One of the Gothic Quarter’s most beloved culinary institutions, El Cuiner de Damasc, has served its final shawarma. The iconic establishment, famed for what many locals and critics considered the best kebab in Barcelona, shut its doors permanently in December 2025. El Cuiner de Damasc closes after nearly two decades of operation, marking a significant loss for Barcelona’s food scene.
Confirmation of the closure comes directly from the owner, Salem Kahbbaz, who has returned the keys to the property. Unlike many recent closures in the city centre driven by soaring rents or commercial pressures, this farewell is due to a natural conclusion: retirement.
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El Cuiner de Damasc closes after owner’s well-earned retirement
According to reports from El Periódico, the 80-year-old Kahbbaz has decided it is time to rest. In a statement to the press, he explained that he is simply getting on in years and wishes to stop working. Meanwhile, a search on Google Maps now lists the premises at Carrer dels Templers, 2, as permanently closed.
The shop originally opened in 2006 and quickly gained a cult following. Time Out magazine famously praised the establishment for serving the best shawarma in Barcelona-a distinctive mix of lamb and turkey, served with tomato, cucumber, yoghurt sauce, and a touch of spice.
The end of an era for El Cuiner de Damasc
Loyal customers may recall a previous scare in September 2021, when El Cuiner de Damasc closed temporarily. At the time, a misunderstanding regarding the lease renewal following a change in building ownership led Kahbbaz to believe he had to leave. However, that situation was resolved, and the shop reopened after three weeks, operating normally until late last year.
The loss of El Cuiner de Damasc is part of a wider trend of historic and emblematic businesses disappearing from the Gothic Quarter. Last year saw the closure of several long-standing establishments, including the Conesa stationery shop after 75 years, and Casa Jornet, a furniture store dating back to 1901 that was once frequented by Antoni Gaudí.
More recently, Tot Barcelona reported the closure of Bethelem Treasures, a Palestinian shop specialising in Christmas figures, which was forced to close in early January due to high rental costs. Therefore, the permanent closure of El Cuiner de Damasc represents another significant change for the neighbourhood’s commercial landscape.
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