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Our Story

The story of Abu El Zulof

From Abu Rummaneh in Damascus to the Gulf, and on to Beirut.

  1. Damascus
  2. Latakia
  3. Dubai
  4. Abu Dhabi
  5. Aleppo
  6. Damascus
  7. Beirut
Begin the journey

Abu El Zulof Kahwa is a resto-café that celebrates the depth of Syrian hospitality through authentic flavours, timeless ambiance and the spirit of togetherness.

Roots

More than dining: a place to belong

Blending traditional kahwa culture with modern refinement, Abu El Zulof grew from a cultural haven in Damascus into an internationally recognised experience, where people from all walks of life connect, share stories and find the taste of home again.

The story began in 2015, when Mr. Farah opened a place where food, music and friendship came together beneath the gentle rustle of olive trees. During challenging times, the venue became a symbol of comfort and community: a space where people found warmth, connection and a moment of peace.

In 2020, that vision evolved into Abu El Zulof Kahwa, a resto-café created to revive traditional Syrian kahwa culture while embracing modern sensibilities in food, design and experience. Every element, from the aroma of Arabic coffee to the subtle details of Damascene art, honours heritage while moving forward with elegance.

Tea poured at a table beneath an olive tree strung with lights
The first branch in Abu Rummaneh: a glass-roofed terrace around an olive tree

Abu Rummaneh

In the very centre of Damascus, an area known for its elegance, vibrant streets and modern Damascene spirit.

The name

Founded by Mr. Salem Farah, affectionately known as Abu El Zulof, the brand embodies warmth, generosity and the art of gathering.

The olive tree

Every branch is built around one timeless symbol: the olive tree, standing for peace, resilience and Syrian identity.

2015
The vision becomes Abu El Zulof Kahwa, a resto-café reviving the Syrian kahwa.
2020
The first Abu El Zulof opens in Abu Rummaneh, in the heart of Damascus.
2022
Dubai: the brand’s first step abroad, on the waterfront at Marasi Drive.

The Journey

How We Grew

Each branch carries the same core forward: Syrian warmth, the calm of the olive tree, food that tastes like home and a place where people gather.

  1. Olive trees strung with lights over a room of tables

    Damascus

    The kahwa evolves

    The vision evolves into Abu El Zulof Kahwa: a resto-café reviving the traditional Syrian kahwa with a modern touch in food, design and experience.

  2. The first branch at night: tables on a covered terrace around an olive tree

    Abu Rummaneh, Damascus

    Where it began

    The journey began in Abu Rummaneh, in the very centre of the capital. The first branch quickly became a place where families gathered and friends reconnected, and in challenging years a sanctuary where people rediscovered joy and belonging. Everything that followed was built on it.

  3. The Latakia branch: velvet chairs in teal and mustard beneath a wooden ceiling

    Latakia

    A second home by the sea

    The brand reaches the coast, opening inside the historic Shanata Kahwa, a venue once graced by Umm Kulthum and Mohamed Abdel Wahab. Coastal air, olive trees and soft light turned it into a lively social hub.

  4. The Dubai terrace with the Business Bay towers across the water

    Dubai

    Across the Gulf

    The international milestone, on Marasi Drive overlooking the waterfront. Real olive trees, golden light and Damascene detail: a home for Syrians and Levantines, a cultural discovery for everyone else, and liveliest in winter, on the terrace.

  5. The Boulevard branch at dusk: its lit Abu El Zulof Kahwa sign above an open terrace of green chairs

    Malki, Damascus

    Back to Damascus

    A full-circle return to Damascus. In one of the city’s most elegant neighbourhoods, the Malki branch reimagines the soul of the original through a contemporary lens: natural textures, olive-branch motifs and warm, refined light.

  6. The Abu Dhabi branch, its terrace beneath the Abu El Zulof sign

    Abu Dhabi

    The capital

    The UAE’s capital, a strategic and emotional milestone. Olive trees, premium seating and soft green fabrics invite long, meaningful gatherings in one of the region’s most dynamic dining scenes.

  7. The Aleppo branch: long tables set with cane chairs and cushions

    Aleppo

    The culinary heart

    A tribute to Syria’s culinary heart. The design honours Aleppo’s legacy through subtle architectural cues, and the menu brings in Aleppine influences beside the brand’s signatures.

  8. The courtyard at Ard Diar: tables and cushioned chairs beneath tiled walls, a balcony and plants

    Bab Sharki, Damascus

    Ard Diar

    A traditional Damascene house in Bab Sharki, in the heart of Old Damascus. Its pomegranate trees inspired an identity of its own, and by the courtyard fountain guests linger over a meal and coffee as in an old Damascene home.

  9. Soon

    Beirut

    Next: Beirut

    Beirut, with its vibrant café culture, is next: the olive-tree ambiance and the warmth of Syrian cuisine, connecting two closely tied cultures.

Mission & Vision

Come for the food. Stay for the table.

With each new branch, Abu El Zulof Kahwa carries the warmth of Syrian hospitality further: across the UAE, the GCC and the Middle East.

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Our Mission

To offer a haven where people from all walks of life gather, connect and find comfort, in an atmosphere shaped by tradition yet refined for a modern world, turning every visit into an unforgettable experience.

Our Vision

To make Abu El Zulof Kahwa a beacon of warmth, hospitality and culinary excellence across the region: a familiar embrace, a cultural bridge and a place where people feel truly at home.

Next stop: Beirut. The story continues, at your table.