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Fez — A Moroccan restaurant in New York City’s Astoria neighborhood has gone viral after posting a clip of Zohran Mamdani — New York City’s mayor-elect — joining customers to watch Morocco play, in a scene that blended football, food, and diaspora pride.
The post, shared by the restaurant’s official Instagram account, showed Mamdani seated at a communal table as staff and guests gathered around, with the venue describing the visit as a “beautiful moment” during “the Moroccan game.”
A diaspora table built around Morocco’s football nights
For many Moroccans abroad, match days are less about screens and more about shared ritual: mint tea poured between chants, tagines passing across tables, and strangers turning into friends by the final whistle. That is the energy the restaurant appeared to capture — presenting its space as a cultural meeting point as much as a dining room.
Located on 30th Avenue in Astoria, “Dar Lbahja” positions itself as an “authentic Moroccan cuisine” spot that’s open most days of the week, according to its public listings and social profiles.
What is Dar Lbahja and why Astoria fits
Astoria has long been one of New York’s most diverse neighborhoods, with a dense North African and Middle Eastern food scene that draws both locals and visitors. A New York City culture outlet previously described “Dar Lbahja” as a newer destination for Moroccan dishes, noting it as the first solo restaurant from chef Touria Lamtahaf, who had built a following in the area’s Moroccan dining circuit.
That background helps explain why a football-night crowd — especially for Morocco — would naturally gravitate there: the restaurant isn’t just serving food, it’s offering familiarity and atmosphere, the two things diaspora communities often chase when big national moments happen back home.
Who is Zohran Mamdani
Mamdani is New York City’s mayor-elect and is expected to take office on January 1, 2026, after winning the city’s 2025 mayoral race. Reuters has reported that his campaign centered heavily on affordability issues that resonated with younger voters.
While the Instagram post did not indicate whether the visit was scheduled or spontaneous, the optics were clear: a major U.S. political figure sitting in a Moroccan diaspora space during a national-team match, in a moment framed by the restaurant as simple, warm, and communal.
