What is behind Bab Kisan?
Bab Kisan – a piece of Damascus in Berlin-Moabit
Bab Kisan stands for Damascene cuisine, hospitality, and the joy of bringing people together around a table. What began in 2018 with catering and cooking events has grown over the years. Today, our small restaurant in Berlin-Moabit and events for private and corporate groups are also part of our offerings.
Behind Bab Kisan stand Elyas Hannoun and Roula Alkhouri with their two children. Elyas comes from the old city of Damascus and grew up around Bab Touma – in a traditional, Christian part of the city, characterized by old alleyways, churches, historic houses, and centuries of history. The Church of Ananias, one of the most famous sites in Damascus's old city, is also located in this area.
The name "Bab Kisan" is reminiscent of one of Damascus's historic city gates. For us, it also represents origin, encounter, and openness. This connection to Damascus shapes not only our cuisine but also the way we welcome guests: warmly, simply, and with the desire to share a meal together.
Our restaurant focuses on fresh mezze and light Syrian dishes perfect for sharing. At our cooking events and catering services, Elyas showcases the diversity of Damascus cuisine – from well-known specialties to typical home-style cooking and dishes he knows from his family and from Damascus itself. As a chef, he brings not only recipes and techniques but also flavors, memories, and stories that have shaped his own connection to Damascus. Vegetarian and vegan options are a natural part of our menu.
Today, Bab Kisan combines a restaurant, catering, and cooking events under one roof. Whether it's a meal together in our dining room, a celebration, a catering event, or a cooking evening: we want to share with our guests a taste of the cuisine and hospitality we ourselves grew up with.
Welcome to Bab Kisan – The Taste of Damascus.