Omaya’s Lebanese Cuisine — Restaurant in Santa Clarita

The short: come for the best Mediterranean/middle Eastern style (not just Lebanese) food in SCV. Mama chef takes pride in making delicious food and pastries. when the baklava fingers are fresh they are quite rich and savory yet not overly sweet. right now my fave is the birds nest. Service could use some improvement as it seems like the younger staff are overwhelmed with multiple tables but not quite crazy busy.

About our experience: after 3 visits, this mama chef is actually improving her food every time we come. I love people who take pride and continuously improve, a rarity in restaurants that mostly stay the same or get worse as they establish themselves.

The food: mezze platter for the vegetarian + falafel sandwich, lamb chops a la carte, and family feast for the meat eaters.

If vegetarian, they have extremely well fried falafels and the classic mezze platter. Their batter though is surprisingly light on herbs (e.g. parsley and cilantro) compared to other Lebanese falafels I've tried. But if you like more earthy heart falafels they are great! Good dips, especially the baba ghanoush if you love smokiness. Hummus is ok. Tzatziki is generous with cucumbers. Garlic sauce (not in the mezze platter but received through the family platter) is extra garlicky, yum for Koreans! Tahini sauce is flavorful thanks to lots of salt. Tabbouli is pretty good though had a lot of liquid for the amount of salad.

The lamb chops, a huge hit with the meat eating fam. Dad stated, these are the best lamb chops out of any Mediterranean restaurant. A huge compliment I can't corroborate but all family members fought for the 4 chops we ordered. High quality and melt in your mouth.

The family feast, good but not lick your plate clean. The family devoured the flies. Loved the rice and garlic sauce and beef / ground beef. Chicken was not a hit.

Dessert: thank you mama chef for the baklava fingers treats at the end! everybody loved the baklava fingers for their savoriness and we ended up ordering more + a tray to go. Stepmom LOVES them. Birds nest is yum! Whole pistachios with orange blossom syrup is more in my lane than the buttery fingers. But everybody is a fan especially with the freshness.

Service: a bummer today. However service on a somewhat busier day was not the best. At the beginning, 3 different people talked to us about our order which was confusing and then after our food came nobody came by at all. We were thirsty by the end of the meal, with empty cups but nobody came by at all. My sister had to walk in and ask twice for water. If it were

And we had to sit outside with people smoking cigarettes right next to us. As a non smoking family it was a little disruptive.

Overall, we all would come back. Our fave going out restaurant in SCV. Thank you mama chef for the party in our mouths. Please improve the service and you'll get an updated...

Walking into Omaya's Lebanese Cuisine is like stepping into a warm hug... The family-run establishment radiates an atmosphere of authenticity and genuine hospitality, transporting you straight to the heart of Lebanon. Chef and owner Omaya, a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen, pours her heart and soul into every dish, ensuring a truly memorable culinary experience.

The menu boasts a depth that reflects the rich tapestry of Lebanese cuisine. From classic mezze platters overflowing with hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, and grape leaves, to succulent grilled meats and flavorful stews, each dish is a testament to Omaya's dedication to preserving tradition. The use of fresh, local ingredients shines through in every bite, resulting in flavors that are vibrant and bursting with authenticity.

But it's not just the food that makes Omaya's Lebanese Cuisine special. The staff is another testament to the restaurant's heart. Attentive and friendly, they go above and beyond to make you feel like family. From explaining the nuances of each dish to recommending the perfect pairing, their genuine care and knowledge elevate the dining experience to a whole new level.

And then there are the desserts. Each one, a sweet symphony of flavors and textures, is made in-house with love. From the delicate baklava dripping with honey to the creamy rice pudding infused with rosewater, the desserts are the perfect ending to a truly exceptional meal.

Whether you're a seasoned Lebanese food lover or simply looking for a taste of something authentic and delicious, Omaya's Lebanese Cuisine is a must-visit. Omaya's passion for her heritage is evident in every aspect of the restaurant, making it an experience that will stay with you long after...

Unacceptable service, to be honest. I had to ask for menus because we sat down and nobody was serving us - we thought it’s self service. Then we ordered a pot of tea, we got a cup of tea. They brought our starter - I had to go get utensils. We never got water - you guessed it, I had to ask for it, and we got 2 small cups when we were 2 adults and 2 children. They forgot my daughter’s milk cup, had to ask for it again. Pita bread came as we were halfway through our starter. Nobody cleaned our table after the starters. When my main course came she picked up only half the table. Weren’t given new utensils even though she picked up some of them. The dirty plates from the starters stayed until we left. I had to ask for my husband’s food as they only brought out mine. She had forgotten it.

The other waitress kept running back and forth to her tables - Literally running. I can appreciate the rush but that doesn’t help the atmosphere at all having someone running around you.

Waitresses were also bartenders. And I think one of them was also plating.

Get more personnel and have them do a single role. Maybe then they can actually focus.

Food-wise: The starter plate was great. I ordered combo shawarma which had nothing to do with shawarma - it was just sautéed chicken and beef strips. Hummus was good.

Knefe was the reason why I picked this restaurant and it was extremely disappointing - the outer layer was something doughy when usually Knefe is made with angel hair/kadaif. Not enough syrup so it was basically a bready warm cheese.

No kids menu.

Super sad - was so excited we found a Lebanese restaurant on our way to Sequoia...