Imad's Syrian Kitchen launches second location in Shoreditch

Syrian chef and restaurateur Imad Alarnab returns to East London on 18 November 2026, opening the second permanent Imad's Syrian Kitchen on Blossom Street, Shoreditch. It's a full-circle return to the neighbourhood where his London story first began.

In 2017, Imad launched his first Imad's Syrian Kitchen pop-up on Columbia Road, introducing Londoners to the warm, hearty cooking of his native Damascus. Following the success of his Kingly Court restaurant, he now opens a 71-cover site in Shoreditch's Norton Folgate development.

The menu ethos remains unchanged: Syrian home cooking rooted in traditional ingredients, techniques and flavours, with a London twist. Alongside favourites from Kingly Court, the Shoreditch menu introduces new dishes created exclusively for this site, including braised beef shank with spiced butter bean stew, and capers and sumac grilled octopus with zesty bean purée. To finish, ma'amoul apple crumble comes topped with caramelised banana, vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce.

Familiar dishes include Jawaneh, crispy chicken wings in a pomegranate glaze; Shish Tawook, grilled chicken with spiced potato and harissa mayo; and a selection of Syrian dips, including baba ganoush and hummus topped with crispy chickpeas. As at Kingly Court, the menu is built around the spirit of Syrian home dining: flavourful, generous and made for sharing around the table.

The interiors draw on Imad's memories of Damascus' historic homes, bustling souks and intricate tilework. Imad, who has a background in textiles, has personally brought the space to life. Hanging lanterns, paintings by Syrian artists, bar lampshades and a sofa were all sourced directly from Syria, creating a warm, welcoming space inspired by Syrian, Turkish and Lebanese homes.

The restaurant is designed to fit naturally into the rhythm of local East London life, from quick weekday lunches and post-work dinners to family-style meals and larger gatherings. 

Imad Alarnab says: "East London is where my journey in London began, so having a permanent home for Imad's Syrian Kitchen here feels very special. We're bringing everything we've learnt, and everything the restaurant has become, to a new generation of Londoners."

Imad’s Syrian Kitchen opens on 18 November 2026 at Blossom Street, London E1 6PL.