Damascus Dimashq, Syria Travel Guide
Damascus has a sophisticated and varied culinary heritage, influenced by its role as an ancient Silk Road and Ottoman Empire trade hub. This integrated a wide array of spices, fruits, and ways of cooking into local traditions. The city is especially famous for its sweets, meze, and grilled meats, with an stress on fresh, high-quality produce.
Food usually entails communal dining, symbolizing friendliness and family bonds. Damascene cuisine is known throughout the Middle East for its refined approach.
Lamb and chicken are widespread. Chickpeas, lentils, rice, and bulgur wheat are staple bases. Eggplant and zucchini are common vegetables. Nuts (pistachios, walnuts), olive oil, yogurt, and fresh herbs (mint, parsley) are used generously.
A complicated but balanced array of spices: cumin, coriander, allspice, paprika, sumac (tangy). Za'atar (thyme, sesame, sumac) is a beloved herb mix. Garlic, lemon juice, and pomegranate molasses create a rich yet refreshing taste.
Damascene cuisine is famous for its refined sweet pastries (baklava, namoura), many varieties of kibbeh, and an extensive range of cold and hot meze. Aleppo features distinct kebab preparations and unique kibbeh types.
A national dish, ground meat (lamb) mixed with bulgur wheat and spices. Varieties include raw (Nayyeh), fried (Maklieh), and in yogurt sauce (Bil Labanieh). Found in authentic restaurants and specialist shops.
Seek out specialist kibbeh shops for the full range.
Shawarma: Thin slices of seasoned lamb/chicken/beef grilled on a vertical spit, wrapped in flatbread with pickles and tahini/garlic sauce. Falafel: Deep-fried chickpea patties in pita with pickles. Ubiquitous street food options.
A must-try street food experience for any visitor.
Fattoush: Refreshing bread salad with mixed greens, vegetables, and toasted pita, dressed with lemon-pomegranate molasses vinaigrette. Tabbouleh: Zesty salad with finely chopped parsley, bulgur, tomatoes, and mint. Both of them are widely available meze dishes.
New and zesty salads are a staple of any meal.
Baklava: Layers of filo pastry with chopped nuts, sweetened with syrup. Namoura/Basbousa: Sweet semolina cake soaked in syrup.
Kanafeh: Warm cheese pastry with syrup and pistachios. Halawet el Jibn: Sweet cheese rolls filled with clotted cream.
Upscale hotels plus purpose-built dining places provide fine dining with refined Syrian or international cuisine, often in a formal setting at higher prices.
Numerous restaurants city-wide feature traditional Syrian cuisine, grilled meats, and extensive meze platters. Many are located inside the Old City or modern business districts, offering a comfortable setting.
Street food stalls (Souk al-Hamidiyyeh) are great for quick, inexpensive, and authentic meals like shawarma, falafel, and manakish. Local eateries provide hearty, very inexpensive options.
Syrian cuisine naturally contains many vegetarian and vegan dishes, including hummus, mutabbal, fattoush, tabbouleh, falafel, foul, and mujaddara. Specify "ma fi lahma" (without meat) or "nabati" (vegetarian) when ordering.
A an app to translate communication is extremely useful.
Virtually all meat served in Syria is Halal. Kosher food is not widely available, along with certain kosher establishments are unlikely to be found.
No dedicated kosher facilities exist.
Bring a Translation app for specific dietary needs.
Your local guide is the best resource for communicating restrictions.
Awareness of specific allergens is generally low; use great caution.
Many traditional dishes contain wheat; rely on naturally gluten-free options with verification.
Many renovated Dars in the Old City now host restaurants. This has an unique ambiance within historic courtyards, ideal for enjoying traditional Syrian cuisine.
A beautiful setting with an authentic cultural feel.
Visiting a traditional frozen dessert parlor like Bakdash in Souk al-Hamidiyyeh to witness the unique preparation of theastic booza is an immersive cultural activity in itself.
Watch vendors pound the ice cream in large wooden churns.
Local souks like Souk al-Hamidiyyeh and Souk al-Bazourieh present fresh produce, spices, nuts, and some prepared dishes and sweets. Dedicated modern food halls are not a prevalent concept.
Limited international cuisine (e.g., Italian, Chinese) may be found in upscale hotels or specific districts catering to a more cosmopolitan clientele.
These Muslim holidays feature special sweets and pastries, most notably Ma'amoul. Rich, celebratory meals are prepared.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, at dusk (Iftar), families and restaurants serve elaborate meals. Qamar al-Din and other refreshing drinks are popular, as are specific rich desserts.
Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter are also observed, presenting unique cultural insights.
This flavorful eggplant dip has a rich, slightly smoky, and tangy taste. It features as a component of most meze platters.
A staple side dish in many restaurants.
Hummus and mutabbal, both universally available in dining establishments and eateries, represent classic Syrian dips. Hummus is creamy, while mutabbal brings a smoky eggplant flavor.
Essential for a full meze experience.
A warm cheese pastry soaked in sweet syrup, often garnished with pistachios, presenting a gooey, stretchy cheese center.
Shortbread pastries filled with dates, pistachios, or walnuts, traditionally made for Eid holidays, symbolizing celebration.
Traditional Syrian frozen dessert, known for its elastic, chewy texture and resistance to melting, often flavored with pistachios and mastic.
Engage deeply with Damascus's culinary traditions. This involves sampling a wide range of meze and street food. Be adventurous in your choices, yet always prioritize food cleanliness and safety for a nice experience.
