Born in Israel to Israeli-Irish parents, chef-proprietor Alon Salman lived in Wexford before opening Shouk in Drumcondra in 2017. Embracing his heritage, which includes Iraqi grandparents, he brings all the fresh and zesty flavours of the Middle East to northside Dublin via a warren of buzzy rooms in the Drumcondra Business Centre.
Accessed by a courtyard, or from the busy Drumcondra Road, it would be easy to walk past this gem of a restaurant, which has low-key signage and is tucked into the ground floor of the imposing red brick building that once housed a school.
The décor is recycled and cobbled together, much of it salvaged from a family pub in Wexford. The look is simple, relaxed and homemade, spread across four interconnecting spaces. Originally just two smallish rooms with cosy nooks, Shouk has expanded to include one airy, light-filled room with fairylight-strung tiki bar and a retractable roof. Outside several tables sit in a suntrap courtyard.
It seems sunny at Shouk no matter what the weather, and that’s all thanks to Alon’s brilliant all-day menu that showcases his mouth-watering cuisine.
Start with mezze, and you’ll discover the brilliance of the kitchen. Dense falafel and zesty hummus unlike anything you’ll buy in a shop, come with fresh salads – perhaps sticky aubergine, crisp carrot, roasted cauliflower, lemony herb, and silken babganoush all served with freshly made pita.
Main courses include a wonderfully rich shakshouka, cooked for hours, before being finished with golden poached eggs. A family recipe, it’s served with fresh pita bread, tahini, and a little pot of chopped vegetables.
Batata, a baked sweet potato, comes stuffed with fragrant minced beef and lamb, topped with crunchy radish, sumac and labneh dressing. Freshly made pitas come stuffed with all kinds of good things – chicken shawarma, lamb and beef kofta, chicken schnitzel, minute steak, falafel or perhaps delicious grilled cauliflower. There’s jars of help-yourself homemade pickles, dressing and sauces on the counter, which can be used to customise your plate further.
The BYO policy is a hit though Shouk now also offers a short drinks list that includes fresh orange and pomegranate juice and a few cocktails with a Middle Eastern twist. Dessert choices include baklava and malabi while hot drinks include fresh mint tea and Turkish coffee.
Staff are chirpy, enthusiastic and hard working and the vibe is positive and relaxed. If you crave delicious food that will put you in a good mood (while barely making a dent in your wallet) then make a beeline for Shouk.
