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Unmissable Middle Eastern Food in Barcelona

Thanks to much migration between Europe and the Middle East, Barcelona is slowly becoming a bit of a hub for all of the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines of the world.

If you love this food like I do, you’ll want to check out any of the following spots for the best in town:

Alo Beirut in Barcelona

I found Alo Beirut while hunting down the best falafel in Barcelona. Granted, their falafel vegetable plate is phenomenal, but the rest of the menu aims to impress as well.

This is not fine Middle Eastern dining by any stretch. The space is very low-key, but clean, and all of the focus is placed on the execution of the food. And since it is situated so close to Barcelona University, the prices are low, low, low.

Alo Beirut in Barcelona – by Alo Beirut –

My recommendation to all first timers visiting Alo Beirut would be to opt for their combo plates. You’ll build these up yourself, choosing from all the dishes that stand out to you and leaving off the ones that don’t.

Alo Beirut is also a popular spot for late night dining in the university district. Even at five minutes to midnight they will happily serve you whatever they have left for the day.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Tuesday TO Sunday –Ìý 1pm to 12am

ADDRESS: Carrer d’Aribau, 90, 08036 Barcelona, Spain

METRO STATION: Provença

Simbad Restaurante in Barcelona

When I really want authentic, diverse cuisines from outside of Spain, I venture into Poble Sec and el Poblenou to see what I can find.

These are Barcelona’s ever developing, immigrant filled districts where budding new restaurant business pop up by the day. Consider taking a Ìýguided walking tour through the streets to get a feel for the culture here.

Simbad Restaurante in Barcelona – by Simbad Restaurante –

Simbad is Poble Sec’s best Middle Eastern eatery, in my humble opinion. It’s traditional Palestinian food; the only Palestinian food in Barcelona, if I’m not mistaken.

Like most Middle Eastern cuisine, expect a lot of creative, plated meals served alongside fresh bread. There are a lot more rice & stew based dishes on this menu, so if this is a dining preference of yours you’ll love Simbad.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday –Ìý 1pm to 12am

ADDRESS: Passeig de Sant Antoni, 15, 08014 Barcelona, Spain

METRO STATION: Plaça de Sants

Jerusalem Restaurante in Barcelona

I was surprised to find this Middle Eastern restaurant right on the water’s edge at the tip top of Port Vell. It sits just before the Barceloneta beaches, next to the very popular Barcelona Casino — a story for another day.

What makes this spot so popular is undoubtably their shisha. This is a highlight for people in the city; and at Jerusalem Restaurante one can sit and smoke all night long while sipping fresh mint tea right next to the beach.

Jerusalem Restaurante in Barcelona – by Jerusalem Restaurante –

One fill shisha is just €15, and tea is €3 per person. If you’re dining, this is affordable too.

The menu is traditional and delicious. Everything from kebabs to falafel, shawarma to tabbouleh. There is live entertainment some evenings and on weekends you should absolutely make a reservation.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday –Ìý 12pm to 2:30am

ADDRESS: Moll de Mestral, 25, 08005 Barcelona, Spain

METRO STATION: Ciutadella Vila Olímpica

Mazah Restaurante Libanes in Barcelona

Oh my dear Mazah; my favorite, absolute best Middle Eastern eatery in all the land. Any excuse to come to Barcelona’s Old Town and eat here, and I’m in.

Thankfully I take a lost of free guided walking tours through these historic streets, so I get to visit at least once a week.

For dining at Mazah you’ll need a group, ideally. The menu is far better experienced when there are a handful of people to share an abundance of small plates.

Mazah in Barcelona – by Mazah –

To avoid being overwhelmed, simply state your group’s dietary requirements to your server (meat eaters, mostly vegetarians, mix of both) and let them spoil the table with choice. They are excellent at creating personalized dish ranges for every table that comes in.

If this isn’t your style, then you’ll select each individual dish using the iPad menus provided on each table that work directly with the kitchen. It’s very modern and quite exciting.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Wednesday TO Monday –Ìý 1:30pm to 12am

ADDRESS: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 618, 08007 Barcelona, Spain

METRO STATION: Universitat

Rey De Istanbul in Barcelona

Rey de Istanbul is one of few Middle Eastern eateries that have a beer and wine menu on offer.

This is another low-key, no frills restaurant. To appeal to the Spanish market, this restaurant has also included all of their menu items in the option of tapas portions. Essentially, it’s mezze, but the locals love the idea of Middle Eastern tapas as a meal.

What’s great about Rey de Istanbul is that it is on the same block as the Sagrada Familia; opposite sides of one another, but the same block nonetheless.

Rey De Istanbul in Barcelona – by Rey De Istanbul –

This is the reason for their unexpectedly high prices. While still reasonable for a meal in the city, regular eaters of this cuisine will be used to paying a lot less for this kind of menu.

Regardless, it’s a quick, tasty fix to hunger between sightseeing. Their opening hours are attractive too, they close for just eight hours each morning.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday –Ìý 9am to 1am

ADDRESS: Carrer de Sardenya, 08013 Barcelona, Spain

METRO STATION: Sagrada Familia