I now understand why this is one of the most popular places on 2nd Street! With a decent line and always a full establishment, Open Sesame is an excellent spot for your Mediterranean needs and gives all the aesthetic vibes inside. Overall, this Mediterranean spot is a bit pricey but worth trying. Ever since I've tried this place, I've always ordered their Open Sesame Combo, which comes with a variety of menu items. It includes Chicken Tawook, which is just a seasoned chicken skewer; chicken or beef kafta, which is like ground meat but in a sausage-type form; and beef kabob, which is like a tender beef steak bite. This combo also comes with pita, basmati rice, hummus, and salad. All of the meats are very tender and flavorful. I enjoy the beef kafta the most. Everything on the plate is amazing and you can't go wrong with what salad you order. I recommend getting there at a slower time or expect a wait. They have plenty of seating inside and on their patio, which is perfect for groups. For parking, you can find spots nearby in the neighborhood. read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Came in for a birthday celebration and had the pleasure of being served by Jetmira. As someone who's worked in service before, she was perfectly attentive. Thank you so much for the wonderful service, Jetmira! We'll be back soon! read more

After driving around for an hour trying to find something good to eat my Grandmother and I landed here after checking the reviews and it did not disappoint. Very cozy spot on 2nd street. Service was great from hostess to clean up, especially the waitress. And the food was amazing! We ordered lamb kabobs, babaganoush (the first timer almost ate it all herself lol) hummus; my favorite was the marinated olives. They also have mimosas. We even were given extra bread to bring home for the leftovers. Will definitely be going back again! read more

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Very good Mediterranean food, and easy online ordering. Food was prepared well, portions were good, price was reasonable, and the food was ready on time. read more

Amazing food and service. There is a reason why this restaurant has been open for 20+ years. Chicken Shawarma plate 10/10 Spicy hummus and fattoush with basmati rice tastes so fresh Orange Blosson tea 10/10 Beat mint tea ive had. Pure mint and not over powering For desert I ordered the chocolate molten cake with ice cream. The raspberry sauce it comes with pairs excellent with the molten chocolate fudge inside the cake and the ice cream. read more

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Gotta be the best food I've had in long beach. Very flavorful, generous portions, and nice staff!!! Would fly back to LA just to eat here again. read more

Open Sesame - chicken kofta with side of falafel - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

i love you OS. took a friend here and we both were in heaven. i ordered my usual: chicken shawarma pita, extra pickles, jalab. oh sooo goood. our server was less than attentive but the food is always outstanding. will be back. read more

I had a chance to stop by Friday. I order online and pick up at the restaurant and it was ready for me when I walked in. I ordered the cauliflower wrap, spicy garlic potatoes and chicken tawook. The potatoes were a bit dry but still flavorful. The chicken was seasoned perfectly and the hummus was delicious. The staff is always super friendly here too! read more

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My husband and I had dinner to celebrate our anniversary at Open Sesame on June 1, 2026. Initially we were seated inside near the front door but there was a cold draft coming in when the door opened and closed so we relocated to a small table across from the bar area in the back of the restaurant. The filet mignon kebobs are usually my favorite item on the menu; however, since my husband ordered them, I decided to try the sea bass so we could share. Everything was so fresh and amazing! The kebobs were cooked perfectly and they were so tender! The sea bass was also fresh and prepared nicely; however, it was not a thick white sea bass filet like I was expecting. It was half of a small sea bass grilled with tail and skin in tact without the head. Very fresh, flaky and tasty, but different. The salad and hummus were amazing as well and we ordered a side of garlic sauce. We also ordered two beers, two mixed drinks and dessert. The dessert was absolutely delicious! What made the occasion even more special was our Server, Jetmira! The Manager said she's been employed there for over 20 years. I can understand why. She was wonderful (outstanding service, warm and pleasant personality and knowledgeable about the items on the menu)! My husband had never been to Open Sesame and he was so impressed with the food and service! We will definitely return again soon! Thank you Open Sesame and Jetmira! read more

Came here several years ago and was turned off by bad service. Came back today and was greeted by a nice girl we were seated immediately before the noon rush. Food and service was good a change from the last time here. read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

Everything was great here. The waitstaff was super accommodating for our party of 12 and a baby (the was a last minute thing. New parents and baby didn't want to stay with sitter). The food was great. I ordered the sultan which had a little bit of everything. The lamb chops were my favorite. read more

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I'm honestly sad to leave this review :( I've been an open sesame patron since moving to LBC over 15 years ago. The food I've received in last few months has continually gone down in quality. Today I ordered via uber and received the weirdest chicken shawarma I've ever had in my life. It's bunch of dry left over chicken chunks that looks like someone just put it on a griddle and added a bunch of oil and seasoning. No shaved pieces of chicken off a spit. It was extremely dry, oily and inedible. Not to mention no included pita and side salad was wrong. This unfortunately seems like a pattern lately. It's not like it used to be read more

If you're in Long Beach and craving Mediterranean food this is the spot. Its super busy on the weekends but well worth the wait. The kabobs are juicy and so delicious. I'll be going again when im in town. read more

A few friends and I came here for a birthday lunch. We sat on the patio (which is dog-friendly, yay!). The tables are on the smaller side, as are the walkways - both inside and out. It can feel very overwhelming, especially on a busier day - keep in mind that it was full for lunch on a weekday. That said, our waittress was so friendly and took great care of our table, and servers were on top of refilling our water for both people and pup alike. Food was very fresh - the pescatarian birthday girl had the sea bass while our other friend ordered the chicken tawook. I had the chicken shawarma with house salad and hummus. I realize this could just be personal preference, but I'm used to a more heavily seasoned shawarma. Portions are massive and you're likely to leave with leftovers! read more

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Service was great (thus they get 2 stars) but food was not good. Only reason I ate it was because I was hungry. No flavor. Hummus was bland. Will never go back. Too bad. read more

Come prepared. Go early. Park on the street and expect to walk a few short blocks. Will get crowded in evenings. Worth it!

Open Sesame has been my spot for Mediterranean food for like a decade. Came here for many birthdays and celebrations, where good food, good vibes, and excellent service come together under one roof. Literally everyone is good on the menu, but my personal favorite is the Open Sesame combo and the lamb chops, which are always delicious and cooked to perfection. Also, Open Sesame is one of those rare sit-down restaurants that I actually order dessert from. The baklava crumble sundae is to die for. read more

Open Sesame - The Sultan - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

Food is always on point. Same with the service. Highly recommend the beef kebab or the chicken shawarma plate. Not a quiet/intimate place but love the energy and liveliness during dinner time. read more

Join the waitlist esp when it's busier times. We got in right away on a Wednesday evening. The cauliflower was fried lightly not too greasy. Potatoes had great flavors. Dip in garlic sauce for sure but extra cost. Pita bread was super hard and crispy. We didn't asked for an exchange bc it got busy for our waitress. And we were starving. My beef was supposed to be medium rare. It was well done. Challenged to even cut. Chicken was dry. Falafel were not too dry. My gf enjoyed them. read more

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Open Sesame has been one of my absolute favorites for years! I believe it's one of Long Beach's finest gems! I am pleased with the amount of vegetarian options and especially love and constantly crave the potatoes from here. Lovely service and a beautiful location on second street. I will be coming back forever and ever and ever!! read more

Exec summary: very posh, great food 1- service Exceptional. Very attentive. It was a long wait for a table though. Be prepared to chill 2- food The Saturdays special was lamb shank. It was amazing! Hummus app was awesome 3- we sat outside but still in the shade. This area of Long Beach has fascinating people and car watching. It's "different" Definitely worth a try read more

Open Sesame - Lamb shank (Saturday special) - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

My absolute favorite Mediterranean restaurant in all of Long Beach. The quality of the food is top notch, the ambiance is cozy and the staff is friendly and welcoming. My favorite dishes are the lamb chops so tender and juicy and seasoned to perfection, the chicken tawook is also a must order order dish. I also always order some hummus with pita bread, lentil soup, tabbouleh and fatoush salad as sides with every meal. Favorite drinks are fresh coconut juice so sweet and refreshing and their jasmine green tea with mint leaves. I have never had a bad meal here and my hubby and I come here at least once a week. One of the best restaurants in Long Beach. read more

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This place is AMAZING!!! The food is great, the service friendly, and the ambiance is cute. If going for dinner it is best to get there early or you will wait in a long line any day of the week; it's that good! read more

Randomly decided on a date night with my wife to try this place, at first the line seemed long but just ask to sit at the countertop and no wait! Had no clue what to order but saw everything being cooked and spoke to chris asking a million dumb questions, what's this what's that! Then he gave me several things to try because I was shy and OMG! What a burst of flavor in every bite and so fresh and good. Enviorment and all the workers were so dedicated to the Misson I'm in love with this place. From people to food to enviorment!! Must try!!!! read more

Open Sesame - The sultan - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

"We are transformed by the life force of the food we eat...to nourish and revive memories of the flavors and traditions cherished." Ali Kobeissi. It has been about 25 years since Open Sesame has opened it's doors with two locations. I'm glad I was finally able to experience Open Sesame, an authentic Lebanese Mediterranean restaurant. I was able to RSVP and receive a table after a 40-minute wait on a random afternoon weekend. Service: (4/5) The gentleman host was very kind. Please give this man a raise as he not only provided our toddler with crayons and coloring page, but he also checked in on our outside patio table twice if there was anything else we needed. Our young waitress was a bit slow and did not see her often. Our table had one small minor complaint for the wait as we asked a gentleman waiter for assistance and he had to find our assigned waitress. Atmosphere: (3/5) The restaurant is cramped and my table had to shift our chairs a few times to allow the busboy and other customers eat by a neighboring table. The men and woman's bathroom were separated on opposite ends of the restaurant and I had to ask for assistance locating it as there weren't clear signage. Food: Mezza Sampler: Vegetarian grape leaves, unpitted olives, hummus, tabouleh, labne, yogurt dip (4/5). The grape leaves were full of flavor and the hummus was silky smooth. I really enjoyed the freshness of the tabouleh as it appeared it was just made to order. Open Sesame Combo: Chicken tawook, beef kabob, chicken or beef kafta, garlic sauce, parsley, sumac, basmati rice (4/5). The beef kabob was incredibly tender and flavorful. Mediterranean sea bass: whole sea bass, grilled lemon, arugula, seasonal grilled vegetable skewer, basmati rice (5/5). The sea bass was cooked to perfection as the fish was still very moist. I wished the vegetables and the fish was seasoned a tad bit more. However, I rather have a perfectly cooked meal than an under seasoned one. Kudos to the entire kitchen team and staff for making our experience at Open Sesame a positive one. read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

Delicious food. The entree portions are extremely generous. The meats were perfectly seasoned and flavorful. The spicy hummus, baba ganoush, and garlic sauce paired perfect with meats and pita bread. The garlic potatoes were super addicting. Our server was friendly and helpful. There is patio seating as well as indoor seating. The restaurant inside had beautiful art pieces. I didn't get to try the desserts but will definitely be coming back. read more

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I love the open air eating and their chicken swarma pita is SO good. Dont forget to get the hummus! Servers are knowledgable and personable, love those kids. read more

I've been to this place twice, and both times the quality of the food was really good. The customer service was awesome, and the ambience is nice. I got the combo plate on my last visit so that I could have a little of everything. The first time I went, I got the pizza, and that was really good too. I recommend trying this place if you're in the area. read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

I came here for dinner with some coworkers on Thursday night. Service/Ambiance: It was very busy but we got a table! The interior of the restaurant is beautiful, with lots of dark lighting and tasteful decor. It's perfect for a date night. Service was fast and our server was helpful with recommendations. Food Consensus: I would highly recommend getting the spicy garlic potato's with toum on the side. This was my favorite thing here. The potatoes were covered in this rich garlicy sauce. The tang from the potato's and the toum are a match made in heaven. I ordered the shrimp plate and it was decent. I turned pescatarian for the month so this was one of the only options on the menu. The quality of the shrimp was lacking and there could have been more charring on the shrimp. The rice, salad, and hummus were good but the main star of the dish was okay. Next time, I would get a meat dish. read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

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I had a great experience at open Sesame. German was our server. We had great customer service. He and the manager always checked on us. The food was so good especially if you like garlic. I would definitely recommend The lamb chops and the potatoes. read more

My daughter and I arrived around 1:50 p.m. and waited about 45 minutes for our food. During that time, we watched others who arrived after us get served, while no one checked on us or gave us an update. We eventually had to leave because my daughter had to go to work, so we didn't receive our meals. As we were leaving, the waitress told us that our ticket had been lost in the kitchen. While I understand mistakes happen, it was unacceptable that no one informed us during the entire 45-minute wait. We were left sitting there with no explanation, while everyone else was served. To make matters worse, we were still charged for the hummus even though we barely ate it. The manager never came over to apologize or try to make things right. Good customer service starts with communication. A simple update or sincere apology could have made a big difference, but unfortunately, that didn't happen. I won't be returning. read more

I ordered the appetizer platter and meat platter. Appetizer platter was good! Meat platter my friends liked it, I thought the meat was dry. Good place to eat. read more

Must try. Great intro Lebanese food. Recommend cauliflower and potatoes as appetizers. Usually order the meat platter which has almost everything. Lamb is good but does have a bit of gamey tastes. Chicken always a winner. Oh the garlic side if doesn't come with your meal is a must. Always love coming and just wish it was closer. read more

This is one of the few 10/10 restaurants. It can get a bit crowded some afternoons, but the food is absolutely worth the wait. The art in there is also really cool to look at during that wait, (which is still not bad) the workers are nice, the menu's versatile and all sublime, I totally recommend it! read more

Open Sesame never disappoints. The food is consistently solid and I've always had good service. It's also a great option for vegetarians! I can never decide what to order, so one of my favorite things to do is just order a bunch of small plates to share! My favorite item, by far, is the spicy garlic potatoes. Not too spicy, but absolutely loaded with garlic, cilantro, and lemon! My mouth is watering just thinking about it! Flash fried cauliflower, falafel, and grilled halloumi watermelon salad are some other vegetarian dishes that I would definitely order again. I also really like the Kibbi, although they are a bit small for the price. I do appreciate that they are served with the yogurt dip though! Finally, the restaurant is nicely decorated and it has a beautiful ambiance, but it is super tight! The tables are packed in there like sardines! read more

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Lebanese cheesecake, lamb shanks, and so much more is delicious. Thank you for the great service and recommendations Chris! You are appreciated. We enjoy the great atmosphere and friendly service and the food never disappoints. read more

Open Sesame - Lebanese cheesecake, lamb shanks, and so much more is delicious. - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

This place was great for a quick dinner after work! I loved the outdoor patio but it got loud very quickly and was hard to talk across the table with my mom. Service was friendly especially because my mom asks a lot of questions. It's also a bit pricey compared to other Mediterranean spots in the area but the food came out fast and was really good though! We both got the Chicken Tawook plate and they brought out a side of pita to go with our food. The chicken portion was huge! And the sides were all tasty and complimented each other really well. Their pita is good and on the lighter/thinner side if you like that. Overall solid spot for Lebanese food! read more

Open Sesame - Chicken Tawook plate with baba ghannouj and salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

The check in was easy and fast. I liked how you're able to check in on yelp & hostess was nice and seated us quick too, even though it was a busy Sunday night. I ordered the 2 skewers entree option, where you got to pick two different skewers if you'd like. It also came with grilled tomato + onion, the rice, garlic butter. it's a good option if you're indecisive like me and want to try two different types of skewers. I got the lamb kabob & chicken tawook. My entree didn't come with hummus so I ordered Baba ghannouj and it came with pita bread too. There is also another option if you want to try multiple meat option too, which my boyfriend got, the open sesame combo. This included chicken tawook, beef kabob, and the third he chose beef kafta over chicken kafta. Included garlic sauce, parsley, sumac, basmati rice and hummus too. The baba ghannouj was sooo good, it was smoky and flavorful. I also love that they used extra virgin olive oil (evoo). Also as a bonus, the meat was halal too. I asked my lamb to be medium doneness and it came out perfectly. Chicken was so flavorful too. My boyfriend is usually not a big fan of lamb, but he took a bite of mine and liked it as well. Overall, we both enjoyed our food. It was super delicious. Seating was good as well and lighting was cozy for eating. Service was okay, but we did notice our waitress didn't ask to refill my water but she did refill my boyfriend's cup. Also we asked for two Lebanese coffee but she only gave one to my boyfriend but not for me. Though when we did ask two for both of us. We ended up just sharing it because we didn't want to order and wait again for the coffee to get cold. The food was good enough that I guess it compensated for the service lol, so I would give this place a chance again. read more

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It's scratches that itch if you're craving Arabic/Mediterranean food. The food is always fresh and the staff is great. I like how they have a strong local presence. I always seem to come back! read more

Just incredible. The food.. literally everything had so much flavor and tasted like it was made by someone who cares. The service was great and the inside is beautiful. I definitely recommend coming here! read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

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