Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Vala Kitchen

    4.8 (360 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Vala Kitchen Reservations

    Order Vala Kitchen Takeout or Delivery

    Vala Kitchen Photos

    Business Info

    VALA KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

    More like Vala Kitchen

    Recommended Reviews - Vala Kitchen

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Lyla D.

    I've often seen fellow SoCal Yelp friends' posts about mouthwatering Persian cuisine, but living in Honolulu, we have only seen one Persian restaurant/bar open in the past decade. However, since we visit Los Angeles routinely, I've bookmarked many Persian restaurants in the West LA neighborhood and consulted Yelp's Top 10 Best Persian Restaurants List dated November 2025 to try. This time, I convinced my relatives to adopt a healthier Mediterranean diet, since our recent discussions have focused on aging gracefully or managing health conditions. Last night's rainy weather cleared temporarily, so we took the opportunity to drive out to one of our favorite Thai noodle soup restaurants when my Yelp bookmark for Vala Kitchen popped up. I only needed to mention the availability of "lamb shanks and chops" on Vala Kitchen's menu to my brother-in-law when he asked for navigation. All I needed to say was "Gower Gulch," and he immediately said he knew the location. We were about 20 minutes from the restaurant when I managed to book a reservation on the OpenTable dining reservation app. We found a parking stall almost directly in front of Vala Kitchen, even though the parking lot at the Gower Gulch strip mall was quite full. A tall host graciously checked us in, seated us with menus, while another male worker came to take our water service request and beer order. When the server returned, he asked if we had any questions about any of the menu items, but we were hangry and ready to place our orders. FOOD: -Appetizer Feast Platter: We selected this platter because it highlighted Mediterranean and Iranian appetizers. There were four dolmas, three falafels, a small dish of tahini for dipping the falafels, a bowl of hummus, and a bowl of Shirazi salad. I wasn't sure whether my husband or my brother-in-law would like the falafel, since neither had said they had tried it before. My husband surprised me by saying he enjoyed the texture and flavor as he ate two of the three falafel, leaving me with one. My brother-in-law ate most of the dolma, but compared them with the Greek dolmathes we had earlier in the week. We all enjoyed the refreshing, bright, and zesty Shirazi (Persian) salad of chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and mint, tossed in olive oil and lime juice and seasoned with salt and pepper. $18 -Koobideh 2 Skewers (Beef, Chicken): I described the kabob differences of Koobideh, Soltani, Barg, and Shish to my husband and brother-in-law, from what I remembered from fellow Yelp Friends' reviews. The Koobideh (seasoned ground meat and grilled) appealed to my husband. Between the two kabobs, one chicken and one beef, my husband preferred the lighter chicken as he liked the chicken's flavor, amount of seasoning, and texture. He enjoyed the fluffy basmati rice and ate it all. $23 -Adas Polo Plate (choice of Koobideh): I was attracted to the Adas Polo plate and chose the chicken Koobideh to complement the rice flavorings. Adas Polo (Polow) is a mixture of basmati rice, lentils, raisins, and caramelized onions, with warm spices like cinnamon or saffron, which appeals to my taste for sweet-and-savory flavors. To me, the natural choice of meat to eat with the sweet-savory flavors would be the chicken Koobideh. I think I was right since I tried a piece of the beef Koobideh with the Adas Polo and didn't enjoy it as much as with the chicken Koobideh. $22 -Saffron Ice Cream: We shared the creamy disc of saffron bastani, which tasted citrusy-honeyed-earthy-floral, with a subtle bitterness, and smelled fragrant. Its creaminess was offset by crunchy, nutty pistachio bits and topped with cherry sauce. The ice cream closed out our Middle Eastern meal in luxurious style. $8 We're looking forward to returning to Vala Kitchen on future visits whenever we're in this area of Los Angeles.

    Persian Eggplant
    Keat K.

    We walked in without a reservation as a group of four on a Saturday evening around 8:30, we were warmly greeted and sat immediately. The Persian eggplant was creamy and flavorful. A great small bite to start off the meal, I would gladly order this again. The family platter was larger than expected! Generous portions of steak, chicken, beef koobideh, and chicken koobideh served along side with plenty of charred tomatoes, onions, bell pepper, and peppers. The meats were juicy and incredibly savory, the best Persian food I have ever tried. Basmati rice was light and fluffy. The side of hummus we ordered was delicious as well, I wish there was more of it though. We finished the meal with ice cream, I have never tried saffron ice cream before and was pleasantly surprised. It had a mild sweetness with a floral taste. Vala Kitchen is serving up quality Persian food at a reasonable price. I would definitely recommend stopping and trying out their platters.

    Vala Chicken & Chicken Koobideh
    Mehdi K.

    This place is awesome. I tried their Vala Chicken & Chicken Koobideh. It was more than good. Highly Recommended

    Hot tea

    The service here was amazing. The staff were very friendly and the food came out super fast - was ideal bc we were starving after our flight but wanted something fresh. The eggplant is like nothing we've tried before. It was a 100/10. Everything was delicious but the eggplant and kabob were our favorites. Definitely give it a try.

    Persian salad
    Laura C.

    Very kind staff from the moment my boyfriend and I walked in. Sam the owner, and his wife were both present. My Tahdig dish and the eggplant was delectable. I had a yellow rice I've never had before, with green beans and caramelized onions, very flavorful and hit my palate perfectly. My favorite dish was the fried potato samosas. Boyfriend had beef and chicken kabob and we ate so much but still got to walk out with leftovers which I enjoy. Perfect restaurant for a date, beautiful clean atmosphere.

    Beef Barg and Koobedeh with Barberry Rice
    Chris S.

    Been here a month or so ago and had to return with my wife. We started with the Dolmas (grape leaves). They were excellent. Next came the Fried Potato pastry wrap. It too was very good. Our main dishes came out. I had the Barg and Beef Koobedeh. My wife had the dark meat Chicken Kabob and the Chicken Koobedeh. The meats were flavorful and moist. We had enough for a take home meal. We also got the barberry rice. This is a must have. The restaurant hosts were very nice and checked in with us a number of times. All in all this is a great Persian restaurant.

    Beef Koobideh Sandwich with side of fries.
    Joan W.

    First time here for lunch. A very pleasant dining room with comfortable fabric upholstered chairs. Their menu offers the greatest hits from the Mediterranean and features Persian Kabobs. I got the Chicken Koobideh Kebob Sandwich and it was delicious. The bread had a little crunch in the crust and the ground chicken was tender and juicy. The special sauce came on the side and featured a nice kick of creamy garlic. Service was attentive and earnest. Loved that their check system allows for online payment and splitting of the bill among members of your party.

    Farhana S.

    THE BEST!!!!!! We have tried Persian food everywhere, literally all over and this place is hands down the best we have ever had! The chicken thigh melts in your mouth! Yes that's how soft it is! The koobideh?? Delicious!! I can't believe we didn't come here soon because this is what kabobs are made of! Run today! We can't wait to return back!!!

    Persian Tea
    Nikita K.

    Is this even chicken??? We ordered the juicy rolled chicken kebab, and I honestly couldn't believe it was chicken. If I'm being real, this is the best chicken I've had in my entire life. It was so juicy, savory, and delicious--you can't even put it into words. You just have to try it for yourself. It melted in my mouth, and the moment I took a bite, I got hit with such an amazing flavor that I couldn't help but smile. The tea was also lovely, served in beautiful cups. The server was super welcoming and friendly, and the place had a really cozy vibe A true gem that deserves Michelin!

    Xochitl L.

    First time at this restaurant 10/10 from the food to the service! Everyone is so welcoming the food is amazing! Very clean and neat. Fast service from the beginning to the end. We'll definitely be coming again!!

    Arpineh E.

    Friendly costumer service and delicious food. I would recommend chicken kabob since it was juicy.

    Crispy rice.
    Nathan K.

    Upon arrival we were greeted as friends and shown our way to a private table where we felt treated as the most important guests. The ambiance was romantic, yet welcoming, a refreshing atmosphere for wonderful dining for a date, friends, or a whole family. We started with drinks of fresh mint leaf infused tea and fresh squeezed lemonade and both beverages sated our thirst while whetting our appetites. Our host was kind, not condescending and answered our questions about menu items helping us decide which way our evening meal would take us. We started with the appetizer platter which had the best hummus and stuffed grape leaves we've ever tasted. Fresh vegetables abound with delicious sauces beyond proper description but quite exquisite to say the least. Following appetizers we had a salad that was big enough for 3 or more people to share with the most delicate dressing. After that we tasted the crispy rice with multiple toppings. You could never hope to make such delicious food at home. For our entree we ordered the dinner platter of chicken koobideh, beef koobideh, and chicken kebab. This could've been called an extra value menu as it was enough food for 5-8 people to share. The kebab was the best we've ever tried and the koobideh brought our mouths to countries we could only hope to visit. After dinner, we pondered leaving but saw the desserts and had to have the faloodeh which was unlike anything you've ever tasted, like ice cream met it's gentler, more delicious cousin. We also ordered the pistachio saffron ice cream, I would like to use words to describe it, but I cannot, all I will say is the unique perfection of flavors brought tears to my fiancé's eyes. A perfect experience, perfect meal, and we left with more friends than when we walked in.

    Christina G.

    5/5! The food, service, cleanliness, menu options, everything! The Ghorme Sabzee here is hands down one of the best I've had, and I have it A LOT (other places). I am pretty sure there is no other staff as friendly as they are here. SO welcoming and kind. We also tried a combo koobideh plate with chicken, beef, and a side of salad. YUM. I loved the chicken. Tasty & juicy with a little bit of a kick. The beef was not as juicy, but the flavor was good. The portions are not very big, but still okay to share if you're getting a few things. Vala is a MUST try if you're in the area. They're located in a small shopping center with a parking lot available - huge plus for this area.

    Koobideh Combination

    See all

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 2
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Leslie S.
    83
    189
    702

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brad B.
    40
    103
    33

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mina C.
    1
    22
    23

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Said M.
    595
    68
    35

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    27 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rose S.
    1253
    164
    443

    1 year ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 3
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Imani I.
    4
    80
    261

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Warm and hospitable service, and possibly the most unbelievably juicy and flavorful chicken thigh kebab in LA.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Dadli Y.
    66
    152
    103

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 9

    Vala Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Vala Kitchen

    Do u deliver to Beverly hills?

    I know for big orders they can make accommodations. I am in Van Nuys and we order from them all the time.

    What vegetables are on your veggie plate?

    It was roasted zukini and tomato.

    Is there any halal options?

    Hello, currently all meat is Halal except for the filet.

    Do you have vegan options?

    Yes, we do offer vegan options! Our menu includes a variety of delicious vegan dishes such as: • Appetizers: Dolma, falafel, and green olives.… Read more

    View All 6 Questions

    Mini Kabob

    Mini Kabob

    4.7(1.5k reviews)
    4.7 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Family-owned & operated

    Great spot for Armenian food! The setting is casual and doesn't have a ton of seating, so we took…read moreour food to go. The portions are large so we were able to share! We got the beef and chicken plate and Greek salad. This was enough for 3 of us to share! The beef and chicken were tender and marinated well. All the sides in the combo were good too - especially the hummus! The greek salad was a nice complement, and again really large portion. I really enjoyed the meal and would recommend if you're looking for Armenian food!

    I finally tried Mini Kabob and it was all that and more…read more I ordered the chicken and beef plate with rice and hummus (yes to the hummus), and the chicken was incredibly well-seasoned and juicy -- so good. Only note for next time: I'll ask for it a little more well-done (just personal preference... I like my chicken with a little extra bite ). The eggplant caviar was solid and a generous portion, but the real standout? The Caesar wrap. It completely lived up to the hype -- bold, flavorful, and honestly addictive. I almost ordered a second one to take home. Also worth mentioning: the son of the owner who took my order was super friendly and had great customer service, even with a long line. He kept things moving while still being engaging, which I appreciated. I was excited to hear they're opening a Studio City location -- I'll definitely be back. This place is a must. Get the Caesar wrap.

    Photos
    Mini Kabob
    Mini Kabob - Cesar wrap

    Cesar wrap

    Mini Kabob - Cottage potatoes

    See all

    Cottage potatoes

    Raffi's Place - Chicken Soltani

    Raffi's Place

    4.4(7.4k reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$

    The best Iranian food I've had (bar none) and probably the most delicious meal I've had this year…read morethus far! Raffi's Place was my most anticipated restaurant on my SoCal trip. The soltani kabob was to die for; the flavors in the beef barg and koobideh were so rich and cooked to perfection. The mastery of these dishes was absolutely on display. The mast moosir was a great creamy and savory side dish to complement the entrees. I HAD to get the tahdig (crispy rice) too! I also had a bit of the lamb shank which was really flavorful, tender, and paired perfectly with the baghali polo. The yogurt soda was a bit of an acquired taste for me, but I'm happy to have tried it for the full experience. We finished off our delicious meal with a floral and sweet Persian ice cream wafer sandwich. The portions were enormous, so we left feeling full with leftovers to look forward to! We came on a lively weekday evening. They don't do reservations, but we were warmly greeted and quickly seated with lavash and butter on our table immediately. The restaurant has a beautiful and romantic atmosphere, with hybrid indoor/outdoor courtyard dining. Our waiter was attentive and made us feel very welcomed. I'd give this restaurant more than 5 stars if I could!

    Food: it was good as always. Huge portions…read more Service was good ... a couple times we had to repeat our request but the 2nd time it was immediately there Ambiance: busy and loud ...

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

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

    Raffi's Place - Hummus and Pita Bread

    Hummus and Pita Bread

    Raffi's Place - Chicken Soltani Kabob

    See all

    Chicken Soltani Kabob

    Lucia Mediterranean Grill - Falafel Pita was on point!!

    Lucia Mediterranean Grill

    4.6(300 reviews)
    3.7 miMid-City

    I had such a great experience at Lucia Mediterranean Grill. I paid $1.25 for an hour of parking,…read morebut it was absolutely money well spent. The restaurant has a really homey feeling inside, with about four small tables that make it feel cozy and welcoming. It's the kind of place where you immediately feel comfortable. My partner and I ordered the chicken shish kebabs with mejadra rice, salad, and sumac fries. Everything was delicious! The plate also came with hummus and pita, which were incredibly fresh and flavorful. The hummus was smooth, rich, and perfect with the warm pita. Hermon helped recommend our food, cooked it, and even served us. She was so kind and made the whole experience feel really personal. She also offered us complimentary baklava, which was amazing. It had the most soft, chewy texture with just enough sweetness. When I asked her what the secret ingredient was, she just smiled and said she couldn't spoil it so you'll have to try it for yourself! Definitely recommend stopping by if you're in the area.

    Lucia's was a good lunch spot! Their chicken was well served with all the sides and fixings. We…read moreopted for the rice instead of the Jerusalem salad and it was a good choice! We did not really interact with anyone to order, as we had to order in a kiosk but they brought the food out to our table. The place itself had 3 tables indoors and a couple of tables outdoors! We came during the rain so it was pretty empty but still a nice vibe.

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

    One indoor table reserved...

    Lucia Mediterranean Grill - Baklava

    Baklava

    Lucia Mediterranean Grill - Chicken shawarma plate

    See all

    Chicken shawarma plate

    Sora Craft Kitchen - Marinated chicken.

    Sora Craft Kitchen

    4.9(136 reviews)
    6.3 miDowntown

    I had the privilege of visiting Chef Okay's restaurant, Sora, yesterday, and was blown away by the…read moreflavors, experience, and overall satisfaction. Chef Okay is running a one-man operation in the best way possible. The very intimate room hosts no more than 6-7 small tables, with the chef preparing food in an open kitchen a couple of feet away from you. His warmth and appreciation are felt from the moment you walk in until you leave. He has no servers or busers; he handles the entire operation alone in a very effective and intimate way. They have a kiosk at the entrance with a small but mighty menu of flavor-filled Turkish dishes. The dishes were prompt and packed with rich Mediterranean flavors. Some of my favorites included the Kitel, Garlic Kabob, and Tenderloin Shish Kabob. The cheese Halva dessert was mind-blowing, capping it all off. I came with a friend from Turkey, and she was blown away by the range of flavors and elevated take on traditional Turkish dishes. I'm really happy to support such a talented and passionate chef crafting his own style and flavors! Can't recommend this place enough

    I've been to Sora Craft Kitchen at least 30 times... and that alone should tell you everything. I…read morebring almost all my friends here because the food is consistently that good. I've tried pretty much everything on the menu, and there's honestly not a single dish I wouldn't order again. What makes it even more special is that it's truly a one-man show. The chef is incredibly talented and delivers every single time. You can taste the care and creativity in every dish. Great food, great experience, every time. This place never misses. I'll be back soon!!!

    Photos
    Sora Craft Kitchen - Ambiance

    Ambiance

    Sora Craft Kitchen - Turkish Coffee

    Turkish Coffee

    Sora Craft Kitchen - Pekmez-Marinated Chicken

    See all

    Pekmez-Marinated Chicken

    Vala Kitchen - persian - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...