Mazaya

Specialties

Have you ever seen a DJ with a turntable under one hand and a hookah in the other? At Mazaya Lounge, you may see just that at one of the spot’s late-​night parties. And as you puff on a hookah, you might also see belly dancers spinning on chairs or stand-​up comedians vying for laughs, which they convert into calories for sustenance. But for all its revelry and special events, the lounge is also a Lebanese restaurant with a focus on Mediterranean fusion cuisine and offering the full Lebanese experience.

In the kitchen, chef Aladdin churns out dishes that fall squarely in the fusion category – such as the beef shawarma pizza – and others that skew traditional – like the spiced semolina and chicken moughrabieh. He and the staff even serve traditional beverages, including jallab. In this concoction, a layer of pine nuts, almonds, and raisins comprise the top third of the glass, bobbing atop the inky mix of carob, dates, grape molasses, and rose water that’s been smoked with Arabic incense.

History

Established in 2013.

Two Brothers, Ben and Karim Kanbour started with just hookah lounge in their parents garage where friends would gather day and night and smoke sheesha. Upon creating the trademark for Travelling Hookah, they would bring their hookah along on any adventure they would take and started to become recognized as a brand. With help from their following, and their amazing mother who has a gift when it comes too cooking traditional Lebanese food, they created Mazaya.