Damascus Restaurants

Al-Dar 111
Set in a modern multilevel Oriental courtyard palace, the al-Dar serves delicious Arab and fusion cuisine to a mixed crowd of expats, young Syrians and independent travellers. Food is served alongside a good selection of Lebanese wines and arak, an anise-flavoured liquor Syrians drink with their mezze.

6 Sharia Assieh, Bab Touma, Christian Quarter
Tel: (011) 542 3232.
Website: www.aldar111.com
Price: $$$

Arabesque
Another converted grand old house with a wonderful rooftop terrace filled with plants overlooking the old city and Mount Qassioun. The Arabesque makes a change from the normal Syrian restaurants with a menu of pasta dishes, salads and mostly Mediterranean dishes.

Next to the large Greek Orthodox church just off Straight Street, Christian Quarter
Tel: (011) 543 3999.
Price: $$-$$$

Beit Jabri
This richly-decorated restaurant is located in one of the quarter's oldest houses. It was built in 1737 around a courtyard with a central fountain and lemon and jasmine trees. It's a great place to eat cheap but well-prepared mezze and salads The service is very attentive but there is no alcohol because of the Beit Jabri's proximity to the mosque.

Midan as-Sawwaf, signposted in a side alley southeast of the Ummayad Mosque, Old City

Tel: (011) 544 3200.
Website: www.jabrihouse.com
Price: $-$$

Club d'Orient
Club d'Orient is a prestigious and glamorous restaurant in the modern town where expensive but excellent French-Mediterranean cuisine is dished out to Damascus' well-heeled crowd. Book ahead. Alcohol available.

Sharia Mrewed, off Midan Nejmeh
Tel: (011) 332 7518.
Price: $$$$

Leila's
This restaurant enjoys a stunning location with a rooftop terrace overlooking the old city and, by night, the floodlit mosque. It serves excellent Syrian food, but not alcohol.

Alley off the southeast corner of the Ummayad Mosque
Tel: (011) 544 5800.
Price: $$