He's best known for being a Syrian chef and refugee who moved from pop up to permanent with Imad's Syrian Kitchen, where he's played host to King Charles. Now chef and restaurateur Imad Alarnab is expanding his empire with a second restaurant, at Somerset House.
Aram is the first part of the enterprise and that will be a daytime space open for breakfast and lunch. The space, which overlooks the building's river terrace, starts with a deli and shop, leading through to two beautiful dining rooms.
Breakfasts (and pastries to go) sound pretty much unmissable with options including zaatar croissants and halva cookies, with cardamom coffee and Syrian mint tea. For lunch dishes get a little more creative so there might be potato rosti with house-cured sumac salmon, poached eggs and coriander oil and Granola and date banoffee for dessert.
Later on in the year comes the second element, Salamlik. That's the more formal dining offering which will be bookable and will have its own entrance and bar. This is a space they say that's "designed to celebrate and nurture emerging talent" and will play host to supperclubs and cooking classes.
This particular space at Somerset House has been through various iterations over the years with everyone from Tom Aikens and Bryn Williams to Dipna Anand having opened there before. Here's hoping that Imad's venture has what it takes to succeed long-term.
More about Aram
Where is it? Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
When does it open? September 2025
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @arambyimad
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