The name aram carries history. It references the ancient Syrian lands and the surrounding region – places shaped by trade, culture, and shared traditions over centuries. For Imad, Aram also holds a more personal meaning: it speaks to foundations, belonging, hope, and connection. Choosing this name is both an act of remembrance and a forward-looking statement – one rooted in optimism as Syria slowly re-emerges after years of hardship.
At Somerset House, aram brings that spirit to life. Inspired by the Eastern Mediterranean, with Syria at its heart alongside levantine influences from countries such as Turkey, Cyprus, and Jordan, the cooking reflects a deep respect for tradition while embracing the rhythms of modern London. Breakfast and lunch are relaxed and generous, with dishes that move easily between the familiar and the unexpected – pastries and salads, wraps and grains, za’atar croissants and halva brownies, labneh with poached eggs, roasted aubergine salad, curry cauliflower, and granola with date banoffee. Food here is thoughtful, seasonal, and designed to be shared.
aram is led by Imad Alarnab, a Syrian chef, entrepreneur, and refugee. Before the war, Imad ran three successful restaurants alongside several juice bars and cafés in Damascus. When conflict destroyed his businesses, he was forced to flee Syria in search of safety. His journey took him through Lebanon and across Europe, where he continued to cook – often preparing meals for hundreds of fellow refugees at a time.
Imad arrived in London in 2015 and was eventually reunited with his family. In his early years here, he set food aside, working a series of jobs as he rebuilt his life. With the support of close friends, he later returned to the kitchen, hosting charity supper clubs and pop-ups that quickly captured attention. Events sold out within hours, queues formed down the street, and a community began to take shape around his cooking.
In 2020, Imad’s Syrian Kitchen opened in Kingly Court, Soho. After three and a half years, the restaurant moved to a larger space nearby in 2023, allowing Imad to more fully realise his vision – one centred on generosity, storytelling, and community.
aram is the next chapter of that journey. More than a restaurant, it is a space for collaboration and cultural exchange. Alongside daily service, Imad plans to use aram as a platform for charity events, to support and elevate emerging chefs — particularly those from refugee backgrounds — and to showcase Middle Eastern art, music, and cuisine. Everything we do is guided by the same belief: that food has the power to connect people, honour culture, and create moments of shared humanity.