Just a stone’s throw from Nazaré in the peaceful village of Alpedriz, our family is cultivating a dream. Quinta do Damasco is a 5-hectare eco-farm where traditional Syrian agricultural heritage meets the fertile soil of Portugal.
More than just a piece of land, this farm is a thriving, chemical-free ecosystem designed to be as off-grid and self-sustaining as possible. It is also the agricultural heart behind our Lisbon restaurant, Tayybeh, bringing authentic, pesticide-free flavors directly from our soil to your plate.
Merging Syrian Heritage with Sustainable Farming
When we took over this land, our goal was simple: work alongside nature, not against it. We rely on traditional Syrian agricultural methods, meaning we strictly avoid chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Instead, we focus on biodiversity and natural water management, utilizing a small river on the property and a traditional Portuguese well (poço).
To date, we have transformed the landscape by planting 1,200 trees:
- 600 Olive Trees: Laying the foundation for our own organic olive oil production.
- 600 Regional Fruit Trees: Carefully selected to thrive in the local microclimate.
- 10 Beehives: Essential for pollinating our orchards while producing rich, artisanal honey.
The Farm-to-Table Connection: Supplying Tayybeh
One of the most exciting aspects of Quinta do Damasco is our dedicated vegetable garden. Here, we grow authentic Syrian vegetables and herbs that are otherwise hard to find in Portugal.
Every harvest travels directly from Alpedriz to Lisbon to supply our restaurant, Tayybeh. This closed-loop, farm-to-table approach ensures that the dishes we serve are not only deeply rooted in our culture but also exceptionally fresh and environmentally responsible.
Balancing City Life, Farming, and Family
We aren’t your traditional full-time farmers. Managing a bustling restaurant in Lisbon and keeping up with our teenagers’ school schedules means we are constantly commuting between the city and the countryside.
To make the farm a comfortable retreat while we work the land, we built a sustainable glamping dome. And because farm work is historically a hard sell for teenagers, we added a swimming pool to the property. It has become the perfect oasis, giving our kids a space to relax, escape the city screens, and occasionally get their hands dirty helping us build this vision.
Looking Forward
Quinta do Damasco is an ongoing project of resilience, family connection, and environmental stewardship. Whether we are checking the hives, harvesting olives, or picking fresh vegetables for Tayybeh, every weekend on the farm brings us closer to our goal of a fully off-grid, sustainable life.
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