Best Group Dining Middle Eastern Restaurants in Los Angeles
28 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.
Long before Westchester filled up with chains, Jino's Pars was serving saffron-scented rice, juicy koobideh, and rich stews to travelers and locals near LAX. The menu leans deep into traditional Persian plates with generous portions, making it a reliable destination for hearty dinners and family gatherings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Koobideh kabob with saffron basmati rice, Shish lick rack of lamb, Ghormeh sabzi herb stew
What Makes it Special: A long-running Persian standby near LAX known for big portions and classic stews.
#3
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.
#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.
8.4
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Hidden Gems Heaven
Open since the late 1970s, Moun Of Tunis turns dinner into a North African feast with multi-course Tunisian and Moroccan prix fixe menus, hand-washing rituals, and occasional belly dancing. Cushioned banquettes, low tables, and long-running ownership make it a destination for celebratory group meals rather than quick bites.
Must-Try Dishes:
Moun of Tunis Feast prix fixe, Brik (Tunisian fried pastry), Chicken B’stilla
What Makes it Special: Decades-old Tunisian and Moroccan feasts with hand-washing ceremony and belly dancing.
8.4
Open since the early 1980s, Shaherzad is one of Westwood’s original Persian restaurants, known for house-baked bread and substantial kebab platters. Diners come for reliably grilled meats, fragrant rice, and an old-school atmosphere that feels more like a neighborhood dining room than a polished modern concept.
Must-Try Dishes:
Soltani (barg and koobideh), Tahdig with khoresh, Grilled salmon kabob
What Makes it Special: Decades-old Persian spot baking bread and grilling generous kebab platters.
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
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.
#9
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.
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.
#12
Kebab Bar
8.2
Kebab Bar brings a slightly more polished take on Persian and Mediterranean kebabs to the Sepulveda corridor, with juicy skewers, fresh salads, and creamy dips built from family recipes. It’s a strong choice for a quick but satisfying sit-down meal before or after airport runs.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef koobideh plate, Chicken kabob plate with salad and rice, Falafel with hummus
What Makes it Special: Family-run Mediterranean spot near LAX focusing on well-executed kebab plates and fresh mezze.
#13
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.
#14
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
Counter-service spot just off Windward Circle serving build-your-own bowls, wraps, and plates with classic Middle Eastern proteins and toppings. Locals use it for quick, customizable lunches and late-day takeout near the beach.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma bowl, Falafel wrap, Fried cauliflower plate
What Makes it Special: Customizable bowls and wraps with classic shawarma-and-falafel flavors.
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.
#17
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
#18
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
#19
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
#21
Darya Restaurant
7.9
Darya delivers Persian hospitality with a spacious dining room and elegantly plated classics—think juicy kebabs and richly stewed ghormeh sabzi. Since opening, it’s earned a following for group celebrations and special events, bolstered by reliable service and a buffet option.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Koobideh, Chicken Joojeh Kabob, Ghormeh Sabzi
What Makes it Special: Spacious, elegant setting with banquet options and reliable hospitality.
#22
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
#23
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
#24
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
#25
Pi on Sunset
7.8
Family-owned Lebanese restaurant and hookah lounge on the Sunset Strip since 2010, combining traditional home recipes with late-night energy. Known for authentic shawarma, fresh-baked pita, and a lively atmosphere that brings Beirut nightlife to Los Angeles.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce, Beef Kafta Kebab, Kibbeh Balls
What Makes it Special: Authentic Lebanese home cooking with hookah lounge vibe
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.
7.7
Flame Persian Cuisine offers a slightly more polished take on Tehrangeles dining, with white tablecloths, a long kebab menu, and full plates built for sit-down meals. It’s used as a neighborhood option for mixed groups looking for a comfortable room and shareable grilled meats without leaving Westwood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rack of lamb kebab, Barg filet kebab, Tadig with khoresh
What Makes it Special: Sit-down Persian restaurant with a broad kebab menu and polished setting.
7.6
A London-imported Persian kababi that excels at coal-fired lamb kebabs and the tangy mast o musir, though the stews and chicken skewers are less reliable. The moody, candlelit Arts District space delivers on date-night aesthetics but runs loud indoors—the outdoor patio offers a quieter alternative for groups working through shareable mezze spreads.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jujeh Kebab, Salad Olivieh with Black Truffle, Taftoon Flatbread
What Makes it Special: London-born Persian kababi serving coal-fired kebabs in a moody, candlelit Arts District space attached to Soho Warehouse