Best Group Dining Mediterranean Restaurants in Los Angeles
43 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Bacari W 3rd
Mediterranean-influenced small plates and wines served in a lush 3rd Street patio setting.
Notable Picks
#1
Bacari W 3rd
8.8
Bacari W 3rd is a Venetian-inspired small plates spot where Mediterranean-leaning dishes, craft cocktails, and a leafy patio make lingering over shared plates the default move. Locals treat it as a flexible neighborhood dining room for everything from happy hour to late-evening dates, with a menu that rewards mixing pastas, vegetable plates, and grilled meats.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb hummus with warm pita, Bacari fries with aioli, Seasonal seafood pasta
What Makes it Special: Mediterranean-influenced small plates and wines served in a lush 3rd Street patio setting.
#2
Next Door
8.7
Next Door is a modern Israeli, Glatt kosher dining room from chefs Adir Cohen and Liad Ichiye, opened in late 2022 with a fine-dining approach to Mediterranean flavors. Plates lean polished and seasonal, with careful cooking, a strong wine and cocktail program, and service that feels closer to a special-occasion restaurant than a neighborhood casual spot.
Must-Try Dishes:
Charred eggplant with tahini, herbs, and fresh-baked laffa, Grilled lamb kebab with sumac onions and salatim, Whole branzino with herb oil and market vegetables
What Makes it Special: Fine-dining modern Israeli cooking with Glatt kosher certification and polished hospitality.
#3
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
#4
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.
#5
Checker Hall
8.6
Checker Hall transforms a restored 1920s Masonic hall into a Mediterranean-leaning supper-and-cocktails room with shareable mezze, skewers, and composed plates. The menu blends California produce with dishes like labneh, seared halloumi, and harissa-spiced vegetables, so it works as well for a full dinner as it does for snacks with drinks. A buzzy bar, balcony views over Figueroa, and ties to the Lodge Room music venue make it a fixture of Highland Park nights out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roasted Harissa Carrots, Seared Halloumi Salad, Baja Shrimp Skewers
What Makes it Special: Part restaurant, part cocktail den, Checker Hall pairs Mediterranean-leaning plates with a dramatically lit 1920s Masonic hall setting.
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.
#7
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.
#9
Bacari
8.4
Venetian-inspired small plates from Chef Lior Hillel featuring Mediterranean and Italian influences in a rustic downtown setting. The Kronfli Brothers' eighth location excels at shareable tapas, craft cocktails, and their signature 90-minute open bar special.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sea bass with tarragon aioli, Glazed pork belly, Lamb hummus
What Makes it Special: House-baked bread with roasted garlic olive oil sets the tone for creative small plates
8.4
Venetian-inspired small plates restaurant features tree-house-like outdoor patios with rustic Mediterranean decor throughout multiple levels. Chef Lior Hillel crafts Mediterranean tapas alongside rotating small-production wines, creating a neighborhood favorite since becoming the Kronfli Brothers' fifth LA location.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb Hummus, Pear and Brie Pizza, Brussels Sprouts
What Makes it Special: Multi-level outdoor patios with rustic Mediterranean charm and 90-minute open bar special
#11
Shamshiri Grill
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.
8.3
This Venetian-inspired small plates restaurant brings Mediterranean street food to Beverly Hills with a 90-minute open bar special and charming sidewalk patio. Chef Lior Hillel's tapas-style brunch features everything from Mediterranean corn to truffle mac and cheese in a casual bistro setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bacari Burger with Fried Egg, Brussels Sprouts, Jidori Chicken Wings
What Makes it Special: 90-minute unlimited wine and beer special for $32
#13
Fanoos Grill
8.3
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Group Dining Gatherings
Hidden Gems Heaven
Fanoos Grill is a Persian-Mediterranean kebab house on Crenshaw where combo platters, stews, and charbroiled meats dominate the menu. Regulars come for saffron-scented rice, koobideh, and lamb chops that feel closer to a family gathering than a corporate chain. It’s one of the South Bay’s more complete Persian grills, with huge portions that make it easy to share.
Must-Try Dishes:
Combo #1 Beef & Chicken Koobideh, Chicken Shish Kabob Dinner, Ghormeh Sabzi with Lamb Shank
What Makes it Special: Persian kebab and stew specialist with big portions and depth.
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.
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.
#16
Toranj
8.3
Just off Broxton, Toranj pairs polished Persian plates with a sidewalk patio that feels made for lingering lunches and casual date nights. The kitchen is known for its buttery "Juicy Chicken" and properly charred kabobs that skew more upscale than the average student spot.
Must-Try Dishes:
Juicy Chicken, Beef Koobideh, Tahdig with Stew
What Makes it Special: Refined Persian kabobs and stews with campus-adjacent patio seating.
#17
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
#18
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.
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
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.
#21
Kebab Bar
8.1
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Hidden Gems Heaven
Kebab Bar sits just off La Brea with a polished fast-casual feel, serving Persian and Mediterranean skewers, mezzes, and big rice plates. It straddles the line between takeout joint and sit-down restaurant, with enough comfort and service to make lingering over kebabs and baklava feel easy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Koobideh plate, Salmon kebab with rice, Dolma with hummus
What Makes it Special: Dual-location kebab shop with sit-down comfort and a wide skewer lineup.
#22
Mandi House
8.1
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Hidden Gems Heaven
Business Lunch Power Players
House of Mandi brings shareable Yemeni rice platters and long tables to Gayley, making it a standout for cross-cultural lunches with room to spread out. It works especially well for internal team meetups or student-plus-professor lunches where generous portions and communal platters help keep the conversation moving.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb mandi, Chicken mandi, Mixed grill platter
What Makes it Special: Big-format Yemeni rice and meat platters designed for sharing at long tables.
#23
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.
#24
Zaytinya
8.1
José Andrés Group brings Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese mezze to Culver City with polished service inside The Shay hotel. Wood-fired preparations and traditional spreads deliver solid Mediterranean flavors, though dishes can lean mild and require sauce support despite bold ingredient lists.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wood-Fired Lamb Shoulder, Mezze Spreads, Whole Grilled Fish
What Makes it Special: José Andrés Group pedigree with DC import bringing elevated Eastern Mediterranean
#25
Bavel
8
Wood-fired Middle Eastern cooking from the team behind Bestia, built around shareable plates like slow-roasted lamb neck and house-made flatbreads that reward group ordering. The converted warehouse space runs loud—request patio if conversation matters—but the cooking technique on proteins justifies the Arts District pilgrimage for date nights willing to lean in.
Must-Try Dishes:
Oyster Mushroom, Baba Ghanoush, Grilled Prawns
What Makes it Special: Middle Eastern cuisine from the Bestia team, with wood-fired cooking and house-made flatbreads in a converted Arts District warehouse
A buzzy shawarma pop-up at ROW DTLA serving Jordanian-style chicken shaved hot and wrapped in fresh saj bread. The menu is tight and confident—one great wrap, garlicky sauces, and beef-tallow fries—so lines move for a reason. It’s a street-food energy hit that feels very 90021 right now.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Wrap (The Yaz Way), Beef-tallow Fries, Classic Garlic Shawarma Wrap
What Makes it Special: Single-focus shawarma executed at pop-up perfection.
#27
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.
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
A Lebanese husband-and-wife operation where the menu draws directly from Bekaa Valley family recipes—chef Eli Berchan trained at César Ritz in Switzerland and cooked at Raffles Dubai before opening in Hollywood during COVID. The shawarma and housemade baklava from a 1967 family recipe anchor a compact, pomegranate-heavy menu of traditional meze and wraps. Expect a casual, home-like setting with well-executed flavors but modestly portioned plates in the $18-22 entree range.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hummus, Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Baba Ganoush
What Makes it Special: Lebanese husband-and-wife team cooking only the family recipes they grew up eating, including baklava from a 1967 family recipe.
Worthy Picks
#29
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.
7.9
The Marina del Rey outpost of Panini Kabob Grill serves a broad, health-leaning Mediterranean menu with grilled kabobs, salads, and panini in a polished fast-casual setting above the Villa Marina Marketplace. It’s popular with office workers and shoppers who want reliable portions, fresh ingredients, and patio seating without a long wait.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Kabob Plate, Salmon Kabob Plate, Hummus with Grilled Pita
What Makes it Special: High-volume Mediterranean fast-casual with grilled kabobs and big portions.
#31
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
#32
Arthur's Garden
7.8
A daytime-only Persian grill tucked into an industrial stretch of Hooper Ave, built around charcoal-fired kabobs with enough flavor depth to hold up against Westwood's established Persian corridor. The garden patio and weekday-only hours give it the rhythm of a neighborhood lunch counter rather than a destination restaurant, and rotating specials like Tahchin Tuesdays suggest a kitchen cooking for regulars who know to call ahead.
Must-Try Dishes:
Boneless Chicken Kabob Plate, Tahdig Gheimeh, Beef Koobideh
What Makes it Special: Family-run Persian kitchen with a garden patio tucked into an industrial stretch of DTLA, serving charcoal-grilled kabobs and crispy tahdig at neighborhood prices
#33
Javan Restaurant
7.8
A charcoal-fired Persian grill that has held its corner of West LA since 1986, built on koobideh kababs with visible char and slow-cooked stews served over crispy tahdig rice. The family combo platters make it a natural fit for group dinners where everyone wants to share across the table. Free subterranean parking and moderate noise levels keep it practical for weeknight visits, though weekend evenings with live music run louder.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Koobideh Kabab, Ghormeh Sabzi Tahdig, Beef Soltani
What Makes it Special: West LA's longest-running Persian grill, open since 1986, built on charcoal-fired kababs and slow-cooked stews with crispy tahdig rice
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
Berlin-style döner kebabs built on halal-certified meat slow-roasted on a vertical broiler, wrapped tight with house sauces that locals describe as addictive. The board-game-stocked dining room and dog-friendly patio give it a late-night hangout identity that most counter-service Mediterranean spots lack. Nearly two decades and five LA locations later, Spitz still draws repeat visits for the same reason it started—oversized wraps at neighborhood prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Döner Wrap, Gyro, Mediterranean Bowl
What Makes it Special: Berlin-style döner kebabs served late-night in a board-game-stocked Arts District hangout
7.8
A neighborhood Greek taverna built for sharing—mezze platters, tableside flaming saganaki, and Sunday patio BBQ with spit-roasted kontosouvli draw groups who want to linger over wine and dips. The open garage-door setup gets loud during peak hours, so plan for lively conversation rather than intimate dialogue. Works best when you commit to the shareable format with a few friends and let the dip platter set the pace.
Must-Try Dishes:
Char Grilled Octopus, You Dip We Dip, Flaming Saganaki
What Makes it Special: Greek taverna with Sunday patio BBQ featuring spit-roasted kontosouvli and tableside flaming saganaki
#37
Cafe Rich
7.7
A late-night Mediterranean lounge that pairs a social hookah-and-cocktail scene with a menu of shareable plates. Come for the atmosphere first, then settle into dependable mezze, grilled bites, and easygoing bar food built for groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed mezze platter, Chicken shawarma wrap, Kofta kebab
What Makes it Special: Mediterranean plates inside a true lounge-and-hookah hangout.
7.7
Counter-service Greek spot on the concourse level at FIGat7th, George's Greek Grill turns out gyros, salads, and hearty platters tailored to downtown office workers and shoppers. Expect reliable, fast-moving lines, broad customization, and portions that lean generous rather than precious.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef & lamb gyro wrap, Chicken souvlaki plate with Greek salad and rice, Traditional Greek salad with grilled chicken
What Makes it Special: Long-running FIGat7th staple for customizable gyros, salads, and Greek platters.
Seasoning Alley anchors a counter in the Ovation Hollywood dining deck, serving kabob plates, falafel, and salads to shoppers and moviegoers. Food comes out quickly but leans fresher than typical mall fare, with grilled meats, hummus, and salads built for mixing and matching.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken breast kabob plate, Beef shish kabob plate, Falafel plate with hummus
What Makes it Special: Mall-deck Mediterranean spot delivering surprisingly fresh kabob and falafel plates.
7.7
A Barcelona-born tapas group with legitimate Spanish pedigree—chef trained at three-Michelin-starred Arzak, and the Padrosa family has run restaurants since 1992. The paellas draw crowds, though execution varies; some nights the socarrat delivers, others lean salty or arrive suspiciously fast. Works best when you lean into the shareable format on the patio with sangria and let the croquettes and pulpo carry the table.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster Paella, Crab Croquettes, Ham Croquettes
What Makes it Special: Barcelona-style tapas and paella served on a spacious patio with dedicated valet parking in Brentwood
Operating out of the same Sunset address as several virtual concepts, Pita Mediterranean Bowls & Brochette focuses on build-your-own bowls, wraps, and burritos built around kabobs, shawarma, and falafel. The format is fast and customizable, aimed at takeout and delivery rather than dine-in ambiance. It’s a solid option when you want a quick, relatively lighter Mediterranean meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel Burrito, Chicken Kabob Bowl, Shawarma Mixed Burrito
What Makes it Special: Virtual-kitchen–style bowls and burritos with Mediterranean proteins and toppings.
7.6
A small, nightlife-leaning Mediterranean dining room that mixes Greek-forward comfort with a bar-and-lounge rhythm. The cooking centers on grilled meats, familiar dips, and hearty mains, best suited to weekend dinners where food and scene share the stage.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grilled lamb chops, Spanakopita, Greek salad with chicken
What Makes it Special: Greek-leaning Mediterranean with a late-weekend lounge feel.
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