ABOUT US

Little Liberia exists to honor and share the culture, cuisine, and values of Liberia through food, education, and community.

A woman with braided hair and colorful patterned dress grinding spices with a mortar and pestle in a kitchen, with limes and a jar of dried chilies on the table.

Close-up of beef, yellow and red bell pepper skewers on a white dish.

Two women at a bar or cafe counter preparing drinks, with bar stools in the foreground and decorative patterns on the wall behind them.

A colorful cocktail in a tall glass garnished with dried pineapple slice and lemon slice, placed on a black napkin on a marble surface.

dessert in a glass bowl with a banana slice and sprinkled cinnamon on top

Exterior of a storefront with a sign that reads 'LITTLE LIBERIA' in large red letters. The store has large glass windows reflecting the street scene outside, including trees, buildings, and a USPS postal vehicle.

OUR STORY

Little Liberia is a women-owned, immigrant-owned Liberian restaurant located on Detroit’s E. Warren Corridor. Founded by Chef Ameneh Marhaba, the business began as a pop-up in 2016 and is now a brick-and-mortar location. Little Liberia offers culturally grounded Liberian cuisine rooted in African traditions, alongside a welcoming space for education, gathering, and community connection.

Little Liberia exists to honor and share the culture, cuisine, and values of Liberia through food, education, and community. Rooted in women and immigrant leadership, we celebrate African heritage with integrity and accessibility. We are a welcoming space where guests can learn, explore, and connect—one meal at a time.

Chef

Ameneh

Ameneh Marhaba was born and raised in Liberia, her mother's land. She also lived in Tripoli, Lebanon, her father's land,for a few years. Chef Ameneh Marhaba is the founder and owner of Little Liberia, a women-owned, immigrant-owned Liberian restaurant in Detroit. Born in Liberia and raised between Liberia and Lebanon, her culinary foundation was shaped by family, necessity, and tradition, learning to cook at a young age alongside her mother and relatives as part of daily life.

After immigrating to the United States as a teenager, Marhaba built her career through perseverance, community connection, and food. What began as home cooking rooted in memory evolved into pop-ups across Detroit starting in 2016, introducing many guests to Liberian cuisine for the first time. Her work centers on honoring Liberia’s distinct culinary identity while keeping the food accessible, welcoming, and grounded in culture.

Through Little Liberia, Chef Marhaba is committed to sharing Liberian food and culture with integrity, creating space for education and gathering, and uplifting immigrant and women-led leadership within Detroit’s culinary landscape.

Ameneh's awards

Awards, Recognitions & Professional Development

2025 – Certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship | Bank of America Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Cornell University
Completed an intensive national business program focused on leadership, financial strategy, and scaling women-owned businesses.

2022 – Grand Prize Winner | Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest
Awarded the $100,000 grand prize to open Little Liberia’s brick-and-mortar restaurant through Detroit’s premier small business pitch competition.

Motor City Match – Graduate (All Four Tracks Completed)
Successfully completed all four tracks of Detroit’s flagship business development program, including Plan, Develop, Design, and Cash, strengthening Little Liberia’s operational, financial, and expansion strategy.

2022 – Featured Business | ProsperUS Detroit Women’s History Month Spotlight
Recognized by ProsperUS Detroit as a featured woman-owned business for leadership, community impact, and cultural entrepreneurship.

ProsperUS Detroit – Entrepreneurship Program Graduate
Completed comprehensive small business training in operations, financial management, and sustainable growth for neighborhood-based businesses.