Philadelphia, PA - The hospitality experts behind Fishtown’s ROOT Restaurant & Wine Bar and Northern Liberties’ Café La Maude announced today their plans to open Fishtown’s newest restaurant venture: Suraya - market, restaurant and outdoor garden.
Suraya: A Fishtown Fixture Celebrates Eight Years of Levantine Cuisine
In 2017, a new culinary star arose in Philadelphia's vibrant Fishtown neighborhood: Suraya. This ambitious project, a combination market, restaurant, and outdoor garden, brought the rich and diverse flavors of the Levant to Frankford Avenue. Now, in 2025, Suraya is celebrating eight years of success, having established itself as a beloved destination for both authentic Levantine cuisine and a unique dining experience. This article revisits Suraya's origins, its multi-faceted concept, and its enduring appeal.
A Dream Realized: From Vision to Reality:
Suraya was the brainchild of a hospitality powerhouse trio: Greg Root and Nick Kennedy (of ROOT Restaurant & Wine Bar and formerly of Café La Maude) and Nathalie Richan. The concept, years in the making, was to create a space that captured the essence of a traditional Levantine bazaar, combined with a modern all-day café and a full-service restaurant. Richan's Lebanese heritage and deep knowledge of Levantine cuisine were instrumental in shaping Suraya's culinary direction.
A Three-Part Culinary Experience:
Suraya's unique appeal lies in its three distinct but interconnected spaces:
- The Market (Opened 2017): The market offers a curated selection of spices, imported and local food items, prepared foods, and a small a la carte menu, including the Lebanese flatbread manousheh. It also features a Stumptown Coffee Roasters coffee bar, along with wine, beer, and cocktails. This space functions as both a retail outlet and a casual all-day café.
- The Dining Room (Opened 2017): The restaurant offers an authentic taste of Levantine cuisine, with a menu focused on small and large shared plates. The open kitchen, featuring a 12-foot custom charcoal grill, is a focal point, showcasing the preparation of dishes inspired by the culinary traditions of Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, and Egypt. The dining room encourages a "eat-with-your-hands" approach, mirroring traditional Middle Eastern dining customs.
- The Garden (Opened 2017): A lush outdoor oasis, the garden provides a vibrant, communal space for enjoying Suraya's mezze (small plates) and bespoke cocktails. A key offering is Arak, an unsweetened anise-flavored aperitif considered the official drink of Lebanon.
A Fishtown Landmark:
Suraya, occupying a substantial 10,000-square-foot space spanning from Frankford to Front Street (1528 Frankford Ave), quickly became a Fishtown landmark. Its size, its dynamic multi-concept approach, and its commitment to hospitality, mirroring the values found at ROOT and Café La Maude, have made it a popular destination for both neighborhood residents and visitors. The restaurant's success reflects a growing appreciation for Levantine cuisine and a desire for unique and engaging dining experiences.
Conclusion:
Suraya, now in its eighth year, has successfully realized the vision of its founders, bringing a vibrant and authentic taste of the Levant to Philadelphia's Fishtown neighborhood. Its unique three-part concept, its commitment to quality ingredients and hospitality, and its celebration of Levantine culinary traditions have made it a beloved destination and a testament to the power of food to bring people together. Suraya's continued success demonstrates its enduring appeal and its place as a significant contributor to Philadelphia's diverse culinary landscape.
