Byblos Mediterranean restaurant will open a new Uptown location in the spot formerly held by Flaming Torch restaurant at 737 Octavia Street, just around the corner from Paris Parker Hair Salon. Construction is already under way in the new location.
Byblos, known for falafel, gyros, drunken halloumi, and other Mediterranean-style dishes, also has locations on Tulane campus (in the university food court), in Old Metairie (traditional sit-down restaurant), in regular Metairie on Vets (a walk-up counter with full market), and in Lakeside Mall (in the food court). Years ago, Byblos held a large restaurant further down Magazine Street (now home to Amici) before closing and moving to a now-shuttered spot just a few doors down (formerly Nacho Mama’s; now Araña).
Flaming Torch restaurant closed in February after a suspicious fire broke out. It was being investigated as a possible arson. The new location just off Magazine marks a return of a sit-down Byblos restaurant to New Orleans proper.
Eater has reached out to Byblos for comment and will update this story as more information becomes available.