Hisham Wattar was born in Damascus, Syria, the youngest of seven children. Growing up in the world’s oldest inhabited city, with a father who thrived at the crossroads of diverse cultures and trade, Hisham learned early to chart his own path. In 1987, drawn to Canada’s promise of opportunity and community, he opened a Middle Eastern dining room in New Brunswick before eventually seeking a gentler climate for his health.
In 2000, Hisham brought his family west to Vancouver, where he purchased a struggling restaurant and transformed it with fresh ingredients, bold flavours, and warm hospitality. His energy and vision turned Best Falafel into a beloved local fixture on Commercial Drive and West 4th Avenue.