BԪַ

Skip to content

Greater VictoriaBԪַs first Syrian restaurant opening in Esquimalt

In a diverse culinary scene, Victoria is about to get its first taste of authentic Syrian fare
32489527_web1_230410-VNE-FirstSyrianRestaurant-Safaa_1
Safaa Naeman inside her Esquimalt restaurant, Syriana, on April 20. (Austin Westphal/BԪַ Staff)

IslamBԪַs holy month of Ramadan proved particularly challenging for Safaa Naeman and her family this year, fasting from dawn until sunset and working during the night as they put the finishing touches on a food dream thatBԪַs become reality.

But Naeman, who came to Canada just six years ago as a refugee fleeing civil war in Syria, said all the effort will be worth it when Greater VictoriaBԪַs first-ever Syrian eatery BԪַ Syriana BԪַ opens at 1258 Esquimalt Rd. this Sunday (April 23).

Naeman began selling baklava at Moss Street Market before starting a catering business in early 2021 with the help of family members and sponsor Lynda Raino, who encouraged her to sell her cooking as a way of introducing Syrian cuisine to a wider audience.

BԪַIt was a surprise for us BԪַ just how much people really liked what we made and how many people were ready to support us,BԪַ Naeman, who had worked as an accountant for 15 years prior, told the Victoria BԪַ in an interview.

Safaa Naeman inside her Esquimalt restaurant, Syriana, with brother Mohamad Naman and sister-in-law Nour Rashead on April 20. (Austin Westphal/BԪַ Staff)
Safaa Naeman inside her Esquimalt restaurant, Syriana, with brother Mohamad Naman and sister-in-law Nour Rashead on April 20. (Austin Westphal/BԪַ Staff)

She said that within only a month of launching her Syriana Catering page on Facebook, she was struggling to keep up with the number of orders for fresh kebabs, kibbeh, shawarmas, falafels and baklava that were coming in. It was around that time, she said, that she knew she was one step closer to finally opening the brick-and-mortar restaurant she was dreaming of.

Naeman said she is now looking forward to working alongside her husband and two sons to give back to the community that gave her and her family a new home.

BԪַThe war destroyed a lot, destroyed a lot of dreams, a lot of homes and relationships. But Syria can regenerate itself and its beauty, and we hope to give people a sense of our countryBԪַs beauty when they come to eat here,BԪַ she said.

ALSO READ:

ALSO READ:


Do you have a story tip? Email: austin.westphal@saanichnews.com.

Follow us on and and like us on



Austin Westphal

About the Author: Austin Westphal

Austin Westphal is the newest member to join the Saanich BԪַ team.
Read more



(or

BԪַ

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }