Syrian restaurants in Syria
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Old House
This is one of Syria's most atmospheric restaurants. The interior of Old House has been decorated to look like the courtyard of an old house, with Mamluk-style banding on the walls, intricately patterned tiled floors, and traditional textiles for curtains. Devoted locals of all ages, but particularly Lattakia's old-timers, come for the rich Syrian specialities - the fried kibbeh and the sojouk (spicy Armenian sausages) are some of the best we've ever had.
Service is welcoming and accommodating, and alcohol is served.
reviewed
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A
Blue Stone
In a big grey stone building with huge picture windows looking out onto the street, this is the most happening bar-café-restaurant in the Christian Quarter. It positively hums in the evenings with the chatter of flirty young couples gazing into each other's eyes, same-sex groups of friends comparing rings (girls) and ring tones (boys), and families tucking into pizzas, pastas and big bowls of salad. While there's a full bar, sheesha is the intoxicant of choice.
reviewed
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Mandaloun
Dress up for this elegant restaurant with stone walls and vaulted ceilings, where you'll be dining with Lattakia's affluent cigar-smoking power set. The French and Oriental cuisine is superb - try the tasty pink lentil soup or hearty traditional French onion soup, and the melt-in-your-mouth filet mignon. We can even recommend the fish - and we don't say that often in Syria. There are excellent Lebanese wines on the menu and superlative service.
reviewed
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B
Aldar Restaurant
In a chic conversion of an old Damascene building, stylishly blending old and new, Aldar dishes up some of the tastiest Syrian cuisine in the city, with creative touches added to classics. For starters, don't miss the tasty, cheese borek (filled pastry) and the spicy sojok meatballs with a green pepper, onion and tomato sauce. Book a table for the live jazz on Tuesday night. Alcohol served, credit cards accepted.
reviewed
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Haj Abdo al-Fawwal
Opening early every morning, this is the best place to get Aleppan-style foul (fava bean soup), delicately seasoned with cumin, paprika, garlic, lemon juice and fresh parsley. Crowds gather around the tiny shop from 07:00, bearing empty containers of every size and description, pushing and shoving their way to the front for their share of this aromatic dish. Don't leave Aleppo without trying some for yourself.
reviewed
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C
Abu al-Azz
This place is popular with locals as much as tourists - Arab families pack the place over summer. Look for the sign 'Rest. Al Ezz Al Shamieh Hall', then pass through the bustling ground-floor bakery and up a narrow staircase to two floors of dining; the upper level is the most atmospheric. Expect mezze, salads and kebabs, live Oriental music all day, and whirling dervishes in the evening from around 22:30. No alcohol served.
reviewed
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D
Al-Hallabi
This is the city's best restaurant, serving up refined Aleppan cuisine in opulent surroundings. Don't miss classics like kibbeh safarjalieh (kibbeh with quince and pomegranate sauce), or one of Chef Mohammed's own inventions such as shahba hommos (hummus with mouhamara - a spicy capsicum dip). There's excellent service and a superb wine list, and credit cards are accepted.
reviewed
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Allegro
Lattakia's hippest restaurant is in a sleek contemporary space, with lots of chocolate wood and concealed lighting, that wouldn't be out of place in Beirut. It's a great spot for lunch, when it buzzes with noisy groups of locals enjoying the delicious food - a mix of Asian, Mexican, Italian and French that's served up on big white plates. The speciality is the chateaubriand. Alcohol is served.
reviewed
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E
Al-Andalib
This rooftop restaurant on the same block as the Baron Hotel is popular with travellers who eat early, around 18:00 to 19:00. Later on, after 22:00, it tends to locals only - mostly male, so women may feel uncomfortable. The menu includes kebabs, salads, fries, hummus and a baba ghanoug that's a purée of aubergines with tahini and olive oil. The food is fresh and beer is served.
reviewed
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F
Le Jardin
Overlooking the splendid An-Nuri Mosque, river and water wheels, and serving alcohol, this leafy, terrace café-restaurant is a wonderful place to while away a few hours puffing on a nargileh as you take in the atmosphere. Local families love it here, and on weekends fill their tables with plates of mezze and kebabs. It's part of the Apamee Cham Palace; credit cards are accepted.
reviewed
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G
Al-Arabi
Situated on a pedestrianised street off the southeastern corner of Al-Merjeh, Al-Arabi consists of two adjacent cheap restaurants, one more casual, the other a little fancier with a separate family section. Perhaps only for the culinary adventurous, specialities include sheep testicles, sheep-brain salad with potatoes, and the local favourite, fried sheep brain with two fried eggs.
reviewed
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H
Broasted Fawaz
In the couple of blocks along Sharia Shoukri al-Quwatli and its side streets, there are a number of cheap felafel, shwarma, kebab and chicken restaurants. Go to any that seem to be doing the most business with the locals. A long-standing favourite is Broasted Fawaz, for its deliciously succulent hot chickens and freshly fried hot potato crisps with garlic sauce.
reviewed
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I
Al-Khawali
Devotees swear the Syrian cuisine served here is some of the best in the city. Try the jedy bzeit (lamb with lemon sauce), shish taouk (marinated chicken on skewers) served in pottery Turkish-style, or the chef's special chicken and thyme. It's off Straight St, in a beautifully renovated old Damascene house. No alcohol or credit cards.
reviewed
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Four Norias
On the banks of the river beside the norias, around 500m east of the centre, this large open-air terrace restaurant is popular with groups and families and gets lively on summer evenings. There's a long list of mezze and kebabs, and costumed boys serving nargileh. No alcohol; no cards accepted.
reviewed
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Cordoba
This long-standing local favourite is easily the best restaurant on this strip, with some of the tastiest Aleppan food you'll find in Syria. There's no menu in English, but try the toshka and maajouka (meat, cheese pistachios and peppers shaped into a patty). Beer and arak are served.
reviewed
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J
Beit Wakil
Similar in quality and cuisine to Beit Sissi, and just across the alley, Beit Wakil also delights with some equally interesting and tasty dishes. The cherry kebab is a must, along with the toshka (Armenian toasted meat and cheese sandwiches). Alcohol is served and credit cards are accepted.
reviewed
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K
Yasmeen House
With its white tablecloths, elegant Yasmeen House (in another grand old courtyard house) seems a little more formal than the other restaurants, but its enormous round tables make it ideal for groups. Expect delicious Syrian and Arabic food. Wine is also served - try the excellent Lebanese Ksara.
reviewed
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Kan Zaman
Close to Cantara and across the lane from Yasmeen House, Kan Zaman's beautifully decorated rooms sprawl over several levels, with a couple of romantic nooks for couples. There's a long list of cold and hot mezze, fresh salads and succulent grills. Credit cards are accepted and alcohol is served.
reviewed
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L
Al-Atlal
On a tree-shaded terrace beside the river, this casual restaurant serves up the usual mezze and meaty grills, as well as hamburgers and pizza. It's the first place on the left as you walk east from the centre along Sharia al-Buhturi. No alcohol is served; credit cards aren't accepted.
reviewed
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M
Al-Sehhi
This modest family restaurant confines itself to the basics - mezze, grilled meats, and very good fatta (an oven-baked bread dish soaked in tahini and spread with chickpeas, minced meat or chicken). There's a separate 'family area' for women diners. No alcohol or cards.
reviewed
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Al-Attar
One of several sheesha cafés in a row facing the Citadel, Al-Attar's touts are the least annoying and its food is the freshest. On offer are mezze, grills - try the shish taouk (marinated chicken grilled on skewers) with chips - and fresh juices.
reviewed
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N
Sultan Restaurant
This café-restaurant in a lovely waterside stone building was closed for renovation at the time of research, but the owners assured us that opening was imminent. To get here, pass through the low, vaulted tunnel beside the An-Nuri Mosque.
reviewed
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Ahlildar
In an elegant, restored old house with a somewhat disconcerting flat-screen TV decorating the downstairs wall, Ahlildar is the only eatery in the souq serving full meals, everything from mezze and kebabs to French dishes like cordon bleu.
reviewed
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O
Al-Shalal
Around the corner from City Cafe, there are a few more cheap takeaway places doing kebabs, hot chickens, felafel, hummus and salad, the best of which is Al-Shalal , where locals line up for succulent shwarmas and juices.
reviewed
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Cesar
In the narrow alley running along the south side of Al-Ajan Mosque, connecting with Sharia 8 Azar, Cesar does good mezze and grilled meats, along with a few Continental dishes such as escalopes and pastas.
reviewed
