Sahara Restaurant

Sahara is one of the best Middle Eastern food restaurants in downtown Madrid. The menu's appetizer list boasts the normal Lebanese staples like hummus, muhammara, and tabouli, but moving on to the main course you'll find a variety delicious Moroccan specialties like tagines (ranging from beef with prunes to the traditional chicken, saffron, and olives), and pan-Arabic favorites like kebabs and shwarma.

The atmosphere is another selling point at Sahara: dim, romantic lighting, low carved tables with stools, Alhambra-esque geometric touches, and the occasionally belly dancer (which can honestly get to be a bit obnoxious when you're trying to enjoy a romantic meal and quiet conversation).