“After my restaurants were bombed in Syria, I never thought I would be able to have a restaurant ever again. But when I arrived to the UK, I started doing my pop-ups and eventually opened Imad’s Syrian Kitchen permanently. For me, this was already an unbelievable achievement.” - Imad Alarnab

East London has always held a special place in Imad's heart. His very first pop-up took place on Columbia Road, where he cooked for strangers who became regulars and first saw how much a table full of mezze could bring people together. Coming back felt less like expanding and more like returning to where it all started.

It also helps that Shoreditch is a neighbourhood of independent makers, street food pioneers and curious eaters, people who care where their food comes from and love discovering something new. It's one of the most diverse corners of the city too, which feels right for a cuisine shaped by centuries of trade, migration and hospitality.