Our Story
From Manhattan to Georgetown
How a love for great coffee brought two New Yorkers home to Guyana.
Our Story
How a love for great coffee brought two New Yorkers home to Guyana.
When Nisa and William Walker returned home to Guyana from New York, they found themselves longing for one thing above all else — a really good cup of coffee. Tired of asking friends and relatives to carry beans back from abroad, they decided to do something about it.
In 2005, on Carmichael Street in the heart of Georgetown, they opened Oasis Cafe with a simple vision: create a space that felt like an extension of their own living room. Nisa brought her New York culinary training and passion for baking; William brought the dream. What started with four staff members and a love for great coffee has grown into Georgetown's most cherished gathering place.
Over two decades later, Oasis has introduced coffee culture to Guyana, inspired a new generation of cafes, and remained true to its founding spirit — a warm, welcoming oasis where everyone is a VIP.
What began as a coffee shop quickly evolved into something much more. Customers started asking for lunch, so Nisa expanded the menu to include Mediterranean-influenced dishes, salads, and authentic Guyanese cuisine. Guest chefs have visited from around the world — teaching the art of Israeli hummus, Cuban flan, Peruvian ceviche, and Mexican mole.
From four workers, the team grew to twenty-five before the pandemic. When Nisa contracted COVID in 2021, requiring two months of oxygen support, her dedicated staff maintained the cafe's standards without missing a beat — a testament to the family they had built.
Today, Nisa can still be found on the service floor most mornings, greeting regulars by name and ensuring every visitor feels at home. Fresh herbs — cilantro, rosemary, thyme, basil, and mint — are grown right on the premises, finding their way into every dish.
“The intention was, and remains until this day, to make everyone visiting Oasis Cafe feel as though they are sitting in their living room.”— Nisa Walker, Co-founder
We'd love to welcome you. Pull up a chair, order a coffee, and stay a while.