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A rooftop dining area makes Al Khawali a must-visit in spring and summer for the spectacular views over the city. Local mezze-style dishes of hummus, aubergine, salads and grilled chicken are the order of the day. All very fresh and very good value, but be sure to book ahead as tables on the roof are snapped up quickly. No alcohol.
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Some great alfresco dining on offer here, but only in the summer months. With vines overhead, a smattering of brightly coloured garden plots spread around the restaurant and the trickle of many fountains, this is a fine spot to enjoy traditional Arabic mezze dishes while gazing out onto the ridges of the Anti- Lebanon mountains. Chicken fatteh, a hummus and yoghurt mix, is a Damascene favourite and can be washed down with teas and juices. No alcohol served.
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If you’re searching for some fine Frenchinfluenced cuisine, to be enjoyed in the setting of a handsome three-storey house in the Bab Sharki area, Arabesque is the one for you. Try a camembert salad with bacon—a real rarity in Damascene menus—before moving on to an array of delicate seafood dishes which can always be trusted to be fresh and lightly cooked. The cheese is flown in from France and the chocolate-filled profiteroles are simply a knock-out. Alcohol served.
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A grand private residence dating back to 1703, City of Hope is one of the finest of the recent restoration jobs undertaken in the Old City. The menu is combination of haute cuisine and Arabic dishes, and the steaks are a succulent cut above rivals in this price category. Save room for a citrus fruit dessert if you can. Alcohol served.
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A rather grand affair. Squeeze through the narrow door into the restored 19th-century palace of famed Egyptian General Ibrahim Pasha and choose to sit in the courtyard or the banqueting hall. We suggest the former as the hall is lime green and echoes. Food is on the pricey side, but worth the extra and it’s certainly a great place for a long argile smoke. Alcohol served.
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