963 is redefining Levantine cuisine in Berlin. Located in the heart of Kurfürstendamm, one of the city’s most upscale and iconic boulevards, the restaurant has emerged as a beacon of third-culture Levantine cooking. It offers diners a bold reinterpretation of flavors rooted in heritage yet shaped by modern influences. Here, dining becomes more than a meal; it is an exploration of identity, memory and cultural evolution.
Defining Third-Culture Levantine Cuisine
Third-culture Levantine cuisine reflects the experiences of diaspora communities by transforming familiar dishes into something both timeless and contemporary. At 963, this philosophy comes to life through an inventive menu that reimagines tradition with precision and emotion.
Shrimp Kunafa repurposes classic Middle Eastern pastry techniques, wrapping tiger shrimp in delicate kunafa strands, then pairing it with a mango-habanero sauce that balances vibrant sweetness and subtle heat.
Another highlight is Molokhiyeh Arancini, inspired by Levantine casserole traditions: risotto-filled chicken arancini nestled in a vibrant molokhiyeh sauce, finished with roasted garlic, lemon glaze and a drizzle of coriander oil. Each dish transforms familiar flavors into refined culinary experiences while maintaining their emotional essence.
“My background in theatrical arts really shapes how I think about food,” says Executive Chef Mohammad Karim. “For me, it’s not just about flavor — it’s about creating a full sensory performance, where every dish tells a story, evokes emotion, and leaves a lasting impression.”
A Borderless Culinary Philosophy
Founder Ribal Sibaee’s vision for 963 challenges the conventional divisions often seen in Middle Eastern dining. Rather than separating cuisines along modern national lines, 963 celebrates the Levant as a unified wonders of shared flavors, memories, and traditions.
At 963, the focus is on connection rather than geography — a philosophy reflected in the restaurant’s very name. “When I lived in the US and Saudi Arabia, home was always just a call away with the code 963,” Sibaee explains. Syria’s international dialing prefix became a symbol of continuity and belonging, inspiring a space where guests from every background could feel at home.
Cultural Connections Through Food
Since opening in early 2023, 963 has earned widespread acclaim from both diners and critics. The restaurant was named one of the Top Five New Restaurants in Germany by the Leaders Club and has been recognized with the OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award two years in a row — a distinction voted directly by guests.
Reviews praise 963’s bold storytelling and inventive spirit, with one Google reviewer describing it as “A transformative dining experience — where every detail, from the first bite to the final moment, feels carefully woven with passion and creativity.”
Yet at 963, the goal is not to chase accolades. Instead, the restaurant offers a deeper reflection: that culinary heritage is a living conversation between past and present. Levantine cuisine, shaped by centuries of migration and exchange, surpasses modern borders. At 963, those shared traditions are celebrated — not divided — offering a dining experience that feels both deeply rooted and refreshingly dynamic.
“I take pride in representing third-culture Levantine cuisine,” Sibaee reflects. “For us, food is not frozen in time. It evolves with experience, imagination, and memory — just like culture itself.”
Expansion on the Horizon
Building on its momentum in Berlin, 963 has its sights firmly set on expansion— with London identified as a prime target.
“We believe London is ready for a more modern, narrative-driven expression of Levantine cuisine,” Sibaee shares. “Most players in the market are rooted in very traditional approaches. What we offer is different: a living, breathing story — familiar, yet reimagined for a new generation.”
By embracing the emotional pull of memory and blending it with artistry, 963 aims to bring its signature spirit to major cities around the globe. It offers a new vision for what Levantine dining can be.
A New Chapter for Levantine Cuisine
In a world where food often gets reduced to categories and clichés, 963 dares to imagine more— a space where flavor becomes memory, where roots become wings and where culture is not preserved in amber but constantly reborn.
At 963, the past is a springboard, not an anchor— and every dish is an invitation to dream forward.