Our Story
Born on a corner
of Damascus
AL-SHAMI — Arabic for “the one of Damascus” — was born on a street corner in Syria’s ancient capital in 1980. For decades, the flavors of the Arabian peninsula came alive in our kitchen: hand-rolled shawarma, perfectly fried falafel, and mezze platters steeped in tradition.
Fast forward thirty years, and those same recipes traveled across the ocean — landing on a corner of Thayer Street in Providence, Rhode Island. Different city. Same soul.
Today, Abu Yarub AL-SHAMI is a home for anyone who craves authentic Middle Eastern cuisine — whether you’re a Providence local, a Brown student looking for something real, or simply someone hungry for a taste of Damascus.
Superior service,
every time
We take great pride in serving fresh and traditional Middle Eastern dishes to the general public. Our mission is to send your tastebuds on a vacation by providing fresh and delicious platters found throughout the Arabian peninsula.
These dishes will be cooked by professional chefs. There are all kinds of dishes our team will serve at a price like no other, making us stand out. We hope you enjoy our food as much as we enjoy making it for you.
What Makes Us AL-SHAMI
Authenticity
Every recipe traces back to the streets of Damascus. No shortcuts, no compromises — just the real thing.
Freshness
Ingredients are sourced and prepared daily. What you taste is what the kitchen made this morning.
Halal
Our kitchen is fully halal — every dish prepared with care and respect for our community.
Come taste Damascus
in Providence
Find us at 225 Thayer Street — in the heart of College Hill. Open daily for lunch and dinner.