The #CookForSyria Pop-Up Café in Covent Garden Is Now Open

The #CookForSyria pop-up cafe and shop is now open on Monmouth Street in Covent Garden, serving Imad Alarnab’s authentic mezze until Christmas Eve.

Now in its second year, the #CookForSyria initiative brings together chefs and restauranteurs across London to celebrate Syrian culture and cuisine, in the face of “one of the largest humanitarian crises of our time,” with the aim of raising money in support of Unicef and their efforts to help the millions of displaced civilians suffering from the ongoing conflict.

The Seven Dials popup will be serving fresh hummus and baba ganoush with accompanying mezze including fattoush, tabbouleh, labne, and ful mudammas — a dish of fava beans, olive oil, garlic and cumin — with flatbreads to mop it all up. Lily Vanilli and a number of other London bakers will be supplying daily baked goods to the cafe, while shoppers will also be able to pick up copies of the #CookForSyria cookbook in store.

Claire Menary

All proceeds from sales of baked goods and the #CookForSyria cookbook, along with a donation from each of Imad Alarnab’s dishes sold will go to Unicef UK’s appeal to aid the millions of suffering Syrian children as winter approaches. Customers will also be able to make further voluntary donations in store.

Across the city last month, a number of London’s leading restaurants created dishes in support of the #CookForSyria cause, including Lyle’s, Koya Bar, Black Axe Mangal, Ikoyi, som saa and Violet bakery. The initiative was founded by the Instagrammer Clerkenwell Boy, PR Gemma Bell and Suitcase Magazine CEO, Serena Guen in 2016.

#CookForSyria Pop-up is at: 36 Monmouth Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H 9HB

Opening Hours: seven days a week, open until lunch on Christmas Eve (times may vary.)
Monday — Thursday: 10am – 7pm; Friday and Saturday: 10am – 8pm; Sunday 12 noon – 6pm