What a fantastic dining experience! I absolutely love the ambiance of this restaurant. It's cozy, elegant, and has such a relaxing atmosphere that makes you want to stay and savor every moment. The host was incredibly warm, welcoming, and genuinely friendly from the moment we walked in. The aged half duck was the highlight of the meal, perfectly cooked, incredibly tender, and unbelievably juicy with amazing flavor in every bite. It was easily one of the best duck dishes I've had. The service was just as outstanding. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and made sure we had everything we needed without ever feeling intrusive. If you're in or around Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles, do yourself a favor and stop by this hidden gem. Great food, exceptional service, and a wonderful atmosphere. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

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Bavel absolutely lives up to the hype when it comes to the food--every dish was outstanding. The service, however, was a huge disappointment. For a restaurant of this caliber, I expected far better. read more

Bavel - Oyster Mushroom Kebab, Hummus Masabacha - Middle Eastern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Middle Eastern restaurant in downtown LA. I didn't realize this was the sister restaurant of Bestia. Overall, I enjoyed every dish we got. I would consider reordering everything we got. Definitely on our list of restaurants to visit again when we're in the area. Ordered: - Hummus Duck 'Nduja - First off, we need to take a moment for the blistered pita. That stuff was soooooo yummy might be my favorite pita I ever consumed. Hummus was also good, nice balance of flavors that complimented each other well. - Grilled Octopus - Had a good amount of chew and wasn't too chewy. Dill flavor was a bit on the strong side but I don't mind it. - Potato Flatbread - Very light and also good. - Slow Roast Lamb Neck Shawarma - Soooo tender fell off the bone so nicely. My favorite dishes were the lamb neck shawarma and the blistered pita. Family style restaurant. We were recommended to order 2 spreads, 3 appetizers, and 1 entree for 3 people. We ended up doing 1 spread, 2 appetizers, and 1 entree and I'm very happy with our decision. We were soooo full after our meal. I think if we did the 2 spread and 3 appetizers as recommend we wouldn't be able to eat the entree at all. Seems like a really popular celebration restaurant (saw many graduations). We did make a reservation and I would recommend doing that. All tables were filled when we were there, not sure how the walk in situation is. Music is a bit loud inside the restaurant but I don't think it was as bad as Bestia. The outside patio was good though in my opinion. I didn't feel like i was yelling across the table to talk on the patio. read more

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The food is still stellar - updating to state that the new-to-me-menu items (peach salad, smoked trout, chicken tagine and whole lamb rack) are all superb. The tagine in particular was a pleasant surprise; I almost never order chicken, I can cook it plenty fine at home. However: this dish was a revelation (the olives transform during the braise - so creamy/delicious). The only nit to pick: Bavel please change up the playlist; I enjoy Bad Bunny as much as the next person, but the same 4 songs were on repeat all night long. read more

Had a chance to finally try Bavel this past weekend and am still thinking about it! First off, the restaurant is beautiful. We sat outside which was nice but the interior of the restaurant is really the star of the show. The hostess who checked us in did not make eye contact with us which I didn't love, but the other hostess who walked us to our table and our waiter were great. For cocktails, we tried the Yara and Semira. Both were amazing and complex in their own way. Our waiter gave us a run down of the menu. He recommended we order between 4-6 dishes, focusing mainly on the appetizers and ordering just one entree. I think that was a fair recommendation because 4 dishes left us feeling full and satisfied. The Grilled Prawns were incredible. Slightly spicy but flavorful, cooked to perfection, and beautifully complemented by the tzatziki. The Roasted Asparagus was another showstopper. The burnt apple & almond puree had such a unique flavor and I honestly could have licked the plate clean. The Oyster Mushroom Kabob was good but just okay. The avocado puree it came with just fell a little flat for me. The highlight of our meal was definitely the Slow Roasted Lamb Neck Shawarma. A hefty piece of lamb neck beautifully seasoned and cooked in a way that almost reminded me of brisket, served on a piece of laffa with a side of green ajika, tahini, and pickled vegetables. It's hard to put into words just how good this dish was. The lamb was beautifully tender and I loved sandwiching it with the laffa and eating it with the different condiments. It was also a generous portion for two people. Now why 4 stars instead of 5? Honestly I think for a restaurant of this caliber, I expect GREAT service from start to finish. Also, I acknowledge the higher price point but I think for some of the dishes it just wasn't justified. But all in all, I really enjoyed Bavel and would highly recommend trying it at least once. read more

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Food was amazing. Our server was great too and very knowledgeable. He gave excellent recommendations. If you love Lebanese/Mediterranean , this place is excellent. One of the best I've had and that's comparing it to the ones I've had in Dubai. Ambience is nice and cozy and I love the trees/canopy of leaves inside the restaurant. Would love to come back but getting a reservation is hard read more

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Bavel It's a great place to go. Food it's just amazing. The sommelier provided educated recommendations. The atmosphere it's well set, with plants that surrounding the whole area. I recommend to book a table inside. It's more characteristic. read more

I love Lebanese, Israeli, and Armenian cuisine, so seeing it elevated in a modern fine-dining way was a lot of fun. The duck hummus, shawarma neck, and tuna kibbeh were all standout dishes. Why overpay at places like Raffi's Place, where the food feels overpriced without showing where the extra money went? Here, you can actually see the quality, creativity, and presentation that justify the price, and the packed dining room proves it. The only downside was that the waitress pushed an appetizer on us twice when we really didn't need it. Two entrées are more than enough to fill you up. Also, because the restaurant stays so busy, don't expect much small talk with the staff. It's very efficient and businesslike, but your food arrives quickly and on time. read more

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100/10 dry aged duck. Just so unforgettable! Can't stop thinking about just how much it lit me up when I had that first bite of the dry aged duck breast. The skin is packed with flavor from the fire, so crispy and satisfying. The meat is delicately rosy in the center, locked in the meat is that the everlasting juiciness. Dipping sauce underneath is sweet and subtle perfectly enriching the sweetness from the dry aged duck. 10/10 lamb neck shawarma. Unlike the lamb neck I had elsewhere, Bavel's lamb neck has such generous serving, just so much meat! I smell the spices, taste the spices and cannot get enough of it! Every last strand of meat is enjoyable. 10/10 hummus + grilled prawn too. Grilled prawns Mediterranean sauce is rich and bold, sweet, tangy and a little spicy. But none of that takes the shine away from the firm and springy prawns. read more

Bavel - Slow Roasted Lamb Neck Shawarma - Middle Eastern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This has become my one of my top LA dining spots! I think the next time I come here I will cry bc the dopamine hit will b crazy Somehow everything was so flavorful but didn't feel oily at all. The smokey flavor was perfect from the nduja duck hummus and oyster mushroom kebab. The sweet fruit flavors paired so well with the salty flavor in the chicken pate. Prawn dishes and smooth hummus will never be the same for me anymore! Extremely flavorful prawns and beef. Very tender and nothing was dry. Service was amazing & ambiance is great for friends and family! I definitely recommend trying this place once in a lifetime.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ read more

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Amazing as always. This time i went as a group and I think this place is best enjoyed when there's a smaller group. (2-4) The portions will have you ordering more and it adds up quick! All the food we ordered tasted great and you really can't go wrong with any of it, unless you don't like good food, lol. The service was good and vibes weee great. we sat outside and it was heated. Valet parking is available but you can find street parking. read more

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Finally came back to try the dinner menu. The ambiance remains stunning and service was great. Always busy here with 3/4 of the tables already full just 15 minutes into opening. Make sure you make reservations if you want to secure a table. Tried a few of their fan favorites and overall thought the food was 7.5 out of 10z. 1. Grilled prawns: 4-5 pretty good sized prawns perfectly grilled giving it a slight charred aroma. It was seasoned with harrissa marinade (spicy but so perfect) served with a side of cucumber tzatziki which help neutralize the spice. 10/10 a must order 2. Mushrooms kebabs: grilled mushrooms on a bed of avocado puree and sprinkled with sumac. This was ok but. Nothing special. 6.5/10 3. Hummus Duck 'Nduja: hummus spread with ground duck meat served with side of fresh parsley and cilantro to give it an herbal aroma. Excellent dish. 9.6/10. 4. Wagyu beef cheek tagine: Wagyu beef marinated with pomegranate and Cipollini agrodolce giving it a slight sweetness. Served with a side of cinnamon rice (yes you heard correctly cinnamon in rice). Wasn't bad. But didn't think the beef was good with this dish. 7/10 Also ordered some scotch and also the sumac pomegranate lemonade. Both were excellent. Was too stuffed to have dessert this time. Great place for date night read more

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One of the best meals I've ever eaten! My son works at a companion restaurant and suggested Bavel, so off we went. We decided it best to just get a bunch of spreads and appetizers. In order of serving.... Trout crudo - great way to start the evening. Fresh raw trout in a citrus broth. We both marveled at the flavor. Wanted some bread to sop up the jus. Chicken liver pate - i spotted this early and no doubt we were going to order. The pate was served with thick bread and a honey pomegranate jam. That pate... three days later and I cant stop thinking about it. So rich and flavorful. My son loved the jam, but the pate spread on the bread, omg, so friggin good. Next up was the grilled kholrabi. This was on the house. Not something we would have ordered, but we would have missed out on a great dish. Kholrabi reminded me of well cooked onion... soft and sweet. This was served with a tzadiki that added the acid that the dish needed. Amazing. Next up, oyster mushrooms. Nicely cooked, spongy and tasty. The prawns were the last of our savories. Six well grilled whole prawns. The harissa added a degree of spice. To cool the dish, a cucumber tzadiki that really set the dish. What an explosion of spice and cool. We were going to be done but I spied the nougat ice cream bar on the menu. We ordered one to split and OMG what a fantastic finish to an amazing meal. We had amazing service to help us through the meal. Sad that I live 2000 miles from LA. I'm sure my son will be back soon and I'll be jealous. Ready to book my next trip west! read more

Bavel - Nougat Ice Cream Bar - Middle Eastern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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What a delicious, innovative restaurant! I've been lucky enough to visit twice (so far) and everything is absolutely delicious! Everything is meant to be shared, and it's definitely fun to go with a group so you can try more items. Although, the first time we went was just me and my husband, and we ordered a lot because everything sounded so good! No problem though...we took home leftovers! There is interior seating, which is bustling but a little loud. The patio is lovely and a bit quieter. There is valet parking which is very helpful in that neighborhood. The service is excellent and friendly, and the servers & sommeliers know their stuff! Onto the food! Everything is amazing!! The hummus with the duck sausage is incredible. So is the other one. The little green blob on the side is sort of a pesto. The butter lettuce salad was unexpectedly good, and the steak was out of this world! The duck was delicious, roasted but with confit leg. So yummy and rich. I can't describe it all, so just go! read more

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Wow, I can't believe I've never left a review for Bavel. I actually ate here for the first time years ago, but I guess I never put up a review. I was happy to visit it last night and was also happy to see that it was still as delicious as I remember it. They were out of a few things that we ordered, but the manager came out the second time something didn't pan out and offered us a free dessert, which is always nice so that was good service by them. The place is pretty gigantic and the servers have to cover a lot of ground so they do a good job of it. I enjoy the flavor profiles on these dishes because this is a place where I like to really experiment and try ingredients that I don't know how they're gonna work together, but I trust that the chefs know what they're doing cause they have the pedigree for it. We made reservations for the counter, but they sat us outside on the patio, which is kind of bland juxtaposed to the inside of the restaurant. The cocktails were especially good as well. Even though the dishes are said to be shareable and small, you really don't have to order that much. We had bread, salad, an appetizer and a main dish and a dessert so only one entrée between the two of us. And we didn't finish everything. read more

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Ahhh boyfriend took me here for my birthday it truly did not disappoint. I'm always a bit scared of trying middle eastern food since it's not a cuisine I tend to eat often but everything here was so amazing. Drinks were so good, we had the hummus, roasted asparagus, and shared the ribeye. I'd say server was very meh, definitely did not seem to want to work that day tho server helper and food runner were so engaging that it made the experience much better. Ambience was so beautiful, refreshing, and green. 9/10. read more

Bavel - Middle Eastern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This was exceptional - the food/vibe/service was fantastic. Highly recommend reservations bc it was packed when we arrived and stayed that way. Originally half our group was going to get glasses of wine but the somm shared what bottles were available and we ended up going with a really delicious white similar to a sancerre. The tagine beef cheek and the mushroom were knockouts. I think I would skip the lamb skewer next time. read more

Came here for the first time last year and revisited again today. I'd just like to say this is probably my favorite middle eastern/Mediterranean restaurant. Today we ordered the duck hummus, peach salad and lamb rack and everything was on point. The duck hummus was probably the best hummus I've ever had! The rack of lamb here never disappoints. I'd pass on the peach salad-- it was missing something... I feel like it would be elevated if it was served with burrata or some creamy type of cheese. Service was great and it's such a cute restaurant. Would def come back and try the rest of the menu... or come back just for the lamb.. again read more

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I had heard about Bavel a few years ago, but during the COVID pandemic they were closed for a while. Later, my ex-boyfriend told me about this place, so we decided to go check it out. My ex-boyfriend lived in Malibu with a beautiful ocean view, but sadly his house was destroyed due to the wildfire in January 2025 last year. He also passed away in October last year. It was an incredibly difficult time for me. I cried a lot, and for a long time I couldn't even see all of the restaurants we had visited together. It made me emotional. Recently, while organizing old photos and memories from places we went together, Bavel especially came to mind. So I decided to write this review. My ex-boyfriend made a reservation for Thursday evening, March 9, 2023. Bavel is a trendy Middle Eastern restaurant located in Downtown Los Angeles. When we arrived, the restaurant was already very crowded, so I would definitely recommend making a reservation in advance. We ordered Hummus Masabacha, Roasted King Oyster Mushroom, Grilled Prawns, Slow-Roasted Lamb Neck Shawarma, along with drip coffee, Hitachino beer, and Boont Amber beer. For dessert, we had Apple Prune. I especially loved the Grilled Prawns. They were zesty and slightly tangy, and I loved the fresh cucumber and the spices paired with the prawns. The Hummus Masabacha was also very good--super creamy, rich in chickpea flavor, and it paired perfectly with the fried pita. My ex-boyfriend loved all the dishes. Since he was Israeli, he was very happy and said it felt like eating food from his hometown. However, the other dishes were not particularly impressive to me. Especially the Lamb Shawarma, which was totally not my type. I know Bavel is a very popular and famous restaurant in Downtown LA, and I've heard it's quite difficult to get reservations on weekends. Personally, though, I wasn't overly impressed and felt a little disappointed. But the only dish I was a little disappointed with was the Lamb Shawarma. All the other dishes were delicious. If I get the chance, I would still like to come back and try some other dishes. But, Bavel holds too many memories with my ex-boyfriend, so I don't think I can go back there again (Thursday Dinner - March 9th, 2023) read more

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Elevated dining at its finest. We arrived early and enjoyed a Hemingway Daiquiri while we waited for our reservation. Be careful, the Hemingway is super smooth, delicious and potent. Our appetizers were top notch and I highly recommend the duck hummus and trout crudo. For our main course we enjoyed the chicken tangine and lamb schwarma. The lamb is absolutely some of the best lamb, if not the best meat, that I've enjoyed in a long time. The staff was amazing and highly recommend Bavel for an all around dining experience. read more

Good quality meat. The hummus is very delicious (i usually dont like hummus) but theirs is soooo addicting i ended up ordering extra bread. The lamb neck and oxtail were very soft. A bit too sweet but its just a personal preference. And as usual in la parking is valet lol. We also had to make a reservation and waited around 15 min to get seated. Flagging the waiters also a bit hard because they are always busy. But 5 stars for the food!! read more

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This review is for the drinks only! Showed up on a Monday at 6:30 to have a drink before dinner elsewhere with a friend. The cocktails all sounded intriguing so I asked the bartender for assistance. My drink and my friend's drink were both excellent. I got the martini-ish drink Zarif and my friend's got the Hemingway daiquiri. The restaurant looked really hip and it was packed. Good for them for a Monday! The greenery on the ceiling was really pretty. read more

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I can't believe this was the first time I've been to Bavel after living in LA for over 4 years!!! Everything was soooo delicious and worth the hype. I love bestia and knew that they have the same owners so I was sooooo excited to finally try Bavel!!!! The highlight dishes are definitely the oyster mushroom kebab, the prawns, and the baba ganoush. The prawns were spicy but the cucumber yogurt dip on the side was so perfect to cool down the spice! For main dish, the giant lamb neck shawarma was amazing. The vibe is also so cute for a gno or a date night!! Our waitress was also so amazing at recommending all the dishes!!! For drinks definitely try the semira (tequila based) so delicious I had to get 2 of them!!!! read more

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Always a good time at Bestia! Went for a weekend dinner. Had reservations as it's always pretty packed and was sat after about 5 minutes at the bar. The vibe is as usual - busy with chatter all around, but doesn't feel the crowd is right on top of you. Ordered some hummus, dates, butter lettuce, mushroom skewers, and some fried eggplant. Most were delicious - would def recommend the dates, butter lettuce, and mushroom skewers. However, was not a fan of the fried eggplant - didn't think the pomegranate sauce and the fry worked together. Overall - I enjoyed most of the foods and will stick to what I like here going forward. Will be back! read more

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Wowowowow - absolutely incredible! I truly have no notes for the food. Hummus Duck (5/5): We started the with the hummus duck and it was smooth, well balanced, savory, very lightly meaty & not too rich. The bread it came with was hot and fluffy. Malawach (5/5): the most surprising dish because I didn't expect to like it so much. The bread was INCREDIBLE. It was flaky and hot and the sauce that you dipped it in was a great mix of flavors with citrus, spice & a touch of sweetness. All the flavors paired so well together and the egg. Oyster Mushroom Kebab (5/5): this dish is captivating. the texture of this dish will blow your mind. It's got the texture of meat and is bursting with that smoked charcoal flavor you get from kebab. You don't even miss meat eating this. The sauce under pairs with it well and you will keep trying to get more with each bite. Wagyu Beef Cheek Tagine (5/5): it's wildly tender - you don't even need a knife. You don't even need teeth to eat this. I loved the combo of flavors with the cinnamon and the shallots that were done well. Definitely get this! Apple Prune Cake (4/5): We got the apple prune cake and it's so similar to the date cake at Ammatoli in Long Beach. I think the dessert at Ammatoli is better executed but if I hadn't had that dessert I probably wouldn't have any notes for it. I think the overall flavor could be improved juuust slightly. I love the vibes in here - it's very lively and I love the decor. The service was also impeccable - our server was Kenny! I willllllll be back here but expect to spend some $$$$. read more

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they hated us for not ordering any entrees but we had food restrictions and they're all meat heavy #unwoke rankings: 1) sweet potato flatbread - so funky from goat cheese and sweet from butternut squash. didn't expect a lot but incroyable 2) baba ganoush - this is one of my favorite dishes ever and they executed it so well. very smokey and fragrant 3) crudo - omg the yuzu tangy sauce we were tryna slurp that shiii the oyster mushroom kebab, prawns, and chicken liver pate were good but not life changing. they all taste kinda chinese or indian so i felt a little underwhelmed. i had crazy high expectations that weren't necessarily reached but it was not a flop at all either. def wanna try the lamb mains next time think other mediterranean places like azizam are more worthy read more

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We made a reservation several weeks in advance for Bavel. We checked in 15 minutes prior, but were seated exactly at our reservation time. We were seated at the counter, which I thought would be for walk-ins rather than reservations - it made our dining experience more casual (fine for us, we got to watch the open kitchen action, but not ideal for a formal date night). We ordered two spreads: Chicken Liver Paté ($24) and Hummus Duck 'Nduja ($19). For appetizer, got the Oyster Mushroom Kebab ($28). And for our entree we went for the Slow Roasted Lamb Neck Shawarma ($58). We were unsure how much food this would be, but ended up being plenty of food for two. The lamb neck shawarma was tender and fatty with a generous portion of meat. The oyster mushrooms were smoky and umami. The chicken pate was also savory and paired well with the sesame buckwheat toast. Finally, the hummus was very smooth, though didn't have much of a duck flavor. Definitely worth a visit! read more

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Wow!! My girlfriend booked reservations to Bavel for Valentine's Day, and we were both so impressed! Bavel was highly recommended to her from a friend, but I've never heard of it before despite its popularity. The staff were so understanding and even set aside our table when we were stuck in LA traffic despite being 15 minutes late. We had the duck hummus to start, and I think it was probably one of, if not the, best restaurant hummuses I've ever had. It didn't stop there -- the prawns were juicy and lathered in a sweet & spicy harissa marinade that went so well with their homemade tzatziki. The oyster mushrooms were also delicious, they tasted like charcoal grilled skirt steak! The star of the show was obviously their lamb shawarma. It was so tender and the flavors complemented each other so well. Highly recommend saving some of the duck hummus for the lamb. We both can't wait to come back to LA and try some more of their dishes. We also want to try their sister restaurant Bestia. Highly recommend!! read more

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WARNING: If you come here your neurological pathways will be forever altered. Proceed at your own risk of forever chasing the high of your first bites here. Bavel has been on my list for quite literally...forever. Last night I received the pleasure of indulging in dishes that I've only seen through my phone or heard through word of mouth. I personally think this place is worth. the. hype. I don't even know where to begin. Well I guess I do...hahaha Starting off with our starter. Oh my! The baba ghanoush is the perfect palate starter. It really makes you want to eat baby!!! This dip was filled with so much depth. Creamy, smoky, crunchy. But I think the real star was their fried pita. I'm practically salivating writing this. These triangular pockets full of sunshine were so hot and fresh, crispy yet chewy in the middle and paired with the dip....1000000/10 We even got a second portion of the bread. Next came the fried quail and grilled prawns. I simply must talk about these prawns. I need to eat these every single day and I would die happy. So spicy and charred yet evenly balanced with tang and sweetness. Combining that with their cucumber tzatziki. Oh I was in heaven. Sucking the shrimp heads might have been the highlight of my 2026 year. That's how good it was. The fried quail was also a superb dish. Perfectly fried quail on a bed of cucumber raita. The cumin really came through and we devoured this quickly as well. Finally, last but so not the least. The lamb shank. Holy moly guys. This was the best fall of the bone lamb I have ever had. So fatty and succulent. I loved making little pita wraps paired with their house pickle. Someone, anyone take me back with you. There was not a single miss on any dish we ordered. I think I will have dreams about these flavors for months to come. Side note: there was no parking at all...I mean it was the arts district but there was valet! Also the service was impeccable. We were sat in the outside venue which I feel is not as extravagant as the main dining hall. So if you want views + food, make sure to keep that in mind. Just know the food will not disappoint. Final verdict: Mind-blowing. read more

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We had a wonderful dinner date here recently and very much enjoyed the meal. The lamb neck shawarma was surely the showstopper, if you will. It arrives at the table with some fanfare and certainly brings out the carnivore in you. It is a well executed dish. It's also so rich that at some point it does feel a bit too much. It's best ordered for a group. The food was excellent over all but comparatively (and by that I mean, in comparison to Bestia which is another restaurant owned and operated by the same owners) we had some minor criticisms on our overall experience here. One is with the service. It's not as friendly or hospitable as Bestia. The pacing of the kitchen was also a little off. The other critique we had was on the menu pricing. The lamb neck which is a massive dish that serves 2 for an entree is priced at 58. That's reasonable. But then I'd reason that the appetizers and smaller plates should be proportionately priced. And they are not. So in conclusion, great dinner spot if you've never been. Give it a try. But Bestia is where we'll be coming back to and sending visiting friends/family to. read more

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every bite was amazing. We got the chicken, the lamb neck and the fish. Every single piece of meat was the most tender piece of meat I've ever had all I have to do is touch my fork to it a little bit, and it fell off the bone. the prawns were grilled and the best i've ever had the seasoning was outstanding. the way i describe the seasoning was like a mix between Indian, African, and Mediterranean. The duck hummus was very delicious. I wish I had a little tiny bit more of a salty taste but still very good. also, the pita bread was like the best pita bread I've ever had in my life. It tasted like a fluffy pancake. I personally don't like lemonade because I feel like it's always so bitter and sour, but this one was very delicious and very sweet. Also had a hint of a flower taste and they also put physical flowers in it. One of the best meals i've had in a while. read more

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A quintessentially downtown LA feel with pothos plants cascading down from the ceiling in the center of the restaurant - sure to impress the out of towners. Start with the fried quail appetizer (or two). It's delicately fried and sitting a top a creamy labneh feta cheese and chili sort of a spread. Prepare to levitate after this one. The hummus duck ndjua is also to die for. The pita bread is warm and fluffy and the duck is savory and indulgent. The oyster mushroom kebab!! Sounds like whatever but it might be one of the best items on the menu. Seasoned so well it tastes like beef. At this point you should still be levitating. While you're still up there finish strong with the wagyu beef cheek tagine. So tender and layered with flavor you won't know what hit you. Be sure to soak up the sauce with the Egyptian koshari rice. Absolutely bangin' read more

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Love love love Bavel. Duck hummus - I've been here twice and ordered both times. Definitely a favorite. Farm cheese - Solid, worth a try, but not my favorite. Fried quail - Super unique, but I would skip Lamb rack - Super good. The first time I ordered this, it was not seasoned as well and my friend had noted that it wasn't as good as before, but I decided to order again my second visit and the seasoning was perfect this time. Lamb was cooked perfectly both times Malawach - This was recommended to me by a friend and it was so good. Buttery and crispy, pairs perfectly with the sauces and soft-boiled egg. Can't wait to order this again read more

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Came her for my anniversary and can't thank my friend that recommended it enough. Every single piece of our meal with the amazing seats and great music was well crafted. Amazing drinks going into creamy Duck Hummus with warm soft pita bread and following up with spicy prawns with savory mushrooms was the best choices as we prepared for our entrees. The ribeye alongside the lamb manti paired so well with each other. Our eyes lit up as we took our first bite of each and couldn't believe how flavorful it was. Leaving enough room for the pastry's which made you want more. This is the place to go for any special occasion. read more

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I've been coming into bavel for years! It's a great place to celebrate birthdays, hold business meetings, catch up with a friend, etc.. but the most recent trip compelled me to finally write a review Service: amazing. The best service I've experienced thus far. We went in last minute, later in the night with a party of 6 and Feven was our server. Our group was a little chaotic but she was so accommodating and patient while explaining the menu & taking our orders. We were celebrating our friend's birthday and haven't seen each other in awhile and she made it so fun!! We had some friends join us last minute for drinks and dessert and we appreciated her for helping us make it happen. This restaurant is always so busy so we were extra grateful! And we made sure to tell her how amazing she was that night because she is! Food: since it was later in the night, most of their popular dishes were sold out but we still got to enjoy the other delicious items on the menu. Everyone loved the prawns and Feven even got all of us to do the sherry chute with the prawn heads! My favorite part of the menu is the lamb. Although we didn't get them this time, I highly recommend them! It's not "gamey" and they perfected how to cook them. Their dessert menu is also amazing so please try!! Ambience: it's cozy and beautiful! Perfect for a meal with friends, date nights & business meetings. They have a covered outside area seating as well that's equipped with heaters. There's a beautiful bar with seating & tables, open kitchen with also seating. I sat in front of the salad making station on a previous night and it was entertaining haha Restrooms: clean! For the women's restroom, there are 2 stalls available and a co-ed handwashing station outside. Parking: there's limited street parking available around the area but we always opt for their provided valet service! The attendants have always been nice and efficient We'll be back soon! Please send Feven our love! read more

Bavel is a must try in LA. The decorations are modern and beautiful. I like sitting in the main dining room with the overhead plants. I've been here a handful of time, and all of the staff are pleasant. They also give the best recs! Now, for the food. Oh my goodness. I go to sleep dreaming of some of the plates: the mushroom steaks, the lambneck, the duck hummus...WOW! Their cocktails are also a must-try! Make resy early bc they fill up quickly! read more

If Bavel has no fans I am no longer alive! Genuinely so delicious with flavors I didn't know existed. My friends and I ordered several dishes to share, including: Oyster Mushroom: This was crazy because even though it was just mushroom, it tasted so much like meat! Lamb Neck Shawarma: Coming into this meal, this was one of the dishes we had really wanted to try for a while. It comes with two different sauces and pickled vegetables, which made the lamb not too heavy when paired together. The server recommended that we make little tacos with the sauce+pita+lamb, which was so fun. Trout Crudo: Light and refreshing, this was one of my favorite dishes of the night! Babaganoush: One of the two dips we got. This was unlike any babaganoush I've ever had, since this is a dish I usually dislike because of the texture. However, this was so creamy and light, and it went so well with their bread pairing! Chicken Pate: This was the richer dip that we got, and comes with a side of jam. It also pairs so well with their bread choice. Every dip on the menu is paired with a different type of bread, which is so interesting. Aged Duck: This was a newer item that was a recommendation from our server! This was so crunchy on the outside, but soft on the inside. Spiced Pear Cake: The perfect way to end our meal- this was delicious, and not too sweet. Pairing the cake with cream and balsamic was also so interesting. This restaurant is located in the LA Arts District, and parking is pretty difficult - they do have valet though! It is also SO popular (not overrated tho!) so either make a reservation or be prepared to wait a good amount of time. The thing that shocked me the most was how consistently good everything was - not a single miss. Service was also exceptional, and every waiter we talked to was both so kind and knowledgeable about the dishes. I am not even normally a fan of Mediterranean food, but this was my top restaurant I've been to this year. A must try for sure :) read more

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Came to Bavel to celebrate a birthday and honestly had such a great experience. The space is beautiful -- & lively, perfect for a special night without feeling too formal. The host was super kind and let us sit at our table while we waited for our last guest, which I really appreciated. The shared-plates style worked perfectly for our intimate birthday dinner and made it easy to try a little bit of everything. Everything we ordered was really good, but the mushroom kebabs were unreal. We ended up ordering them twice because they were that flavorful. The texture was perfect -- they honestly tasted and felt like a juicy piece of steak or chicken. So good. The grilled prawns were seasoned and cooked perfectly. The hummus and pita weren't my favorite flavor-wise compared to other places I've had, but the presentation was unique and still enjoyable. For dessert, we got the chocolate donuts, which were more like warm beignets dusted with powdered sugar -- so good and a perfect way to end the night. Overall, great food, great service, and an amazing vibe for a birthday dinner. Would definitely come back. read more

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This is an overhyped, Middle Eastern restaurant, but grossly overpriced with small portions. There's a nearby parking however the area looks a little shady so I had to pay $20 for my truck to get valet parking. The restaurant was very loud and it was hard to hear a regular conversation.. The lamb chops were probably least seasoned and very expensive at $96 for one serving. The best dish was the broccolini and it was really the sauce that made it. The service was spotty and we kept on having to ask for serving utensils. read more

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Bavel is run by the team that brought us Bestia. Bavel is a reference to Babylon, and they sought to bring Angelenos the rich flavors of the Middle East (before Babylonians built the Tower of Babel and cultures/languages separated) Flavors here are special. Once you enter this restaurant, you can't help but notice the hellfire from their impressive wood-fired oven in the center of their kitchen, that provides the smoky flavor that anchors their food. The food here has flavors that you don't see in your local kebab stop. Hummus is loaded with two types of garbanzos, olive oil, and a bountiful number of herbs. The pita bread is freshly prepared and served still hot from the oven, yet has a nice chew in the middle. If you get their oyster mushroom kebab, it has the texture of meat, the unmistakable flavors from the fire, and savoriness from their avocado and cilantro sauce. The fire-grilled mushroom probably had the most memorable flavors of the night and I recommend this! Their dry aged trout crudo is reminiscent of a refreshingly cold ceviche crossed with a tom kha soup as it comes with coconut milk, kaffir lime, chili; however, it gets sweetness from persimmon, and onions. The grilled prawns are smoky, juicy, creamy from the head juices, and savory, it has an addictive kick from harissa and a tzatziki sauce that cools you down if you need it. For our entree, we couldn't pass up their lamb neck shawarma, which was slow roasted all day, and served with laffa, tahini, and pickled veggies. I made sandwich bites from the fresh-baked laffa and tahini. The meat was savory, fork-tender, rich, and loaded with warm spices. My wife and I ate it until we couldn't eat another bite. Somehow, however, we found a second stomach to eat dessert. My wife got their spiced caramel ice cream, which was basically an affogato with Turkish coffee. I opted for their nougat ice cream bar, which I felt was like an upscale cross between a Snickers Ice Cream Bar and baklava. Costs are high here, flavors are five stars, and atmosphere is pretty cool; however, service was a step behind, which was a little disappointing (which made me consider making this 4 stars). Parking in Arts District can be difficult; however, we were able to get valet parking for $13. Overall, I recommend this spot as the flavors are ultimately memorable and not something that you can replicate. read more

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