Best Cheap Eats Middle Eastern Restaurants in Los Angeles
37 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Soom Soom Fresh Mediterranean
High-volume Mediterranean counter spot known for customizable shawarma, falafel, and salads.
Notable Picks
Soom Soom Fresh Mediterranean turns out shawarma, falafel, and sabich plates at a fast-casual pace, drawing heavy traffic from both neighborhood regulars and delivery platforms. Portions, salad spreads, and build-your-own options make it a reliable stop when you want something filling yet relatively light compared with heavier 3rd Street meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel pita, Chicken and beef shawarma plate, Sabich pita
What Makes it Special: High-volume Mediterranean counter spot known for customizable shawarma, falafel, and salads.
#2
Pita Cafe
8.5
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Pita Cafe is Westchester’s busy counter-service spot for quick plates of shawarma, kebabs, and gyros that travel well for takeout or delivery. With thousands of app ratings and steady neighborhood traffic, it’s the go-to when you want fast, filling Middle Eastern flavors without leaving the Manchester strip.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken kabob plate with hummus and rice, Beef and lamb gyro wrap, Falafel with garlic sauce
What Makes it Special: High-volume neighborhood staple for affordable kebabs, gyros, and shawarma with very reliable takeout.
8.4
Ara’s Shawarma on Sunset focuses on fast, filling Middle Eastern plates built around juicy rotisserie shawarma and charcoal-grilled meats. It’s a workhorse counter spot that feeds everyone from nearby workers to late-night Hollywood crowds with big portions and long hours.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma plate with rice and salad, Beef shawarma wrap, Family mixed grill platter
What Makes it Special: High-output shawarma counter balancing speed, price, and charcoal-grilled flavor.
#4
Berlins
8.4
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Berlins brings Berlin-style döner kebabs to 3rd Street, stacking spit-roasted meat, vegetables, and sauces into overstuffed wraps and boxes. The focus is squarely on hearty, portable sandwiches with bright sauces and plenty of crunch, making it a go-to when you want something more flavorful than a basic gyro.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef and lamb döner sandwich, Chicken döner wrap, Döner box with fries
What Makes it Special: Dedicated döner shop channeling Berlin’s kebab culture with generous wraps and bowls.
8.4
This family-owned gem has been a Pasadena institution for over 20 years, serving authentic Armenian-Lebanese cuisine with lightning-fast service. The owner Koko personally ensures quality in every shawarma wrap and kebab plate, while locals line up for the legendary garlic sauce.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb Kebab Plate, Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Homemade Garlic Sauce
What Makes it Special: The garlic sauce locals dream about between visits
8.4
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
World Famous Grill is a busy halal Mediterranean counter spot on Florence Avenue known for shawarma, kabob plates, and build-your-own wraps alongside burgers and fries. Locals treat it as an all-purpose comfort stop where you can grab hefty plates, garlic-drenched fries, and sweets late into the evening in a casual strip-mall setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma fries, Beef kabob combo plate, Chicken shawarma bowl
What Makes it Special: Halal Mediterranean grill where shawarma, kabobs, and burgers share the menu.
8.4
A family-owned Lebanese bakery in a Northridge strip mall turning out handmade manakish flatbreads with Halal-certified ingredients—the kind of focused, single-concept operation where repetition breeds mastery. The value proposition is hard to beat at budget pricing, and 1,446 Google reviews at a near-perfect rating suggest the kitchen almost never misses. Come prepared for volume—it gets loud—and don't expect ambiance beyond clean and functional.
Must-Try Dishes:
Zaatar Manouche, Stuffed Zaatar Cheese Manouche, Nutella Manakish
What Makes it Special: Family-owned Lebanese bakery turning out handmade manakish flatbreads with Halal-certified ingredients all day long
#8
Dr. Sandwich
8.3
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
Hidden Gems Heaven
Dr. Sandwich on Beverly is a fast-casual Middle Eastern counter known for shawarma, kebabs, and overflowing pita and plate combos built from a broad salad and sauce bar. It’s a go-to for quick, filling halal lunches and late-afternoon bites where flavor and volume matter more than décor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma plate, Mixed grill kebab platter, Falafel pita
What Makes it Special: Halal shawarma and grill plates piled high with salads and sauces.
The West Hollywood outpost of Zankou Chicken brings the family-run chain’s rotisserie chicken, Chicken Tarna, and garlic sauce to a busy stretch of Sunset. This location sees heavy pre- and post-show traffic and has become a reliable choice for fast-casual Mediterranean plates and wraps. Strong value and speed make it a staple rather than a splurge.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tarna Plate, Whole Rotisserie Chicken, Falafel Plate
What Makes it Special: Long-running Armenian-owned chain location with famous rotisserie chicken and garlic sauce.
#10
Al Basch Chicken
8.2
Al Basch Chicken is a counter-service Mediterranean and Middle Eastern spot on Sunset known for shawarma, kabobs, and overstuffed pita sandwiches. Portions run large for the price, and regulars praise the char on the meats and the brightness of the salads and pickles. It’s one of the more dependable quick-shawarma options in the area.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Plate, Mixed Kabob Plate, Falafel Pita Sandwich
What Makes it Special: High-value shawarma and kabobs with standout char and generous portions.
#11
Cafe Glace
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Sweet Treats Escapes
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Late Night Legends
Café Glacé is a Persian-influenced cafe where Crazy Fries and Special Fries sit alongside sandwiches, Persian tacos, and saffron ice cream. Students and neighborhood regulars drop in for oven-baked fries piled with mortadella, hot dogs, cheese, and sauce, then linger over milkshakes and coffee drinks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crazy Fries, Special Fries, French Fries
What Makes it Special: Persian-inspired cafe where loaded Crazy Fries share the menu with shakes, Persian tacos, and saffron ice cream.
#12
Naab Cafe
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Late Night Legends
Group Dining Gatherings
Naab Cafe is a casual halal Persian–Mediterranean spot where kabob plates, ash reshteh, and sandwiches share space with hookah and late-night crowds. It’s the kind of flexible Westwood address where you can grab a quick lunch or linger over big platters with friends well past typical dinner hours.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef koobideh plate with saffron rice, Cornish hen kabob, Ash reshteh soup
What Makes it Special: Halal Persian café mixing hearty plates, sandwiches, and late-night energy.
#13
Zankou Chicken
8.2
Family-run for 60+ years, Zankou Chicken’s Sepulveda branch remains a top destination for craveable rotisserie chicken, tarna wraps, and their cult-favorite garlic sauce. Steady crowds, large portions, and reliability define this quick-service staple.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rotisserie Chicken, Chicken Tarna Wrap, Moutabbal
What Makes it Special: Iconic family-owned chicken, famed for garlic sauce.
#14
Dama Grill
8.1
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Counter-service Syrian spot on Venice Blvd that spit-roasts shawarma in-house and rolls it in fresh saj bread with garlic sauce and pomegranate molasses—the combination that built its following. Draws families and post-workout crowds to a lively patio where the wraps and kabobs move fast at prices that keep regulars coming back multiple times a week.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Beef Shawarma Wrap, Chicken Kabob
What Makes it Special: Counter-service Syrian spot spit-roasting shawarma and rolling it in fresh saj bread with garlic sauce and pomegranate molasses — the combination that made it go viral.
8.1
An Egyptian-Persian-Mexican crossover counter in a Northridge strip mall that bakes its own dough daily and runs a halal kitchen covering kebab plates, shawarma wraps, and carne asada tacos under one roof. The value math works for families—full kabob plates and sides at budget pricing with a free lot out back. It draws a loyal Reseda Blvd crowd that treats it as a weeknight default rather than a destination.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Kabob Plate, Chicken Shawarma, Carne Asada Tacos
What Makes it Special: Egyptian-Persian-Mexican crossover kitchen serving halal kebabs alongside carne asada tacos on housemade dough baked daily
#16
Kabob Bowl
8.1
A build-your-own Mediterranean bowl spot in Glassell Park that hits on freshness, generous proteins, and bright sides. The menu leans practical and craveable—kabobs, hummus, rice, and salads—executed for repeat neighborhood lunches and easy takeout nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken kabob bowl, Beef koobideh plate, Falafel with garlic sauce
What Makes it Special: Customizable kabob bowls with consistently fresh sides.
#17
Baba Kebab
8
A charcoal-forward Turkish street stand where every kebab is grilled to order over mesquite lump at the triangulation point of Echo Park, Chinatown, and DTLA. The format is pure sidewalk cookout—communal tables under a freeway overpass with traffic rumbling overhead—so come for the smoke ring on the Adana, not the ambiance. Late-night pricing stays honest relative to the technique, making this a strong play when you want real-fire kebab without a sit-down commitment.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kebab Wrap, Adana Kebab, Shish Kebap
What Makes it Special: Turkish street-food stand grilling every kebab to order over mesquite lump charcoal at the corner where Echo Park, Chinatown, and DTLA meet
Cedar's Halal Meat Market & Grill combines a full halal butcher counter with a small grill turning out shawarma, kabobs, and late-night tacos. Regulars come for fresh-cut meats, generously filled wraps, and cross-over plates that mix Middle Eastern flavors with local comfort staples.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef shawarma wrap, Beef kabob plate with rice and salad, Halal tacos with house hummus
What Makes it Special: Halal butcher and grill in one spot serving Middle Eastern plates and tacos.
#19
Laziz Grill
8
Located inside a Persian grocery, Laziz Grill quietly serves some of the best-value kabobs and Persian deli specialties in the area. This no-frills counter is beloved for its seasoned koobideh, fresh bread, and ultra-affordable lunch specials, especially among locals in-the-know.
Must-Try Dishes:
Koobideh Plate, Fesenjan, Fresh Sangak Bread
What Makes it Special: Ultra-affordable, hearty Persian fare in a market deli counter.
8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Naab Mediterranean is a busy Lincoln Boulevard counter-service spot focused on Persian-influenced Mediterranean plates, hefty kebab combos, and reliable takeout. It’s the go-to for locals who want juicy koobideh, well-seasoned chicken, and generous platters that travel well for group orders and weeknight dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Koobideh Plate, Beef Koobideh Plate, Falafel Plate with Hummus
What Makes it Special: Counter-service Persian-Mediterranean plates known for portions and delivery reliability.
#21
Pita Pockets
8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Outdoor Dining Oasis
A Northridge counter spot built around its laffa — charred, pliable, and stuffed heavy enough to work as a full meal for under ten dollars. The format is pure strip-mall efficiency: order at the counter, grab a table inside or on the patio, and let the grill line do what it does. With 84% of its 641 Google reviews at five stars, the kitchen holds a tight, repeatable standard across a short Mediterranean menu that rewards regulars who already know what they want.
Must-Try Dishes:
Laffa, Gyro, Falafel
What Makes it Special: A no-frills Northridge counter spot where the laffa — soft, charred, and stuffed to order — outsells everything else on the menu by nearly two to one.
#22
Skewer
8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
Late Night Legends
Skewer is a Lebanese-style kebab counter a block off the Walk of Fame, open deep into the night with charcoal-grilled skewers and big combo plates. The setting is casual and compact, but the skewers, dips, and late hours keep it in steady rotation for locals and night-shift crews.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed kebab combo plate, Chicken tawouk plate, Falafel with hummus and salad
What Makes it Special: Late-night Lebanese kebabs grilled over charcoal just off the Walk of Fame.
Worthy Picks
#23
Falafel Inc
7.9
A counter-service Mediterranean spot built on Palestinian family recipes, with za'atar sourced from the founder's own farm — the kind of provenance detail that shows up in the food. Every $10 spent feeds a refugee through the World Food Programme, which gives the low price point a second purpose beyond just being one of Westwood's cheapest solid lunches. It runs like a college-town fuel stop — fast, clean, no frills — and the 84% five-star rate across 276 reviews says the falafel and shawarma wraps land consistently.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel Sandwich, Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Zaatar Fries
What Makes it Special: Social enterprise where every $10 spent feeds a refugee for a day through the World Food Programme, built on the founder's Palestinian mother's recipes with za'atar imported from the family farm.
#24
Falafel Palace
7.9
A high-volume shawarma counter where one dish dominates the menu for good reason—the spit-carved meat moves fast enough to stay fresh through the lunch rush, and the price point keeps CSUN students and Northridge regulars rotating through daily. The format is order-at-the-counter with a back parking lot that makes weeknight runs painless, though peak hours near campus can stack up.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shawarma, Lamb Gyro, Tabouli
What Makes it Special: High-volume Middle Eastern counter service where the shawarma outsells everything else by a wide margin, backed by a loyal Northridge following
7.9
Tucked inside the Original Farmers Market, Moishe’s is a long-running counter for Middle Eastern plates, from shawarma and falafel to borekas and kebabs. It’s more of a quick-service stall than a sit-down restaurant, but locals and market regulars detour for generous combo plates before wandering the rest of the market.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel plate, Chicken shawarma wrap, Boreka with salads
What Makes it Special: Longtime Farmers Market stall serving classic Middle Eastern plates and pastries.
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Healthy Haven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Business Lunch Power Players
A casual, build-your-plate Mediterranean spot that leans clean and modern, with house flatbreads, bright dips, and grilled mains tuned for Downtown lunches. Flavor profiles stay familiar but well-balanced, and portions make it an easy value play for takeout or a quick sit-down. More dependable daily driver than destination, but consistently satisfying.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel wrap on za'atar flatbread, Lamb meatball bowl, Hummus with warm flatbread
What Makes it Special: Fast, customizable Mediterranean bowls and wraps with solid house breads.
#27
Cali Kebab
7.8
A no-frills Persian charcoal grill planted in the middle of Chinatown, built around koobideh and filet mignon kebabs that pull a loyal repeat crowd on portion size and price point alone. The format is fast-casual counter service tuned for downtown lunch runs and quick dinners, where the draw is straightforward grilled meat with Mediterranean sides rather than atmosphere or polish.
Must-Try Dishes:
Koobideh, Hummus, Filet Mignon Kebab
What Makes it Special: Persian-Mediterranean grill in Chinatown where generous portions and competitive pricing keep regulars coming back for charcoal-grilled kebabs
#28
CAVA
7.8
This fast-casual Mediterranean chain delivers customizable bowls and pitas with fresh ingredients and bold flavors at accessible prices. The build-your-own format lets diners mix proteins, dips, and toppings for healthy, quick meals perfect for beach-day fuel.
Must-Try Dishes:
Harissa Avocado Bowl, Spicy Lamb Pita, Greens + Grains Bowl
What Makes it Special: Mediterranean Chipotle with unlimited toppings
#29
CAVA
7.8
Fast-casual Mediterranean chain with customizable bowls and pitas featuring fresh vegetables, grains, and quality proteins. Efficient service and reliable execution make it a solid quick-bite option with vibrant flavors, though it lacks the distinctiveness of independent restaurants.
Must-Try Dishes:
Harissa Honey Chicken Bowl, Greek Chicken Pita, Lamb Meatballs
What Makes it Special: Build-your-own Mediterranean bowls with fresh ingredients and efficient service
A late-night counter on Venice Blvd where halal-certified shawarma and doner meats are carved to order, giving wraps a freshness edge over pre-sliced competitors. The draw is straightforward—big garlic-forward flavors at budget prices when most kitchens are closed. Expect a compact, no-frills setup built for grab-and-go, not lingering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Chicken Doner Wrap, Beef Shawarma
What Makes it Special: Compact late-night counter where halal-certified meats are carved to order, giving wraps a fresh, juicy edge with bold spice and garlic balance.
7.8
Mediterranean Market is a newer stall at the Original Farmers Market focusing on olives, cheeses, and sweets from across the region, plus simple plates and dips to eat on-site. It feels more like a specialty counter than a full restaurant, but locals detour for bulk hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and baklava before wandering the rest of the market.
Must-Try Dishes:
House hummus with warm pita and olive bar toppings, Stuffed grape leaves with lemon and herbs, Pistachio baklava and date-filled pastries
What Makes it Special: Farmers Market stall specializing in Mediterranean pantry goods, dips, and sweets you can snack on immediately.
#32
Sincerely Syria
7.8
Sincerely Syria is a narrow, late-night shawarma and falafel counter on Hollywood Boulevard that has quietly built a loyal following. Wraps come stuffed and crispy, fries are piled high, and sauces skew bold and garlicky. It’s more functional than polished, but for post-show or post-bar eats, it’s one of the tastier, trend-aware budget moves in 90028.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed shawarma wrap with fries, Falafel wrap or plate, Garlic fries or loaded shawarma fries
What Makes it Special: A tiny Syrian shawarma counter turning out crispy, overstuffed wraps late into the night.
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
A dedicated Egyptian kitchen on the Westside that anchors its menu around dishes you won't find at the usual Mediterranean counter—koshari, kofta, and proper Egyptian-style falafel alongside familiar shawarma and kebab plates. The pricing runs low enough to order broadly, which is the right move when exploring a menu this specific. It fills the role of a reliable, no-fuss neighborhood spot where the food does the work and the bill stays light.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kabob, Hummus, Falafel
What Makes it Special: One of few dedicated Egyptian kitchens on the Westside, turning out classics like koshari and kofta alongside the expected kebabs and shawarma
#34
Yalla Truck
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Yalla Truck is a long-running Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food truck parked off Scout Avenue, known for Palestinian-style falafel, shawarma bowls, and build-your-own wraps. Office workers and neighborhood families line up for customizable plates with plenty of toppings and sauces.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel wrap with tahini and pickles, 50/50 chicken and falafel rice bowl, Greek-style salad with shawarma
What Makes it Special: Middle Eastern street food truck focused on falafel, shawarma, and bowls.
7.7
Boardwalk-side halal counter turning out shawarma, doner, and falafel with ocean-breeze seating steps from the sand. It’s a practical pre- or post-beach stop with fast ticket times and fair pricing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma wrap, Beef doner plate, Falafel sandwich
What Makes it Special: Halal-friendly Middle Eastern staples right on the Venice boardwalk.
#36
Nick The Greek
7.7
This authentic Greek street food spot serves vertical rotisserie gyros, souvlaki skewers, and loukoumades (Greek beignets) with honey. The casual counter-service format with outdoor seating makes it ideal for quick, satisfying Greek classics without breaking the bank.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef/Lamb Gyro Pita, Greek Fries, Loukoumades with Honey
What Makes it Special: Authentic Greek street food at wallet-friendly prices
7.6
A low-key halal Middle Eastern cafe in the Historic Core focused on shawarma, kebab plates, and straightforward comfort. The cooking aims for honest spice, good char, and generous portions, making it a dependable neighborhood stop. Not a scene-driven room, but a solid grab-and-go or casual sit-down option.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma wrap, Koobideh plate, Falafel with tahini
What Makes it Special: Halal shawarma and kebab comfort with no-frills reliability.