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We Weren't Just Looking for a Location. We Were Looking for Home.

When we first arrived in America and began searching for where to put down roots, it was a winding street in Ellicott City that stopped us. The narrow road, the old stone buildings, the sense of history pressed into every wall — it felt like Swaida, Syria, the city we came from. That resemblance wasn't a detail. It was a sign. We made Ellicott City our home before we ever made it our business address.

Now housed in one of the oldest duplexes in Howard County — a three-story granite building dating back to 1790 — Syriana Cafe & Gallery is the result of that decision. Built with love, designed by hand, and opened with one clear purpose: to share the beauty of Syrian heritage with the community that welcomed us.

A Building That Has Outlasted Everything — Including the Floods.

The Walker-Chandler Building was constructed in the 1790s from local granite, built directly into a massive rock bed. It has withstood centuries of history, multiple devastating floods, and the relentless passage of time — and it still stands on Main Street like a structure that has no intention of going anywhere. When we took it over, we treated it with the respect it earned. We uncovered the original granite fireplaces that had been hidden under stucco for decades.

We exposed the original wood beams spanning the building. We built the furniture ourselves — on-site, by hand, including a 12-foot communal table on the third floor that could never have made it up those narrow historic staircases any other way. Every floor was designed to be distinct, every detail chosen to honor both the building's American history and the Syrian character we brought to it.

Every Floor Tells a Different Story.

First Floor — The Bazaar
Step off Main Street and into the original Old World bazaar feeling that defines our ground floor. Exposed granite fireplaces, original wood beams, handmade crafts, and the window and outdoor seating our guests consistently call their favorite spot in the building. If it's available when you arrive, take it. You won't regret it.

Second Floor — The Syrian Courtyard
Our main dinner room opens into a large, airy space modeled on the open courtyards of traditional Syrian homes. The centerpiece is a captivating mother-of-pearl inlay wall — one of the most photographed features in our building. Browse Syrian handicrafts for sale throughout the floor, including mother-of-pearl woodwork, mosaic work, and metal crafts made by artisans carrying on centuries of Syrian tradition.

Third Floor — The Board Room, The Damask Room & The Tea Room
Our most diverse floor, preserved in its original room divisions and reimagined into three distinct spaces. The Board Room seats up to 15 guests around a custom-built communal table, complete with media presentation capability and handmade backgammon, chess, and checkers sets. The Damask Room celebrates the heritage textile industry of Damascus — exquisite damask table throws, runners, and placemats available for sale in a warm, intimate setting for up to 10 guests. The Tea Room is exactly what it sounds like: a small, cozy corner with comfortable couches, elegant brocade silk décor, and the kind of quiet that makes a conversation feel unhurried.

Everything Here Is Made With Love. We're Sure You'll Feel It.

From the rustic tables our owner built by hand to the exposed granite fireplaces and the captivating character of this 230-year-old building — Syriana is a place that was assembled piece by piece with intention, care, and a deep pride in where we come from. Come in as a guest. Explore every floor. Try the food. Browse the gallery. Stay for an event. And when you leave, bring a little piece of Syrian heritage with you.

Order Syriana online for pickup or delivery — the same fresh, homemade Syrian food, ready when you are.

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