Dar Lbahja
Halal restaurant · Astoria
47-12 30th Ave., Astoria, NY 11103
Highlights
Authentic Moroccan Halal food, flavorful tagines, chicken bastilla
Authentic Moroccan Halal food, flavorful tagines, chicken bastilla
"As you order at this Moroccan restaurant in Astoria, you might wonder aloud if you’re getting too much food. Your server will warmly encourage you to go big: “It’s the Moroccan way.” She’s right. The only thing you’ll regret about your extraordinarily comforting meal at Dar Lhabja is everything you didn’t eat. This is the kind of place that makes you feel welcome. The dining room is decorated with homey tapestries and photos of Morocco, and filled with families dexterously pouring fragrant mint tea from on high, even as their eyes remain glued to the Morocco national football team on TV. It’s an excellent choice for a casually overachieving lunch or dinner, worth a special trip to the neighborhood. photo credit: Kate Previte photo credit: Kate Previte photo credit: Kate Previte photo credit: Kate Previte photo credit: Kate Previte Pause Unmute Dar Lbahja is from a chef who used to be at nearby, now-closed Dar Yemma, and we’re glad to have her cooking back—especially the tender, aromatic lamb tagine. But however much you end up ordering, leave some space for dessert here, because the jahwara is something really special. Food Rundown Harira Easy to overlook, but one of our favorite items on the menu. This satisfyingly meaty soup with lentils, chickpeas, and cubes of beef balances considerable savoriness with a bright tomato broth. Lamb Tagine The bone-in lamb shank is encircled by prunes and sunny, golden apricots, like they’re its adoring fans seeking an autograph. After eating this superb tagine, we can relate. photo credit: Kate Previte Chicken Bastilla We haven’t been this happy to unwrap something since Christmas morning in the late ’90s. The shell on this sweet and savory, icing sugar-dusted pie is so crisp that they'll hear you slice through it all the way over on Steinway Street. photo credit: Kate Previte Kofta Briouate These crispy filo cigars shatter with a satisfying crackle, which only underscores how soft and juicy the generously cumin-spiced minced beef filling is. photo credit: Kate Previte Beef Tanjia No disrespect to the beef, but it's only the third best thing about this very good dish. The gold medal goes to the sauce—an explosion of cumin, preserved lemon, and saffron—and the silver to the basket of crusty bread on the side, much needed to sop that all up. photo credit: Kate Previte Lamb With Vegetables Couscous Dar Lbahja’s couscous (only served Fridays through Sundays) is light and fluffy, but it isn’t our top choice for a main. The lamb lacks the impressive depth of flavor you’ll enjoy in other dishes here, and the portion size of the meat left us wanting more. photo credit: Gene Aquino Grilled Merguez Platter Dar Lbahja’s housemade sausage is packed with smoky, earthy harissa flavor. You can also order it in sandwich form, but we prefer a side of rice to absorb the orange-tinted juices that’ll soon be running all over your plate. photo credit: Gene Aquino Jahwara Some mint tea and dwaz atay (cookies—including melty ghriyba shortbreads and biscotti-like fakas) are a fine way to end your meal. But if the jahwara is available, it's a must. These delicate sheets of fried dough layered with floral-perfumed custard are stunning. photo credit: Kate Previte" - Molly Fitzpatrick
"The former chef, Touria Lamtahaf, of the now-closed Moroccan spot, Dar Yemma, has opened her own place and revived all the old favorites at her new Dar Lbahja. They include her flavorful chicken and olives tagine; zaalouk (smokey mashed eggplant studded with herbs and spices); and harira (hearty soup with chickpeas, lentils, and meat)." - Caroline Shin
"From the chef behind Dar Yemma, which closed last year, Dar Lbahja is also in Astoria. Like Dar Yemma, they serve Moroccan tagines and other dishes, in a space inspired by the city of Marrakech." - will hartman, bryan kim
"When popular Moroccan spot, Dar Yemma, closed in 2024, locals thought they could no longer get their hands on its signature dishes: chicken and olive tagine; harira (thick lentil and chickpea stew); assorted couscous. They’re all back, thanks to chef Touria Lamtahaf, who has struck out on her own and opened Dar Lbahja less than a mile away." - Caroline Shin
"After the closure of a previous Moroccan spot in Astoria due to management conflict, chef Touria Lamtahaf returned to open her own restaurant about a mile away in Astoria. The move signals a continuation of her well-regarded Moroccan cooking in a new neighborhood location." - Emma Orlow
