Syrian eateries flourish in the heart of Sudan's capital

In the heart of the Sudanese capital, crowds are drawn by mouthwatering aromas to Syrian eateries that line an upscale Khartoum neighbourhood.

The tantalising odours of popular Syrian dishes of shawarma, fatteh and garlic sauce fill the air of the Kafouri district.

"Syrian restaurants are distinctive," said Salaheddin Adam, queueing outside one restaurant.

A Syrian chef prepares a sandwich at a Syrian restaurant in the Kafouri neighbourhood.

"Their interior designs are appealing and they are always clean and offer varied menus," he added, while waiting for his chicken shawarma wrap.

In the traditional Sudanese turban and white jalabiya, the 34-year-old meat trader said he particularly relishes Syrian appetisers.

The 28-year-old is a regular at one of the Syrian eateries, which he lauded for the "taste and quality" of their food.

More than 5.6 million Syrians have fled their country, according to the United Nations, since the conflict erupted in 2011 with a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests.

Customers wait for their sandwiches at a Syrian restaurant.

'Good treatment'

Syrians who opted to settle in Sudan enjoy equivalent rights to nationals, including access to healthcare and education.

They are also allowed to apply for jobs and run businesses.

A Syrian chef serves roasted chicken at a Syrian restaurant in the Kafouri neighbourhood.

Malik Abdul Wahab, from the Syrian city of Aleppo, arrived shortly after the start of his country's war.

"We are keen to provide maximum cleanliness and quality. We also care about good treatment of customers," said the 32-year-old.

Syrian cuisine offers a wider variety of dishes than Sudanese food, and they are cheap to make and come in plentiful portions.

Syrian restaurants are seen in the Kafouri neighbourhood of the Sudanese capital Khartoum.

"We are keen to offer new and varied foods, not known to the people," said Abdel Wahab, boasting that there are more than 100 different Syrian dishes.

Mohamed Abdel Sabour, a Sudanese engineer, eats regularly at Syrian outlets which he says are more welcoming than Sudanese ones.

Khaled, who runs a Syrian eatery in the Riyadh area, boasted of having "permanent Sudanese customers".

Agence France-Presse