Almaya

Almaya is an absolute gem in Lincoln Heights. Friendly, family-kitchen vibes the moment you walk in, great service. kind of place where everything tastes like it was made with heart. The menu delivers across the board: shawarma, falafel, birria taquitos, salmon, carne asada, and handmade tortillas that are next-level. And the desserts? Baklava and rice pudding that are simple, sweet, and perfect. If you’re anywhere near Dodger Stadium, swing over to Almaya — a true Lincoln Heights gem serving some of the warmest, tastiest plates in the neighborhood. You’ll find it at the crossroads of Barranca St, N Ave 21, and San Fernando Rd, right by Goodwill and St. Vincent de Paul.

Holy cow that was unexpected and very very good. Just happened upon it after St Vincent thrift store. Highly recommend. The spicy creamy chicken and the falafel plates were fantastic and the pita and hummus is some of the best I’ve ever had.

I discovered this spot on Taco Tuesday and it quickly became my favorite local restaurant. I’ve been coming back almost every week since! I love trying something new each time, and everything I’ve had so far has been absolutely delicious. The food is always fresh and full of flavor. On top of that, the service is amazing!! Nicki is the sweetest and always makes the experience even better. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to keep coming back. Highly recommend if you’re looking for great food and great people!

Completely fresh and delicious! Very authentic Egyptian cuisine with a Mexican twist. The falafel is the most authentic Egyptian falafel. Salad was so yummy. The hummus is homemade and the bread was warm. Everything was so tasty. My boyfriend got the chicken Shawarma and was very happy. We will go back. The bakalars looked so good. The portions are generous and everything was very filling. High quality ingredients with beautiful presentation. Very clean.

Definitely recommend this counter service, fusion cuisine gem. It's Middle Eastern and Mexican dishes. Ihad the spicy cream chicken, and it was so tender and savory, really hot the spot. You can choose hummus or beans(I went with the beans) and it also came with tortillas and salad. Everything was really fresh and tasty.

Love that we have a more casual Mediterranean restaurant in Lincoln Heights! I ordered the spicy creamy chicken plate and I was blown away. It was so flavorful, fresh, and filling! I could’ve cried eating it. Probably the best dish I’ve had among all the restaurants in the food hall where Almaya is located. Big shoutout to the warm, crispy pita bread that went great with the cold and fresh hummus. The complimentary pickled veggies were a nice touch. Almaya is a family owned small business and the owners and staff were really kind! Highly recommend.

Love this new spot, healthy(ish) and delicious options. Definitely going into the rotation Pictures: spicy creamy chicken plate with hummus; spicy whipped feta; crispy cauliflower; chicken shawarma bowl. All winners

The chicken shawarma plate here is seriously so good. The chicken is full of flavor and the rice is perfectly fluffy. It comes with a fresh side salad and creamy hummus that totally hit the spot. Almaya is part of a food hall that’s still being developed, so it’s exciting to see it grow.

If you haven't tried this place yet what are you waiting for? We have enjoyed eating in, catering and ordering out and it's been a hit each time.

Fantastic birria tacos and shrimp tacos. This place rates for sure. Excellent service - friendly helpful and generous. Easy in and out. This place is one of my go-tos. Love Almaya!

Almaya is an absolute gem in Lincoln Heights. Friendly, family-kitchen vibes the moment you walk in, great service. kind of place where everything tastes like it was made with heart. The menu delivers across the board: shawarma, falafel, birria taquitos, salmon, carne asada, and handmade tortillas that are next-level. And the desserts? Baklava and rice pudding that are simple, sweet, and perfect. If you're anywhere near Dodger Stadium, swing over to Almaya -- a true Lincoln Heights gem serving some of the warmest, tastiest plates in the neighborhood. You'll find it at the crossroads of Barranca St, N Ave 21, and San Fernando Rd, right by Goodwill and St. Vincent de Paul.

A lucky discovery around the area. We came in on a Tuesday, after the lunch hour, so there was not much people. The place yeh clean and there were ample of tables around. I got my beef kebab plate, which was oh so delicious, I scarfed that down fast! My colleagues also loved their order: chicken kebab plate and asada burrito. Highly recommend!

Such an amazing find with great customer service and food!! It's located inside of a food hall and the quality of the food here is so good. We got three tacos; asada, chicken shawarma, and birria along with a birria burrito. The flavor was top notch and it tasted so fresh. I also loved at how light and thin the chips were. The green salsa paired so well with everything! Definitely check this place out.

The food was amazing and the prices were very reasonable. I got a TON of steak on my plate in the Asada Kabab. I was stuffed. My wife ordered the falafel plate and took leftovers home. I tasted the falafel and it was perfectly cooked. It is easy to mess up falafel and a hard thing to get just right. It can be dry, or too oily or too thick, or cold, or too salty. So many things can go wrong. This falafel was perfect. If you are a falafel lover, I highly recommend trying it! Parking can be a little tricky, but there is free parking at the thrift store across the street. We found street parking, but it can be like the Hunger Games depending on the time of day. The only thing that wasn't my favorite was the horchata. It was a little too sugary and on the sweet side for me. Everything else was extremely good and very enjoyable. Plus, this service could not be friendlier.

Randomly came across this place and it did not disappoint. Tucked away under apartments, Almaya sits in a little food hall. Kind of a random place for this building, as the area is a street over from a tent city. Parked on the street (make sure to lock your cars!) I ordered a falafel plate, some guac and chips, and cheese rolls. Oh! And baklava. The plate is a decent size and everything was so good! Probably could have split it with my friend, but had left overs for dinner lol. Chips and guac were really yummy. The cheese rolls were pretty nice, too. I love baklava! This one was a little too sweet but still really yummy. The girl at the counter was super awesome and nice. She answered all our questions and then later brought everything out to us and always had a smile on her face. We saw her bring out a candle on a dessert for some other people and that's way more than I would expect for a spot in a dining hall so definitely awesome! Great service!

I have to follow up to say this place continues to amaze me! I've literally eaten every menu item they offer and it's all incredible. I've brought lots of people here to lunch with me and they were all impressed. The main reason for the follow up is to mention the specials. They have unique and delicious items most of the time. They have things that aren't on the menu too. Be sure to look at the board out front or ask, because the specials are creative and flavorful!

I live in the Bay Area, but whenever I visit LA, I always make sure to stop at Almaya for a meal or two. Mediterranean Mexican fusion is absolutely a match made in heaven! Food is fresh (quality ingredients), delicious, and their service is superb. Love their Chicken Shawarma plate, Spicy Creamy Chicken plate, Carne Asada tacos and Chicken Shawarma tacos. Both their Baba Ganoush and fresh pita chips (perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside) and their Tortilla chips with their house-made creamy jalapeño sauce are to die for! They have complementary pickled jalapeños and marinated carrots with a nice kick. Their fresh seasonal drinks are excellent, as well. Highly recommend!

The freshest homemade food, fruit drinks, and coffee ever! The crew there are so kind and friendly. I make a pit stop here when I'm craving Mexican-Mediterranean fusion cuisine. Highly recommend Almaya for breakfast burritos, platters, salads, vegetables, hummus, kabobs, rice, and burritos!!!!

I attended a dinner where the food was catered by Almaya and was completely impressed by how great the food was! At first, I was a little surprised by the combo of Mexican and Mediterranean dishes, but upon learning that the chef's background is a blend of the two cultures, it all makes sense! Starters included a tray of hummus (beautifully decorated by edible flowers) and tray of guacamole, with fried pita chips and tortilla chips. I particularly loved their brussels sprouts and spicy cauliflower which were both delicious! The chicken kabobs and salmon kabobs were cooked perfectly and very flavorful. There was also a couple of salads and Mexican rice. Everything was so fresh and well-executed that you could tell that it was made by someone who cares a lot about food and cooks with lots of love. It made me wish I lived back in LA so I could eat their food more often!

Part of my new relocation project, after the wildfires, has been to highlight new places that give light to their customers be it their menu, service and hospitality, and just that extra special something. That said, I LOVE ALMAYA! nestled in Lincoln Heights (near the popular St.Vincent's) you'll find the best fusion of Mexican & Mediterranean cuisine carefully prepared by the chefs of ALMAYA. A must is their Taco Tuesday selections, but don't stop or be limited to one day out of the week. As everyone in Mexico knows: Tacos are today & tomorrow :) Also recommended are their breakfast burritos, soups (the lentil was so soothing on a late evening) and the shawarma combo. For drinks and dessert -- the Horchata has the right balance of spices and sweet that lets you know it's like a homemade special and not that processed stuff... But, please add a rice pudding and baklava, fantastic! The space is located on the first floor of the Barranca lofts and shared the area with other great eats. You'll have choices and a comfy place to relax and enjoy your meal in or to-go. I'll be back many

Love this find. I have visited this neighborhood for decades and am so happy to support change. Not only the great thrift stores but now new food for hungry shoppers. Our food was served on real plates. Score one for the environment. Very close to st Vincent de Paul thrift and an excellent good will. I can't wait to go back. She brought our food to our table and it was wonderful. A husband a wife and a Mama are the brains and brawn of a great place

I've been here twice and every single thing ive eaten has hit!! The service is always great. Nikki is super sweet and friendly! My favorite dish is the asada kabab with hummus and pita. Their horchata is the creamiest ive ever had and their mayas del dia are always so unique and tasty. Dont forget to try the rice pudding! Its the cherry on top of an amazing meal. Cant wait to come back :)

Chef's Kiss! A Hidden Gem That Deserves an Award Every single dish we ordered was a hit--from the flavorful Chicken Shawarma to the perfectly cooked Salmon Plate, this place did not miss. As a side, we went with the Brussels sprouts, and let me tell you: hands down the best I've ever had. They were crispy, beautifully caramelized, and topped with lemon shavings that added the perfect zing. A total flavor bomb. I didn't get a chance to snap photos of our dinner (it smelled too good to wait!), but by the time dessert rolled around, I knew I had to leave a review. Here's the best part: the quality here is easily on par with a full-service sit-down restaurant--but without the steep price tag. We ordered two generous dinner plates, shared a side, had dessert and coffee, all for just $60. That kind of value is unheard of these days. This spot is a total win. Flavorful food, reasonable prices, and no compromise on quality. I'll definitely be back--and bringing friends with me next time.

Nestled in the plainly named "Food Hall" in a gentrifying area of Lincoln Hts. Almaya is representative of the best of LA: fusion food, in this case Mexican and Mediterranean. Almaya offers you the choice between handmade tortillas or pita, pinto beans or hummus. Their baklava is great as well as their crispy cheese rolls and guacamole. Definitely coming back to try other combinations. The owner is awesome and also offers samples of their homemade juices like Jamaica, cantaloupe and others depending on what was made that day. Fear not, there is parking at the St. Vincent thrift store across the street.

I finally had the opportunity to go back to Almaya this week. I tried their Chicken Mole special, which was excellent. The Brussels sprouts, though, omg, the best I've ever had! Such an amazing fusion of flavors and textures! I loved them so much I went back the next day for more! The baklava was incredible as well. I almost can't wait for another doctor appointment nearby so I can go back and try more!

Inside the cute Barranca food hall with a shared outdoor patio/garden seating area. Staff was friendly and brought our food and drinks to us. Shawerma burrito was flavorful and moist with a delicious salsas and pickles bar. The coffee and agua frescas were tasty without being too sweet. Parking is free at the St. Vincent de Paul lot across the street.

This pace never dissipations ! The salads my fave. So good . The good is always fresh and delicious . The owner is very nice . We love the arroz con leche ! It's the best .

The food is amazing. Service was excellent. Complimentary infused water and jalapeño's curtidos.

I stumbled upon Almaya by chance after a quick thrift run nearby. I've passed the food hall before but never stopped in--until today, when curiosity got the best of me. Out of the variety of food options, Almaya immediately stood out. I asked what was popular, and the lovely host recommended the Shawarma Chicken. However, I had already spotted the Salmon Burrito on Yelp, and it looked too good to pass up. I took a chance--and I'm so glad I did. While waiting, I chatted with the host, who shared that the restaurant has only been open for three months and is a family-run business. I always love supporting family-owned spots, and I had a feeling this was going to be special--and I was right. The Salmon Burrito was phenomenal. Flavorful, fresh, and satisfying without being heavy. No exaggeration--it was one of the best meals I've had in a while. I'm a creature of habit, and when I find something I love, it instantly becomes part of my regular rotation. Almaya is officially on my list. Great people, amazing food, and a place I'll be coming back to often. Highly recommend adding it to your list, too.

I can't say enough good things about this place, everything is absolutely delicious. This is my second time ordering and I felt it deserved a raving review. The owners are the sweetest too, which makes it even better. I'll definitely be back. Definitely try the Brussels sprouts!!!!

Wowie! So Good! I had the Spicy Feta, it's lightly garnished with pepitas and spices. Comes with Pita and fresh tortilla chips. The plate looks like your at a gourmet restaurant. The "drink of the day" was Strawberry with Lemon to give it the perfect amount of tart. This place is great.

Amazing Food and Friendly Service at Almaya! My family and I went to Almaya Restaurant, and it was such a great experience! The people who work there are super nice and made us feel welcome right away. The place has a really cozy and down-to-earth feeling, and we got to choose between sitting inside or outside. We came with a group of six, and every single dish was full of flavor. I ordered the salmon kabob plate, and it was cooked just right--no complaints at all! We also tried the birria, which had great portions and was so tasty. And the tzatziki? Amazing! Everything was super fresh and delicious. If you're looking for a place with great food and even better service, Almaya is the spot. We will definitely be coming back!

Super clean place. The plate was served just like the picture, the taste was amazing!!

MY FAVORITE FUSION Mediterranean/Mexican spot!! The Pita Chips and Rice pudding is a MUST!!! Also, the portions and presentation is everything.

My family and I just had lunch at Almaya and couldn't stop raving about it. Almaya is a new delightful gem in an up-and-coming neighborhood, offering a fast-casual dining experience that doesn't compromise on taste or quality. The food here is an absolute treat--each dish brimming with freshness and flavor. From the moment I took my first bite, it was clear that Almaya prides itself on using only the freshest ingredients. The vegetables were crisp and tasty and the proteins cooked perfectly and very tender. The menu offers a mix of vibrant, well-spiced Mediterranean and mexican dishes. We started with the guac, Brussels and cauliflower... all delicious and an excellent introduction to the meal. For the main, we opted for the salmon and chicken kebab as well as their asada burrito. They were nothing short of delicious. Both the salmon and the chicken was tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, served over a bed of rice and topped with fresh, crisp salad ingredients and hummus and pita that tied everything together. The burrito was huge and had the perfect meat to rice and bean ratio What stands out most about Almaya is how quickly the food comes out without sacrificing quality. The service is great and gave lots of recommendations if you're unsure what to order. It's the perfect place for a satisfying meal when you're on the go but still want something that tastes fresh and thoughtfully prepared. I highly recommend and we'll definitely be back! 10/10

Some of the best falafel on the planet. Everything they make is delicious. I'm so glad Almaya exists.

The food is terrific here. I loved the chicken plate. My husband had the steak kabob plate. Our friend had the chilaquiles. The humus was creamy and flavorful. The pita bread had a nice texture and was golden. We even got baklava with our meals. The service was friendly and they even brought out all of food to the outdoor seating due to us having a dog. The interior was clean and bright. There is free parking too. We will be back for sure next time we are in LA. Everything is fresh. flavorful, and the portions are huge.

Friendly simple good food makes sense how they have their set up. The building is big enough for four businesses. They are at the very front so they get them both the view as you walk in in their smiling as they're taking your order that only makes sense running a good business and the food is good quality

I was excited to try this new Mexican-inspired Middle Eastern place; they have cool items like birria plates with hummus and salad. We tried the chicken shawarma and grilled steak plates. Every component was done so well and seasoned perfectly; hummus, salad, rice, and tender protein. I don't know if I'd go out of my way to go back but if you're in the area or can order I highly recommend.

Food was amazing! We left so full cause we ate everything! My husband and I tried the birria and salmon kabab plate. We also ordered the agua de Jamaica and agua de horchata. For appetizers we had the guacamole and hummus. The guacamole has pickled onions on it and feta cheese. Oof so good. And the hummus was so silky I've never had any like it before. And for dessert, we had everything they offer which was the cream caramel, rice pudding and baklava. Get them all if you can!! If you have to choose one, try the rice pudding first. Then come back for the others. The service and ambiance were great too. Very warm and welcoming. I highly recommend this place!

This place does not miss! We have had their breakfast and their dinner and both are fantastic. I can 100% recommend the chilaquiles with chorizo as well as the spicy saucy chicken. Everyone I have interacted there has been nice, helpful, and friendly. My biggest recommendation, order extra pita chips and don't miss out on the baklava.

My brother in-law recommended this spot & what a delight. We were a group of 6 & we ordered a lil from each section of their menu. Everything was tasty . The birria, the carne asada kabob, the chicken burrito , the creamy rice pudding! Def coming back.

I've tried this restaurant twice now and both times had a great experience. Friendly service and quick preparation. The first time I preordered the Salmon bowl. It was ready when I arrived for pickup. Perfectly cooked tender salmon over rice and greens, with a mix of Mediterranean toppings. Today I tried the Chicken Shawarma bowl. Again perfectly cooked and seasoned. Good service. Ambiance for restaurant is modest, since it's in a small food hall, but it's clean and bright, with well marked signage. I'll be ordering again!

This place is AMAZING! Go support this family, not only is the food mind blowing, there also just such a kind and awesome group of people running this. Every last ingredient packed with flavor. How the hell do you get rice pudding to be that creamy and delectable ? Please go here so this place stays open forever.

Just discovered Almaya and the Mediterranean food here is exceptional - from the first bite of their creamy hummus to the last spoonful of rice pudding. The lamb chops were cooked perfectly and the portions were generous. Their chicken dish was rich and flavorful in a way that made me slow down to savor each bite. Even the basics - rice, salad, pita - were fresh and delicious. Family-owned places often have something special, and Almaya nails it with both food quality and service. I've eaten at a lot of Mediterranean spots in Highland Park and Eagle Rock, and a ton in Glendale and nothing comes close to what they're doing here. Northeast LA finally has the Mediterranean restaurant it deserves.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I had two of their Agua Fresca's , both the pineapple and cantaloupe and both were sooooo delicious and refreshing only the cantaloupe survived for a photo! Will be back for food. The staff was awesome and definitely made the interaction fun. It's definitely a hidden gem between these small streets.

I always appreciate businesses that make a point to remember my name and give me a genuine smile. They serve different types of soup through out the week. A lentil and a surprise soup. I love surprises. I love this place. You can taste the love in each dish. I've tried the asada and it was really good. Beans and rice super yummy. The chicken plate was also yummy. I think every item I've tried from here is absolutely delicious. Take a chance and try this family restaurant out. You won't be disappointed. There's love in each bite. and did I mention it's delicious?

Great food! My coworker loved her birria plate and I enjoyed my spicy feta dip. We will definitely order again.

If I could eat Almaya every single day I would! It's in top 5 restaurants in LA. Service 10/10. Food 10/10 - so fresh, so flavorful, so filling! I've had their spicy creamy chicken, asada kabob, lamb chop special and each has been amazing! The Brussel sprouts, spicy feta dip, baklava and rice pudding are also soo good! Love them

They won me over with their food. They locked me in as a customer cause they went above and beyond. I came here for the first time the other day and was blown away by the quality of their food. I ordered the spicy chicken plate. All of the items on the plate were incredible. Typically, a side salad is a throwaway item for most places, but not here. The ingredients very fresh, were well seasoned, and paired perfectly. I practically licked my plate clean. On this first visit, I left my bag. Nikki, who was working there, noticed and was able to track me down and notify me. I came back the next day and was so relieved. (So glad there are still kind humans in this world). Lucky for me, I was also hungry and decided to try the chicken shwarma plate. It did not disappoint. I will be back, and back often.

Love that we have a more casual Mediterranean restaurant in Lincoln Heights! I ordered the spicy creamy chicken plate and I was blown away. It was so flavorful, fresh, and filling! I could've cried eating it. Probably the best dish I've had among all the restaurants in the food hall where Almaya is located. Big shoutout to the warm, crispy pita bread that went great with the cold and fresh hummus. The complimentary pickled veggies were a nice touch. Almaya is a family owned small business and the owners and staff were really kind! Highly recommend.

Everything is delicious. Great attention to detail, unique blends of flavors. One of my favorite local restaurants. Delivery tastes great still. A staple in my household

Great food! Here's my honest opinion: -Chicken shawarma wrap 10/10 literally perfect with eveything on it -chicken kabob plate 10/10, meat is so tender and flavorful -birria plate 9/10 had better birria but it was still amazing would order it again -beans 5/10 they alright but wouldn't order again, they have like an odd sweaty odor smell to them -hummus: 8/10 would order again -Horchata 8/10 it just has a lot of pulp but i went home and used a strainer and tasted way better

Delicious food!! The chili verde bowl is amazing. Such a unique mix of Mediterranean flavors and chili verde. The asada burrito is flavorful. You can tell they use quality ingredients and nothing was greasy or heavy. Don't sleep on the turmeric lemonade or the baklava!!! Great people and great food!!

Wow - Michelin Guide should take note of this sleeping giant. Although Almaya is relatively new, they are - in my book - already a contender to be the next Holbox (that is, a Michelin-starred food stand tucked inside a food court). Everything we ate was exceptional, particularly the Spicy Feta Dip, the Brussel Sprouts, Guac, and Birria Plate. I highly recommend this surprisingly delicious spot whose slogan is "Where Mexico meets the Mediterranean."

When I first showed up I was very thrown off because there was burrito on the menu. I was a bit concerned because from my experience a restaurant with too many options usually lacks quality however the many was small. It was also located inside of a food hall which immediately rang cafeteria in my head. Once getting inside it was pretty and clean. I proceeded with getting an asada plate and burrito even tho I was in for Mediterranean. The burrito was toasted, balanced and very delicious. My entire experience was fantastic and I was super pleased.

I've only tried the Chilaquiles plate from here so far, but it was very good! It came out super fast!