Masaya restaurant — Restaurant in Barcelona

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 – A Levantine Oasis in Barcelona

From the moment you step through the door of Masaya, nestled on Carrer Pau Claris, you’re greeted by warm lighting, understated Middle Eastern décor, and the inviting aroma of grilled meats and fresh spices . The ambience is cozy yet elegant—a space that feels both modern and traditionally Levantine.

Service: Attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely proud. The staff explain each mezze and main with enthusiasm, share the story behind dishes, and present suggestions with confidence. The friendly and welcoming vibe truly enhances the dining experience ().

Food: • Mezze & Salads: We began with tabule, fattouch, and salata laban, each bursting with freshness—bright parsley, crisp vegetables, and creamy yogurt with mint . The hummus, mutabal, mohamara, and labne were beautifully seasoned, silky smooth, and perfect for scooping with warm pita . • Hot mezze: The falafel were crisp and herb-packed; warak inab (stuffed vine leaves) were tender and tangy; and the arayes de queso (grilled pita stuffed with cheese) were cheesy, savory, and satisfying . • Meats & Grilled Plates: We sampled shawarma de carne (lamb and beef), shawarma de pollo, xix tawuk (marinated chicken cubes), and kafta (beef with parsley and spices), all perfectly grilled and juicy . The platos combinados—mixes like shawarma+falafel+hummus+mutabal—are great value and let you savor several specialities in one meal . • Specialties: The kebbe de carne and sfiha are outstanding—well-seasoned, tender meat wrapped in crispy pastry .

Desserts & Drinks: We ended with halewet el jeben, knefe, baklawa, and namoura, each offering a perfect balance of sweetness and texture—rich, syrupy, and undeniably Levantine (). The Lebanese wines and beers, plus arak, provide excellent pairings—and the strong, fragrant Arabic coffee (when available) makes for a fitting conclusion.

Highlights: • Authentic Lebanese/Palestinian flavors that stay true to tradition—no fusion shortcuts. • Generous portions—one main plus mezze often suffices for two (). • A relaxed yet vibrant environment that feels like home.

Why it stands out: Masaya delivers real Levantine cuisine, giving you the chance to taste exactly what you’d find in Beirut or Ramallah—whether it’s classic mezze, grilled specialities, or traditional desserts. It’s one of Barcelona’s best bets for genuine Arabic food, served with authenticity, warmth, and style.

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Recommended order to enjoy: Start with a mezze trio: hummus + mutabal + mohamara Add falafel, warak inab, and falafel Move on to a grilled combo: e.g., shawarma de carne + falafel + hummus + mutabal Finish with a dessert assortment, perhaps halewet el jeben and baklawa.

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In summary: Masaya is an absolute gem—a culinary homecoming for Levantine food lovers and an authentic delight for newcomers. No artificial menu items—just real, heartfelt Lebanese and Palestinian dishes executed flawlessly....

Nestled in the vibrant streets of Barcelona lies a culinary gem that transports diners to the enchanting flavors of Lebanon. As a connoisseur of Mediterranean cuisine, I recently had the pleasure of dining at this Lebanese restaurant, and I must say, it was an experience to remember.

From the moment I stepped through the door, I was greeted by warm hospitality and an inviting atmosphere that exuded authenticity. The ambiance seamlessly blended traditional Lebanese décor with a modern twist, creating a cozy yet stylish setting perfect for an intimate dinner or a lively gathering with friends.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show: the food. Each dish was a symphony of flavors, meticulously crafted to perfection. From the velvety hummus and creamy baba ganoush to the fragrant tabbouleh and crispy falafel, every bite was a culinary delight that transported me to the bustling streets of Beirut.

But what truly set this restaurant apart was the impeccable service. The staff was not only knowledgeable about the menu but also passionate about sharing their culture through food, taking the time to explain each dish and its significance.

In conclusion, if you're looking to embark on a culinary journey through the flavors of Lebanon without leaving the bustling streets of Barcelona, look no further than this hidden gem. With its authentic cuisine, inviting ambiance, and unparalleled hospitality, it's a dining experience that will leave you...

While visiting Barcelona, my husband and I had a busy day dealing with rain and lots of tourists. We had been on the go all day and were looking for a dinner place near our hotel. We found this gem and so glad we did! We love Middle Eastern food but find it difficult to get close to home. After 11 days of Spain so far, we were a little tapped out on tapas, so we were looking for something different. When I saw this restaurant was a block away from our hotel and looked at the reviews, I knew we had to try it!

We chose to sit outside, since the rain was now gone. A waiter was outside taking a smoke break but quickly brought us menus. The menus were quite substantial with many options but we loved the combo offerings as we could get a variety of items for a great price. My husband chose the chicken shawarma combo which had a large portion of chicken, 2 falafel and 2 kinds of "creams" along with pita to dip in them. I had the kafta combo. Both were outstanding- fresh and flaverful. We loved the creams, getting all 4 options between our 2 dinners. I don't know which I liked better - they were all so wonderful.

Our total for this meal, along with 2 beers, was a very reasonable €36, very cheap compared to prices back home. Highly recommend...