Manhattan Restaurateur Provides Shelter and Weekly Meals

Ali Riza Dogan offers heated space and hot food to those in need in New York City.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Philanthropy

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a warm, glowing restaurant doorway spilling light onto a cold sidewalk with a crate of fresh food. — Manhattan restaurateur Ali Riza Dogan provides heated shelter and weekly Mediterranean meals to neighbors in need, reflecting his personal commitment to community support. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Since at least February 2026, Ali Riza Dogan has opened his Manhattan restaurant entrance to provide heated overnight shelter for individuals facing cold weather. The restaurant also distributes free Mediterranean meals to those in need on a weekly basis.

Why it matters

The initiative stems from Dogan's own history with homelessness and exposure to extreme cold after he arrived in the United States as an immigrant in 1986. His efforts provide a vital lifeline for vulnerable residents in the local Manhattan community.

Dogan provides between 100 and 150 free Mediterranean meals every Wednesday. His restaurant entrance serves as a heated shelter space that accommodates two to three people during winter months.

The players

Ali Riza Dogan

He is a Turkish immigrant and restaurateur who established the Ali Baba restaurant chain in New York City.

The details

Dogan prepares and serves these meals with the assistance of local volunteers and neighboring businesses. He established these charitable programs after successfully opening his first Ali Baba restaurant in 1997.

1986: Ali Riza Dogan arrived in the United States from Turkey.
1997: Dogan opened his first Ali Baba restaurant.
2018-2021: Dogan initiated his current weekly meal distribution program.
February 2026: Dogan opened his heated restaurant entrance as a shelter space.

Market Landscape

This effort follows a pattern set by the New York City soup kitchen tradition, which has long relied on private operators to fill gaps in social services. It highlights the role of small business owners in local philanthropy within a dense urban market.

The program provides a consistent weekly food source for those in need in Manhattan. Local residents and volunteers support the effort, ensuring that the restaurant continues to function as a community resource during the winter months.

The takeaway

Small-scale initiatives can provide essential stability for vulnerable individuals during the winter. Community-led programs often serve as a vital supplement to existing social safety nets in major cities.