Best Family Friendly Mediterranean Restaurants in Los Angeles
43 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Open Sesame
Lebanese recipes passed through generations with emphasis on fresh daily preparation
Notable Picks
#1
Open Sesame
8.7
This 26-year Lebanese institution draws crowds for generous portions of charbroiled kabobs, shawarmas, and chicken tawook alongside exceptional vegetarian mezze. Chef Ali Kobeissi's commitment to fresh ingredients and authentic flavors has made this Belmont Shore fixture a Mediterranean food destination where reservations are strongly recommended.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tawook, Mixed Kabob Plate, Open Sesame Salad
What Makes it Special: Lebanese recipes passed through generations with emphasis on fresh daily preparation
#2
Aristo Cafe
8.6
Aristo Cafe is a long-running, family-owned Mediterranean restaurant in South Torrance known for charcoal-grilled kabobs, generous combo plates, and recipes passed down for decades. Locals treat it as their go-to spot for chicken kabob, lamb, and gyros when they want a sit-down meal rather than quick takeout. Portions are substantial and the kitchen keeps standards high despite steady crowds.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Kabob Lunch Special, Lamb Kabob Entree, Gyros Plate
What Makes it Special: Family-run Mediterranean spot with charcoal-grilled kabobs and big plates.
8.5
A long-running Pico-Robertson Israeli kitchen where shawarma, hummus, and grilled plates land with real depth and neighborhood confidence. Portions are generous, seasoning is assertive, and the menu rewards repeat visits across salads, skewers, and mezze.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma plate, Hummus with falafel, Grilled lamb kebab
What Makes it Special: Classic Israeli comfort with high-volume, proven neighborhood reliability.
#4
Open Sesame
8.5
Open Sesame’s Beverly Grove location brings the long-running Lebanese brand’s generous plates, halal grilled meats, and mezze-heavy menus to a colorful indoor–outdoor space. With over a thousand reviews and steady 4.0+ ratings across platforms, it’s the reliable choice for shareable shawarma, chicken tawook, and salads before or after a night on Beverly.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tawook plate with spicy garlic potatoes, Open Sesame combo with fattoush salad and hummus, Fried cauliflower with tahini and lemon
What Makes it Special: High-volume Lebanese spot with halal grills, big portions, and a long track record of steady crowds.
8.5
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
The Downtown branch of Zankou Chicken brings the family-run chain’s classic Lebanese-style rotisserie chicken, tarna and shawarma plates, and famous garlic sauce to a busy corner of 7th Street. High-volume foot traffic, takeout, and delivery prove its role as a go-to option when locals want reliable Mediterranean plates and wraps at accessible prices. The room is utilitarian, but the combination of roast chicken, kabobs, hummus, and pickles keeps it firmly in the DTLA rotation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quarter Dark Chicken Plate, Chicken Tarna Plate, Tri-Tip Shawerma Plate
What Makes it Special: Long-running Lebanese rotisserie and shawarma plates anchored by legendary garlic sauce.
#6
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.
#7
Pita House
8.4
Family-run Mediterranean spot opened in 2016 serving generous portions of kabobs, shawarma, and handmade baklava with consistently fresh ingredients. Known for juicy meats marinated in-house and creamy hummus varieties that draw regulars from across the Westside.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Kabob, Chicken Shawarma, Mixed Kabab Plate
What Makes it Special: Halal meats with build-your-own bowl concept and 3000+ delivery reviews
8.4
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Birthday & Celebration Central
A Westwood institution since the early 1980s, Shamshiri Grill serves generous platters of Persian kebabs, stews, and fresh breads in a space that turns from casual by day to softly romantic at night. It’s a neighborhood standby for multi-generational celebrations and big-group dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Koobideh and barg kebab combo, Lamb shank with baghali polo, Tahchin with chicken
What Makes it Special: Long-running Persian spot known for heaping kebab platters and fresh bread.
8.4
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Skaf's On York is a family-run Lebanese spot where charcoal-grilled kebabs, creamy hummus, and vibrant salads anchor a menu built for generous plates and sharing. Opened in 2023 by the Skaf family behind long-running North Hollywood and Glendale locations, it brings Zahle-inspired cooking to a relaxed York Boulevard space with a warm, clay-toned dining room and patio. Consistently strong reviews highlight its balance of homey flavors, quality ingredients, and fair pricing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shish Tawook Plate, Hummus with Chicken Shawarma, Falafel Combo Plate
What Makes it Special: A third-generation Skaf family restaurant, it delivers charcoal-grilled Lebanese classics, bright salads, and housemade baklawa with polished counter-service ease.
A long-running neighborhood mainstay with a deep Lebanese-Mediterranean menu and huge community buy-in. Plates of shawarma, kafta, and kabobs arrive reliably seasoned and hearty, while the classics (hummus, tabbouleh, lemony soups) anchor the experience. Not fancy, but built for repeat visits and late-night cravings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef shawarma plate, Kafta kabob, Chicken shawarma
What Makes it Special: High-volume, late-hours Lebanese cooking that stays dependable.
8.3
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Tiny, family-run Habayit turns out Israeli-style kosher plates, from herb-flecked chicken schnitzel to freshly fried falafel and shawarma, in a modest Pico Boulevard strip mall setting. Locals come for homestyle cooking, generous portions, and a rare kosher option on the Westside.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel plate, Chicken shawarma plate, Grilled schnitzel
What Makes it Special: One of the only kosher Israeli-style spots west of the 405 with homestyle cooking.
A Persian-Mediterranean institution that pairs a full grill counter with a butcher-market backbone, making it a go-to for koobideh, barg, and saffron-rice plates. The kabobs are the star—smoky, well-seasoned, and built for takeout or a simple sit-down meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Koobideh kabob plate, Soltani (barg + koobideh), Ghormeh sabzi stew
What Makes it Special: Market-plus-kabob house with deeply seasoned Persian grill mastery.
Levant is a sit-down Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant on East Hollywood Boulevard known for big platters, pide, and grilled meats. It doubles as both neighborhood spot and catering hub, so portions skew generous and menus are built for sharing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Levant mixed grill platter, Beef and mushroom pide, Pistachio baklava with Turkish tea
What Makes it Special: Large-format Turkish and Mediterranean platters tailored for family-style feasts.
#14
Lemón Zëst
8.2
A fast-casual Mediterranean spot that leans into generous, shareable plates—lule kebab, beef kebab, and chicken plates arrive with enough food for two. The Northridge location runs as part of a multi-location LA chain established since 2014, with a modern lounge-style interior that runs warmer than typical strip-mall kebab counters. Works best for families and groups who want to split platters without precision ordering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lemon Zest, Lule Kebab, Gyro
What Makes it Special: Mediterranean spot with strong vegan options and generous portions designed for sharing
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Family-owned Syrian and Armenian spot serving fresh shawarma, falafel plates, and housemade hummus in the Jewelry District. The small counter-service operation focuses on authentic recipes with generous portions and warm hospitality that makes regulars feel like family.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Plate, Falafel with Tahini, Filet Mignon Kebab
What Makes it Special: Family recipes with exceptional freshness at prices under $15
8.2
A counter-service Middle Eastern staple on Avenue 40 built around juicy shawarma, well-seasoned kabobs, and strong garlic-sauce pull. Portions are generous and the flavors stay classic, making it a reliable stop for takeout or a quick family meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma wrap, Beef shawarma plate, Falafel plate
What Makes it Special: Classic shawarma and kabobs with standout house garlic sauce.
#17
Tajrish Kabob
8.2
Tajrish Kabob is a full-service Persian-Mediterranean restaurant where charcoal-grilled kabobs, stews, and seafood plates anchor a sit-down experience just inland from the marina. Regulars lean on it for well-seasoned koobideh, Cornish hen, and salmon kabobs in a space that now feels more polished after a recent remodel.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Koobideh Kabob, Cornish Hen Kabob, Salmon Fish Kabob
What Makes it Special: Remodeled Persian spot with charcoal-grilled kabobs and hearty plates.
#18
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.
8.1
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Family Friendly Favorites
Family-run Mediterranean focusing on house-made spreads and perfectly charred proteins since opening in Studio City. The mutabbal showcases freshly grilled eggplant with robust smokiness, complementing juicy chicken and lamb kebabs. Outdoor misting system and happy hour specials make this a Ventura Boulevard staple.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Kebab Plate, Lamb Lule, Mutabbal (Smoky Eggplant Dip)
What Makes it Special: Second location from La Verne original, everything made in-house daily
#20
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
Delphi Greek has anchored Westwood Boulevard for years with classic Hellenic cooking and a flexible space often booked for private parties, fundraisers, and community events. Platters of souvlaki, gyros, and meze translate naturally to family-style menus, while the bar and semi-private areas can be configured for anything from student banquets to milestone birthdays.
Must-Try Dishes:
Delphi Greek Salad, Gyro plate with tzatziki and pita, Lamb chops with roasted potatoes
What Makes it Special: A long-running Greek restaurant that leans into family-style platters and configurable private event menus.
8.1
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Business Lunch Power Players
Hidden Gems Heaven
This women-owned Mediterranean restaurant in Playhouse Village specializes in authentic Lebanese kebabs and mezze with a focus on sustainability. Fresh ingredients and careful spicing distinguish the lula kebab and charcoal-grilled meats, while generous portions and friendly service create a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lula Kebab Plate, Chicken Kabob, Beet Salad
What Makes it Special: Women-owned with commitment to compostable containers and plant-based options
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
8.1
JoJo’s Mediterranean Grill is a Lebanese-led spot inside the 8000 Sunset complex serving shawarma, kabobs, and mezze with a home-cooking angle. Opened during the pandemic, it has built a following on fresh-grilled meats, generous salads, and friendly, hands-on ownership. It works equally well for casual dine-in, delivery, or group platters.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Plate, Mediterranean Salad with Chicken, Falafel Wrap with Hummus
What Makes it Special: Owner-driven Lebanese spot in a mall setting with carefully cooked shawarma.
#25
Mantee Cafe
8.1
Family-owned Armenian-Lebanese cafe with a tranquil backyard garden featuring string lights and lush landscaping. Named after their signature boat-shaped ravioli, Mantee delivers home-cooked Mediterranean dishes in an intimate setting with attentive service and authentic Middle Eastern flavors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mantee Traditional, Sweet & Sour Cherry Kebab, Hummus Cocktail
What Makes it Special: Dreamy garden patio with unique Armenian-Lebanese dishes and intimate ambiance
#26
Mashawi Grill
8.1
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Mashawi Grill is a fast-casual Mediterranean counter on Crenshaw focused on shawarma plates, wraps, and kebob combos. It’s a go-to for quick chicken shawarma, gyro plates, and vegetarian sides when you want something more substantial than a sandwich but still relatively fast. The space is simple, but the pricing and portion size make it a strong everyday option.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Plate, Mashawi Salad, Falafel Plate
What Makes it Special: Counter-service shawarma and kebob spot with generous, affordable plates.
8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Fast-casual Mediterranean spot with open-air seating and misters providing respite from Valley heat while serving juicy kebabs, fresh hummus, and generous portions. The family-owned venue emphasizes quality ingredients with both indoor and outdoor dining options plus daily happy hour specials.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Kebab Plate, Lamb Lule, Moutabal
What Makes it Special: Fresh Mediterranean dishes cooked to order with cooling outdoor misters
The Crenshaw outpost of Chicken Maison is a high-volume Mediterranean rotisserie and kabob shop known for its spicy lemon garlic chicken and hearty salads. It’s built for fast service and takeout while still offering dine-in tables for casual meals. The menu leans into grilled chicken, hummus, and fresh salads that hit a sweet spot between comfort food and lighter eating.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Lemon Garlic Chicken, Chicken Kabob Plate, Greek Salad with Chicken
What Makes it Special: Busy Mediterranean rotisserie spot famous for spicy lemon garlic chicken.
8
A late-night halal counter-service spot that delivers consistent Turkish-Mediterranean plates—chicken kebabs with proper char, balanced Iskender, and shawarma with house garlic sauce that regulars return for. The Ventura Boulevard location stays open until 2-4am, making it a reliable post-bar landing spot for the Studio City crowd. Expect generous portions at fair prices in a clean, no-frills setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Halal, Baklava, Lahmacun
What Makes it Special: Late-night halal Mediterranean grill on Ventura Boulevard with Turkish specialties like lahmacun and kunefe
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.
#31
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.
Worthy Picks
#32
Crimson
7.9
This halal-certified Mediterranean cookhouse fires hormone-free meats over open flames, serving generous portions of kabobs and falafel since 2013. The counter-service spot balances healthy eating with bold flavors, drawing families and health-conscious diners to its casual patio.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Kabob Plate, Falafel Trio, Mediterranean Bowl
What Makes it Special: Halal-certified grilled meats with organic ingredients
#33
Kolah Farangi
7.9
A veteran kosher Persian kitchen that leans classic—charbroiled kabobs, hearty stews, and saffron rice in an old-school dining room. The cooking prizes dependable tradition over trend, making it a steady sit-down choice for Persian staples.
Must-Try Dishes:
Soltani kabob, Fesenjan stew, Tahdig with rice plate
What Makes it Special: Long-tenured Persian grill house focused on classic kabob tradition.
#34
Almaza
7.8
A full-service Lebanese kitchen anchored by a spacious hookah patio that keeps the parking lot full well past midnight on Venice Blvd. The draw is the combination—charcoal-grilled kabobs and lamb chops followed by hours of outdoor lounging—which makes it a default for groups who want dinner and a long evening in one stop. Expect weekend waits and a lively crowd; go inside if you want to actually hear your table.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hummus, Kabob, Lamb Chops
What Makes it Special: Full-service Lebanese kitchen paired with one of LA's most popular hookah patios, drawing crowds well past midnight
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Outdoor Dining Oasis
A no-frills Ventura Blvd counter that runs a tight Israeli-style falafel and shawarma operation, anchored by a housemade hot sauce that keeps regulars circling back. The pricing sits well below what you'd expect for the portion size and quality, making it a reliable weekday lunch stop for Studio City families and anyone who wants to eat well without sitting down. Outdoor seating gives it a slight edge over similar counters in the corridor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shawarma, Falafel Sandwich, Hummus
What Makes it Special: No-frills Ventura Blvd counter serving Israeli-style falafel and shawarma with housemade hot sauce that regulars swear by
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family-run neighborhood spot serving generous portions of traditional Greek comfort food including gyros, souvlaki, and fresh salads. The blue-and-white decorated space offers authentic homestyle cooking with friendly service from owner Sam.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb Gyro, Chicken Souvlaki Plate, Greek Salad with Feta
What Makes it Special: Authentic Greek home cooking with exceptionally generous portions and warm hospitality
7.8
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Business Lunch Power Players
A long-running Persian grill that built its reputation on charcoal-fired kabobs and saffron-stained rice platters served in generous, family-style portions. The Northridge location sits in a strip mall plaza with free parking and a no-frills dining room that prioritizes the food over the setting. Three decades of operation in the San Fernando Valley's Persian dining corridor have made it a default choice for regulars who want reliable execution of the classics without pretense.
Must-Try Dishes:
Barg Koobideh Plate, Chicken Kabob (Joojeh), Tahdig with Fesenjon
What Makes it Special: Classic Persian kabob house with deep local roots.
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
#39
Ela Greek Eats
7.7
Fast-casual counter for gyros, bowls, and salads near the beach with efficient pickup and portions sized for everyday lunches. Locals use it as a reliable, healthier takeout option along the Lincoln corridor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb gyro, Chicken souvlaki bowl, Greek salad with feta
What Makes it Special: Streamlined Greek bowls and gyros built fast with bright flavors.
#40
Luna Grill
7.7
Local Mediterranean kitchen chain offering kabobs, bowls, and wraps with generous portions and fresh ingredients. Clean, modern space with attentive service delivers consistent quality across Greek and Middle Eastern classics, though it remains firmly in fast-casual territory without standout innovation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Kabob Plate, Santorini Bowl, Grilled Salmon Plate
What Makes it Special: Generous portions with fresh Mediterranean ingredients and pet-friendly patio
#41
Spitz
7.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Happy Hour Hotspots
Pet Friendly Paradise
Established in 2012 by Occidental College grads serving California-Mediterranean fusion with German döner influences and craft beer on tap. The halal-certified meat program, loaded street cart fries, and family-friendly vibe with board games make this a neighborhood staple for casual group dining and happy hour hangs.
Must-Try Dishes:
Berliner Döner Wrap, Street Cart Fries, Döquitos
What Makes it Special: German-Mediterranean fusion with halal meats and creative loaded fries
7.5
A SoCal Mediterranean chain that hangs its hat on open-flame charbroiling—every protein marinated in-house and cooked to order with antibiotic-free chicken and Cedar River Farms beef. The fast-casual format works well for families wanting scratch-made kabobs and sides without a long sit-down commitment. Reviews run polarized at this Paseo location, so stick to the core kabob plates where the grill technique delivers the most reliable results.
Must-Try Dishes:
Charbroiled Chicken Kabob Entrée, Hummus, Beef Koobideh Kabob Entrée
What Makes it Special: Every protein is marinated in-house and charbroiled over an open flame to order, using only antibiotic-free chicken and Cedar River Farms beef.
7.5
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Persian and Mediterranean chain location with outdoor seating near Pershing Square. The menu spans kebabs, gyros, and vegetarian plates served in a contemporary setting that attracts nearby hotel guests and convention attendees.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Kebab, Lamb Gyro Plate with Dolmas, Koobideh Kabob
What Makes it Special: Reliable chain with extensive Mediterranean menu