Harden's says
Forced to flee Damascus in 2015 after his restaurant businesses were destroyed, chef Imad Alarnab has cooked for refugees in Calais and provided free falafel for those in need during lockdown at his pop-ups in London; this crowdfunded venture will be his first permanent, restaurant. Due to open in December 2020, but delayed by London entering Tier 3 restrictions and further lockdown.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“You’ve read the cookbook, now try the restaurant!” – Chef Imad Alarnab lost everything when he was forced to flee from war-torn Damascus 10 years ago, taking to the road and cooking for fellow refugees. In a heartwarming and much-told tale of triumph over adversity, he has rebuilt his life and business, and is now in his second, bigger premises in Soho’s Kingly Court, universally acclaimed in many reports as a “fun, flavoursome joint, rammed with folk relaxing and having a good convivial experience”…; “a special place. The atmosphere. The story. The simplicity but tastiness of the food”.
Summary
“The poignant history” of Syrian chef Imad Alarnab (who fled Damascus in 2015) helps inspire excellent reviews for his “convivial” venue: a “gem in Kingly Court”. Our feedback – citing “delicious” Syrian cooking and “thoughtful service” – came just before his May 2023 move to a bigger unit in the same development (where breakfast is a new feature): “the fact that you have to book with plenty of notice says it all… I’m not surprised to hear they’re expanding”.
Summary
“A delight and an education”: this “tiny restaurant with a tiny menu of Syrian food” – “hidden away on the second floor of Soho’s Kingly Court” – is a “real favourite for its back story, for the quality of the dishes, and for the fact that you keep coming back”. Chef Imad Alarnab fled Damascus in 2015, leaving behind his successful restaurant group, and cooked for fellow-refugees before making his comeback as a restaurateur in London two years ago.
Summary
Since fleeing Damascus in 2015 after his restaurant businesses were destroyed, chef Imad Alarnab has cooked for refugees in Calais and provided free falafel for those in need during lockdown. This crowdfunded Soho newcomer is his first permanent London venture and occupies the Kingly Court site vacated by Asma Khan after she moved Darjeeling Express to her new, bigger Covent Garden site. Due to open in December 2020, it finally launched properly in May 2021 and early reports say it’s “a real gem” – “attentive, homely, considered” – and providing “great, tasty food, a simple menu, and an enjoyable time”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Imad's Syrian Kitchen?
Kingly Ct, London, W1B 5PW
Restaurant details
Imad's Syrian Kitchen Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Fun, flavoursome joint, rammed with folk relaxing and having good convivial experience."
"Delicious simple Middle Eastern fare; good-looking and friendly waiters; bright, cheerful interior; very full at Sunday lunch"
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £28.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £2.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
Kingly Ct, London, W1B 5PW
Opening hours
| Monday | 8:30 am‑9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30 am‑9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30 am‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 8:30 am‑10 pm |
| Friday | 8:30 am‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 10:30 am‑4:30 pm4.30 pm |
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