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    Bavel

    4.4 (3.1k reviews)
    Open • 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Recommended Reviews - Bavel

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    Reviews With Photos

    Oyster Mushroom Kebab
    Kathy X.

    This is one of the best restaurants I've been to in a while! Our favorite bite was the duck hummus. It had a nice kick to it and it was so flavorful, and it came with this super fluffy, very hot pita. I also really enjoyed the brightness of the crudo, and the grilled oyster mushrooms or a must. And for someone that doesn't really like lamb, I thought the rack of lambs was actually pretty good and tender. And if you have room for dessert, definitely get the baked Alaska. It is so fresh, fruity, and bright! Surface is fantastic. Our waiter was able to preempt our every need and brought out the dessert menu and each of the courses before we asked. It is also such a gorgeous place with hanging pothos from the high ceilings!

    menu
    Grace F.

    Came here for a group dinner on a Wednesday evening with some friends to celebrate our friendiversary! Bavel has been at the top of our list of places we've all wanted to try, so we were very excited to finally make it happen. Walking in, the space is beautiful and feels very elevated while still having that open-concept feel. There are cute plants and vines hanging from the ceiling and an open kitchen where you can see everything happening. The lighting was interesting though. Our table was lit very brightly, while some of the other tables looked much more dimly lit and intimate. Our server was great, and the sommelier was wonderful as well. We went with wine pairings throughout our meal, starting with a splash of sparkling white wine. HUMMUS DUCK 'NDUJA (tahini, parsley, cilantro, sumac, blistered pita)10/10. This was DELICIOUS. The texture and flavors were everything. SILKY smooth hummus with that fatty, deep flavor from the duck 'nduja. My goodness, I would like to drink it. The warm pita that came with it was pillowy soft and perfect for scooping everything up. Amazing dish. I would order this every single time, hands down. DRY AGED TROUT CRUDO (coconut citrus broth, charred chill & onion, mandarinquat, turmeric ginger oil, kaffir lime) 8/10. Crudo was yummy with the coconut citrus sauce. Tangy, a little sweet, herby, zesty, with the fattiness of the fish. But I didn't taste anything especially different even if it was dry aged. ROASTED CAULIFLOWER (vegetable curry sauce, rose pickled beets, garam masala, horseradish, cilantro)7.5/10. This dish was good, but nothing spectacular compared to everything else we had. The flavors were there, but overall it tasted a little more muted in comparison to the rest of the meal. GRILLED OCTOPUS (skordalia potatoes, broccoli, lamb XO, dill, lemon, olive oil)9/10. Loved! SO TENDER. I've had plenty of octopus that ends up chewy or overcooked, so I really appreciated how perfectly this was cooked. ROMANO BEAN TEMPURA (cashew cardamom cream, tomato date chutney, black garlic aioli, smoked habanero)8/10. The sauces were SO good with the tempura beans. The batter was very light and crispy, while the beans themselves were cooked until just tender enough. Such a good bite in terms of both texture and flavor. SLOW ROASTED LAMB NECK SHAWARMA (tahini, ajika, pickled vegetables, carob molasses, laffa)10/10. AMAZING DISH. The meat literally fell off the bone. I already love the flavor of lamb, and this one was just chef's kiss. The tangy pickled vegetables paired with the rich lamb and tahini worked so well together and made for the perfect bite. 10/10 would recommend if you like lamb and have people to share it with! 22OZ BONELESS MARGARET RIVER RIBEYE (fermented mushroom cream, marinated cucumbers, dill)9.5/10. This was cooked SO WELL. The fermented mushroom cream was an amazing sauce to pair with the steak. There are a lot of rich, fatty elements here, so the marinated cucumbers were perfect for breaking everything up and balancing the bite. One of my biggest takeaways from the entire meal: DO NOT SKIP THE SAUCES. Every sauce, condiment, and side that came with the dishes felt intentional and elevated the flavors exponentially. 10/10 sauce situation going on at Bavel. For dessert: STRAWBERRY SUMAC & SWEET CHEESE PASTRY (pistachio ice cream, sheep's milk ricotta, cured sumac)9/10. I'm not a huge sweets person, but this really hit the spot. I do love a good pastry, and the ricotta was just sweet enough without being too sweet, which in my eyes makes for a perfect dessert. NOUGAT ICE CREAM BAR (dark pecan caramel, chocolate butter cake, chocolate shell)9/10. Another great dessert. Loved the chocolate, the deep caramel flavor, and the nuttiness from the pecan. Great textures too, although the chocolate shell made it a little difficult to cut and share! Honestly, I want to come back just for the hummus. Everything was delicious, the wine pairings were great, portions were generous enough for sharing, and the service was wonderful. Bavel is such a lovely spot for an elevated dining experience, whether you're coming with a group or for a date night. Loved our experience here. Thanks for a great meal, Bavel!

    Grilled Octopus
    Kevin S.

    Bavel is one of those popular, high end restaurants that exceeds the hype. Everything thing here is crafted with incredible intention, flavor, and quality. Non negotiables: the prawns, oyster mushrooms, and lamb neck shawarma. All of those dishes were out of this world. Especially the lamb neck shawarma. Probably a top 3 dish I've ever eaten. Tender, juicy, charcoaled, smoky, divine. The wood fire charcoal grill makes all the difference with these dishes. It really is a high end production. Love the open kitchen concept. It was so fun seeing all the cooks getting after it with high incredibly high energy and focus. Service is also exceptional. No need to ask for anything. No waiting necessary. The staff is always there, right before you need them. But, in the most hospitable way possible, not overbearing. Definitely an upscale, hip, elegant, and trendy setup. Slightly tight with the spacing, but not too bad. More like a place to dress up when you know you're about to ball out, and are A-okay with being seen. Love Bavel. And I'm normally a hole-in-the-wall kind of guy. But this is one of the few pricey places that's worth every damn penny.

    Phuong T.

    Went to Bavel to celebrate my birthday and it was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. I ordered the Negroni drink which was strong. We got the duck hummus, trout crudo, grilled prawns, lamb Schwarma, oyster kebab and the ice cream bar for dessert. Lamb schwarma was huge and more fatty than I would have expected definitely needed the pickled vegetables and tahini to cut through the meat. Everything was delicious and we really enjoyed our meal.

    Hummus Duck 'Nduja
    David L.

    Carb loading.... its my fault for ordering so many carb loaded dishes. But they were all delicious. Lamb neck melt off the bone and not gamey. Alot of thought went into each dish and you can really appreciate it. The service: attentive and addressed all of our questions about each dish. The place does get a bit dark after sunset but you can appreciate the place more right before sundown I think. *plenty of street parking *cake cutting fee of $5 per person.

    Oyster Mushroom Kebab
    Valerie C.

    Food: 4.5 stars Service: 3.5, mostly ignored by our waiter, no refills for water, no change of plates, etc Decor: 4 Ambience: 3.5 fun and lively, but it is also loud and busy that it is difficult to carry a conversation Bavel is a well loved by many, and I agreed food was great, and not cheap. We got the hummus, cherry tomato, oyster mushroom kebab, and grilled Dorade. While everything was tasty, I was especially impressed by the cherry tomato. it was so refreshing and addictive. If you're looking for a lively place to hang out and have good food, Bavel is your place!

    26oz Margaret River Ribeye
    Valentine D.

    Was unable to find street parking however used their valet which was convenient. Food was overall delicious! Service was efficient and staff very friendly!

    Baba Ghanoush
    Bella S.

    Bavel is an upscale Middle Eastern style cuisine restaurant. It has modern decor with massive ivies hanging down from ceiling planters. It's best to make a reservation in advance if you plan to dine here as they are almost always fully at capacity. They have both indoor and outdoor dining. If the weather is not too hot, I recommend sitting outside. Our mistake was choosing the indoors because it gets awfully loud to the point where you can't even hear the server(s) or your own party speak. Truth be told that's the major factor in the minus 1 star as it negatively affected our overall dining experience. 1. Farm Cheese Spread (5/5) The farm cheese was super light and airy. It's seasoned with sumac/fig leaf za'atar, rose petal (mostly for decor than taste) and fresh rosemary. It's served with 2 slices of crispy edged, doughy centered, black sesame bread that's toasted to perfection. 2. Baba Ghanoush (5/5) This is a dip dish made of smoked eggplant, Jimmy Nardello peppers (adds sweetness and smoky flavor), fennel escabeche, dill and olive oil. It's served with sites of fried pita bread. The eggplant was perfectly savory from the grilled onions and non-spicy, smoky flavor of the peppers. The Pita bread is like a fried beignet donut in terms of flavor. Another enjoyable appetizer to share. 3. Oyster Mushroom Kebab (5/5) Amazing smokey, well-charred and juicy mushroom with a nice price tag attached to it, but still worth to enjoy. It's served with avocado-lovage puree and sumac, which paired well with the mushroom flavor. 4. Grilled Octopus (5/5): The octopus tentacles were cooked to perfection - soft & melts in your mouth. It's almost like eating a very soft rice cake with a hint of seafood flavor note. It's served with sides of skordalia potato puree, brocooli, lamb xo sauce and coated in dill to give it a slightly spicy and savory profile. 5. Slow-Roasted Lamb Neck Shawarma (4.5/5) Super tender lamb meat that's also very fatty. It's served with a side of basil-cilantro like sauce, pickled vegetables and tahini sauce which was super creamy and helped to cut the gaminess of the lamb. The dish also comes with a full size laffa bread, which was fresh (made in-house; you can literally see them making it in the background) and pillowy-soft to wrap the lamb meat in. 6. Cherry Sumac & Ricotta cheese pastry (4/5) We ended with a crispy Cherry jam tart. The puff pastry was flaky puff while the cherry jam was tart and sweet. It paired well with their ricotta cheese, which was light and airy and sprinkled with sumac. It also comes with a scoop of Pistachio ice cream that's subtly nutty and floral but was a bit too sweet for our liking. Overall, the food here was good, but the dining environment was too loud for our liking. This place is often compared to Bestia, which we prefer. Fun fact - Bavel and Bestia are owned by the same owners.

    The wine of the night...outstanding Cannonou from Sardinia
    Sidney S.

    To eat figs off the tree in the very early morning, when they have been barely touched by the sun, is one of the exquisite pleasures of the Mediterranean -- Elizabeth David, An Omelette and a Glass of Wine I wasn't a huge fan of Bestia so many years ago, but I love Mediterranean cuisine so was excited for a company team dinner at the sister restaurant Bavel. And boy did I love our group dinner here. Every course, every shared plate was absolutely outstanding with the highlights being the various breads, flatbreads, steak and lamb. I also loved the mushroom kabob and grilled octopus. The service was on point and the sommelier was extremely helpful with off menu wine choices including a Cannonau from Sardinia that was so good we bought (and drank) a second bottle. The restaurant is cool and lovely inside, the outside patio looked like a good space too. Valet parking is $13 but there is plenty of street parking too. Outstanding quintessential LA restaurant!!! Highly recommended!

    Fried Quail
    Haolun L.

    Thank god Bavel does not disappoint. I've been meaning to come back ever since I had that AMAZING duck at Bavel. I see why I love this place so much after watching the Odyssey too hahah the little lotus they served with the duck MUST be the lotus Charlize Theron has been feeding Matt Damon! That aside, this time we ordered the Fried Quail and the lamb manti. Both are just eye-opening delicious. It's fatty it's juicy and it's delicate. I do not want the food to run out, and it's much like the odyssey, hours later, I woke up to a different day and i still think about how insanely delicious they are! Different server this time, but still the and level of hospitality. Always checking in on us, bringing new utensils and recommending menus. It feels like we are the guests at a well run family dinner party. Loved the cocktails too. Nava and Semir are both excellent but maybe the former has a little too much ice. Loved their subtly. Definitely pricy, but I'd say it's on par with many of the Michelin starred place I've tried! Highly recommended for special occasions!

    Lamb neck
    Erin T.

    Overall an amazing experience. Our friends rave about this place all the time so I'm glad we got to try it Duck hummus - I love duck but I was worried this would taste too game-ey. It was actually very subtle and so creamy. Romano bean tempura - does it count as a vegetable if it's fried? Flavor was good, texture was surprisingly good. Also toddler approved! Grilled prawns - well cooked! I don't usually like Harissa but I didn't find it over powering. I HATE when shrimp is overcooked but this was just right. Chicken Tangine - this was probably my least favorite. It was tasty but it didn't have any of the complex flavor profiles the other dishes did Lamb Neck - hands down the best dish. So tender, well flavored, and I liked the accompaniments even more. I would've preferred the l pita come on the side vs soaked in sauce but I'm just grasping at straws at this point.

    Fazil A.

    This was probably one of the most memorable and enjoyable dining experiences of my entire life. Every single dish I tried was top-tier. MY favorite was the Hummus. The service here was excellent as expected. We had a last min walk-in reservation that they helped us secure quickly and easily. I love the table setups because the area that we sat in was sort of communal and were sitting close enough to others that we could all share the dining experience together. I will mention that of the 3 restaurants these 2 chefs own and operate, THIS one is my favorite in terms of the menu and ambiance.

    Lillian C.

    The interior was modern and beautiful , and when we arrived it was Friday night very crowded. I would recommend booking at least one week in advance. All food was good I really enjoyed the grilled octopus and lamp! And service was good and attentive , if you driving I would recommend you arriving early and parking at a near by garage, just to be more safe !

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    Page 1 of 77

    Bavel Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bavel

    Do you accept walk in or reservations only?

    Walk in fine, but make a reservation or there is a wait.

    What is vegan on the menu without modification? (please only answer if you know - i heard some things have hidden fish sauce if you don't ask)

    So many of their items are considered vegan, but you must must call ahead and ask what does not have fish sauce. They are not hiding it, they don't claim the item is vegan. And ask to speak to a manager.

    How easy (or not easy) is nearby street parking on weekday nights?

    Parking is really tough in the area, even on weekdays. I would look into valet parking or one of the nearby lots.

    Can you walk in and eat at the bar pretty quickly at 5pm?

    No way. Maybe if it's dead

    Apple pay possible?

    I think so: they process your payment at the table and most of those doohickeys accept card tap.

    Are there kosher menu options?

    No, didn't see any

    What is the "dress code"?

    Pants with an expandable waist! :)). (Because the food is good, you will have a hard time stopping)

    Can advance reservations be made for party of 6 aside from using OpenTable? Looking at Sat, 8/20. Thanks, Zeke

    Delayed response... answering in case others are looking to book a group reservation. Yes, OpenTable… 

    Is the pate seasonal? If so, when is it expected to come back? I don't see it on the menu.

    The chicken liver pâté is on the menu now!

    Can you dine at the bar?

    Yes. This restaurant is die for!!! I live in OC and it is worth the travel, traffics and everything in between

    Is ut kid friendly?

    Not especially.

    Trying to make a reservation, and Open Table is asking for a credit card to confirm, but doesn't say how much will be charged to my card. Does anyone know the reservation fee?

    No reservation fee. Just need your card to hold the reservation. Your card will be charged if you DONT show up to your reservation.

    Is meat kosher here?

    No do you read the reviews?

    Is this place kid friendly?

    It is zero friendly for loud children, or messy children. It is also long dining and slow service… 

    Are you asking for vaccination proof to dine in or for patio area?

    Yes, they are asking for vaccination proof. Showing digital proof on your phone works fine.

    How crowded is the setup inside - is it spaced out for Covid precautions (in the past month)?

    It's pretty full inside. If you get a table it can be a bit more spaced out then the bar area.

    Best Parking where?

    They have valet, but it's not too hard to find curbside parking within a block or two.

    Is it better than Bestia?

    Supposing you liked Italian and Middle Eastern cuisine equally, giving the slight edge to Bavel for highlights like their prawns, the lamb neck shawarma, and the stand out cocktail program. Check out my review.

    Walk in available around 5pm?

    I don't think so. Just make sure and make reservation.

    View All 51 Questions

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    Berenjak - House Rice, Kabobs, sibzamini, mast o musir

    Berenjak

    4.1(255 reviews)
    0.7 mi•Downtown
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    Berenjak was a 10/10!! Everything we ordered was amazing, from the noon and mast o mousir to the…read morekabobs, rice, grilled corn, and dessert & chai. Even the drinks were so good. Elevated Persian cuisine that still stays true to its roots, which I absolutely loved. The vibe was great, and we had such a good time. But Steph, our waitress, deserves her own review because she was AMAZING!! She gave us the best recommendations, had such great energy, and made the whole experience that much better. She's the kind of person who makes you want to come back just to sit in her section. The general manager was also incredibly sweet and made us feel so welcome. The food, the atmosphere, the people... loved all of it. Already looking forward to coming back!

    Added to one of our favorite spots in LA now! Our server Steph was amazing. She was so sweet and…read morefriendly! She was definitely one of our favorite servers we've ever had. The food and drinks were AMAZING. I would definitely come back. The meat wasn't dry and it was easy to eat. We ordered the beef, lamb filet, and bbq prawn kebabs with the house rice and khiarshoor. We also ordered the black truffle olivieh and mast o musir with a side of sangak. We also ordered some of the cocktails. All workers were super friendly and welcoming. I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and live music. It's perfect for a date night spot or group of friends.

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    Berenjak - Inside dining and bar area

    Inside dining and bar area

    Berenjak - Tikkeh Masti Kabab and Chenjeh Kabab

    Tikkeh Masti Kabab and Chenjeh Kabab

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    Saffy's - beef & lamb brisket pita

    Saffy's

    4.2(876 reviews)
    5.2 mi•East Hollywood
    •$$$

    Walked in with no specific expectation and now walking out with a happy stomach and plans of the…read morenext trip out here. Known to be the sister restaurant of Bavel and Bestia, so viewed with high regards, but tonight's experience has hit it way out of the park. Honestly been to the other two restaurants some time ago, but in my opinion Saffy's without a wink of doubt ranks #1 Inside there is a pretty large size bar with full service. The other side of indoor space provide seating that looks to accommodate about 25 people. In the back wall you have the rotating meat cooker (which has thick chicken fat and tomato on the top that drizzles down the side of the meat keeping it buttery and juicy. Next to it is the wood fired grill and oven where the magic happens. Food was phenomenal! Ordered the wood fired shawarma plate which is served with a good portion of thinly carved lamb and Wagyu beef, and pickled onions with sumac sprinkles that you wrap into two large warm pita breads. The platter is also served with a creamy pomegranate tahini with red ajika, amba, laffa, and tomatoes that you mixed well together before dipping the wrap into it, providing the perfect seasoning to the whole dish. Just incredible! The grilled lobster skewer was also fantastic. Six solid bite sized lobster meat that's perfectly cooked over the wood fire and seasoned with green harissa. Served with a dash of lime juice and Serrano lime yogurt. Phenomenal! Also a must order! The Peruvian scallop Crudo was also spectacular. Four clam shell servings with pearl white scallops that were marinated with green zhong citrus sauce, cilantro and chili oil. Chef's kiss! Went with the nonalcoholic beverages tonight, but noticed there were interesting cocktails on the menu. Will try them next time. Giving them 5 stars!

    The quality has gone downhill, and like others said, the price really doesn't make sense for what…read moreyou get. They also nickel and dime on top of the base price of dishes. For example, if you get one order of skewers ($44) you get one side of tahini, one pita and one side of chili oil. If you get a double order of skewers ($88 - exactly double the price), you still get one side of tahini, pita and chili oil. If you want a second tiny side of chili oil for example they will charge you another $3. So if you order 4 skewers instead of 2, make sure you say you want two separate orders otherwise you will be shorted on the accoutrements. Greedy, greedy, greedy. We used to be regulars, but never again.

    Photos
    Saffy's
    Saffy's - Wood- Fire Shawarma Plate

    Wood- Fire Shawarma Plate

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    Open Sesame - Chicken Tawook plate. So good!

    Open Sesame

    4.2(1.1k reviews)
    7.3 mi•Fairfax
    •$$

    We just got home from dinner here and my wife and I loved it. The food was absolutely top notch. We…read morestarted with the potatoes in garlic sauce and an order of the haroumi and watermelon. What a great kick off! As for our mains, we both ordered a variation of the combo plates. I had the chicken tawook and beef. The Mrs. had the chicken and lamb. All good. Based on the food alone, we would recommend this place to anyone with a beating heart and more importantly, a mouth. This is quality food at a quality price. The atmosphere? Really great. It's a little dark and twinkly inside which sets a nice tone. There is cool artwork adorning every piece of wall, the place is very easy on the eyes...including the restrooms. Very clean. Our sever, didn't catch his name, but what a nice dude. Was super helpful without being "too much" he should teach a server class. He's pretty much who you want taking care of your table. He knew the menu well and made great suggestions. It was actually refreshing. We will come back, most likely with the family. Our waiter told us that they can accommodate larger groups which is great. I recently ate food at Saffy's and I didn't enjoy it one bit. The servings there are too small, too pretentious and too overpriced. Open Sesame is the exact opposite and that's why it rules. A wonderful experience in Beverly Boulevard.

    How Do I Start This Rationally ? Atmosphere Is A 5/5. Service Is 5/5. Food was 2.5/5. I Will…read moreExplain. If You A Charging $145 For A Group Platter, Then Everything Must Me PERFECT ! The Chicken Shawarma Was Inedible Because Is Was Obviously Dry And Lying Around For The Next Customer. The Beef Was Good. The Beef Shawarma Was AMAZING ! Probably The Best Thing. On The Menu. Tabouli Was Great. $260 With Tip Divided By Three Is Too Expensive For My First Experience Here. I Told The Manager That They Shouldn't Have Served The Chicken Shawarma If It Was Dry. Anyways.

    Photos
    Open Sesame - Dining room

    Dining room

    Open Sesame - Chicken Tawook

    Chicken Tawook

    Open Sesame - Chicken Tawook

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    Raffi's Place - Chicken Soltani

    Raffi's Place

    4.4(7.5k reviews)
    7.4 mi
    •$$

    the location was a bit hidden so you might have to walk around to find it. the interior is very…read morefancy and it felt like a bougie restaurant but our server was super friendly. i got the koobideh which is lean ground beef skewered and grilled and it was good! the beef was nice and juicy and not overcooked so it had a good meaty flavor to it. the portion was big with lots of rice so it was very filling. they also have free pita so i suggest getting hummus to go with it. overall, a very pleasant experience due to the good food and the friendly service and i recommend to anyone whos in the area!!

    Girls wanted to go out. They've been here, I haven't. Place…read moreinside is beautiful. It's like an outdoor covered patio. When we were seated, we were served a flatbread, herbs and those wrapped pats of butter. For such an elegant restaurant, that seemed out of place. In my option, I'd rather have a plate of butter. I would have used it for the rice too! Ordered koobideh, hummus, eggplant dip and fesenjoon Koobideh- ground beef was delish! Comes on a huge plateful of rice. Hummus was standard, but the eggplant dip is better! I came for the fesenjoon... basically stewed chicken in a pomegranate sauce. I liked it, but was too tart for me. I first tried this dish at a restaurant in the Wilshire district and saw it here. Service was spectacular. Was very attentive.

    Photos
    Raffi's Place - Hommus, Beef Soltani Kabob, Chicken Soltani Kabob, White Fish Kabob, Plain Yogurt

    Hommus, Beef Soltani Kabob, Chicken Soltani Kabob, White Fish Kabob, Plain Yogurt

    Raffi's Place - Hummus and Pita Bread

    Hummus and Pita Bread

    Raffi's Place - Chicken Soltani Kabob

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    Chicken Soltani Kabob

    Carousel Restaurant Hollywood - Weekly Rotating Homemade Cooked Meals

    Carousel Restaurant Hollywood

    4.4(1k reviews)
    5.7 mi•East Hollywood
    •$$$
    Gift cards

    Carousel is hands down the best Mediterranean spot. I've been coming here for years and it never…read moredisappoints. Their arayes are a must -- it's basically like a lahmajun with two pieces pressed together, and it's insanely good. I usually go all in and order the tabbouleh, babaganoush, a pound of lula kebab, and shish kebab. Honestly, if you're with 2+ people (or even just really hungry), ordering by the pound with sides is way better value than getting individual plates. You get more variety and it just feels like the right way to eat here. Every now and then I'll switch it up and get the liver plate -- it comes with tons of greens and onions, and when you wrap everything in their fresh pita, it's incredible. Not an everyday order, but when you're in the mood for it, it hits. If you dine in, the indoor decor is super nice and really gives that authentic Mediterranean vibe. They also play a lot of 90s music, which somehow fits perfectly and adds to the whole experience. I've dined in plenty of times and the service is always solid -- staff is friendly and attentive. Just a heads up, food can take a little longer sometimes, but that's because they're always busy and everything is made fresh, so it's worth the wait. I've also done takeout here more times than I can count -- probably over 100 orders at this point -- which says everything. This is easily one of my go-to spots and I keep coming back for a reason.

    Great service and wonderful food!! I would recommend this but beware you get lots to eat!read more

    Photos
    Carousel Restaurant Hollywood - Our Weekly Rotating Homemade Cooked Meals are back.

    Our Weekly Rotating Homemade Cooked Meals are back.

    Carousel Restaurant Hollywood - Weekly Rotating Homemade Cooked Meals

    Weekly Rotating Homemade Cooked Meals

    Carousel Restaurant Hollywood - Weekly Rotating Homemade Cooked Meals

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    Weekly Rotating Homemade Cooked Meals

    Dune - Meze Plate with Grilled Chicken and Falafel

    Dune

    4.4(1.2k reviews)
    5.5 mi•Atwater Village
    •$$

    We had the steak and fries, chicken plate and steak sandwich. You only sit outside so on a not too…read morecold day this was perfect. The flavors were amazing. Love the hummus that comes with the plate and the fresh salad and rice. It was delicious. Only small complaint: I wish the meat portion would be more generous. It was a little for the price you're paying. The fries were also spot on. We found a new go to Mediterranean food spot. Would definitely come again. It was not too hard for us to find Street parking on a Friday night.

    Made the drive from Studio City to Dune for Dine LA lunch. It was 98 degrees outside and although…read morethere was no traffic midday, parking in Atwater is always a challenge. I hunted a bit before tracking down a spot and paying the meter. I have not been to Dune before, but the value of the lunch special along with the promise of a fried chicken shawarma, coupled with unexpected free time, sounded like a promising moment to stop by. Walked up to the window and after no acknowledgement, I peaked inside the door and asked whether I place an order at the counter or wait to be seated. When I tell you the jarring elder Gen Z stare and incredibly unfriendly direction to sit on the bench and wait my turn (in the literal sense that I was told to sit on the bench and wait my turn. There was only a party of 2 seated at the bench and no line to speak of) made me regret coming out to eat entirely. I'm not lying when I say I thought about leaving immediately and driving home in my air conditioned car instead of sitting on a hot bench in nearly 100 degree weather with no acknowledgement of party size, no offer for a drink or water while I wait, and just existing in my bizarre humiliation ritual for having asked what the procedure is here for any kind of recognition of my interest in dining or simply existing. And yes, after sitting down I saw there is a small low contrast sign on a post stating to sit on the bench and wait, but it is positioned parallel to the counter window and only when turning away from the glass toward the seating area was it placed in a way that I would see it. Not very useful for someone who is walking up or down the sidewalk as it's not visible. I held my breath for about 10 minutes before being asked my party size (one) and seated at a shaded table. I regretted my choice to dine out the entire wait time for the table, while ordering and then being required to pay upfront before my meal was even presented to me, while seated awaiting my order, while my food (loaded fries, fried chicken shawarma, date shake and an added unsweetened iced green mint tea) was dumped at once on the table in front of me, while eating feeling humiliated for existing inside human skin, and again when having to walk to the window and ask for a to-go box. I felt like a massive inconvenience for the staff and fully regretted bothering them every step of the way for normal things like a Dine LA menu which was not initially offered, adding an iced tea to my order, existing in a metal folding chair and generally taking up space. I don't like being treated like a turd by people, and certainly don't want to be treated this way when I'm paying for a service. But after the initial flubbed interactions, demanding payment with tip upfront before receiving any kind of service was rendered, and then dumping my food at the table without ceremony, it's truly no wonder why the LA restaurant scene is dying. Between poorly trained staff, rising costs in rent and utilities, the outrageous cost of staffing and the fact that eating at a restaurant is completely unnecessary when cutting household expenses, restaurants are disappearing left and right. Some of the foods I still dream about are lost forever to closure after closure. Customers being treated like they're inconsequential isn't the only reason people like me usually choose to dine at home, and it's not the only reason restaurants are disappearing. But it's one of the only controllable elements in a world of runaway hospitality expenses. Customers deserve even a modicum of respect if restaurants are going to survive. $48 for the meal including tax and tip. More than enough food for lunch, I took home half. Loaded steak fries / wish they were served with a whipped feta or dipping sauce instead of ketchup but they're good. Generous portion of steak. 9/10 Fried chicken shawarma / fun idea, execution made it difficult to pick up to eat. Serving in a metal basket made it impossible to cut in half since there was not a solid surface to cut against. Flavor is yummy, wish those middle eastern flavors were more prominent in the batter but the chicken is extra crispy. Enjoyable. 8/10 Date shake / luxurious, creamy, flavorful. No notes. 10/10 Unsweetened green mint iced tea / overpriced, underdelivered. I'd skip it unless you're parched. 5/10 **written without the assistance of AI**

    Photos
    Dune - Outside / ordering window

    Outside / ordering window

    Dune - Pickled Beets Sandwich 8/10 delicious

    Pickled Beets Sandwich 8/10 delicious

    Dune - Mint iced tea

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    Mint iced tea

    Lucia Mediterranean Grill - Falafel Pita was on point!!

    Lucia Mediterranean Grill

    4.5(318 reviews)
    6.6 mi•Mid-City

    I honestly wasn't expecting much but i was absolutely stunned to see such a beautiful plate! I was…read moreblown away to be tasting such fresh and amazing quality food at 11:45pm at night. This place is a hidden gem! I ordered through a digital screen and took a seat. The place has pretty bright lights and not the most comfortable seating but everything was very very clean which was very nice to me. The food took around 15 minutes to be prepared and came out wonderful. A kind gentleman brought out our plates along with some iced waters. He was extremely polite and served us with a smile and such an amazing attitude! I ordered the falafel and it was delicious!! crispy and delectable. The salad on the side was light and fresh and not to mention the hummus was an amazing pair. Everything tied so so well together. Try this place out for some dinner or a quick bite! You most definitely wont be disappointed.

    I was disappointed....The food is typically fresh and good, but ordering from a wall tablet makes…read morethe dine-in experience feel impersonal--especially at these prices. Human interaction adds something important to the dining experience. Today was my first time ordering delivery. The price was significantly higher with fees, yet the food lacked the sauces and flavor I normally experience in person. The small side sauces I usually receive were also missing. I also ordered the $7 hummus for the first time. The portion was substantially smaller than pictured, with whole chickpeas and oil/sauce filling the center. Unfortunately, the hummus itself was very bland and tasted more like basic supermarket hummus. Based on this experience, I would not order delivery again.

    Photos
    Lucia Mediterranean Grill - One indoor table reserved...

    One indoor table reserved...

    Lucia Mediterranean Grill - Baklava

    Baklava

    Lucia Mediterranean Grill - Chicken shawarma plate

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    Chicken shawarma plate

    Bavel - mideastern - Updated October 2026

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