The entrance to Luna Bistro is like a magical portal — a pathway leading from a bustling shopping mall and crowded parking lot leads you to a beautiful space with a picturesque view of Nazareth, the city of the Annunciation. Luna Zreik, a local legend and a Nazareth native, is the proprietor of the restaurant, which specializes in dishes from Nazarene and Syrian cuisines prepared with skill, precision, and love.

Luna Bistro. Noam Preisman

In recent years, the restaurant has evolved into a pilgrimage site for food lovers hoping to try Zreik’s classic dishes and modern interpretations. A meal here often commences with the Nazareth platter, which features a spectacular selection of mezze rooted in the local Arak drinking culture. There’s muhammara, sambusak filled with cheese and thyme, grape leaves, msabbaha (chickpeas with tahini), and more. Noteworthy mains include habra, a lamb tartare reminiscent of kibbeh nayyeh that’s served occasionally as a special. There’s also alma’ashuka, a reconstruction of a dish found in a 13th-century Syrian cookbook and lamb kebabs cooked in broth with orange blossom water, ginger, and dates. To finish the meal, diners can choose between two perfect desserts: a local clotted cream called ushta that’s served with fig or heirloom apricot jam, or a plate of warm ma’amul cookies baked in the taboon oven.

“Being the female owner of a sizable restaurant is a noteworthy accomplishment in its own right. In addition, Luna ensures the inclusion of women in both the kitchen and the service team,” remarks Muzna Bishara. “Her clever and beautiful dishes tell a story, forge a historical connection, and are seasoned with meticulous precision. They not only represent her culinary vision, but also encapsulate the essence of Nazarene-Syrian cuisine as a whole.”