Reem Azoury, a Lebanese American, opened the restaurant in 2005 with the aim of sharing the delicious Lebanese dishes she watched her grandmother cook as a child. She also wanted to make room for the British cuisine she fell in love with while attending boarding school in London, the Mediterranean foods she enjoyed on her travels, and the eclectic approach to cooking she developed in the United States. Figs cuisine reflects Reem's international background while also focusing on healthy, vegetarian options.