We caught Vala Kitchen on Instagram after seeing their ABC7 feature on instagram and it exceeded every expectation from start to finish! The customer service was warm, attentive, and phenomenal. Every single dish was packed with authentic flavor - the Kashke Bademjan appetizer was top-notch, the Koobideh and chicken kebabs were tender and perfectly seasoned, and the Tahdig and stews were absolute perfection. We finished with their magical desserts including homemade baklava which capped off an incredible meal. The atmosphere was also warm and inviting and very clean. We had a professional chef in our party, and even he gave Vala Kitchen his highest praise for the culinary technique, service, and flavor profiles. Hands down one of the best (Persian) dining experiences in LA/OC hands down and we'll definitely be back!!! read more

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We tried the shish kebab with salad and the chicken kebab with the Vala salad, and everything was delicious! The chicken was incredibly tender, juicy, and full of flavor. The Vala salad was one of my favorites--it had the perfect tangy flavor that complemented the meal really well. We also ordered a side of hummus, and it was so flavorful and creamy. It paired perfectly with the complimentary pita bread they served, making it a great starter before our entrées arrived. The restaurant is located in a shared parking lot, and the space was clean and inviting. The servers were extremely nice and made us feel welcome from the moment we walked in. read more

Vala Kitchen - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Came in for a dinner last night. Service was a bit on the slower side but everyone was still very nice. The food was very good. The beef kabobs was incredibly tender, soft and flavorful. The portion was very big. Shared 2 entrees and an appetizer with my boyfriend and another friend. Total came out to around $40 per person. Would be happy to return for another visit read more

I can't believe I'm saying this, but Vala's chicken koobideh might be better than Raffi's. I said it. I've only done catering and they deliver quality every single time. My drivers always tell me that it's the sweetest family who own this restaurant and I'm more than happy to support them. For some reason, Raffi's koobideh is not good for leftovers; it leaves a completely different taste if reheated. However, with VALA, it tastes just as fresh as when it comes out of the kitchen. I absolutely love ordering from here and always will when I'm in the area. read more

Always amazing here! A hidden gem! Food outstanding! Celebrated friend's birthday, she loved it. Busy little place, but fast great service. Food is delicious! Bravo ! Got the mix plate three. Prices good, get lots of food. read more

I decided to check out Vala Kitchen based on Yelp reviews and boy did that pay off! I'm always looking for a juicy koobideh and definitely got it here. It feels like a family business where service is friendly and cozy. Parking is easy. I'd definitely recommend Vala Kitchen! read more

Perfect dinner with friends! We walked in with no reservation and were immediately seated by the host. We all were starving and placed our order right away! Cucumber yogurt Juicy chicken kebob - lived up to its name! It really was juicy Chicken thigh kebob - fav one for me! Chicken was tender and felt so healthy and light. Lamb shank - lamb was cooked to perfection and the curry on the side enhanced the flavor, this one is a must have! Gourmet sabzi stew - Mr ordered it, i did not try but everyone seemed to enjoy this one as well. We ended with chef recommended vanilly pudding! The portion size was quite generous and was truly value for money. Highly recommend this place . We see ourselves going there often in future :) read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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Such a gem in Hollywood! Delicious food and a welcoming atmosphere. Saeid was incredibly helpful and made the experience even better. Highly recommend! read more

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. read more

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Great food and great service! I had the pleasure to dine in and takeout and each time was extremely impressed. The service is extraordinary. The food quality is excellent. A must try whenever you're in the area. This comes from someone who has been eating Persian food for over 40 years. read more

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. read more

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Food was fabulous, my husband had a falafel sandwich and I had a chicken kabob Plate. Everything was flavorful and on point. The staff were very friendly and helpful. I'm gonna put it on my rotation. Check it out!! read more

Vala Kitchen - Chicken Koobideh - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

So good food I love the a Salmon I will always come back here I love this place this is a must come read more

Food was delicious, and serving was generous. Love the eggplant appetizer! My favorite so far! Service was good, attentive and friendly staff. Ambience was chill. Would go back here :) Hopefully next time the buttercake is available. I really wanted to try it. read more

Vala Kitchen - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The food was great. The service was prompt and waiters were also great. The ambiance was nice, no loud music. It was a pleasant experience. The pistachio tiramisu.was wonderful. read more

This was my second time at Vala Kitchen. The first time I was here with my family we order a family platter meal for 9 people. It was so much food we still took some home. This time I ordered an individual entree. The food was delicious again! This time I had the Chicken Soltani plate. Both types of chicken were incredibly juicy and flavorful. Soo good although I miss the family meal because got it try 4 types of meats. The restaurant is on a little strip mall but the interior is beautiful. It's got dim lighting and beautiful chairs. A great place for a date. I definitely will return in the future. read more

Tonight my Persian friend took me to Vala Kitchen. I have lived in LA 32 years and never tasted food as good as Vala Kitchen. I had the Shallot Yogurt, salad, crispy rice and ground beef Kabob, absolutely out of this world. Cute restaurant, outstanding service by the Owner Moe and Louis was fantastic as he checked on us all throughout the night. Prices, very reasonable. Free parking. So please I got introduced to Vala Kitchen. I will be back over and over again! read more

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. read more

Vala Kitchen - Beef Koobideh Sandwich with side of fries. - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Absolutely 5 stars! We recently hosted my son's graduation celebration here with around 30-40 guests, and everything was amazing. The staff did a fantastic job accommodating our party and making the event feel special. The food was outstanding the lemonade was delicious, the chicken kebab was perfectly cooked, and the salmon was excellent. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and high quality. I also had one of their homemade cupcakes, and it was absolutely amazing so delicious and one of the best cupcakes I've had. The restaurant was spotless, clean, and very well organized. The service was friendly, professional, and attentive throughout the entire event. Thank you for helping make my son's graduation celebration such a wonderful and memorable experience. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be back Thank you to everyone at vala's Kitchen for helping make my son's graduation celebration so memorable. I highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely be back. read more

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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!!! read more

Vala Kitchen - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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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! read more

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

Vala Kitchen - Vala Chicken & Chicken Koobideh - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This is a charming neighborhood Mediterranean restaurant located a few blocks from the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. Went there for lunch before a show. Amazing beef and chicken kebabs, some of the best I've had. The lemonade is homemade each day. They had a pistachio tiramisu that I'm still thinking about, it was sweet and creamy but not too rich. Our waiter was personable and very knowledgeable. Food arrived in a timely manner, not too fast. We will definitely return! read more

I had never tried Persian food before so I was very excited to come here! Parking was a little tough for us since we came during peak dinner hours, but there's a big shared parking lot outside. Once we stepped in, we were welcomed by the owner, who was the friendliest man ever! I've literally never felt more welcome in my life. I asked for a drink menu, and they'll have it soon! They have some wine and beers you can ask for, but an official drink menu is in the works as they've recently acquired their liquor license. Woohoo! We got the combo koobideh and the filet mignon shish kabob. Both were so good and flavorful! Even the rice tasted like it was flavored with something, and it was so delicious. The atmosphere inside was quite dimly lit and romantic. Beautiful space and decorations as well. We'd love to come back another day! read more

Vala Kitchen - Koobideh Combination - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The food here continues to be delicious, and the quality has always been very consistent, which is why we've returned several times. Our only real feedback is that the service can be quite inconsistent. At times, it takes a long while to get assistance or even to check out. We've visited about half a dozen times now, and it's become fairly noticeable that some guests seem to receive better service than others. Overall, we still enjoy the food and will likely return, but more consistent service would greatly improve the experience. read more

Time and time again Vala Kitchen has consistently been my favorite Mediterranean food. The food is ALWAYS delicious and the service is always fantastic! Highly recommend eating at this lovely place. It also has wonderful seating inside and outside! Very relax and welcoming. read more

We ordered lunch from Vala today through Doordash. The driver dropped off the large order, but several items were missing! I called Vala to see if maybe some things had been left behind and the lady who answered immediately offered to have someone bring over the missing items! Very kind and I appreciate that dedication to customers. Oh, and the food was fantastic, as always (3rd time we've ordered from here. read more

To own and run a successful restaurant, attention to detail is key, and this spot excels in every way. The manager, Sam, greeted me warmly and seated me promptly, setting the tone for a delightful experience. The menu is elegant and simple, proving that sometimes the simplest things are the best. I ordered the homemade hummus, a vibrant green salad, and the Chicken Koobideh Kabob. The kabob, served with rice and perfectly grilled tomatoes, was tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The restaurant is spotless, even the bathrooms, which were immaculate and tastefully designed. The staff's friendliness and genuine smiles added to the welcoming atmosphere. This is a fantastic place for lunch or dinner, whether you're dining solo or bringing the whole family. A smile costs nothing, and here, it's a part of the experience. Thanks for reading read more

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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. read more

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Vala Kitchen is a rotating staple in my favorite places in LA. I've gotten literally almost everything on the menu and nothing disappoints. The service is always amazing. They are always so friendly and welcoming. read more

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. read more

Vala Kitchen - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Wow! What an amazing find! I was looking for a healthy spot nearby that delivers and glad with what I found! My boyfriend and I (both Persian) ordered from Vala kitchen and it was mouthwatering. We got the koobedieh and chicken kabob lunch special with salads. The salad is generously sized and it comes with the most tasty lemony vinaigrette. The chicken was juicy and cooked to perfection. While the koobedieh was extremely tasty and huge! On top of the amazing food, the delivery driver was so nice and happy to deliver our food. Hopefully can try this place in person one day! 10/10 recommend. read more

Vala Kitchen - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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It gives me no pleasure to give this (or any) restaurant 3-stars. Especially when the food is excellent, as their salmon kabob and their fesenjan were. But their service was unacceptably slow and dismissive on this particular Sunday during lunch. We saw larger groups of people who came in after us get their food, as the two of us waited... and waited. When I finally tried to flag someone down, the guy told me to hold on without an ounce of warmth. Then, we waited a few more minutes, which shows me they don't understand urgency, accommodation or the appropriate tone of voice to use with clientele. At the end of the meal, the same prickly waiter(?) stopped by to apologize for the wait and said he hoped we enjoyed our meals. You can see from my previous reviews that I am more than generous, and rarely write a review like this one because I know what restaurants are going through in a state like this one and in a time like this one. That being said, this review should have centered around the incredibly well prepared food we had... but was overshadowed by the bad taste left in our mouths from the shoddy service. One more tip: you may want to address the reviewers here who had similar experiences to mine. It may show that you actually care. read more

Had reservations for Valentine's Day at 6:30 pm. We got to the restaurant about 5 mins early and saw a crowd of people at the entrance. Walked up and noticed what I assume was the manager and the hostess apologizing to people about the wait times. I spoke with another couple waiting in line and asked if they had a reservation and they did...6:30 as well. We had an 8pm show to catch at the Pantages so I didn't wait around in the chaos. From what I read from another Yelper on the same night, it took them 45 mins to be seated. We would have been late to the show if we waited around. On the bright side, we walked a few doors down to a Korean restaurant called Chick and Burger. The ambiance was amazing and the food was delicious! read more

The food here was fantastic. We went for lunch for my friend's birthday. Got a little bit of everything. The appetizers were great. The eggplant appetizer was fantastic. We got the kebabs and everything that went with them. We also had the baklava and the rose dessert which was very interesting and I was happy that I tried something new. We will definitely be back and I recommend this restaurant if you have a taste for Persian and want really good quality food. read more

Vala Kitchen - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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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!! read more

Vala Kitchen - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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

Vala Kitchen - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Unreal. Best middle eastern food I've had in LA since Bowery bungalow closed :'(. The couple who owns it is sooooo sweet and passionate. Get the eggplant appetizer no matter what. JUST GET IT. Everything else - the lamb shank (w a cup of au jus omg) , soup, salad, veg kebab ect all delicious. You willl not regret!!! Just go!!! read more