to pay, without the need for any proof. Nearly no one has taken advantage of our fair system yet.
I often perform as a cellist, with my Persian band, DelBand, or with my wife who is a violinist.
Harmonize Cafe, 214 Stoke Newington High Street, open Tuesday-Saturday
