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Imad’s Syrian Kitchen

London, Soho - Middle Eastern - Restaurant - ££

A taste of Syrian cuisine in the West End

Overall Rating: Good

Uniqueness:Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Good

Deliciousness:How delicious is the food? Good

Warmth:How warm is the service and the hospitality in general? Good

Strength of recommendation:How enthusiastically and widely would you recommend the establishment? Good

Feeding hungry people is second nature to Imad Alarnab – and he has the backstory to prove it. A well-respected restaurateur in his native Damascus, he was driven out by the Syrian war and forced to trek across Europe, cooking for his fellow refugees along the way. Once in London, he started making a name for himself with pop-ups, charity events and sell-out supper clubs. In 2021, he went permanent on the upper tier of Carnaby's Kingly Court, and his bright, noisy dining room chimes perfectly with cooking that has a familiar edge but plenty of ‘memorable’ twists – from golden-brown, sesame-studded falafels fashioned like ring doughnuts to bowls of mahalaya (a rose-water milk pudding with blackberries, coconut, mastic and pistachio). The menu is short and sharp, ranging from vegetarian small plates to meaty high-protein grills. Aside from those Instagrammable falafels, the meze-style roster runs from labneh with crispy okra and dots of green coriander oil to mu...

Feeding hungry people is second nature to Imad Alarnab – and he has the backstory to prove it. A well-respected restaurateur in his native Damascus, he was driven out by the Syrian war and forced to trek across Europe, cooking for his fellow refugees along the way. Once in London, he started making a name for himself with pop-ups, charity events and sell-out supper clubs.

In 2021, he went permanent on the upper tier of Carnaby's Kingly Court, and his bright, noisy dining room chimes perfectly with cooking that has a familiar edge but plenty of ‘memorable’ twists – from golden-brown, sesame-studded falafels fashioned like ring doughnuts to bowls of mahalaya (a rose-water milk pudding with blackberries, coconut, mastic and pistachio). The menu is short and sharp, ranging from vegetarian small plates to meaty high-protein grills.

Aside from those Instagrammable falafels, the meze-style roster runs from labneh with crispy okra and dots of green coriander oil to muhamarra dip (roasted red peppers with pomegranate, chilli and walnut). If meat is required, go for grilled chicken with spiced potato, harissa mayo and pitta bread or slow-roast lamb shoulder with basmati rice. Weekday set lunches are a decent deal, and the short, eclectic wine list includes representatives from Cephalonia, Georgia and Croatia, among others. Above all, Imad's story 'resonates and brings renewed hope in difficult times'.

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VENUE DETAILS

Kingly Court, Carnaby Street
Soho
W1B 5PWGB

020 7434 2448

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OTHER INFORMATION

Private dining room, Family friendly

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