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    Laya Restaurant

    4.4 (349 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 1 month ago

    Laya Restaurant Photos

    LAYA RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Classy
    Upscale
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Laya Restaurant

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    Reviews With Photos

    Heart of the Desert and Hand of Ra cocktails
    Justin J.

    Some friends were visiting from out of state, so we decided to take them here for a dinner. Made a reservation ahead of time, but it still took some time to get seated, though it was a busy evening. Started with cocktails. Heart of the Desert has a tequila base with strawberry, lime and prickly pear, but the fruit flavor really didn't come through. Felt like something was missing in the drink. The Hand of Ra is another tequila drink, with tangerine, tumeric and thyme. Again, much more spirit forward and really didn't get that punch of tangerine, but the rhyme provides a nice, forefront to the drink. For food, we started with the hummus and snails. The hummus was good, fresh hummus is always the best, and they brought us extra pita. The snails, also very tasty, plenty of extra butter to dip them in as well. The mix Grill Platter comes with three large kabobs: featuring wagyu, chicken and a minced lamb and beef skewer. The chicken was dry on the outside, could have been moister on the inside. The wagyu was ok, felt a little overcooked as well but still decent. The lamb/beef combo skewer was moist, but may have been a little gamey for some. The dips for each specific meat were great and really helped the meat along with each bite. We also got a side of carrots and triple cooked potatoes. The carrots were delicious, definitely get a side of them, and the potatoes were also very tasty as well. Overall, beautiful restaurant and great ambiance. The cocktails didn't meet the expectations we had, unfortunately, but the hummus and snails were tasty. The meats left something to be desired, though their individual sauces helped. Get the carrots, for sure, and potatoes if you're hungry.

    Menu 1: 3/2026.
    Jennifer B.

    It looks so different now from the last time I came through - back when it was called La Mesa/Le Jardin. But nothing is wrong with change - it may be different, but it's still a beautifully laid out spot! Bestie's choice of venue to celebrate her 2026 birthday. We were nicely situated at the very front corner, so not too far from the bar or the front door. I had no idea Bestie and her hubby did a pre-fixe menu for sharing for the entire party, so Hubbers and I were welcomed to our table with Ambrosias. Excellent! Great way to start the night! And then the food started coming around. HUMMUS: Hosts were good at ordering more pita because the one wouldn't have been enough. Good flavor, pine nuts added texture. Good starter. CHARRED BEETROOT HUMMUS: This is a first for me! The group was 50/50 on this, some saying they like the regular one better. I'm on the other side liking the beets version - and that's huge coming from someone who can't stand beets. The aroma was a good addition to the overall flavor. The wild mushrooms added flavor and texture. I used pita vs the leaves for this - delish. O BATATA HARRA: Not really a fan of potatoes other than in the form of fries or maybe mashed or hash browns (and all of them are a bunch of maybes) but I'll admit I've never had triple cooked crispy potatoes. They somehow figured out how to infuse a lot of flavor inside while maintaining a really nice crisp/crunch on the outside. BURGUNDY SNAILS: So... this is a me and Hubbers order thing because EVERYONE else in our party aren't fans. (They kept screaming escar-NO!) I'm guessing this dish might be too exotic for them, although a couple of people tried them (for the first time) and ended up liking it. What i liked about this is that they weren't drowning in butter, and there's a good balance of the lemon and garlic. I enjoyed this! KNAFE: None of us had no idea what this was (until i looked it up) but I got a couple of bites and liked the balanced savory and sweet! It's basically filo dough based with mozzarella cheese topped with syrup. Served as a palate cleanser for me. AUSTRALIAN LAMB KEBAB: One would expect a gamey flavor (since it's lamb and all) but this is not bad at all. There was only a slight hint, nothing overpowering. Cooked medium to medium rare. The seasoning was excellent. The slight char added to the flavor. I didn't bother with the sauces. MIX GRILL PLATTER: Plenty for 3-4 people, it's a HUGE plate of meat goodness! The three different kinds of meats came with three different sauces (but the garlic is my ultimate favorite out of all three.) There were sides of grilled onions, tomatoes and peppers. Just know each protein had different flavors and textures and all were yummilicious! ROSE SOFT SERVE: Ohhhh, what a discovery! I'm not a dessert person but O.M.G. I love this sorbet. The cotton candy adds to the aesthetics and pine nuts added flavor and texture. It's almost like eating roses, except it's delicious! LAYA LAVA CAKE: Again, not a dessert person. This was too rich for me, but if you like chocolate, this is for you. OLIVE OIL CAKE: Like the knafe, it was sweet and savory but neither flavors were overpowering. Also a good way to end the meal! FOOD: 5. SERVICE: 5. VALUE: 5. Although the hosts handled the bill, I still feel the pricing point is more than fair. You get quantity and quality. PARKING: Street parking. They offer valet. Unsure if there's a fee. OVERALL: 5. Apologies for lack of pictures but my party (me included) couldn't wait to dig in on some of the dishes soon as they got to the table. I will somehow find my way back here to try a few dishes Hubbers and I discussed having for that next time. Amazing first run! Looking forward to the next!

    Tina C.

    Everyone should visit Laya at least once! But I promise, once you go, you'll keep coming back for more. I absolutely love this restaurant! The food, the drinks, the ambiance, and the service are all incredible!

    Erica B.

    Made a reservation at this restaurant for Valentine's Day. The venue is outdoor but enclosed under a clear covering in case of rain. Lots of seating and a comfortable waiting area along with bar seating. The seats for two however are a bit small and close together, so it leaves very little room for privacy and space in general. Staff were welcoming and nice. All the food we ordered was delicious and flavorful and cooked to perfection. The drinks, could have a bit more work as they were not strong nor flavorful. Only thing I didn't like was the fact that as I was finishing my skewer, staff would reach over without warning and remove the skewer. I understand while they assumed it would be helpful, it came off intrusive and startling. Also because the tables were so close you would get the occasional butt in your face from a waiter or the people bringing the other table food. I love they had a violinist come to the tables and play, she was very sweet and receptive to people filming her. What was surprising as A girlie who eats out a lot is the no warning of gratuity for party of two when there was notice on the menu you would be charged for a party of 6. I don't mind tipping, just wish it was posted or informed prior to making a RSVP or when ordering. All in all I'll definitely return another time to try the other menu items!

    Doryaneh M.

    This was my first time trying this restaurant, and I found it on Instagram through food influencer (Omid Afshar). Honestly, the vibe and food looked exactly like what they post online. From the start, the experience was great. The hostess was super friendly, and even though we had a reservation, we only waited less than five minutes. It was my friend's birthday, and they gave us a really nice table, which we appreciated. We started with cocktails. My friend loved hers, and I ordered one based on the server's recommendation--a pistachio-flavored cocktail that was totally different and surprisingly amazing. I also tried the Heart of Heaven cocktail, and that one was just as good. For appetizers, we got the beet hummus, which was delicious and really pretty presentation-wise. We also tried the raw meat appetizer. It was different than what I expected, but still a good experience and something fun to try. For the main course, we ordered a combo plate with beef koobideh, shish kebab, and chicken kebab. The portion was perfect for two people, and everything tasted great. The bread was amazing too, especially the pita bread on the side. For dessert (since it was a birthday), we had ice cream topped with pink cotton candy--super cute and fun. Overall, great food, great service, and a really nice atmosphere. Everything was on point. I'll definitely be back to try more dishes and would totally recommend this place.

    Prawns
    Sandy G.

    Wow, what an experience! I came here with my coworkers on a weekday for dinner and had an unforgettable experience. The service was top notch and the food was incredible. But first let's talk about the ambiance of this place. I was blown away when I stepped "inside" the restaurant. I absolutely loved the design of the place. It totally made me feel like I was transported into another land. The dining area is technically outdoors but there's a clear cover over the top so you can still see the sky. Simply magical. As for the food, since we had a large party, we ordered quite a few dishes to share around the table. The top picks for me were the beetroot hummus and the kanpachi crudo. Kibbeh is one of my favorite Lebanese dishes so it deserves an honorable mention here as well. Some of the other appetizers I enjoyed were the pickled mix and the baby carrots. I was somehow convinced to try the burgundy snail dish. It's been years since I've had snail and let's just say, the taste and texture were unexpected to me. Think it's probably more of an acquired taste. Another thing to note: the mix grill platter is MASSIVE. Each kebab was like 3x the size of one of their skewers. Finally for dessert, if you want a cute food photo, I would recommend the rose soft serve. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the stranana. For parking, valet is $20 but there is also street parking if you're lucky enough to score a spot. Overall, this was a definitely a 5-star experience for me and I would totally come back here again.

    Menu
    Mae M.

    Woweeee wow! I had not heard of Laya but got to visit with a group of co-workers and was very impressed by the food and ambiance. As soon as you walk in it feels like you're entering an upscale resort tucked away on a remote island and not a restaurant in Hollywood. Our table ordered a variety of food to try and I did my best to get as many pictures as I could. The food is Mediterranean so when you come make sure to get a good sampling of humus and meats. The Beetroot Hummus was one of the best hummus dishes I've ever had and I highly recommend that one if you're between options. I also really liked the snails and prawns for appetizers. For the main course we got 3 different meat skewers. All were great but the beef was my favorite - very tender. For dessert, the Rose Soft Serve seems to be their signature dish that everyone orders so they can take a picture of it haha. It was okay but a little overrated in my opinion since it's mainly just cotton candy which doesn't justify $14 for me. The best dessert was the Lava Cake which I missed getting a picture of because we all ate it too quickly. Overall a great experience and I would love to come back!

    Sarah M.

    Made a reservation for dinner on a Saturday to celebrate my friend's belated birthday. We went at 6pm right when they opened and it was totally packed, probably because it was during the holidays. The ambiance was great but make sure you bring a jacket because it was pretty chilly since it's sort of outdoors. The food was a bit too salty for my liking, especially the potatoes. They had valet parking but there was plenty of meter parking nearby. Perfect spot for a date (but not the first one because it can get loud with the music/dj)

    The oasis
    Lauren S.

    I loved it here! Will definitely be going back! Food was great, ambiance was amazing! Server was super attentive and knowledgeable about menu

    Arturo M.

    Five stars, and honestly I kind of knew the moment I walked in that this was going to be one of those nights where the atmosphere alone almost feels like part of the meal. First things first, parking is a little annoying unless you want to cough up for valet, which I almost never do on principle, so I ended up finding street parking across the road. Funny enough, from the other side of the street you can literally hear the restaurant buzzing with energy, which made me laugh because it's on a super busy street instead of some quiet tucked away corner. Still, it didn't feel sketchy or unsafe at all. Walking in was the only slightly awkward moment of the night because the host stand seemed overwhelmed or distracted. I was standing right in front of them for a bit just waiting for that simple human moment of "Hi, welcome." I'm patient so I didn't make a big deal of it, but it did take longer than expected. We intentionally arrived early so we could use the restroom, and oddly enough that turned into a surprisingly nice touch because someone actually walked us there instead of just pointing. That was the moment where I started realizing this place runs like a little theatrical production. Once you start walking through the space it almost feels like you stepped onto a movie set. Everyone is playing their role. The lighting, the decor, the people dressed up like they're out for a big night, the occasional guest who clearly just rolled in casually but still somehow fits into the vibe. We sat in the waiting lounge area for about fifteen minutes and even that felt elegant. Our server Sean showed up with what might be the biggest, most genuine smile I've seen from a waiter in a long time. Absolute golden retriever energy. Now, I will say you can feel restaurants like this hoping you order cocktails and rack up the bill, but we already studied the menu beforehand and stuck to our plan. Water for the table, thank you very much. We did try one appetizer and ironically that ended up being the weakest thing we ordered. The biggest thing people should know is the portions are small. Like, small enough that you might want a snack before you arrive or prepare to order multiple plates. But here's the funny part. Every single plate that left our table went back completely empty. Was it because the food was that good, or because the portions were small and we were hungry? Probably a little of both. The food itself was genuinely delicious though. No complaints there. My only real critique is that the price and portion size don't exactly match. You could find flavors like this at a great mom and pop spot somewhere, but what you cannot replicate is this environment. And speaking of the environment, that's where the night really turned into something memorable. There's a DJ playing music that's loud enough to energize the room but still soft enough that you can actually talk to the people at your table without yelling. Perfect balance. Then suddenly you hear this violin and everyone in the room starts looking around like "Wait... is that live?" Sure enough, a violinist appears and the entire restaurant practically freezes for a second trying to figure out where the sound is coming from. She goes table to table playing and people were filming, smiling, clapping, the whole thing. It honestly elevated the entire experience. I was secretly relieved she didn't stop at my table because my social anxiety would have shot through the roof, but from a distance it was magical. She takes breaks because I imagine playing like that all night is exhausting, but we heard about three songs while we were there and each one felt like a mini performance. Meanwhile the restaurant runs like a small village behind the scenes. Staff coming in and out of the kitchen nonstop, servers swooping in to clear plates, someone appearing to remove the skewers from the meat like a perfectly choreographed routine. It's chaos but the elegant kind. I skipped dessert because I'm on keto, but even without it the experience felt complete. This is definitely the kind of place I'd come back to for a birthday or celebration rather than a random Tuesday night, mainly because I'm a big eater and the portions left me wishing for just a little more. But as a full experience? Fantastic. I originally found it on TikTok and for once the hype actually delivered. If I return, I'd love to see it in the summer when the roof isn't covered with that plastic enclosure they use for colder weather. I can already imagine a warm night, open air, music, violin, the whole scene glowing. Also, quick heads up for anyone planning a visit, they're closed on Sundays.

    Inside
    Raya M.

    This was my second time at Laya, and I loved it even more this time! We came with a group of four, which was great because it let us try more dishes. First off, the ambience here is honestly one of my favorites in Los Angeles. It's so relaxing, open, and toned down, perfect for a date night or a small group setting. As for the food, I personally really enjoy it here. My husband wasn't the biggest fan, but to be fair, he's very particular about Middle Eastern food (we're Middle Eastern ourselves). The batata harra are a must order, the beetroot hummus was even better than I remembered, and the eggplant was great. The fried kibbeh weren't bad, but the spices just weren't my thing. The goat cheese and za'atar starter was wonderful. A couple of us absolutely loved the octopus (my husband, a huge octopus fan, didn't care for it though). The Wagyu beef kebab was really good, and the seabream was fantastic, I'd honestly come back just for that. It ended up being my husband's favorite dish of the night too. Now for dessert, I'm not even a chocolate lava cake person, but theirs was the best I've ever had. And that rose ice cream? Perfection. I actually miss it just thinking about it. Service was great, kind, professional, and attentive. They have valet, which makes things so much easier in that area. As for drinks, they're decent , not the best, not the worst. I enjoyed mine overall, but they totally missed the mark on the lychee martini. All in all, I absolutely love Laya. Between the atmosphere, the seabream, and that rose ice cream, I'll definitely be back.

    Rose Soft Serve and Laya Lava Cake
    Simrah A.

    A beautiful and fun ambiance with delicious food & it's halal?!?!?!! Everything was truly delicious, I would recommend it all!! What we got: Charred Beetroot Hummus- YUM!! A refreshing change from typical hummus, but still carrying that taste with different flavors. The bread it came with was great. Goat Cheese and Za'atar- A great combination with fluffy soft pita bread. It's nice that you can put however much of each topping you want. Mix Grill Platter- DELISH!! This has Wagyu Beef Kabob, Shish Tawouk, and Kafta Khashkhash. Each of these meats was made really well; you can tell that it's good quality! The side dressings made it even better, this dish was absolutely delicious. Rose Soft Serve- A Middle-Eastern/Arab speciality, this rose ice cream was paired with cotton candy. This was good and refreshing! Laya Lava Cake- SOO GOOD!! Molten chocolate with hazelnut praline and vanilla ice cream. I love this combination, and it was amazing here. The ambiance was great, so beautiful! The seating is all in their outdoor patio, but it basically feels like it's indoors. String lights hang everywhere, and it's somewhat dim to give it the elevated vibe. The music they played was so lively and fun too- they had a live DJ The service was also very nice. They only have valet parking, but if you're lucky you can find nearby street parking. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for an occasion or even just a fun night out ^ be sure to make a reservation in advance!

    Alexandra R.

    I was super disappointed with Laya. Although the service and ambiance were great (and so were the drinks), the food was underwhelming and overpriced. The hummus was so bland we didn't even eat it, and the $86 skewer platter was on par with any average Middle Eastern restaurant in LA. You only get three skewers, meaning each one costs about $28. You're better off going to Open Sesame--you'll get similar food without the exorbitant price.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Laya Restaurant

    What's the parking situation? is there a private lot? structure? street? Valet?

    Valet

    Do you allow people under 18yrs old to come and eat?

    We are a 21+ only.

    Do you have gluten free options for breads?

    At the moment we do not have gluten free bread options, but instead offer butter lettuce wraps and crudités for dipping. The majority of our menu is gluten free, or can easily be modified to be gluten free.

    How many bottles of wine can I bring for a party of 8?

    Up to 2 bottles per table, nothing from our current wine list please.

    What is the corkage fee?

    Our corkage fee is $50 per bottle of wine, $100 per bottle of champagne. Two bottle maximum per table. Anything currently featured on our wine list must be purchased though the restaurant and will be denied corkage.

    Is the restaurant covered if it rains outside?

    Yes! It has a beautiful canopy cover

    Is it all outdoor?

    Yes.

    Is it child friendly?

    Depending on the time and day, it gets loud especially evening and night time. You can take kids though

    Are you dog friendly?

    Yes! We are happy to accommodate furry friends.

    Is the meat halal?

    Yes! All our meats are Halal.

    Do they offer halal options?

    Yes! All our meats are Halal.

    Does the restaurant do walk ins?

    Reservations are highly encourage for the main dining area. We talk walk-ins on a first come first served basis in the bar and lounge areas.

    Do you offer any halal options?

    Yes! All our meats are Halal.

    View All 14 Questions

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    $$$
    Gift cards during COVID-19

    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.

    The food was okay, nothing extraordinary, but decent. Unfortunately, the service was, without…read moreexaggeration, one of the worst I've ever experienced in my life. From the moment we arrived, the vibe felt off. The host who seated us (who later turned out to also be a server) left us at the table, and no one approached us for about 10 minutes. When a server finally came over, the first thing she said was "Ready? Ready?", no greeting, no welcome, nothing. We were never brought water. I had to ask a busser for it because the server walked past our table multiple times, clearly saw us, and chose to ignore us. The food runner was also rude, he dropped the plates on the table without saying a single word. Throughout the entire meal, no one checked on us. No "How is everything?" No "Do you need anything?" Nothing at all. Meanwhile, we noticed that nearby tables were being greeted, checked on, and treated kindly. When we asked for the check, the server literally threw it on the table without saying a word. The experience was so bad that we decided not to leave a tip; Something we never do, especially since we truly value good service and I personally work in the restaurant industry. I don't know if the treatment had anything to do with how we looked or how we were dressed, but I've never felt so ignored and uncomfortable in a restaurant before. The food may be fine, but the service completely ruins the experience. I would not return or recommend this place.

    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

    Bavel - Baked Alaska

    Bavel

    4.4(3k reviews)
    6.7 miArts District, Downtown
    $$$

    Back in LA for Mother's Day weekend and birthday so decided to bring my family to Bavel. This place…read morehas always been good but when we visit this past Friday night it was amazing. When we arrived the host was friendly and walked us over to our table with a smile. Then our server came over and let me tell she was the most happy and friendliest server that we have ever experienced in our dining experience. Marlene approached us with "happy Friday" and spark up a quick conversation of why we were visiting. She made us feel welcomed immediately and excited about being there. We had a few questions about the menu and she was able to guide us through the menu with ease. She recommended things we hadn't tried before and for every dish that came out she would tell us the best way the chef would like us to enjoy them. I mean the service was impeccable. She was super sweet with my mother who is a bit older and sometimes is indecisive with food and drinks. But she was so patient with her and sweet to help her choose a wine and items on the menu that she end up loving. My mother couldn't stop talking about her on the way home. Every dish that came to our table was amazing and the drinks were super tasty. Hummus, crudo, prawns and dorado are a must. At the end we trusted her to choose dessert for us. The cashew bar and donuts nuts were the best way to end our dining experience. Overall, if you are looking for great food and amazing service this is the place to come.

    Food was excellent. Every dish was very flavorful and had its own unique twist (grilled prawns were…read moreeasily the best dish)! hummus duck 'nduja 5/5 grilled prawns 5/5 oyster mushroom kebab 3/5 fried quail 3.5/5 slow roasted lamb neck shawarma 5/5 Only issue I had was with the service. Our server pushed for us to order another app/entree even after I told them that we were happy with the amount we ordered. Afterwards, when it was time to pay the bill they "accidentally" added a $315 bottle of wine on our bill which we did not order. This definitely impacted our overall experience negatively.

    Photos
    Bavel - Interior

    Interior

    Bavel - *Dry Aged Trout Crudo

    *Dry Aged Trout Crudo

    Bavel - Oyster mushroom kabob

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    Oyster mushroom kabob

    Laya Restaurant - mediterranean - Updated May 2026

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