ahlan wa sahlan
from our family
Khouris is a traditional Middle Eastern restaurant,
inspired by Mama Khouris recipes and the spirit of our family.
just like at home — mezze placed at the center of the table:
where hands reach across, stories are told
and everyone feels like they belong.
From Mama Khouris rotisserie baby chicken to freshly made falafel and her most loved recipes, every dish carries a piece of her.
On weekends, it wouldn’t be us without shisha.
enjoy it with chai and knafeh on our terrace.
history
AS A TRIBUTE TO MY PARENTS,
I DEDICATE A RESTAURANT TO THEM:
OUR ARABIC FAMILY NAME CARRIES MANY MEANINGS, BUT FOR ME IT STANDS ABOVE ALL FOR FAMILY AND HERITAGE. MY MOTHER SUSAN MOVED FROM PALESTINE TO ZURICH IN 1985; MY FATHER ELIAS HAD ALREADY BEEN LIVING IN SWITZERLAND FOR ALMOST SIX YEARS AND LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR A NEW BEGINNING. EVER SINCE I CAN REMEMBER, THERE HAS BEEN A DARK GREEN, TIMEWORN FAMILY COOKBOOK IN OUR KITCHEN — FILLED WITH LOOSE NOTES, STAINED PAGES, AND TRADITIONAL RECIPES. IT IS MOST LIKELY THE ORIGIN OF MY DEEP CONNECTION TO FOOD.
TODAY, WHEN I COOK WITH MY WIFE KARENIN KHOURI, I OFTEN FIND MYSELF TRANSPORTED BACK TO MY CHILDHOOD: LONG TABLES, MANY PEOPLE, PLENTY OF FOOD, LOUD LAUGHTER AND AROMAS THAT ARE STILL DEEPLY ROOTED IN MY MEMORY. THIS IS EXACTLY THE FEELING WE WANT TO SHARE WITH OUR FUTURE GUESTS AND FRIENDS.
SUSAN AND ELIAS HAVE ALWAYS INSPIRED US — NOT ONLY WITH THEIR AUTHENTIC ARABIC MEZZE, BUT ESPECIALLY WITH THEIR WARMTH AND OPENNESS. THEY HAVE BEEN INSPIRING MY SISTER DINA AND ME FOR OVER 30 YEARS, EVERY SINGLE DAY.
THE FOUNDATION OF KHOURIS WAS LAID IN 2023 WITH OUR FIRST LOCATION AT EUROPALLEE IN THE FORMER KOSMOS BUILDING. NOW, THE STORY CONTINUES IN SEEFELD, WHERE WE HAVE FOUND A NEW HOME — ONE WE PLAN TO CALL OUR OWN FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
SAMI KHOURI & FAMILY
private events
KHOURIS can be booked for a full restaurant buyout day or night. We can accommodate up to 120 guests in our venue. With private events, guests can enjoy the same unique experience of KHOURIS with an intimate group of their invited guests.