Yasma

This is one of the most authentic restaurants in town when it comes to Syrian Lebanese flavors. And its waterfront location doesn't hurt either, although in winter, you may want to wear a sweater if seated next to the window. Enjoy stuffed grape leaves, smoked eggplant with pomegranate molasses, and a signature hummus.

After less than three years in operation (first as a Kits ghost kitchen, now as a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Coal Harbour), Syrian/Lebanese eatery Yasma wins gold in our new Middle Eastern category. “A great combination of thoughtful dishes and small extra touches show the depth of love from the kitchen staff,” said one of our judges. That love shows up in the fried kibbeh (made with halal lamb that’s ground in-house, stuffed into a dough shell and served with a creamy yogurt sauce), which takes over a day to hand-prepare.

There’s something fantastic about Syrian and Lebanese cuisine that will leave you heavily interested. That’s what Yasma is all about, to share the beautiful culture through food and company. It is an upscale restaurant with a luxurious, warm vibe, thanks to the personable staff on top of an interior that reflects the warmth and hospitality of these two cultures, with comfortable seating and soft lighting for a cozy ambiance.

Yasma specializes in Levantine cuisine, with a menu influenced by the flavors of Lebanon and Syria. Known for its rich and flavorful dishes like Fatteh, Shawarma, and Labneh, Yasma offers an upscale dining experience with a modern twist on traditional Middle Eastern dishes. Their carefully curated wine list and craft cocktails complement the meals, making it an ideal spot for a special evening out.

Yasma got started as a "ghost kitchen" concept, operating out of an established Kitsilano restaurant as a base for take-out and delivery before turning to permanent restaurant digs in Coal Harbour. The Lebanese-Syrian spot is offering take-out and delivery again from its new location at 550 Denman Street, and will soft-open for dine-in service on Friday, Feb. 25. Soft opening date: Feb. 25

Yasma serves Lebanese and Syrian food, with elevated and playful interpretations that feel fresh and new. Each dish is plated artfully with vibrant colours and we suggest ordering some of this spot’s charcoal-kissed meats from the grill or their made-in-house labneh from their cold mezzez options. Yasma is affordable, unfussy fine dining that celebrates the flavours of the Middle East.

Opened in February 2022, Yasma in Coal Harbour tells the story of the Levant, a region that includes Syria and Lebanon. The cuisine is homey and smoky, basic yet rich, from exquisite charcoal-grilled kibbeh to robust lamb sausages and fatteh hummus. These are delicacies steeped in Levantine culture and linked to childhood memories of family and friends.

website | Coal Harbor ( get directions) | cuisine: Lebanese & Syrian | price: $$. Yasma is located right along the water near Stanley Park. It’s a bit swankier of a spot than I was expecting, and I probably would’ve walked right on by had a follower not highly recommended it to me, but I’m so glad I stopped.

This Syrian-Lebanese restaurant in Kitsilano offers all the bright, complex, aromatic, perfectly shareable dishes of the Levant. Until May 15, it also has special set menus of mezze, salads and grilled foods for iftar, the evening meal served daily during Ramadan.