Damascus offers some great restaurants and cafes where you can try the delicious local cuisine. Some of the Damascene houses of the Old City have been refurbished and now function as posh restaurants specialising in local fare. You can start off with parcels of spinach, mezzes of fatayer and hummus, and move on to tender lamb. Modern Damascus has any number of snack bars and traditional eateries where you can grab a quick falafel. Many of these are open through the day and night. If you'd like a midnight snack, these are the places to visit, especially the stalls around Martyr's Square.

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For lunch in Damascus, try the falafel snack bars. If you're ravenous enough for meatier portions, experiment with the mezzes and grilled meats.

There are some excellent dining experiences to be had in Damascus, and just reading our Damascus Restaurant Guide is bound to make you hungry. The restaurants in Damascus are the perfect place to relax, unwind and enjoy a great meal after a busy day touring or shopping. In Damascus you will find restaurants serving exceptional traditional food and it's sure to be one of the highlights of your visit. For more information on the food and cuisine of Syria, see our Syria Restaurant Guide.

Food & Cuisine in Damascus

The best place to really savour Syrian cuisine is a place called Midan in Damascus. Lying to the south of the Old City, it is easily accessible by foot - keep walking southwards from the western entrance of Souq al-Hamadiyya or even from Bab Saghir.

The most important street here, the Jazmatiya, is lined with stalls selling falafel and shawerma, restaurants and butcher shops. The Syrian pastry shops, also found along this street, lure the unwitting traveller with eight feet towers of sweets that have been stacked one on top of the other.

The shawerma at "Anas" reputedly ranks among the best. It's best to save your trip here for the night. Most shops stay open until 3 am and since the streets are always buzzing with activity, they tend to be quite safe.

A rather unusual delicacy that cannot be missed is the camel kebab. Tasty, fresh kebabs can be purchased from the camel butchers outside the Bab Saghir. Since most of them promote their wares by displaying a camel's head and neck outside their shops, your chances of missing them are rather slight.

Abu Rumaneh has a large number of upscale eateries specialising in international cuisine of many kinds. French and Mexican cuisines are favourites as are the steaks at the chi-chi boutiques.

Popular food choices

Starters like rich bean foul, kibbeh and hummus make excellent appetisers. Follow this up with a delicious combo of diced lamb with bulgar wheat and wash it all down with fiery aniseed arak. If you're opting for desserts, ask for the ones made with dried fruits and rosewater.

Fatteh, a classic Damascene dish made from chickpeas, soaked bread and yoghurt, is the perfect choice for a cold day. Not only is it delicious, but it is also extremely filling, especially when coupled with sheep's tongue or lamb. When eaten plain, it can be garnished with nuts and pickle to add that extra zing.

Shawerma, yet another popular dish, comes with a variety of stuffing, including beef and chicken. Station One, a restaurant in Abu Rumaneh next to the Noura Supermarket, is one of the more reputed places for shawerma.

Dining Tips

In Damascus, people generally dress up for dinner. The usual dinner time is about 10 pm. However, it is common for the locals to linger around much longer and socialise. Very often, the bills do not include service charges, so make sure you include an additional 10% to the bill. It would also be polite to tip the person who is responsible for organising charcoal for the water pipe.

Drink

Old Damascus is dotted with coffee houses, quite an experience in itself. It is usual for people to hang around for hours over a cup of tea (shay) or coffee (ahwa). These beverages are usually accompanied with a water pipe (nargileh).

If you're visiting at about 7 pm, you will even find a traditional story teller (hakawati) regaling visitors with popular lore.

If you prefer European beverages rather than the traditional ones, head to the Abu Rommeneh Street, which has a huge number of fancy cafés. Inhouse Coffee, a popular Middle Eastern coffee chain, is modelled along the lines of Starbucks, especially in terms of its ambience and pricing.

Damascus also has a fair share of nightclubs and bars where you can hang around and party until the wee hours. Though they tend to get pretty crowded, they still guarantee great refreshments and alcoholic beverages.

Restaurants List

Shami house

Shami house has been built in 1865 and has been renovated in the year 2000 and has taken 3 years to complete the restoration, so that it kept its original beauty and charm.

In 2004 the Shami House Restaurant opened its doors to visitors and tourists alike. Shami house Restaurant presents all kinds of delicious Middle Eastern cuisine and is considered amongst the most famous Restaurants in Damascus.

Located in the old city within the old walls, and preserves the history and culture of Damascus. It is a must visit to all tourists for a real taste of Damascus and all it has to offer.

Type : Restaurant

Address : Syria- Damascus -Madhat Basha St. Facing of Mariameih Church

Phone : + 963 11 5447786

Fax : + 963 11 5441678

Email : info@shamihouse.com

Website : http://www.shamihouse.com

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 03:00

Altilal

Altilal complex is located in Sednaya area which consider to be the live witness of our history and civilization. The management since the day of opening, put a good effort to make this complex distinguished among the other tourist complexes in Syria in the tourism fields. Altilal complex contains a luxury summer terrace, and four banquet winter halls, ready for all kinds of occasions private, or exhibitions and conferences, in addition to that amusement park for all ages..

In summer our guests enjoy the complex very active program " singing, dancing for famous celebrity and other festival activities", ..etc

Type : Restaurant

Address : Sednaya Main Road, Sednaya

Phone : + 963 11 5950001

Email : altilal@altilal.com

Website : http://www.altilal.com

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 02:00

Narenj

Narenj, a new Gemini Group restaurant on Medhat Pasha, near Bab Sharqi. it was an old mill and was transferred to an Arabic authentic restaurant with a glass window kitchen were all kinds of food is prepared in front of you. It specializes in dishes from the different regions of Syria.

Narenj is a restaurant that mixes the old time atmosphere with modern touches. you will be enjoying a very strange experience of tasting food from all Syrian cultures.

Type : Restaurant

Address : Midhat Pasha, Damascus

Phone : +963 11 5416444

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 02:00

Haretna

Haretna is traditional old Damacian house that has become one of the most popular restaurant not only for locals, but also many tourists from inside and outside Syria are increasingly visiting the place to enjoy the food, traditional atmosphere, and most importantly the good service.

Type : Restaurant

Address : Bab Touma, Damascus

Phone : +963 11 5441184

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 02:00

Leilas

An old damascene house was transferred to a charming restaurant that serves all kind of traditional Syrian food.

Alcohol is not served in this restaurant due to his location facing the Umayyad mosque.

Type : Restaurant

Address : Located at the south east corner of the Umayyad Mosque, Damascus

Phone : + 963 11 5445900

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 02:00

Elissar

One of the oldest and finest Restaurant in Damascus, it serves both Syrian traditional plates and western ones, alcohol is served in this charming restaurant.

Type : Restaurant

Address : Bab Touma, Damascus

Phone : + 963 11 5424300

Email : arcouche@scs-net.org

Opening hours : 13:00 to to 01:00

Al Sedeek

This restaurant is specialized with a limited menu of grilled Shawerma, Salad, and traditional kibbeh.

Alcohol is not served in this restaurant.

It close on Fridays

Type : restaurant

Address : Kanawat Street, Damascus

Phone : + 963 11 2234417

Opening hours : 14:00 to to 12:00

Canoun

One of the best Chinese restaurant in Damascus.

Type : Restaurant

Address : Mezzeh Highway, Easts Villas. Damascus.

Phone : +963 11 6116967

Opening hours : 13:00 to to 01:00

Taj Mahal

Authentic Indian Restaurant

Type : Restaurant

Address : Ahmad Moreiwed Street. Damascus

Phone : +963 11 2237700

Opening hours : 13:00 to to 01:00

Al Zaitoona

Old Arabic house restaurant

Type : Restaurant

Address : Bab Sharqi Damascus-Syria

Phone : +963 11 5447624

Opening hours : 13:00 to to 01:00

Al Khawali

Typical Damascene house in the covered Bazaar.

Type : Restaurant

Address : Al Salami st. Damascus-Syria

Phone : +963 11 2225808

Fax : +963 11 2217728

Opening hours : 13:00 to to 01:00

Casablanca

Restaurant offering international cuisine

Type : Restaurant

Address : Damascus- Hanania avenue. Damascus-Syria

Phone : +963 11 5419000

Opening hours : 13:00 to to 01:00

Jabri House

Jabri house is one of the oldest houses in the old city of Damascus, it was built in 1737.

Today the house is an open cafe restaurant, allowing everyone to admire its beauty and wonderful architecture...

Jabri house carries the features of traditional Damascene architecture and interior design. It is a two-floor complex comprising 23 rooms including the main hall and a large interior yard with the usual pond at its center, with lemon and jasmine trees releasing their fragrance after sunset. It also includes an attractive "leewan" (a roofed part of the yard with high decorated walls), and an overlooking balcony.

Type : Restaurant

Address : Al Sawaf St. Damascus-Syria

Phone : +963 11 5443200

Fax : +963 11 5443323

Email : jabrihouse@yahoo.com

Opening hours : 13:00 to to 01:00

Station One

Since 1975, Station one has been a pioneer in the modern restaurants in Damascus city.
Station one restaurant and café casual atmosphere, located in the heart of modern Damascus. Good and reasonably priced European cuisine in modern surrounding. The décor is warm and welcoming.

Type : Restaurant

Address : Abo Romana Damascus-Syria

Phone : 00963 11 3336224

Fax : 00963 11 3310320

Email : station-one@net.sy

Opening hours : 13:00 to to 01:00

Gemini

Located in Abu Remmaneh at the beginning of Sha'lan shopping area.

You can have a comprehensive meal in a very short time in addition to an assorted salad bar.

At evening times, you can enjoy your dinner with a choice of an alcoholic beverage from our selected menu beside the live piano tunes.

Gemini kitchen has a wide selection of salads and meals. At the top of list grilled beef tenderloin mustard chicken and fettuccine ice cream.

Type : Restaurant

Address : Abou Rimaneh, Damascus

Phone : +963 11 2070

Opening hours : 13:00 to to 02:00

Steed Cafe

Part of the Gemini Group, the Steed Cafe is the connection between a very beautiful residential area and the famous exquisite Kassaa market which opens even on Fridays.

Steed has a classic ambience designed with soothing, relaxing, gentle and harmonious colors and most of its walls are painted by the Iranian Artist Omid.

It is also famous for its serenity in the morning and its full of life atmosphere in the evening.

Type : Cafe

Address : Halab Street, Damascus

Phone : +963 11 2070

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 02:00

Sahara

Part of Gemini Group, Sahara is located in the midst of Al Mazze Highway, one of Damascus widest and most active areas, leading to pleasant Syrian resorts. It is also known with its wooden floor and its exceptional interior design that is made of unique oak, providing a special classic atmosphere all the time.

Type : Restaurant and Cafe

Address : Mazee highway, Damascus

Phone : +963 11 2070

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 01:00

Gusto

Part of Gemini Group, Gusto was established in the summer of 2005, located in the most elegant neighborhood in Damascus. It managed to become the most reputed hangout of the younger generation of the Damascene society. Its spacious terrace elegantly decorated with stunning landscaping, green plants and tall bamboo sticks at the center.

Type : Cafe

Address : Malki, Damascus

Phone : +963 11 2070

Opening hours : 11:00

Downtown

Combines a modern bakery and a coffee at the same time, with a wide open display counter to show the process of preparing all kinds of fresh European bread and Italian Espresso. The color variation gives a sense of serenity that is reflected by the warm bread and the sun shining on its terrace.

Type : Cafe

Address : Abou Rimaneh, Damascus

Phone : +963 11 2070

Opening hours : 11:00

Pitstop

Located in Abu Remmaneh which is considered the new city center, and it is surrounded by famous shops like Benetton, Stefanel, Morgan and the beginning of Sha'alan, one of Damascus' famous markets.

Type : Café

Address : Abou Remmaneh

Phone : +963 11 2070

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 01:00

La casa

International cuisine, cozy atmosphere, with tables presented as a different corner of a house, such as one table in the form of a bathroom and the other as a bedroom. Other corner of the restaurant as a coffee shop.

Type : Restaurant

Address : Abu Roumanneh, Damascus

Opening hours : 13:00 to to 02:00

Via Recta

Oriental Damacen House was built in 1709, has been converted to a Restaurant. Originally it was decorated with black and white stones all around, plus a fountain in the middle with green plants .

There is a Private "Oriental Room" for meetings and a separate terrace for all occasions.

The capacity of the restaurant and terrace and the private rooms are around 120 guests. Live music is offered on a daily basis along with an international food menu.There is also a full bar service on request.

We hope to see you at our restaurant.

Sami Farah

General Manager

Type : Restaurant

Address : Bab Sharki, Damascus, Syria

Phone : +963 11 5432260

Email : viarecta.farah@gmail.com

Opening hours : 17:00 to to 23:00

Restaurants in Damascus

Food & Cuisine in Damascus

Popular food choices

Dining Tips

Drink

Restaurants List

Shami house

Altilal

Narenj

Haretna

Leilas

Elissar

Al Sedeek

Canoun

Taj Mahal

Al Zaitoona

Al Khawali

Casablanca

Jabri House

Station One

Gemini

Steed Cafe

Sahara

Gusto

Downtown

Pitstop

La casa

Via Recta

Local time: 01:21:43 AM

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