The new Shawarma stop in Mombasa

The Queen Mother of shawarma restaurants in Mombasa has opened their latest branch in Nyali—right across from Ratna Square and in close proximity to Albaik Fast Foods sits Damascus Restaurant.

It stands on a small area with limited parking as the little available outdoor space creatively taken up by seats and tables ready for customers.

“Sometimes you just want to drop by for a snack after work, but there is nowhere to park a car. So it’s either you grab a take-away or leave,” says Agnes Muli, a customer. 

For others, especially  those who work nearby, parking is a non-issue. “I don’t drive and the restaurant is so close to my office that I just walk in or make an order and the food arrives hot, exactly how I like it,” says Grace Kauthar.

In Damascus little attention was paid to the interior decoration, making the restaurant plain and a bit dull. I, however, appreciate the art of rocks on the restaurant walls, which adds character to the place.   

Cool music

But who cares?  Damascus has great food. They also play cool music in the background, loud enough to create a nice mood but so low that individuals can have a conversation without being distracted.  

I will tell you why Mombasans love Damascus: The eatery offers different street foods that leave you spoilt for choice.  

Shawarma is a popular go-to street food at the Coast. I can compare it with mutura (African sausage) that Nairobians love so much. Shawarma is a Swahili-Arabic dishwith Middle Eastern origins, consisting of shredded chicken, mutton, beef meat or cheese, which are then stacked in a cone-like shape and slowly roasted in a shawarma grill. At Damascus, they specialise on chicken and cheese shawarma. 

First there is the Saj Shawarma— a large pita bread also known as nan stuffed with chips, grilled boneless shredded chicken and salad. Then there is the cheese variety, made using a large nan stuffed with French fries, steak, salad and cheese.  

Then there is the Tahniya shawarma, which has tahniya sauce made from tahini, a paste made from sesame seeds. Added to the mixture is lemon juice and garlic. 

Then lastly there is the normal shawarma, which compared to the others, is pocket friendly. It  is made using small pita bread, boneless shredded chicken meat with mixed salads. All the shawarmas range between Sh250 and Sh350.

Other meals served at the restaurant include chicken tikka, mishkaki, hummus, bhajia and cutlets. Damage to your pocket will about Sh1,000. Restaurant manager Suleiman Hassan, says business is brisk.

“We open early, but close at 3pm due to security issues in Mombasa currently,” he says.