Two Middle Eastern gems in Barcelona

Making plans for dinner but you don’t know where to go? How about something different, like Middle Eastern food?

Karakala

Torrent de L’ Olla, 136, 08012 Barcelona, Spain

Karakala is a Lebanese restaurant with a warm and pleasant atmosphere, one of the few Middle Easter restaurants in Barcelona to present a modern decoration, complete with a variety of geometric patterns.

If you are not experienced in Middle Eastern food, you have nothing to worry about since the staff is very friendly and will be more than welcome to give you advice on what to order.

Karakala’s menu offers a variety of quality dishes, including the classic Middle Eastern dishes, and some of the restaurant’s own creations.

Some of the most interesting starter dishes are the Baba Gannuj (pureed aubergines), Falafel (ball fritters made out of beans), Warak Inab (stuffed grape leaves) and the Fattoush  salad.  As  for  the  meats  there  is  Kibbeh  bil  Laban  (meat  croquettes  with  yogurt  sauce),  Shish Taouk  (marinated grilled chicken), and Kebab Karaz  (minced lamb with  cherry  sauce). There  is  also  a  selection  of  seafood  dishes,  set menus,  and  classic  desserts.

Accompany your meal with a Almaza, a well-known Lebanese beer or a nice Lebanese wine.

La Caravana

Carrer de Mozart, 15, 08012 Barcelona, Spain

This small and unassuming restaurant is owned and run by two Syrian brothers, who greet you warmly as you come through the door.

La Caravana specializes in shawarma, an Arabic wrap/sandwich that is similar to the doner kebab. Although there are many places in Barcelona where you can find shawarmas, La Caravana’s may just be the one to beat! Each shawarma at La Caravana is prepared with tasty, quality meat, which has been seasoned to perfection.

You can choose to have your shawarma as a sandwich, with the meat served inside the pita bread, or to have it served on a plate, without the ingredients being mixed.

La Caravana serves delicious homemade food, prepared with fresh ingredients, such as their wonderful falafels, hummus, and salads.

You can accompany your meal with a variety of drinks, but we recommend trying the house’s fresh mint tea.

La Caravana is a lovely restaurant with tasty, affordable meals, that will leave you wondering what to try next time you come.