Located on second street within the neighborhood of Belmont shore, you will find this Lebanese restaurant that has been opened for a long time- over 25 years. This restaurant offers seating both indoors and outdoors, on a covered patio, as well as the extended patio along the street. During our visit, we had a pleasant lunch due to the great service provided by Dillon and the food offered at this restaurant. For lunch, we had humus, baba Gannouji, Saturday lamb special, falafel and a salad. All of the food items tasted fresh with excellent flavoring. Beyond these dishes you will find other staple dishes like shawarma, tawook, and more. The only challenge about visiting this place- is that the area is very busy, especially during the summertime and weekends. You can get on the online waitlist. Also look for parking off second street, on one of the side streets you will have a better chance to find a spot. Note the restaurant only offers wine and beer for alcoholic drinks. Enjoy your meal! read more

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Still the same after all these years!! Always nice to come back and experience the same quality and hospitality of this place. Nothing beats this place. Still a Belmont Shore favorite! Trust!! read more

Ohhhh Delicious food and a wonderful atmosphere. I like it .... Good service I will come back again read more

Outstanding food and service. Knew this place would be good prior to coming but was pretty blown away at the quality and taste here. Every item we ordered was top notch, and also reasonably priced given the quality. Place is also decorated beautifully inside. Would highly recommend and one of my favorites in long beach. read more

Open Sesame - Spicy Hummus, combination plate, Skewers - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

Humus is delicious. Garlic spicy potatoes aren't that spicy - they're scrumptious! Group of 6 sat outside easily. read more

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Long Beach has this authentic Lebanese gem that is a must try. Outdoor and indoor seating available. The gentleman that seated us was extremely nice and got us seated right away. Our waitress was amazing. The ambiance is mixed with traditional and modern. Ok, now to the food.... The flavor, oh those flavors are amazing! Take the time to go eat there. read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

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We loved the food so much the first time that we came back a week later and ordered pretty much the same thing--filet mignon kabobs, lamb chops, baba ghannouj, hummus, cucumber dip, Open Sesame salad, fattoush, and basmati rice. Everything was just as amazing as we remembered. This time, though, we got lucky and had Deborah as our server--she's awesome! Super friendly, easy to talk to, and made us feel right at home. Honestly, the food even seemed to taste better with her around. She really made the whole experience even better--definitely a 5-star visit! Also, don't skip the garlic sauce and the habanero sauce--absolute musts! They take everything to the next level!! read more

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This place was amazing! Super friendly staff and dog-friendly! The staff all greet d my pup but had the self restraint to touch him as they were on duty. I respect how much love they share to both customer and pet! The hummus with kibbi was delicious! They will give you more pita if you run out. My dog enjoyed the pita as well. I've never had manoushe, a Lebanese style pizza. I had the zaatar and it was amazing. I wish I had more lol The skewers you were allowed to choose different ones so we got chicken and beef Both delicious I am glad I tried this place out! Will definitely visit again read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Updating my review because I can't believe I've let my rating sit at 4-stars for over a decade. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Open Sesame and have dined here at least a handful of times per year. As one of my favorite spots, I'm giving this 5-stars! My favorites include the Flash Fried Cauliflower, Spicy Garlic Potatoes, and the Vegan Plate. Everything on the Vegan Plate is delicious! It comes with hummus, baba ghannouj, tabouleh, two falafel patties, and dolmas. So good! On my last visit, we ordered the Marinated Olives and even a simple dish like that hits the spot. Open Sesame is a popular spot for good reason. The wait can be long so we always check the wait list on the commute over. If we time it just right, we add ourselves to the waitlist so upon arrival we only have a few minutes to wait. read more

Open Sesame - Marinated Olives vn gf - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

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

So tasty and affordable! $23 for a full plate of chicken, salad, hummus, and extra pita is a steal in SoCal. The flavors were impeccable - loved the hummus and salad. The interior was decorated beautifully and the whole restaurant felt so cozy. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful, making us feel right at home. I appreciated the rose water rinse at the end of the meal as well. This is the kind of place you can dress up for or be casual, which is so appreciated. The only bummer - if you're sitting at the bar, the cooks really throw the metal skewers around, especially into the discard pile, which can be a bit loud and makes it difficult to talk to your company. Otherwise, all was well - I'll be back! read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Very busy place on Friday, so get there early! It was packed inside but the food came out quick & was great, I absolutely loved the falafel! The staff was super friendly & the artwork inside was beautiful. I'm definitely going to be back! read more

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

Soooo good! We got the mezze plate (subbed baba Ghannouj for grape leaves) to start and then I had the chicken tawook (2 skewer side) along with the flash fried cauliflower. My fav dips were the hummus and baba ghannouj. My gf also ordered the skewers plate with chicken tawook and lamb kabob. Everything was super delicious! We literally couldn't stop eating. I wish they were open until at least 10pm. There were so many people waiting to get in at 8pm that it's a shame they aren't open later. read more

Open Sesame - Skewers Plate (Chicken tawook & lamb kabob), Flash Fried Cauliflower, chicken tawook (2 skewers) side - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Great location, our server did a great job explaining everything prob the reason I'm giving 3 stars instead of two. The portions are small, hummus tasted watered down and they put 2 pieces of kibbeh in the appetizer. Tabouleh didn't taste fresh, like it's been in the fridge. Grape leaves were very bland, not citrusy (Trader Joes canned ones are more flavorful). Bread was not freshly baked like you would get from an ethnic Lebanese restaurant. I wouldn't come here again but good for a person craving Lebanese food and happens to be in the area read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

Super popular restaurant! We were trying to walk in but it was going to be an hour wait. We made a reservation for the next day with no problem. Not as busy since it was Christmas Eve. We sat outside, but the heated lamps work pretty well to keep the tables warm. My dad and I both got the pita sandwiches. I got the lamb kabob while my dad got chicken shawarma. It doesn't come with anything else so we added a side of fries to share. Pretty flavorful! Not bad for what you can get around here. My other table mates got chicken shawarma entrees which came with pita, a dip, salad. They either chose hummus or baba ghannouj as the dip. I really liked the baba ghannouj. It's a lot of food! Definitely reasonable for the price. Service was good. They came back to check on us here and there. Would love to sit inside next time as the decor looked beautiful. Tons of street parking around so it's easy to get to! read more

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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

It's kind of a crammed eating space but I feel it really adds to the vibe and the great service. Waiters moving in and around you with 4 plates stacked on each arm. My Dad said it reminded him of the places in Iran lol this is a huge compliment! The little pizza was disappointing in that the toppings didn't have much flavor outside of overpowering oregano flavor. But the beef kabob with dips was sensational! Cooked to a nice medium pink on the inside and melted in my mouth. The hummus and baba ghanoush were both great too, some of the best I've had at a sit down restaurant. Definitely down to come back and try more things. read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Open Sesame is usually our top restaurant choice in Long Beach. Belmont Shore is always a fun area to go to but Open Sesame is usually why we go. You can usually expect the place to be crowded but don't get discouraged. The wait isn't very long unless it's peak eatin' time. Even if you have to wait, there are plenty of places to walk around and window shop. The restaurant has plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating. The decor inside is beautiful with lots of artwork. The layout is unique in that there are three different seating areas that aren't all connected. I know it sounds odd but once you see it, you'll know what I mean. Because of this setup, the men and women's restrooms are not side-by-side but in separate areas of the restaurant. I usually get chicken tawook with rice. The chicken is tender and juicy and I love the tart pickles. Overall, the food and service are consistently good. The servers are always sweet and mindful. read more

If you're in the mood for some Lebanese food, this is your spot. Cute vibes, friendly service, and tasty food. A tad bit pricey for what you get, but it's a nice spot to enjoy lunch or dinner. I love the outdoor seating and enjoying the 2nd street vibes. The grilled tiger shrimp ($27) with the house made shrimp sauce is so good. The chicken tawook pita ($14) is tasty and the chicken is not dry - just wish the pita was made with a little more love lol. She was looking a little slim. Love the hummus and pita bread - my favorite part of the meal lol read more

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This place is always so busy and even at 2:30pm on a Sunday they had a 15 minute wait for a table. We had to try it! The food is very delicious. I really enjoyed my chicken tawook with spicy hummus and the garlic sauce is perfect! My husband loved being able to get three different meats and he liked the rice and vermicelli mix. The Fattoush salad is also so delicious with the pita and the tangy dressing. The inside is small but cozy with beautiful art all over the walls. The chairs are pretty uncomfortable and we had to wait about 30 minutes for our entrees but they were still very sweet and clearly just very busy. The food more than made up for it. read more

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

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OVERALL EXPERIENCE: Definitely hits the spot and the food is amazing!!! DOGS ALLOWED: Yes!! Dogs are allowed on the outdoor patio. AMBIANCE: Noise level is average. Dim lighting inside. Tables feel tight/close together. DRESS CODE: Smart Casual ORDERED: [5/5] Grilled Halloumi: so refreshing and good! [4/5] Spicy Garlic Potatoes: tasty! [5/5] Open Sesame Combo and The Sultan: these were amazing combos! Perfect if it is your first time dining here! [5/5] Baba Ghannouj: soooo good!! [5/5] Tabouleh: great addition to all the dishes! [5/5 Baklawa Crumble: DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT TRYING! this was soOoOo good!!! SERVICE: Service was great! PRICE: ~ $30+ PARKING: Street metered parking. Arrive early to try to find parking. Food: 5/5 stars Service: 5/5 stars Venue: 4/5 stars read more

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Steven and I had such a great dining experience in Long Beach and I'm thoroughly impressed. We ordered the Yassmina pizza and I had the chicken shawarma plate--everything was incredible. The grilled chicken might be the best I've ever had. It was perfectly cooked--juicy, never dry--with a smoky, marinated flavor that came through beautifully. We also shared the potatoes, which had a bright, citrusy kick, and the falafels, which were crispy on the outside and surprisingly moist inside (not dry at all!). The space itself is cozy and full of character, with lots of beautiful artwork on the walls that adds to the experience. I will definitely be coming back here. read more

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Very cool place that worked for a large group, with multiple dietary requests. The jallab was divine, delicate and floral. We had the zataar flatbread and olives to share, and I had the fattoush salad with add on falafel. Huge portion, I had salad for breakfast the next day, falafel was worth adding on. Delicious, crispy, fresh, with just enough dressing. Definitely seems like a popular place, we got lucky with a larger group, I would recommend reservations. Also good luck with parking, it's downtown Long Beach so if you can park allll the way down the block. read more

Open Sesame - Fattoush salad with falafel - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

My boyfriend and I frequent this delicious Mediterranean restaurant from Huntington Beach once a month ( sometimes more ) The cauliflower, labne, garlic potatoes appetizer are always a must to start off with. Normally I have the open sesame chicken combo. But the salads are so fresh and delicious on a summer day or night. We always sit at the bar so we can chat and watch our favorite chefs William & Falex prepare our meals with love. Our go to server changes. We were served by Onika today. She was friendly, attentive and prompt. Carly is our best server hands down. Thank you Open Sesame for providing excellent, and outstanding food and service throughout the year. read more

Open Sesame - Chicken twook, hummus, open sesame salad and garlic sauce - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

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It has been years since I have been here, so it was nice to see that that there is plenty of outside seating. The seating area was clean and our only issue was that we had a wobbly table. We were trying to fix it when someone on the staff noticed so she came over and fixed it for us. The items on the menu that are vegan are noted with a VN so be sure to look for that and ask questions if you have any concerns. We ordered off of the Lunch Pita Specials (the two options for vegans are Cauliflower and Falafel). We both opted for the Falafel version. Our non-vegan companion ordered the Lamb Kabob. The lunch specials came with a choice of hummus, fattoush, or soup. We chose the fattoush and the (regular, not spicy) hummus. In hindsight I would have ordered the fattoush with the dressing on the side, if that was a possible option. My fault for not asking. The greens were fresh and the pita chips were so good. I didn't taste any mint though and I do like that addition to a salad. Everyone enjoyed their lunch and we have plans to return on our next visit. read more

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I ordered the Open Sesame Combo; it comes with Chicken and Beef Kebob, and then choice of Chicken or Beef Kafta, with a bed of basmati rice, hummus, salad, garlic sauce and pita bread...so much food!! The food was delicious and definitely hit the spot multiple times. There's plenty of seating indoor and outdoor, with a clean restaurant. The service was prompt and courteous. Of course, being located on 2nd street, parking can get a little difficult. read more

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Here for a conference and was looking for local spots to try. Love that you're able to do a Yelp check in. Checked in at the hostess stand outside. She greeted me and took me to a table. She first took me to a bar top but I explained that I am unable to do a bar top. She understood and took me to a table. The restaurant is actually pretty large with outdoor seating as well as three separate inside seating rooms. The vibe is relaxed but welcoming. When I arrived at the table I was greeted and asked what I would like to drink. The menu had so many great choices but I decided to pass on the drink and ordered food. I ordered Ali's favorite, Sirloin Beef Kabob over basmati rice with a roasted tomato and onion mixture. To my surprise it was also served with your choice of salad, hummus or baba ganouj and pita bread. The meal came and it was amazing! The salad was flavorful but not overly dressed and the baba ganouj was just as tasty. The highlight of the dish was the beef kebab for the flavor and how unbelievably tender the meat was. It melted in my mouth and the rice with the tomato and onion mixture took it to another level. Usually for the amount of food and sides you get this would be a very costly meal as the salad and baba ganouj are usually appetizers. However, with their meals they come with a salad and dip which sets them apart. If you're looking for a restaurant with great customer service, food that is flavorful and kabob that is tender, then look no further, this is your spot. read more

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I visited this location on a Monday night. They were quite busy but, still the place had a very cozy vibe. The decor was full of warm tones and colorful chandeliers that added to the coziness. We shared a bunch of small plates including fried cauliflower, potatoes, garlic sauce, and yogurt dip with fresh warm pita. I had the open combo plate with beef shwarmw, chicken kofta and chicken tawook. It was served with hummus, fluffy rice, and the "sesame salad" that was made with hearty greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and goat cheese. Everything was delicious and flavorful. Our server was sweet and inviting while we grazed. We wrapped the meal with the Labne cheesecake. It has a thick crumbly cookie base, creamy filling and is topped with a caramely golden fig sauce, crispy shredded phyllo and finely minced pistachios. I'm not usually a huge cheesecake fan but this was incredible!! read more

Open Sesame - Labne Cheesecake with Fig and pistachio - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

This place has such a great vibe and a welcoming atmosphere. The decor and energy make it a perfect spot for a casual date night or dinner with friends. I ordered the Open Sesame combo...everything on the plate was flavorful, fresh, and well seasoned. You can really tell the quality in each bite. The service was friendly, and although our server seemed a bit rushed (understandably, since it was packed), she still made sure we were taken care of. The space inside is pretty tight, so be prepared to get cozy with your neighbors. There was a long wait, but the good news is you can add yourself to the waitlist online ahead of time, which I definitely recommend. read more

Open Sesame - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

It's been ages since I've been here and the food has not disappointed over the years. Food is still awesome and tastes so good! I love the chicken tawook plate and the side of the potatoes. Oh my those potatoes are awesome! After dinner I had a nice hot cup of the mint tea that paired nicely with the baklava. Our waiter was very nice and attentive even when the place was busy. I can't believe I have not been here more often. I will definitely be back. I wish they had more locations and/or a larger place, restaurant is kind of small. read more

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

Food, service and ambiance never fails. I love this place !!! Took my kids here for the first time for a late lunch- we ordered lunch menu n they wer perfect since we had a dinner date planned, portions wer good to hold us off. Twas my daughters first time trying Mediterranean food, i was scared that she wont like it n oh my was i wrong?!? For a 15yo not to talk while eating is beyond unbelievable but literally she didn't say a darn word until she finished her food. I highly recommend this place... pricey which makes sense kuz of the area but def worth every dollah .. thank you id say -10000 stars (5 is weak) read more

Parking can be tricky, but there is street parking in the neighborhood and some small parking lots. Chicken Shawarma- It's a little pricey considering you have to pay $2 additional if you want rice. They give you one piece of thin pita bread which isn't enough to eat the hummus provided. Service is ok. Nothing bad and nothing great. Your food comes out pretty quickly. Indoor seating is not very cool so I don't recommend eating here on a hot day. Ambiance is nothing special. It would be hard to bring a large group here. They have patio seating also. read more

Open Sesame - Chicken shawarma with added rice - Mediterranean Near Me - Long Beach, California

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

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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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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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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Working in the neighborhood and my coworkers spoke highly of this spot. So I gave it a try for lunch today. I ordered the combo plate chicken and beef online. As soon as I was notified my food was ready I headed over and was greeted with kindness and instruction as to where I could pick up my food. The first thought after tasting is the food tasted fresh. The salad, hummus,meats and rice were so tasty. I wanted more even though I was full . I want to bring my family here to experience what I did. Definitely will be back. 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