Damascena Coffee House Birmingham City Centre
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Nice food actually, I do regularly buy my own Lebanese flat bread from a Lebanese supermarket in Brum, for home consumption and it was very similar to that. We had classic hummus with flat bread and the damascena special shawarma both chicken and lamb meat options. Taste was OK, but specially loved the batata harara potatoes. Would definetely have them again. Service wise: We were asked to pay upfront. This was not the case for every customer, other customers could pay after, so I felt a bit discriminated. Unfortunately after we paid, no receipt was given either. I worked it out and although it was correctly calculated, dude could have offered me the receipt. You know what I mean........ Having that extra bit of clarity... Waiter dude's attitude could do with a bit of up-lift. I wonder how long his sentence lasts for? He was a newbie I guess, I say this because another diner clocked on and pointed it out to him and asked him if he was new.. ..... Never mind. We've all been there... Bathroom soap, please keep it refilled at all times. (although they do offer mildly scented wet towel sachets) at the table. Nevertheless, bathroom soap is part of sanitation and hygiene, so no excuses there for an establishment of this calibre and high grade!! I will visit again for the 'in house' coffee / special hot drinks... Hopefully sooner than later.. See you soon!
Abdul MuminAbdul Mumin
10
I am very disappointed with the service I received at this location. When I walked in, I was not greeted with a simple "Hi," but instead was immediately asked, "Eat in or take out?" I had come in to place an order and informed the staff member that I would be dining in. She instructed me to take a seat, which I did, right in the middle of the café. As a Black man standing over six feet tall, it's hard to go unnoticed. Unfortunately, despite this, I waited for 20 minutes without any service. Two people arrived after me, didn’t even walk into the café, but simply took a seat outside. Within just five minutes, they were attended to and placed their orders, while I continued to wait, still without any acknowledgment from the staff. Even as I waited respectfully the staff members didn’t look my way or pay me any attention. As a director of a company with 10 million followers who specializes in food reviews, I found this experience deeply frustrating. I’m writing this as I am sitting here for nearly an hour, still wondering why no one has even offered me a chance to order a drink. The people who came in 20 mins after me, made a order and got they food, finish they food and now chilling. Wooow 😯😮 In 2024, pre-judging customers is not only unacceptable but also harmful to a business. The poor service I received today was a missed opportunity. Had I been treated with basic respect, this location could have received great exposure through our profile. We don’t do loud, exaggerated reviews; we focus on respectful, honest feedback. It’s sad, really. Never judge a customer by their appearance—you never know who they are or what they could do for your business. And always respect those willing to spend their money at your establishment.
KGriffKGriff
20
Came here for a late lunch, on recommend from my boyfriend. We had to wait a little for a seat, but they were toppers, and it was worth it! We weren't sure what to get because everything looked so good, so we sort of made a big platter to share- our waitress was lovely and gave us some recommends- thr food came out pretty quick and was SO GOOD. Defo needed more than 2 flatbreads tho bc the amount of hummus we got was obscene. The falafel were the best I've ever had, I think, no exaggeration! So crispy and full of flavour. We got a tea each and they came with these cool crystallised honey (?) Sticks to sweeten? They were cool, I wanted to chew on it. He got a mango milkshake though which was delicious- I had to order an extra one for myself. We ordered desserts to take away, and wanted to pay at the same time, but we ended up having to wait ages for the bill because each waitress we asked seemed to keep forgetting about us. Ended up having to go up to the counter to pay, after waiting about 10/15mins, hence only 4 stars, but that's ok- they were so busy! The waiting didn't put us off at all- the food was so good and again, the restaurant was so busy, I'd 1000% come back again when I'm in the area. A lovely light lunch option with the option to make heavier. Thank you Damascena!
Emma RansomeEmma Ransome
10
I'd not been to a Damascena before, so was delighted with my experience today. Asking a busy cafe/restaurant for a table for 1 at 12:15 often results in an eye-roll and begrudging sacrifice of a table for 2 and the resulting lost revenue & tips. Not here! I was immediately offered a table by the window overlooking the cathedral square by a warm and welcoming host. My order of a chicken shawarma wrap and a side of hummus was accompanied by a zingy ginger/orange/carrot juice. There was a fair wait for the food, which was fine by me as I had an afternoon to kill whilst waiting for my partner to conduct business in the city. The food was delicious, authentic and beautifully presented with a garnish of various pickles, which should do wonders for my gut microbiome. I topped lunch off with a pastel de nata and a black coffee, both rich and satisfying, and allowed for an extended period of laptoping. After another hour, I thought I'd pay for my table space by ordering a selection of Baclava-style sweet treats and a peppermint tea. All in all, I can say that I've rarely arrived in a new city, found a comfortable spot with a view, been fed as and when needed, and got my head down to some semi-serious business. Well done Damascena team, you've made a life-long friend and supporter.
Andy WestonAndy Weston
10
Indulge in a culinary journey through the enchanting flavors of the Middle East at this Arabic dessert restaurant. Nestled within the heart of the city, this establishment offers a tantalizing array of sweet delights that captivate the senses and transport diners to distant lands. The menu features a diverse selection of desserts, ranging from classic favorites like baklava and kunafa to innovative creations that blend traditional flavors with modern twists. Each dessert is expertly crafted using authentic ingredients, ensuring an authentic taste experience that delights the palate. Whether you're craving something rich and indulgent or light and refreshing, there is something to satisfy every sweet tooth. Pair your dessert with a cup of fragrant Arabic coffee or a refreshing mint tea for the perfect ending to your meal. While the service may be a bit slow at times, the staff more than make up for it with their warm and welcoming demeanor. Overall, this Arabic dessert restaurant offers a delightful escape into the rich culinary traditions of the Middle East. With its delectable treats, inviting ambiance, and impeccable service, it's a must-visit destination for dessert lovers and food enthusiasts alike.
Ehab ZahranEhab Zahran
00
Was in Birmingham for the day at a work event and this restaurant was booked for our team lunch. Our event had overrun by more than 30 minutes but they kindly kept the tables for us which was really good to see as we were a big group and it would have been hard to walk in to another restaurant. I ordered a karak milky tea to start and the falafel platter with hummus and flatbread. I really enjoyed the milky tea, the spices added on top of the milk foam really elevated the taste of the tea and made it more appetising. The falafel platter on the other hand was simply average, falafels were small and the hummus was mediocre. I definitely have had much better Middle Eastern food in London. However, I do think for the amount of food they serve the price is certainly very affordable - £12.70 including service charge which was insane! In London this would have cost at least £20. Vibe was chill and had the traditional Middle Eastern patterns of walls and lights everywhere. Staff were friendly and approachable but could tell they were extremely busy that it's sometimes hard to get someone.
Queenie WongQueenie Wong
00
Nearby Attractions Of Damascena Coffee House Birmingham City Centre
National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham
Primark
Birmingham Hippodrome
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Mailbox Birmingham
Symphony Hall
Selfridges Birmingham
easyHotel Birmingham City Centre
Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum
The Arcadian

National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham
4.2
(5.8K)Click for details

Primark
4.2
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Birmingham Hippodrome
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Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
4.4
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Turtle Bay Birmingham
Dishoom Birmingham
The Square Peg - JD Wetherspoon
O2 Academy Birmingham
Pitcher & Piano Birmingham
Ming Moon Buffet & Karaoke
Haidilao Hotpot Birmingham (next to St. Martin's)
The Old Joint Stock Pub & Theatre, Birmingham
The Botanist Gas Street Basin
Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, Bar & Grill Birmingham

Turtle Bay Birmingham
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Dishoom Birmingham
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The Square Peg - JD Wetherspoon
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O2 Academy Birmingham
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Basic Info
Address
Portman House, 5-7 Temple Row W, Birmingham B2 5NY, United Kingdom
Map
Phone
+44 121 233 1803
Call
Website
damascena.co.uk
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.5
(1.4K reviews)
Ratings & Description
Description
Turkish coffee, Middle Eastern fare and pastries offered in a traditional, warm environment.
attractions: National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham, Primark, Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Mailbox Birmingham, Symphony Hall, Selfridges Birmingham, easyHotel Birmingham City Centre, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, The Arcadian, restaurants: Turtle Bay Birmingham, Dishoom Birmingham, The Square Peg - JD Wetherspoon, O2 Academy Birmingham, Pitcher & Piano Birmingham, Ming Moon Buffet & Karaoke, Haidilao Hotpot Birmingham (next to St. Martin's), The Old Joint Stock Pub & Theatre, Birmingham, The Botanist Gas Street Basin, Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, Bar & Grill Birmingham

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