An oasis of Middle Eastern hospitality in the leafy bohemian suburb of Moseley, Damascena has won over Birmingham’s tastemakers and punters alike. Proof of its success came with a raft of awards and an announcement in late 2016 that they would be opening a new branch at a prime city centre location.
Coffee first came to us from the Middle East, and Damascena is the place to discover its roots. Try an Arabic Coffee (£1.80) with cardamon, or a Turkish Coffee (£2.40) served in traditional crockery with Turkish Delight on the side. The usual espressos, Americanos, lattes and flat whites are also available.
True to its name (Damascena means ‘rose of Damascus’), the cafe serves a cornucopia of Syrian and Lebanese delicacies. The breakfast menu features options like the Fuul Medmes (£4.25) a dish of fava beans, yoghurts, chickpeas, parsley, tahini, garlic, tomato, lemon and olive oil with flatbread.
Then, when it comes to lunch and dinner, classic shawarmas feature roast lamb or chicken wrapped up with garlic dressing and gherkins. There are also plenty of choices for non meat-eaters, such as the Makali Wrap: flatbread containing aubergine, courgette, cauliflower, cheese and herbs. All served in a tastefully decorated Arabian-style interior.